EP169: Dressing Your Age with Cyndy Porter

When someone insists that you should "dress your age," it's inherently an ageist remark. —Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN   What does it mean to be told that you need to "dress your age"? At its core, being told to "dress your age" is an ageist statement.    Has anyone ever said something along these lines to you? Or maybe you restrict yourself by saying that you're "too old" or "too young" to wear a certain style of clothing or shoes? Or have a certain hairstyle? Or how you wear your makeup?    In today's episode, I am joined by Cyndy Porter who is a certified image consultant, personal stylist, fashion expert and award-winning photographer based in northern Virginia. I worked with her personally in 2015 ~ and today, she and I are going to have a conversation about owning your style at any age.    ▶ Dressing Your Age with Cyndy Porter   Feeling youthful goes beyond appearances and fashion choices; it's an inner outlook on life that defines us. In my field of work, I've had the pleasure of encountering numerous amazing individuals in their 90s who radiated youthfulness. Similarly, I've come across some less vibrant 40-year-olds who see the world through hazy lenses.   It goes back to who you are, staying youthful and being positive and keeping those mental thoughts in the right place then showing up in the world in a way that represents that.  Cyndy emphasizes that it all comes down to self-confidence, regardless of your age. Style and fashion are employed as tools to present the best version of yourself. While people may think that's superficial, a change in a piece of clothing or lipstick makes transformational changes in people's lives.    When it comes to developing or revamping our personal style, there are some key elements we should keep in mind. Cyndy refers to these as the Principles of Design and Art, and they include: Emphasis Scale Color Contrast Repetition Unity and Variety Principles of Design and Art - https://successthrustyle.com/principles-of-design-and-art/    Dressing well and dressing according to one's body type, personality and values ultimately creates a timeless sense of fashion and boosts long-lasting confidence.    Find out the five adjectives that will perfectly describe the image you aspire to achieve for yourself and the avatars that will clarify your signature style   Adjectives Worksheet: https://successthrustyle.com/style-adjective-worksheets/  Success Thru Style Avatars: Free PDF: https://successthrustyle.com/success-thru-style-avatars/ Your Own Style Summary Sheet: https://successthrustyle.com/resources/style-summary-sheet/ Cyndy Porter is an image consultant and personal coach who works with professionals helping them look and feel confident and attract success. She received her degree in marketing, from California State University, Chico. She spent 20 years as a sales and marketing professional in high-tech companies. Her stops included WAIS (one of the first Internet companies in existence) and Kodak. Her final stop on the corporate ladder was as a divisional Vice President of Marketing at American Online (AOL). Thereafter, Cyndy became an award-winning professional photographer. She is a certified image consultant and story coach. Her clients have gone on to start their businesses, multiply their incomes, change careers, be promoted, and forge healthy relationships.   How to Connect with Cyndy: Cyndy's website: https://successthrustyle.com/ – Book a Strategy Call  Watch Cyndy's TEDx Pearl Street Talk - https://successthrustyle.com/cyndys-ted-talk/  You can also find her on: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/successthruStyle/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cyndyporter/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/successthruStyle/  Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cyndyporter/  ------------------------------------------------------------------------ About MelissaBPhD   Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN. Please visit my website at MelissaBPhD.com to learn more about me, how you can work with me directly, and/or support future episodes of the podcast. Within the first 18 months of launching this podcast, we reached a ranking of top 10% globally.    The best way you can help the podcast continue to grow is to LIKE the podcast with a thumbs up, SHARE the podcasts you like with others, SUBSCRIBE, and LEAVE A REVIEW. These things only take a minute of your time, but they really do help increase my rating and ranking; but more importantly, these actions help other people find the podcast.    For the most up-to-date news and information about the podcast and other products and services, please visit my website to sign up for my newsletter and follow me on social media.    If you are on Facebook, feel free to join my Group - look for This is Getting Old: Moving Towards an Age-Friendly World ~ and I'll see you there!  https://www.facebook.com/groups/249685261464834/