December 16, 2025 • 21 mins
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Personal style can often feel overwhelming, more like an aspirational goal that gets bogged down in Pinterest boards. In this episode, we have a very simple formula for finding our personal style. So simple, it's almost basic. In fact, it’s all about going back to basics!
Leigh Campbell is joined by Penelope Cadzow, a fashion expert with over 20 years of experience who shares her top style and shopping tips to help you build a wardrobe you love, making it much easier to get dressed in the morning.
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CREDITS:
Host: Leigh Campbell
Guest: Penelope Cadzow
Producer: Grace Rouvray
Audio Producer: Lu Hill
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
You're listening to a Mom with mea podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Hi friends, it's Chelsea Boy Here. At this time of
the year, it's easy to get a bit fashion fatigue,
so we wanted to bring back a really useful chat
all about finding and kneeling your personal style. Lee is
joined by the incredible Penelope Katzo to decode the secret
to effortless style. With two decades of expertise, Penelope shares
her ultimate guide to curating a wardrobe that boosts your
(00:35):
confidence and makes getting dressed a breeze. So let's get
into it.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Whoever said orange is a new pink with seriously disturbed
laurels for spraying groundbreaking?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Oh my god, you have.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
To do it. You live for fashion.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hello, and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe. I'm Lee
Campbell when every week I chat to an expert who
helps us work out how to get more out of
the clothes we already own and tells us exactly what
is and isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. Personal style
is an interesting phrase. What even is personal style? It
(01:14):
can feel overwhelming and like an aspirational goal rather than
something achievable. Within our own wardrobe. But today's guest is
able to break down the formula for finding our personal
style and in a surprisingly simple way. Penelope Cadzo has
over twenty years of experience in the fashion industry, sharing
expert style and shopping tips to help women shop with
(01:37):
confidence and build a wardrobe they love. And that's what
this show is all about. She even says shopping is
her cardio. So firstly, Penelope, welcome to the show. Secondly,
may I call you Penny?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yes, definitely, Penelope is a work name, is a business name.
But yeah, I always when I meet people, I always say,
please call me Pepy.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Well, we're fashion friends. Now, look, I start the show
with the same questions before we jump into the topics.
So can you, my friend Penny, describe your style in
three words?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
After working in fashion for over twenty years, I did
consult with some fashion girlfriends that I used to work
with and said to them, like, help me. What did
so hard to narrow down to three? But I actually
came up with their help. Hi, Lo, I genuinely always
love to dress a bit of something that might be
an investment piece back with some fat vines.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Love it, I'm saying my shoes today have five.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
And I do think that you can make affordable pieces
look fabulous by just adding in that investment piece.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Agreed.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Second one would be cool casuals. So I've found after
working with clients for years going into wardrobes women sort
of between anywhere from thirty five to sixty five, that
they find it hard to find that in between, in
between corporate life to mumlife. Casual can just be a
bit like you know whatever. Now casual is like cool
(02:55):
trousers with a great T shirt and sneakers, add a
blazer or jeans, put a heel with it, but just
a basic tops.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
So and you do that very well, and we're going
to talk about that more. Yeah, in between triangle of
where all our styles gone missing? What's your third word?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
So my third word is considered And this one is
a little bit different. One of my girlfriends said, Oh,
you're always sort of effortless and casual and cool casual,
But I actually my outfits are considered.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Love it. Okay. Now, the next theory that we always
talk about at the start of the show, people have
a wardrobe full of clothes. It's the ninety theory that
we reach for a certain ten percent of everything we
own ninety percent of the time because it's how trusty items, accessory, shoes, whatever,
what's in your ten percent that you often reach for.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
One hundred percent, go for Jean's a good top and blazer,
great sneakers. We're both wearing the exact sames I know exactly,
and of course and winter that's boots, yes, in summer
at sandals. In winter it's boots, jeans or your around.
I'll even wear them in summer with a tank and
I just throw on a blazer to feel great.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Love it. I think we could share a wardrobe. Now, listen,
your journey to becoming a starless is quite had an
interesting one. Can you take me back to the beginning
of how you got to hear and what you identified
on your own journey and how that could help women.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
I worked in retailing fashion when I was in high school.
When I was at university, I studied fashion and I
went into work in fashion. I was in design for
many years. I worked for some great Australian companies and
brands like Oraton and Sportscraft. I worked in accessories, but
I always worked alongside the designers in fashion. Both men's
and women. So I got a very good understanding of
(04:35):
garment construction and fabrics, and I also traveled to suppliers
and got to see how things were made. So when
I eventually was married, we moved overseas, my husband worked overseas.
I had my first baby, and I stepped back from
that sort of work lifestyle and obviously launched into motherhood.
And I still had my foot in the door with
a couple of little things that I was doing, consulting
(04:55):
and things like that. But I just found that I
missed it so much. And I know that this is
a conversation with parents and mothers. All the time I
missed working, I missed that passion. I wake up to
clothing and I go bit to fashion and clothing and
pecking about it. I just I can't help, but that's me.
So I just found that once we moved back to Australia,
I had my second and I actually did go back
(05:16):
to work in the industry, which I loved, but I
found it such a juggle, juggling daycare, my eldest start
at school, and then I found out I was pregnant
with my third and that was a real surprise, and
I knew once I had a third I wasn't going
to be going back to that. I knew that it
wouldn't financially wouldn't work either. And I'm the one that's
on call. I'm the one that gets a phone call
from daycare. So my girlfriends sort of said to me
when my daughter was about six months old, I was
(05:38):
in the debt and I literally just felt pretty lost.
I felt there wasn't that work site. I stepped back completely.
I wasn't doing any consulting or anything part time. She goes,
just wear your good clothes, just wear good stuff, and
she's some I worked with it.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
You had lost your own in fashion, but had you
lost your own style in the trenches of motherhood?
Speaker 1 (05:57):
One hundred percent. I'd gone to that really really casual style.
So when I say cool casual, I'd gone into that genuinely, like.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Really case so so so maybe no call it.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Really And you know what, there was no difference between
week day to weekend. It was all blending in seven
days a week. Motherhood is seven days a week, and.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I think that happens to a lot of us. And
that's okay. But if you are feeling a bit blah
and you're so into fashion and that was who you
were before I get that.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I was just in jeans and a T shirt and
active wear. And that's not a bad thing, but it
definitely someone coming from fashion that you know, that's my industry.
I really missed it. So she said put on your
nice things and just get out. It was great and
it was a really nice bit of advice. She goes,
done an Instagram account. I go, no, one's going to
follow me, and she goes, well, I will, And I'm
not joking. That's how it started. And literally the next
(06:45):
day and I woke up and I put on a
black Maxid dress, which is one of the things I
always say is a go to for summer. And I
remember at school pick I've had the PRAM with me.
This lady came up. She said, you look amazing. Have
you been You look like being in a magazine shoot.
And I was just like, I was like, oh my gosh,
someone has seen me. Someone it's me, And this was me.
This was me feeling like myself again in what I'd
(07:06):
always study and the industry had always been in. But
I was just in the school yard and I didn't
care if I looked dressed up. And it comes from something.
I just felt better and I felt myself and that
became my motto is really, if you look good, you
feel good, your mood's better.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
I totally agree. I went through the same thing postpartum,
and then I was like, oh, I put in a
teeny bit of effort just for me, for no one else,
and I just I felt a little bit better. Now. Listen,
today's topic is the perfect formula for finding your personal style,
and that is what you do for people. So you
are the right guest. So who are the women coming
to you for help?
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Yes? So I have found they have just lost their
sense of style, lost their way with their wardrobe. They
probably have a full wardrobe, but just don't know how
to put it together, what to shop next, what's missing,
what's missing, and just how to feel good. Sometimes they've
had a lot of pieces they've owned for a really
(08:00):
long time. That's what I talk about. When a lot
of women have their corporate wardrobe or their work wardrobe
and it's just gathering dust and they're like, I don't
know what to do with it, and I'm like, get
rid of it. Absolutely someone else can wear it. And
I just find also they are definitely women that are busy.
I've had a couple of men as well, but you know,
it's that real feeling if they just want someone to
help them with a category, they just can't get their
(08:23):
head around.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
We've outsourced everything, like you can get you Uber eats
and your absolutely you can online shop, but then you
get it into your war driving like, oh, now what
do I do?
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Now you talk a lot about the in between void,
the clothing void. Explain what this is.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
So what I found in the beginning was every client
was different, and I treated it that way. I always
have a style questionnaire, but every client different lifestyle, different age,
different taste, different body shape. And as I went along
a couple of years, I started to see the same thing.
I started to do workshops and online workshops and things
like that because I started to see the basics were missing,
(09:01):
and often they had them, but they weren't wearing them
because they didn't fit. And I'm going to say straight
away a pair of jeans. It just was so obvious
that I found it really hard to go into people's
wardrobe like where's your jeans and they're like, oh, I've
got these five pairs, But that doesn't fit that one.
I'm just not sure about that one I bought on
sale and I'm like, where's your fab jeans? Where are
your jeans that you put on and you feel amazing in?
(09:22):
Because if you don't have a great pair of jeans,
I'm like, that's where we're starting. Yes, And sometimes they'd
be be like, oh, just jeans. They want that.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Basics equals boring, but it doesn't.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It doesn't. It equals everything else goes with it.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yes, Okay, I'm with you. I went I fell into
that exact trap. I went on to matt Leave. My
job before was very glamorous and lots of events. I'd
heels and dresses, yes, and then i had you know,
bonds tracksit pants from six hundred years ago, and there
was nothing in between in between was missing.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Absolutely, That's what I really noticed. And I found some clients,
you see, they're disheartened a bit because I had one
client in Melbourne and she was a lawyer. She was
in corporate, but she had so many colored tops and prints.
She wore skirts and tights and dresses, which I found
really surprising for Melbourne. I'm like, where's your trousers? And
she didn't have a pair of black trousers. I could
see her face just drop when she was doing the
(10:09):
zoom with me, because I'm like, you really need a
good pair of black trousers.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
That's boring.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
It's like, that's boring. You're a stylist and you're telling
me that. And yet she messaged me a couple of
weeks later. I gave her a detailed email. She messed
me a couple of weeks later. She said, I've bought
a pair of black pants. I bought them in navy,
and I cannot believe how much it has changed my life.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
How many combinations are sitting in her wardrobe.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
All of those colored tops could then be worn over
and over and over again. And I also said, a
really really good coat.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
In regards to people finding their personal style, when people
say to you, I don't have a personal style, how
do they find it? It's one of those things that's missing.
Do they not have it or do they just not
know what it is?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
I just think women don't prioritize it. I have some
women message me and say I like your style. I'm like,
but what about you? What's your style? You know? And
when I've had the style question and I've actually had
on that like who inspires you or who do you
look up to? And sometimes they leave it blank, sometimes
they put myself or someone similar, and sometimes they put
it is lovely and I suggest, you know, I say
(11:17):
all celebrities or people on TV or someone on Instagram,
I want to know more, and they struggle. And I've
actually had a lot of replies that have been Kate
Middleton and Megan Markle, and I'm like, but they've got wardrobes,
they've got budgets, they've got stylists.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
But I guess, I mean, if they're into like feminine,
it's an interesting thing because because.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
They always look really put together.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yes, overall vibe. It's funny because you and I have
prolific on social media. It's part of our jobs. But
I've got a lot of friends who are lawyers and
doctors and they don't spend any time on social media.
They go home at night and watch period drama. So
they're like, oh, did you see what camesworth? And they're
like what. But we're talking personal style. So do you
believe everyone needs a pair of jeans? What if they
are a Kate Middleton, I.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Mean she does wear a gene, she does wear a jeans,
she rocks that T shirt, jeans and ballet flat. Yes,
but again I think it's having the right genes that
suit you, that you feel fabulous in, and then you
just put all the pieces around it. Okay, so you
put a pair of sneakers if you're super cash, you
put a pair of ballet flats if you want to
elevate it, and then you put a heel if you're
ready for night time. But if someone doesn't want to
do jeans, I'm always a huge fan of elastic waste
(12:20):
trousers and so many options. Now there's a new sporty
stripe sort of styles in that are so comfy, but
also lots of beautiful linen trouser.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
There are a pastor that's a bit more feminine.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Okay, So clients for you are overwhelmed by what's in
their wardrobe, but then you take them shopping. What part
of that is overwhelming? I'm a sponge. I go oh
to cub a window. I want to look like her
that I oh, see the window, I'll look like her,
And you know, I've got a rough idea about fashion. Yeah,
so do they find that overwhelming?
Speaker 1 (12:47):
I just have women that just don't like shopping at all.
People also get stuck in their ways. They have their
makeup routine, they have their outfits, and they have maybe
their work or their lifestyles. So they're stuck in their
ways and I have to push them a little bit.
And sometimes that's where they get so excited and it
doesn't work every time. I always say to them, I'm
not going to nail this, but I want you to
try something different on it.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Force your credit card on the count. You don't have
to buy it.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
And I've had a woman say I'll never wear a jumpsuit.
Well I found one for her next thing. You know,
she loves a jumpsuit, you know, But it was just
finding the right one and getting her to try it
on and don't give up. I also sometimes say to
people it's like a fridge. If you kept buying the
same things in your fridge and cooking the same meals,
you'd be so bort And.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It's true, because you're in a rush you go to
the shop, so you shop online and you go, oh,
that's safe. I know that style suits mean, but then
you've got more and more of the same. So you
believe that the key to personal style is back to basics. Absolutely,
let's talk about that, because for me, I agree, But
basics aren't all basics the same? And then we're talking
a capsual wardrobe.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
You know, people sometimes get really put off by those
words because they find it just so limiting.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Also, the word basic is so basic. May we call
it like quality foundations.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Or foundation pieces? I love that, or I call them
my top picks. If you have these, then you can
style so many outfits with your little pieces that you
add in.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
So are your personal statement? Okay? Me through some options
for that.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
So when I'm shopping with someone or when I'm talking
to someone and giving them tips, I don't necessarily want
to shop print with them or color because that's something
you can do yourself. You're attracted to it, you put
it on. I want to make sure they've got all
those basics, all those foundation pieces, because once they've nailed those,
sure go out and shop that fun piece with that
fun color.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
So you put up the walls in the roof and
then they do the cushions and rug and I like
it and it's so true thinking about it now, And
some gaps in my wardrobo friends who they have a
very distinct style Some are super feminine, some are super sporty.
They know their personal style. They just can't pair forty
with forty with forty shorty because they don't have those
foundational pieces to the correct Okay, so talk to me
(14:53):
about foundation pieces. What do you recommend that kind of
works with most people's personal style? Is it a white shirt?
What are we buying as our foundations.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Again, I'm going to go back to jeans. That's obviously
because I think also work lifestyle, work from home, even
work office, it's become more casual, like my husband's wearing
chinos and not a suit anymore, with just a button shirt,
you know. So I think jeans you really do need
to have at least one really good pair, if not more.
I also think of white top. Some people find that
a T shirt. I am actually moving more towards a
(15:25):
tank because I don't know, I'm in my forties and
I'm finding I get hotter really easily. So I actually
just love like a white sleeveless top. But that could
also be a white button down shirt. So I always
say jeans and a white top, you just can't go wrong.
It's just clean, classic, and then you could add any
color blazer, any color nit over the top. I always
say a blazer. I think a black blazer because some
people might find black a bit harsh, but you know
(15:46):
what it elevates, and that's where you add your accessories.
You know, you just add your great jewels, a fabulous lipstick,
great handbag. You can do that really affordable as well.
So if you have that great blazer, and I would
recommend black, I also think a black trouser if you
can get the matching set, because you can actually wear
that evening style. You could wear that black tie if
you need a gee, put on a fabulous to a wedding,
(16:06):
put on fabulous black heels with trousers and a black blazer,
earring exactly, even do like a little lace cami underneath
or bra like you could dress that up with the
most incredible earrings and you know, no matter what, hair
on hundred percent. And I've only mentioned four pieces, so
five faces. So and then of course I will definitely
add in a sneaker. And again the sneaker goes with jeans,
(16:27):
the white sneaker, but then you could do the sneaker
with the black blazer and the black trousers.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
It's employed, but with someone with me born without ankles.
I'm still trying to experiment of sneakers outside of active wear,
but I get it. Maybe it's a classic or comfy
flat shoe.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Yes, yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
This is the trap I see a lot of people
fall into, and I wonder how you feel. Don't have
to spend a lot of money, But I think there
is a difference between a home white T shirt and
I wear outside white teas. Definitely, even if they're both
thirty bucks.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Oh absolutely. And I actually say to people like, if
you're wearing that white T shirt, get to style it
with your jeans, But then have you one that's just
with your active wear, Like I have a couple of
those things. When we talk about those basics, as I say,
you might have a few of each of those items.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Especially if you really love the cut. I downgrade mine
from outside the house in the house in bed exactly,
deteriorate exactly.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
And I always consider people's budgets. So obviously you know Hamart, Target,
they have fantastic items you can get if you want
to go a little bit higher in price point. What
you do find higher and price point is you do
start to get higher quality, and I talk about that
a lot because I love talking about fabrics, and I
think that's something that really comes strong in knitwear and coats.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Particularly coats, because if you look after them well, you
have them forever.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
If you have wool in your coat, you are so
much warmer, and the same with knits. I find having
wool low hair el packer cashmir. It does add price,
but it's going to last longer. And I actually don't
buy knits now without wool in it because I just
I hate being cold.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yes, and also the bawling, and you know it's you
do get what you pay for to a degree, I
want to be comfortable to hate an exactly. Okay, so
we have bought our let's not call them basics. We
have curated a few foundational pieces and we take them
home and we're hyper feminine or we like masculine or
we're classic. Then do we play in our wardrobe to
(18:22):
find our personal style combinations?
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Yeah? So I always like to where even if I'm
just doing someone's wardrobe or doing a shopping session or
just discussing someone's style, I always like to see their wardrobe.
So I always get them to do it by FaceTime
because they take the phone or the iPad. I want
to see it straight away. I'm not joking. As soon
as I see someone's wardrobe, it's like this magic trick
often that there's just so much black. I'm like, okay,
I know exactly what we need to do here, just
(18:46):
overloaded with black? You bored? So we need to adding
color in a bit of pattern. Or they might just
have a lot of neutrals, or they might have pieces
they just need to dely clutter a little bit. Sometimes
it's just that feeling of someone else telling you move
it on. And also I don't have a U what
do they do? Do they enlist a friend?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Do they set aside three hours in their diary to
actually just put on undies and a bra and try
on all the combos?
Speaker 1 (19:08):
So I actually suggest doing it in smaller parts. Okay.
I actually think cull a couple of pieces every month
or every couple of months, because it's so doable. Yes,
just get three things out and go, you know what
time to move on? Okay, and then you're not standing
in your wardrobe getting flustered.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Totally overwhelmed decision for tea, even.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
If it's three to five pieces every couple of months.
Whatever you decide to do, put it in a bag
and put it under your kid's bed, or in the
back of your husband's wardrobe, even in the garage.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
And a pie.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Right, it's the maybe pile. So rather than having in
the back of your car and dropping it off and
then going, oh, might regret that, or having any car
for three months, if you never drop it off, what
can happen? Just hide it, yes, and if you haven't
missed it, yep, it's time and.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
You'll probably forget about. It's funny you say that. I
recently did a clean out and I found my maybe
pile from a year ago, and I was like, well,
I forgot that was there, and so went straight into donation.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
What also helps with removing things is you find things.
So many times people have done a little declutter and
I don't say pull everything out put it all back in.
Every time you do it, you find something. I do
it myself. I'm like, oh, I missed that top. I
love you. Yeah you've been and hidden, yeah hid it.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Yeah. You can't say all.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Exactly, And all of a sudden we become friends again
and I've just found something that I always owned. I
just had forgotten about. So decluttering, I think is really
own war shop, your own wardrobe, and also you might
do a little bit of reorganizing. So I'm really big
on moving your wardrobe through seasons. So have your winter
wardrobe front and center when it's really cold, because that's
what you're going to be outfitting and you can reach
(20:34):
for quickly and you can see how it all works together.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yes, particularly if you're overwhelmed with getting dressed every morning.
If you've got less to look at, it's easier. Henny,
you're a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for
joining us.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Thank you for having me. We'll have you on again.
Sou sounds great.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
That's all we have time for today. Thank you so
much for listening to Nothing to Air. Don't forget to
sign up to our Nothing to Ear newsletter. There's a
link in the show notes. Don't forget to watch us
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram at Nothing to
Wear Pod. Summer is here and your wardrobe is calling
for help. Nothing to Wear is sticking around this festive
season with your best ever style fan for twenty twenty six.
Starting next Monday, we're delivering episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and
(21:11):
Friday packed with some fresh new content and our best
bits from the archives to help you head into the
new year feeling more stylish than ever. Think the ultimate
sales shopping game plan, a look at the No Buy Challenge,
and our hottest twenty twenty six trend predictions and more.
Our summer series kicks off this Monday.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
We'll see you soon. Bye, Mamma.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We have
recorded this podcast on the Gadigal people of the Urination.
We pay our respects to their elders past and present,
and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures.
You're listening to a Mom with mea podcast.
Speaker 2 (00:14):
Hi friends, it's Chelsea Boy Here. At this time of
the year, it's easy to get a bit fashion fatigue,
so we wanted to bring back a really useful chat
all about finding and kneeling your personal style. Lee is
joined by the incredible Penelope Katzo to decode the secret
to effortless style. With two decades of expertise, Penelope shares
her ultimate guide to curating a wardrobe that boosts your
(00:35):
confidence and makes getting dressed a breeze. So let's get
into it.
Speaker 3 (00:41):
Whoever said orange is a new pink with seriously disturbed
laurels for spraying groundbreaking?
Speaker 1 (00:46):
Oh my god, you have.
Speaker 2 (00:48):
To do it. You live for fashion.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Hello, and welcome to Nothing to Wear, the podcast that
solves fashion problems and levels up your wardrobe. I'm Lee
Campbell when every week I chat to an expert who
helps us work out how to get more out of
the clothes we already own and tells us exactly what
is and isn't worth adding to our wardrobe. Personal style
is an interesting phrase. What even is personal style? It
(01:14):
can feel overwhelming and like an aspirational goal rather than
something achievable. Within our own wardrobe. But today's guest is
able to break down the formula for finding our personal
style and in a surprisingly simple way. Penelope Cadzo has
over twenty years of experience in the fashion industry, sharing
expert style and shopping tips to help women shop with
(01:37):
confidence and build a wardrobe they love. And that's what
this show is all about. She even says shopping is
her cardio. So firstly, Penelope, welcome to the show. Secondly,
may I call you Penny?
Speaker 1 (01:49):
Yes, definitely, Penelope is a work name, is a business name.
But yeah, I always when I meet people, I always say,
please call me Pepy.
Speaker 3 (01:55):
Well, we're fashion friends. Now, look, I start the show
with the same questions before we jump into the topics.
So can you, my friend Penny, describe your style in
three words?
Speaker 1 (02:04):
After working in fashion for over twenty years, I did
consult with some fashion girlfriends that I used to work
with and said to them, like, help me. What did
so hard to narrow down to three? But I actually
came up with their help. Hi, Lo, I genuinely always
love to dress a bit of something that might be
an investment piece back with some fat vines.
Speaker 3 (02:25):
Love it, I'm saying my shoes today have five.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
And I do think that you can make affordable pieces
look fabulous by just adding in that investment piece.
Speaker 3 (02:34):
Agreed.
Speaker 1 (02:35):
Second one would be cool casuals. So I've found after
working with clients for years going into wardrobes women sort
of between anywhere from thirty five to sixty five, that
they find it hard to find that in between, in
between corporate life to mumlife. Casual can just be a
bit like you know whatever. Now casual is like cool
(02:55):
trousers with a great T shirt and sneakers, add a
blazer or jeans, put a heel with it, but just
a basic tops.
Speaker 3 (03:01):
So and you do that very well, and we're going
to talk about that more. Yeah, in between triangle of
where all our styles gone missing? What's your third word?
Speaker 1 (03:10):
So my third word is considered And this one is
a little bit different. One of my girlfriends said, Oh,
you're always sort of effortless and casual and cool casual,
But I actually my outfits are considered.
Speaker 3 (03:23):
Love it. Okay. Now, the next theory that we always
talk about at the start of the show, people have
a wardrobe full of clothes. It's the ninety theory that
we reach for a certain ten percent of everything we
own ninety percent of the time because it's how trusty items, accessory, shoes, whatever,
what's in your ten percent that you often reach for.
Speaker 1 (03:43):
One hundred percent, go for Jean's a good top and blazer,
great sneakers. We're both wearing the exact sames I know exactly,
and of course and winter that's boots, yes, in summer
at sandals. In winter it's boots, jeans or your around.
I'll even wear them in summer with a tank and
I just throw on a blazer to feel great.
Speaker 3 (04:01):
Love it. I think we could share a wardrobe. Now, listen,
your journey to becoming a starless is quite had an
interesting one. Can you take me back to the beginning
of how you got to hear and what you identified
on your own journey and how that could help women.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
I worked in retailing fashion when I was in high school.
When I was at university, I studied fashion and I
went into work in fashion. I was in design for
many years. I worked for some great Australian companies and
brands like Oraton and Sportscraft. I worked in accessories, but
I always worked alongside the designers in fashion. Both men's
and women. So I got a very good understanding of
(04:35):
garment construction and fabrics, and I also traveled to suppliers
and got to see how things were made. So when
I eventually was married, we moved overseas, my husband worked overseas.
I had my first baby, and I stepped back from
that sort of work lifestyle and obviously launched into motherhood.
And I still had my foot in the door with
a couple of little things that I was doing, consulting
(04:55):
and things like that. But I just found that I
missed it so much. And I know that this is
a conversation with parents and mothers. All the time I
missed working, I missed that passion. I wake up to
clothing and I go bit to fashion and clothing and
pecking about it. I just I can't help, but that's me.
So I just found that once we moved back to Australia,
I had my second and I actually did go back
(05:16):
to work in the industry, which I loved, but I
found it such a juggle, juggling daycare, my eldest start
at school, and then I found out I was pregnant
with my third and that was a real surprise, and
I knew once I had a third I wasn't going
to be going back to that. I knew that it
wouldn't financially wouldn't work either. And I'm the one that's
on call. I'm the one that gets a phone call
from daycare. So my girlfriends sort of said to me
when my daughter was about six months old, I was
(05:38):
in the debt and I literally just felt pretty lost.
I felt there wasn't that work site. I stepped back completely.
I wasn't doing any consulting or anything part time. She goes,
just wear your good clothes, just wear good stuff, and
she's some I worked with it.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
You had lost your own in fashion, but had you
lost your own style in the trenches of motherhood?
Speaker 1 (05:57):
One hundred percent. I'd gone to that really really casual style.
So when I say cool casual, I'd gone into that genuinely, like.
Speaker 3 (06:03):
Really case so so so maybe no call it.
Speaker 1 (06:06):
Really And you know what, there was no difference between
week day to weekend. It was all blending in seven
days a week. Motherhood is seven days a week, and.
Speaker 3 (06:15):
I think that happens to a lot of us. And
that's okay. But if you are feeling a bit blah
and you're so into fashion and that was who you
were before I get that.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
I was just in jeans and a T shirt and
active wear. And that's not a bad thing, but it
definitely someone coming from fashion that you know, that's my industry.
I really missed it. So she said put on your
nice things and just get out. It was great and
it was a really nice bit of advice. She goes,
done an Instagram account. I go, no, one's going to
follow me, and she goes, well, I will, And I'm
not joking. That's how it started. And literally the next
(06:45):
day and I woke up and I put on a
black Maxid dress, which is one of the things I
always say is a go to for summer. And I
remember at school pick I've had the PRAM with me.
This lady came up. She said, you look amazing. Have
you been You look like being in a magazine shoot.
And I was just like, I was like, oh my gosh,
someone has seen me. Someone it's me, And this was me.
This was me feeling like myself again in what I'd
(07:06):
always study and the industry had always been in. But
I was just in the school yard and I didn't
care if I looked dressed up. And it comes from something.
I just felt better and I felt myself and that
became my motto is really, if you look good, you
feel good, your mood's better.
Speaker 3 (07:21):
I totally agree. I went through the same thing postpartum,
and then I was like, oh, I put in a
teeny bit of effort just for me, for no one else,
and I just I felt a little bit better. Now. Listen,
today's topic is the perfect formula for finding your personal style,
and that is what you do for people. So you
are the right guest. So who are the women coming
to you for help?
Speaker 1 (07:40):
Yes? So I have found they have just lost their
sense of style, lost their way with their wardrobe. They
probably have a full wardrobe, but just don't know how
to put it together, what to shop next, what's missing,
what's missing, and just how to feel good. Sometimes they've
had a lot of pieces they've owned for a really
(08:00):
long time. That's what I talk about. When a lot
of women have their corporate wardrobe or their work wardrobe
and it's just gathering dust and they're like, I don't
know what to do with it, and I'm like, get
rid of it. Absolutely someone else can wear it. And
I just find also they are definitely women that are busy.
I've had a couple of men as well, but you know,
it's that real feeling if they just want someone to
help them with a category, they just can't get their
(08:23):
head around.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
We've outsourced everything, like you can get you Uber eats
and your absolutely you can online shop, but then you
get it into your war driving like, oh, now what
do I do?
Speaker 1 (08:31):
Absolutely?
Speaker 3 (08:32):
Now you talk a lot about the in between void,
the clothing void. Explain what this is.
Speaker 1 (08:38):
So what I found in the beginning was every client
was different, and I treated it that way. I always
have a style questionnaire, but every client different lifestyle, different age,
different taste, different body shape. And as I went along
a couple of years, I started to see the same thing.
I started to do workshops and online workshops and things
like that because I started to see the basics were missing,
(09:01):
and often they had them, but they weren't wearing them
because they didn't fit. And I'm going to say straight
away a pair of jeans. It just was so obvious
that I found it really hard to go into people's
wardrobe like where's your jeans and they're like, oh, I've
got these five pairs, But that doesn't fit that one.
I'm just not sure about that one I bought on
sale and I'm like, where's your fab jeans? Where are
your jeans that you put on and you feel amazing in?
(09:22):
Because if you don't have a great pair of jeans,
I'm like, that's where we're starting. Yes, And sometimes they'd
be be like, oh, just jeans. They want that.
Speaker 3 (09:28):
Basics equals boring, but it doesn't.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
It doesn't. It equals everything else goes with it.
Speaker 3 (09:33):
Yes, Okay, I'm with you. I went I fell into
that exact trap. I went on to matt Leave. My
job before was very glamorous and lots of events. I'd
heels and dresses, yes, and then i had you know,
bonds tracksit pants from six hundred years ago, and there
was nothing in between in between was missing.
Speaker 1 (09:48):
Absolutely, That's what I really noticed. And I found some clients,
you see, they're disheartened a bit because I had one
client in Melbourne and she was a lawyer. She was
in corporate, but she had so many colored tops and prints.
She wore skirts and tights and dresses, which I found
really surprising for Melbourne. I'm like, where's your trousers? And
she didn't have a pair of black trousers. I could
see her face just drop when she was doing the
(10:09):
zoom with me, because I'm like, you really need a
good pair of black trousers.
Speaker 3 (10:12):
That's boring.
Speaker 1 (10:12):
It's like, that's boring. You're a stylist and you're telling
me that. And yet she messaged me a couple of
weeks later. I gave her a detailed email. She messed
me a couple of weeks later. She said, I've bought
a pair of black pants. I bought them in navy,
and I cannot believe how much it has changed my life.
Speaker 3 (10:24):
How many combinations are sitting in her wardrobe.
Speaker 1 (10:26):
All of those colored tops could then be worn over
and over and over again. And I also said, a
really really good coat.
Speaker 3 (10:42):
In regards to people finding their personal style, when people
say to you, I don't have a personal style, how
do they find it? It's one of those things that's missing.
Do they not have it or do they just not
know what it is?
Speaker 1 (10:56):
I just think women don't prioritize it. I have some
women message me and say I like your style. I'm like,
but what about you? What's your style? You know? And
when I've had the style question and I've actually had
on that like who inspires you or who do you
look up to? And sometimes they leave it blank, sometimes
they put myself or someone similar, and sometimes they put
it is lovely and I suggest, you know, I say
(11:17):
all celebrities or people on TV or someone on Instagram,
I want to know more, and they struggle. And I've
actually had a lot of replies that have been Kate
Middleton and Megan Markle, and I'm like, but they've got wardrobes,
they've got budgets, they've got stylists.
Speaker 3 (11:31):
But I guess, I mean, if they're into like feminine,
it's an interesting thing because because.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
They always look really put together.
Speaker 3 (11:37):
Yes, overall vibe. It's funny because you and I have
prolific on social media. It's part of our jobs. But
I've got a lot of friends who are lawyers and
doctors and they don't spend any time on social media.
They go home at night and watch period drama. So
they're like, oh, did you see what camesworth? And they're
like what. But we're talking personal style. So do you
believe everyone needs a pair of jeans? What if they
are a Kate Middleton, I.
Speaker 1 (11:58):
Mean she does wear a gene, she does wear a jeans,
she rocks that T shirt, jeans and ballet flat. Yes,
but again I think it's having the right genes that
suit you, that you feel fabulous in, and then you
just put all the pieces around it. Okay, so you
put a pair of sneakers if you're super cash, you
put a pair of ballet flats if you want to
elevate it, and then you put a heel if you're
ready for night time. But if someone doesn't want to
do jeans, I'm always a huge fan of elastic waste
(12:20):
trousers and so many options. Now there's a new sporty
stripe sort of styles in that are so comfy, but
also lots of beautiful linen trouser.
Speaker 3 (12:26):
There are a pastor that's a bit more feminine.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
Absolutely.
Speaker 3 (12:29):
Okay, So clients for you are overwhelmed by what's in
their wardrobe, but then you take them shopping. What part
of that is overwhelming? I'm a sponge. I go oh
to cub a window. I want to look like her
that I oh, see the window, I'll look like her,
And you know, I've got a rough idea about fashion. Yeah,
so do they find that overwhelming?
Speaker 1 (12:47):
I just have women that just don't like shopping at all.
People also get stuck in their ways. They have their
makeup routine, they have their outfits, and they have maybe
their work or their lifestyles. So they're stuck in their
ways and I have to push them a little bit.
And sometimes that's where they get so excited and it
doesn't work every time. I always say to them, I'm
not going to nail this, but I want you to
try something different on it.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
Force your credit card on the count. You don't have
to buy it.
Speaker 1 (13:09):
And I've had a woman say I'll never wear a jumpsuit.
Well I found one for her next thing. You know,
she loves a jumpsuit, you know, But it was just
finding the right one and getting her to try it
on and don't give up. I also sometimes say to
people it's like a fridge. If you kept buying the
same things in your fridge and cooking the same meals,
you'd be so bort And.
Speaker 3 (13:26):
It's true, because you're in a rush you go to
the shop, so you shop online and you go, oh,
that's safe. I know that style suits mean, but then
you've got more and more of the same. So you
believe that the key to personal style is back to basics. Absolutely,
let's talk about that, because for me, I agree, But
basics aren't all basics the same? And then we're talking
a capsual wardrobe.
Speaker 1 (13:44):
You know, people sometimes get really put off by those
words because they find it just so limiting.
Speaker 3 (13:48):
Also, the word basic is so basic. May we call
it like quality foundations.
Speaker 1 (13:52):
Or foundation pieces? I love that, or I call them
my top picks. If you have these, then you can
style so many outfits with your little pieces that you
add in.
Speaker 3 (14:03):
So are your personal statement? Okay? Me through some options
for that.
Speaker 1 (14:08):
So when I'm shopping with someone or when I'm talking
to someone and giving them tips, I don't necessarily want
to shop print with them or color because that's something
you can do yourself. You're attracted to it, you put
it on. I want to make sure they've got all
those basics, all those foundation pieces, because once they've nailed those,
sure go out and shop that fun piece with that
fun color.
Speaker 3 (14:28):
So you put up the walls in the roof and
then they do the cushions and rug and I like
it and it's so true thinking about it now, And
some gaps in my wardrobo friends who they have a
very distinct style Some are super feminine, some are super sporty.
They know their personal style. They just can't pair forty
with forty with forty shorty because they don't have those
foundational pieces to the correct Okay, so talk to me
(14:53):
about foundation pieces. What do you recommend that kind of
works with most people's personal style? Is it a white shirt?
What are we buying as our foundations.
Speaker 1 (15:04):
Again, I'm going to go back to jeans. That's obviously
because I think also work lifestyle, work from home, even
work office, it's become more casual, like my husband's wearing
chinos and not a suit anymore, with just a button shirt,
you know. So I think jeans you really do need
to have at least one really good pair, if not more.
I also think of white top. Some people find that
a T shirt. I am actually moving more towards a
(15:25):
tank because I don't know, I'm in my forties and
I'm finding I get hotter really easily. So I actually
just love like a white sleeveless top. But that could
also be a white button down shirt. So I always
say jeans and a white top, you just can't go wrong.
It's just clean, classic, and then you could add any
color blazer, any color nit over the top. I always
say a blazer. I think a black blazer because some
people might find black a bit harsh, but you know
(15:46):
what it elevates, and that's where you add your accessories.
You know, you just add your great jewels, a fabulous lipstick,
great handbag. You can do that really affordable as well.
So if you have that great blazer, and I would
recommend black, I also think a black trouser if you
can get the matching set, because you can actually wear
that evening style. You could wear that black tie if
you need a gee, put on a fabulous to a wedding,
(16:06):
put on fabulous black heels with trousers and a black blazer,
earring exactly, even do like a little lace cami underneath
or bra like you could dress that up with the
most incredible earrings and you know, no matter what, hair
on hundred percent. And I've only mentioned four pieces, so
five faces. So and then of course I will definitely
add in a sneaker. And again the sneaker goes with jeans,
(16:27):
the white sneaker, but then you could do the sneaker
with the black blazer and the black trousers.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
It's employed, but with someone with me born without ankles.
I'm still trying to experiment of sneakers outside of active wear,
but I get it. Maybe it's a classic or comfy
flat shoe.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
Yes, yeah, yeah, definitely, definitely.
Speaker 3 (16:43):
This is the trap I see a lot of people
fall into, and I wonder how you feel. Don't have
to spend a lot of money, But I think there
is a difference between a home white T shirt and
I wear outside white teas. Definitely, even if they're both
thirty bucks.
Speaker 1 (16:57):
Oh absolutely. And I actually say to people like, if
you're wearing that white T shirt, get to style it
with your jeans, But then have you one that's just
with your active wear, Like I have a couple of
those things. When we talk about those basics, as I say,
you might have a few of each of those items.
Speaker 3 (17:10):
Especially if you really love the cut. I downgrade mine
from outside the house in the house in bed exactly,
deteriorate exactly.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
And I always consider people's budgets. So obviously you know Hamart, Target,
they have fantastic items you can get if you want
to go a little bit higher in price point. What
you do find higher and price point is you do
start to get higher quality, and I talk about that
a lot because I love talking about fabrics, and I
think that's something that really comes strong in knitwear and coats.
Speaker 3 (17:38):
Particularly coats, because if you look after them well, you
have them forever.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
If you have wool in your coat, you are so
much warmer, and the same with knits. I find having
wool low hair el packer cashmir. It does add price,
but it's going to last longer. And I actually don't
buy knits now without wool in it because I just
I hate being cold.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Yes, and also the bawling, and you know it's you
do get what you pay for to a degree, I
want to be comfortable to hate an exactly. Okay, so
we have bought our let's not call them basics. We
have curated a few foundational pieces and we take them
home and we're hyper feminine or we like masculine or
we're classic. Then do we play in our wardrobe to
(18:22):
find our personal style combinations?
Speaker 1 (18:25):
Yeah? So I always like to where even if I'm
just doing someone's wardrobe or doing a shopping session or
just discussing someone's style, I always like to see their wardrobe.
So I always get them to do it by FaceTime
because they take the phone or the iPad. I want
to see it straight away. I'm not joking. As soon
as I see someone's wardrobe, it's like this magic trick
often that there's just so much black. I'm like, okay,
I know exactly what we need to do here, just
(18:46):
overloaded with black? You bored? So we need to adding
color in a bit of pattern. Or they might just
have a lot of neutrals, or they might have pieces
they just need to dely clutter a little bit. Sometimes
it's just that feeling of someone else telling you move
it on. And also I don't have a U what
do they do? Do they enlist a friend?
Speaker 3 (19:02):
Do they set aside three hours in their diary to
actually just put on undies and a bra and try
on all the combos?
Speaker 1 (19:08):
So I actually suggest doing it in smaller parts. Okay.
I actually think cull a couple of pieces every month
or every couple of months, because it's so doable. Yes,
just get three things out and go, you know what
time to move on? Okay, and then you're not standing
in your wardrobe getting flustered.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
Totally overwhelmed decision for tea, even.
Speaker 1 (19:25):
If it's three to five pieces every couple of months.
Whatever you decide to do, put it in a bag
and put it under your kid's bed, or in the
back of your husband's wardrobe, even in the garage.
Speaker 3 (19:32):
And a pie.
Speaker 1 (19:34):
Right, it's the maybe pile. So rather than having in
the back of your car and dropping it off and
then going, oh, might regret that, or having any car
for three months, if you never drop it off, what
can happen? Just hide it, yes, and if you haven't
missed it, yep, it's time and.
Speaker 3 (19:46):
You'll probably forget about. It's funny you say that. I
recently did a clean out and I found my maybe
pile from a year ago, and I was like, well,
I forgot that was there, and so went straight into donation.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
What also helps with removing things is you find things.
So many times people have done a little declutter and
I don't say pull everything out put it all back in.
Every time you do it, you find something. I do
it myself. I'm like, oh, I missed that top. I
love you. Yeah you've been and hidden, yeah hid it.
Speaker 3 (20:11):
Yeah. You can't say all.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
Exactly, And all of a sudden we become friends again
and I've just found something that I always owned. I
just had forgotten about. So decluttering, I think is really
own war shop, your own wardrobe, and also you might
do a little bit of reorganizing. So I'm really big
on moving your wardrobe through seasons. So have your winter
wardrobe front and center when it's really cold, because that's
what you're going to be outfitting and you can reach
(20:34):
for quickly and you can see how it all works together.
Speaker 3 (20:36):
Yes, particularly if you're overwhelmed with getting dressed every morning.
If you've got less to look at, it's easier. Henny,
you're a wealth of knowledge. Thank you so much for
joining us.
Speaker 1 (20:44):
Thank you for having me. We'll have you on again.
Sou sounds great.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
That's all we have time for today. Thank you so
much for listening to Nothing to Air. Don't forget to
sign up to our Nothing to Ear newsletter. There's a
link in the show notes. Don't forget to watch us
on YouTube and follow us on Instagram at Nothing to
Wear Pod. Summer is here and your wardrobe is calling
for help. Nothing to Wear is sticking around this festive
season with your best ever style fan for twenty twenty six.
Starting next Monday, we're delivering episodes every Monday, Wednesday, and
(21:11):
Friday packed with some fresh new content and our best
bits from the archives to help you head into the
new year feeling more stylish than ever. Think the ultimate
sales shopping game plan, a look at the No Buy Challenge,
and our hottest twenty twenty six trend predictions and more.
Our summer series kicks off this Monday.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
We'll see you soon. Bye, Mamma.
Speaker 2 (21:34):
Mia acknowledges the traditional owners of the land. We have
recorded this podcast on the Gadigal people of the Urination.
We pay our respects to their elders past and present,
and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures.
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My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners. Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest in true crime and have covered stories of infamous serial killers like the Night Stalker, mysterious cold cases, captivating cults, incredible survivor stories and important events from history like the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. My Favorite Murder is part of the Exactly Right podcast network that provides a platform for bold, creative voices to bring to life provocative, entertaining and relatable stories for audiences everywhere. The Exactly Right roster of podcasts covers a variety of topics including historic true crime, comedic interviews and news, science, pop culture and more. Podcasts on the network include Buried Bones with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes, That's Messed Up: An SVU Podcast, This Podcast Will Kill You, Bananas and more.