Hello beautiful. Welcome back to the podcast this week. This episode is just such a light, such a joy. Really fun. I really can't wait to share this episode with you. It is with Krystal Brooke, who you might know from Instagram, and she is sharing with us today all tips and info around fashion and style. So we talk about how to find your style, especially post pregnancy as a mum, which can be really tricky. We talk about finding confidence in clothes that uplift your mood, the benefits of a capsule wardrobe. We even chat about trends that are upcoming this winter, what's current, what will never go out of style, and some that you can just give a bit of a flick and also how to find which ones you actually like and want to go with. Krystal chats through, and this is the really cool part, her new challenge on Instagram called the 75 hard style challenge. She gives us a bit of a behind the scenes of how it's going up to day ten where she's at when we recorded this podcast, which is really fun. I think it's just such a unique and inspiring, inspiring little challenge that she's sharing over on Instagram. So you have to go on over and check that out. If you're after some style inspiration, I know you will absolutely love this episode. Please don't forget to share it with your friends and family who you know would also be inspired. And make sure you leave a review on Apple Podcasts. If you would like to enter my monthly little inspired gift giveaway, which is where I'm giving one lucky listener who leaves me a review and their Instagram handle that I can come and find you. I'm going to be giving away a few of my favorites that month, so please go on and leave a review so you can enter. And let's get into today's episode.
Oh my gosh, you look stunning.
Thank you.
It's so good to have you on the podcast.
Yes, I'm so excited. Thank you for having me. You're welcome.
I just love you. I love everything that you're about. And I know that all the inspired to be listeners are going to be inspired, inspired by in this particular episode, your style and just fashion vibe that you've got going on. So to get started, I'm sure everyone probably follows you anyway, but just give us a little bit of a background on where your inspiration comes from in your Instagram account and what you love sharing.
Well, the reason I started my Instagram account, this is, like, ten years ago, was because people kept asking me, like, where'd you get that jacket from? Or where'd you get this outfit from? And I was like, this is so funny. Like, one of my friends said, you should just start sharing it. And I was like, okay. So I did start my page, like, just sharing my outfits. Um, and so that was sort of, like, why I got into sharing stuff on Instagram. And I've just kind of gone from there. I've shared, I guess, a bit more of my life and my kids and all that kind of thing. But now at the moment, I'm doing this 75 hard style challenge, and everyone seems to be loving it. So, yeah, just sharing heaps of my outfits. And I've always loved fashion. I've always, always loved it.
You always look amazing through socials and always in person as well. Cause I've met you a few times in person, and I think it's really beautiful how you say that your accounts evolved. It started because people wanted to know more about your details, which I just love. How beautiful is it that we can jump on and share that stuff? Do you think that you've really loved the evolution of it as well? Obviously, going through the ages, I feel like one of the things that connects most women to you now is that there isn't really that mid sort of late thirties niche, but there is still a lot of us on socials. We still want to be inspired by people like you.
Yeah, there's a lot of, like, young people on social media, like, sharing their fashions and stuff. And I think, yeah, like, I try to be really realistic about the outfits that I share. So, like, you know, it's great to have high end fashion, but, you know, we can't all afford high end fashion all the time in our wardrobes. And I have always really. I really loved helping people that feel like they. They don't know what to wear, work out what to wear. Like, when I was younger, I probably used to be a little bit harsh, but I always used to say, there's no excuse for bad fashion. No excuse for it, because I. To me, it comes naturally, I guess. And I find it easy to put an outfit together and, you know, worse comes to worse, you walk into a store and you just copy the mannequin.
That's a good tip. I love that.
Yeah. But I think it definitely. I have enjoyed the evolution of it all, and I think there's definitely room for us to be sharing, like, what we're wearing. Like, people our age, you know, late thirties, we don't want to look like dags. Like, we want to look nice.
100%. And I personally struggle with that because I don't. I love a capsule wardrobe, and I'm actually going to talk to you about that later, but I do really find it hard to pull things together. I'll go and buy a few nice pieces and expect them to look a certain way, but when I put them on myself, they don't look that way. So I really love, like, it's Pinterest. It's almost like, do you know why your 75 hard challenge is going so, because obviously you're an amazing person, but it's like a Pinterest. It's like, we can go over and be like, Pinterest, but it's a video.
It's really cool. That's one of the things I sort of, like, was thinking about before talking to you. Like, Pinterest is so, so good for inspiration to put outfits together. Like, I mean, it is the best you could find anything on Pinterest, not just clothing. It's a really good base for people to start. And whenever I have helped people put wardrobes together for themselves, the first thing I ask them to do is go on Pinterest. Don't think about what clothes you have, but just pin outfits that you would wear, that you like, that you could see yourself in, even if you don't own the clothes right now. Pin outfits that you think, that's me. I want to wear clothes like that. And then we create their wardrobe from their pinterest board.
That's really cool. I love that. How would you describe your style, then? How would you describe all the clothes in your wardrobe?
Too many, probably, to start. Everyone that has seen my wardrobe always is like, what the heck? Why do you have so many clothes and you still have nothing to wear? Like, you know, everyone has those days, but I think my style is probably a bit of a blend between, like, street style and, like, a bit boho beach. Yeah, I feel like I sort of blend the two and I dress according to the day or my mood. I like to dress according to, like, my mood and how I feel or where I'm going. Like, I think that always can help you feel better for your day.
I agree. Do you think that that definitely helps you feel more comfortable in yourself because you're not trying to, you know, you might be feeling a bit yucky and you'll dress accordingly, something a little bit more comfortable, and then you'll feel really cute. But if you try and wear that, you know, super body hugging dress when you're on your period, you're going to feel like ****, you know?
Exactly.
Yeah. I think you've got to, like, dress for your mood. Like, you know, we've all had those days where we think we have an outfit planned in our head the day before, we put it on the next day, and we're just like, ugh, I hate it. Like, that's okay to do that. And I feel like sometimes we just have to dress accordingly. So, yeah, like you said, don't try and wear the body hugging outfit when you're on your period and you're bloated and you feel gross. Like, pick something else that you know, you're comfortable in and. And find, like, those outfits that you can always come back to. So if you're having a day where you're like, I hate everything, like, you've got a fail proof. Couple of things you can pull out, like your favorite jeans, your favorite t shirt, and a blazer. You know, simple. Hard to look bad in. Hard to feel bad in.
Yeah. Would you say then that those are your, like, ultimate wardrobe staples, the jeans, the blazer?
It's really hard to find, like, just a couple of items, but I think definitely you need a good pair of jeans, plain t shirts or tops. Like, you know, find the neckline that works for you. Some people then, like, scoop neck or high neck, like, find that. That style that works for you, invest in some basic, plain. No, no, like, words. No nothing. Plain t shirts and. Yeah, and a blazer or a trench and, you know, they're sort of, like, foolproof outfits, you know?
Exactly. And I love those items because you can mix and match them. So for anyone out there who's interested in the whole capsule wardrobe thing, which I'd love to hear what you think of it. Being someone who has an abundant wardrobe, those things are really easy to mix and match. Or maybe if you're feeling like you want a refresh in your wardrobe, maybe those are the things that you can start by purchasing first.
Yeah, I think definitely. Like, capsule wardrobes are amazing. They're an amazing place to start. If you're feeling like you're tired of your wardrobe or you've kind of lost your style and you've ended up with this big mishmash of things, which I think can happen a lot once we have kids. Like, we have clothes that we wore before we were pregnant, we've maybe held onto them. And then we have all our pregnancy stuff, which, if you're not pregnant, you need to chuck it in the bin, girlfriend, donate it, get rid of it, stop wearing it. And then we have these other random stuff that we've bought afterwards. And sometimes the two, like, don't, or those things, they don't all go together. And so peeling it back and sort of thinking, all right, I'm just going to invest in a capsule wardrobe can be a really good place to start and even for you to find your, like, style and confidence in getting dressed again. And so I think, yeah, like, investing in capsule wardrobe pieces, they're things that are going to stand the test of time. Like, you know, a trench coat. You're not going to get one season's wear out of a trench coat. You're going to get, like, back to back to back seasons of wear out of a trench coat. Same with denim. Like, it wears well. We all have denim we've had in our wardrobe for years that hasn't got holes. That, you know, is our favorite thing. Like, I feel like peeling it back to those basics is so helpful and a great place to start.
Yeah, I love that. And have you learned that a little bit? I think you're on. Are you on day ten of the 75 today?
Yeah, day ten. Or actually today's day eleven.
Yes. I want to know how you're feeling about it so far. Like, you're still at the beginning, but off the back of what you were just saying, things that will seasonally go through the years. Have you found that in the first few days of doing this that you're. Because you're dedicating yourself to not buying anything new. Right. For these 75 days. So you're obviously reminding yourself of the things that are still in fashion that you can still add to your outfit today that maybe you bought a few years ago.
Yeah. Like, today, for example, this shirt I've had for, like, I think I got this shirt last year, this jumper I've had for two years. Like, I kind of forgot about it. A pair of pants on today that they're. They're like, I've got them this year, but that's just an example of how I've pulled things together. Like, you know, a shirt like this and a striped jumper are great capsule wardrobe pieces as well. Like, you can wear them time and time again and different ways. Like, that's the other thing I think is great about. And that's what I'm finding, too, with the challenge. I can be like, oh, I could wear, like, I could wear this shirt, for example. Today I'm wearing it done up, but I could wear it open another day with, as a bit of a, like, overshirt or. There's definitely ways you can mix and match the pieces in your wardrobe. And I think that's what I'm enjoying about the 75 heart thing that I'm doing.
It's going to be really beautiful to see as you go on the things that you keep coming back to. I think that's going to be cool.
Yeah, me too. I'm, like, wondering what they're going to be.
I know. And maybe you'll find things that you'd completely forgotten about.
You know what? On that note, I actually found, um, two, like, storage bags worth of stuff that from when we moved that I haven't even unpacked yet. So it's like new clothes.
And I loved when you went shopping in your husband's wardrobe. You're like, is this cheating? That was fun.
Yeah, no, it's not cheating. I didn't spend any money.
Exactly. And you've got to think on the, on your feet. You've got to use what you've got.
Yeah, that's right.
Where did your love for style and fashion, creating outfits come from? Did you ever work in fashion or what were you like as a kid?
I never worked in fashion. I mean, I did actually work at supra for, like, a few weeks back in the day. I always wanted to, but I never, I never got into working in retail. But my mum has a huge wardrobe, and I used to always pull out her clothes and wear them as a kid. I'd get out her heels, I'd get all her jewelry. And, like, even now, some of the things she has. And my mom's a real keeper. Like, if she bought something, she'll wear it to death. She's great like that. And there's things that I just remember getting dressed up in as a kid from her wardrobe. I always enjoyed that. And my nana, she used to always have beautiful outfits, but her accessories, like, she always accessorized. And I used to play with her jewelry all the time. And I just used to always ask her, where did you get this ring from? And where did you get this from? And I loved how she'd always have, like, I remember she had these beautiful rose earrings that she would wear, like, really delicate. And I was just always intrigued by it. And so I think probably, like, back from that. And then growing up, I grew up next to these two sisters. And I didn't have a sister. I had a younger brother who hated shopping. But the two sisters next door, I just adopted them as my sisters. And the three of us would go shopping. We had no money. We were like kids, you know, like 12, 13 years old.
You can't even get a job yet.
No. And so we would be like, beg my dad to drop us off at the shops and we would just go from shop to shop to shop, the poor shop assistants. And we would just try stuff on. Like, we couldn't buy anything, but we would just have the best day just trying clothes on in all these different stores. And we'd scrounge our pocket money together to buy, like, hot chips at the cafe because we didn't want to sit in the food court. And we just had this, like, girls shopping trip just since I was young. We just always did that. So I think sort of those three things combined was where I found my love for fashion and shopping. And I'm a self confessed shopaholic. Like, I am.
It's okay, it's fine. Because it's a tax write off because you're sharing us all the good stuff.
Yeah, you just write it up.
Yeah. I think that's such a lovely memory. I love that story of your. You and your neighbors. For those who don't know, Crystal's got three beautiful girls. And do you see them doing things now because they're around, like, getting to that similar age?
Yeah. My older two girls have just started asking to go shopping with their cousins and I'm like, oh, my gosh, this is what I used to do. Like, so weird. I want to go with them, but. I know, but I think it's awesome letting them sort of find their own style as well. I think as a parent, that can be a bit tricky because you're like, don't wear that. No, but I agree, like, part of them discovering their sense of style.
Yeah. That is one of the hardest things. I mean, I'm not as style conscious as you and I still find it really hard when zara goes out because she's eleven and I'm just like, oh, my gosh. But you just don't want to say anything because you want them to develop their own sense of awareness of what feels good and.
Chanel, who is our eldest, she is taller than me now, so she is always rating my wardrobe. And if I'm ever doing a wardrobe, clear out. She's like, mum, can I go through it? Can I go? I'll have this. I love that. She loves it.
That's awesome. How cool is that? That's really special. I love that. So you've mentioned a few awesome little tips so far to us, but what is your ultimate secret to pulling together your outfits so effortlessly?
First of all, lots of practice. Like, just try stuff on. Like, don't talk yourself out of it before you've even tried it. And then find your, like, formula of things and repurpose them. So say, if you know that you like wearing, you know, jeans and a blazer and a t shirt, well, like, repeat those three things, find you might have blue blue jeans, black jeans, a white blazer, black blazer and a few different colors of t shirts. And so you can sort of come back to those formulas and repeat them all, like, mix and match. I think that is one thing that is a bit of a secret tip. People forget you can do that. And the other thing is definitely, like, get on Pinterest and make a board of stuff that you like and that you would wear and then try and recreate the outfits with, like, maybe a bit of your own personal, like, touch on it, you know?
Yes, yes. I have a friend who, she's definitely more that skater style, loves denim, loves athleisure, and every summer I'll pull out, like, a few little floral dresses and she always says, I want to wear the floral dresses, but then she tries them on and she hates it. She's like, no, I'm just going to stick to. Stick to my skater girl. I'm like, yes, just stick to it. Comes back to the mood thing that you were saying, crystal, like, stick to what makes you feel good. You can leave the house and then you're presenting as your best energetic self because you're not worried about, oh, like, oh, I'm sitting awkwardly, or this doesn't feel right, you know?
Yeah. Because if you're comfortable, there's, like, no point wearing an outfit that you're not comfortable in. If you're not comfortable, it comes across in everything that you do and so don't feel like you have to necessarily dress, like, to the trend. Like, if the trend is like, mesh, you're not into the mesh. Don't wear it. Like, just stick with the basics. Like things that are classic and, like, denim's never going out of style. Like, denim will never leave us. You know, stick to the basics and those sorts of things. And so what you put on makes you feel good. Like, if what you're wearing makes you feel yuck. Get rid of it.
Yeah, I agree. Totally agree with that. And on the back of trends, let's talk about trends. I am obsessed with the double denim, but I actually don't know if double denim suits me, because anyway, it's fine. I'm going to try it. But what do you love at the moment? What are the trends you're loving? What are the trends that you think are great for our mom style coming into winter?
I think layering, like, I think a trench coat. I've said this a few times in this chat, but I love a trench coat. I just think it just instantly can elevate, like, even a tracksuit can be elevated with a trench. I did that in one of my posts, like, from this 75 hard style challenge. And a few people were like, whoa, I would never do that. But that looks good. And so a trench coat, something that can elevate your wardrobe for winter, is always awesome. And I think the other thing we're seeing at the moment is a bit, like, adding a pop of red.
Yeah.
Which I am really loving. I love red at the moment. I just even, like a little ribbon in your hair or maybe red shoes or, you know, like, a red top that you can layer. Like, I'm loving red at the moment. I think that's a real trend for winter. And then the third thing I would say would be that I just think is a massive trend at the moment is adidas shoes. Yes. Like the gazelles, the sambas, all of that. All the colorful adidas shoes. I think that they're really fun. But again, if color's not your thing, go with a basic version of it.
Yeah, definitely don't. Especially if you're only going to buy one pair. You know, some of them can be quite pricey. Maybe stick with the one that you're going to feel like you can wear with every outfit. I love a. I'm looking for a red and pink one because I love that. And I literally wear that with any outfit. Like, I don't care that my shoes are popping.
Are you ticking off, like, two trends there? Red and the Adidas.
There you go. Oh, there you go.
I used to work for an architect back in the day, and that was one of the things that all the women, like, the successful women architects would wear. They would wear full black, and they would wear a bright shoe. Like a bright heel. And so I just think it looks so nice. It looks really chic and. Yeah, I love that look.
I agree.
One question. I really want to know, is what has been your biggest cringe fashion moment, either in the public eye or out of it.
I don't know if this counts, but I, like, just hated getting dressed when I was pregnant.
Oh, same.
And I look at photos and I'm like, what was that like? I don't know. Does that count or just because I don't.
It does count because your body changes so much and you're trying to find style because it's nine months. And it's not just nine months, it's the postpartum period, too, while you're still trying to find your style again. And, oh, man, you know what? Especially when you get to your third pregnancy and you're just trying to get through.
Like, one thing I did with my third pregnancy was when I, whenever I put an outfit on that I liked when I was pregnant, I would take a photo. So then if I was having one of those days where I was like, I hate this. I hate this dress. I hate that I would just go back to that outfit from the photo because in my mind, I knew I liked it. It looked good that day. So if it doesn't look good, it's probably just in my head.
Yes, I love it.
I did a lot of, like, repeat outfits when I was pregnant that third time as well.
We love a repeat outfit. No one will know. No one will question you. It's like, how are you feeling about the rest of the 75 hard challenge? You're excited. Do you have to think ahead of time or are you just going with the flow? What's your plans?
I'm mostly going with the flow. Apart from if I've got, like, a busy day, then I will try and think ahead or a busy week, but I'm mostly just going to go with the flow. The only thing I'm a bit, like, kicking myself is that it's like, end of financial year sales. And I can't shop them.
This is actually a mental thing for you, too. I can see this is very challenging. You're going to come out the other side with so many positive things that you didn't even realize.
Yes, I think so. And I worked out, like, it's in August, like, the end of the 75 days is August. And I was like, what was I thinking? That's the fall of the winter. I actually think it's a good thing. And, you know, there's a reason for everything. I do have a big enough wardrobe. I don't need to shop the sales. I just like to shop the sales.
Yeah, you have to nurture that, because it's, like, a joy that comes to you. But I think it's great that you're setting this challenge for yourself. I think it's awesome. So if anyone wants to come on over and follow you and be inspired for fashion, be part of the 75 style challenge. Where are your details? Where can they find you?
So best place is on Instagram, and it's just Crystal Brook is my handle, and then I'm on TikTok and Pinterest and whatever as well. But Instagram's my OG. It's the fan.
I know. Instagram is the OG. It's, like, the nice place, right? Thank you so much. I have personally picked up so many cool tips from that. I'm feeling inspired. I wish I was going somewhere tonight so I could go and get dressed, but no, it's raining and horrible. Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate you coming on, and, yeah, I hope you have a beautiful rest of the week.
Thank you for having me.