I love my job. There’s nothing quite like helping women see themselves clearly for the first time in a while, and witnessing the power of colour as it transforms and makes them glow. It’s a lot of fun.

At the end of almost every consultation, we inevitably start talking about what to do next. Over time, as I’ve worked with more and more women, I’ve really cemented my view on the exact thing to prioritise after a colour analysis session. In fact, I now have a very specific first outfit that I recommend clients update.

I’m not usually the type to give direct instructions—I prefer a coaching style, using skills I honed in my previous career—but on this, I’m firm.

So, are you ready to hear what outfit you should sort out first, to have an instant, tangible impact on how you feel about yourself?

Pyjamas! Yep, you heard that right. PJs, jim jams, nightwear—whatever you call them.

I’d say about 50% of my clients feel like they’ve lost their sense of style. I’ve experienced that feeling myself, and I know firsthand that it’s worth digging a little deeper into that statement. I genuinely believe that no one ever truly loses their sense of style in isolation. Not knowing what to wear to feel more like yourself is often a symptom of not knowing who you are at this stage of life.

Women go through more distinct life chapters than men, and with each new phase, we’re required to reinvent ourselves. For me, the biggest and most shocking chapter was transitioning from a 20-something, newly married millennial to a 30-year-old new mum. I had a new baby, a new body, a new lifestyle, and a completely different relationship with myself. I felt like I had lost my sense of style. I tried shopping and dressing better, but it didn’t help. The real issue was that this new chapter of my life left me needing to rediscover who I was.

Now, back to the pyjamas. During periods of life when you’re focused on others—whether it’s children or loved ones—it’s easy to start deprioritising yourself. When you’re finally ready to reconnect with yourself, it’s tempting to go for something shiny and new, like a designer handbag or a pair of fabulous shoes. These things can give a temporary boost, but at the end of the day, if you kick off those fancy shoes and slip into your partner's old, worn-out T-shirt and tired joggers, does it really matter?

As I mentioned, about half of the women I work with feel like they’ve lost their sense of style, and almost every one of them has been so focused on others that they’ve stopped considering how those hand-me-downs make them feel. It’s the same logic I apply to working-from-home clothes. Does anyone ever make themselves a truly nourishing lunch when they’re wearing something so scruffy they wouldn’t even answer the door in it?

Can you really have a day full of style confidence when the first thing you see yourself in each morning is something your partner no longer wanted?

In my experience, if you want to start the day feeling good and make more of an effort for yourself, it begins with wearing something that tells you that you matter. Style confidence needs to start somewhere, and what better place than with the things you wear for yourself, when no one else can see you?

I know that in a world full of style advice, being told that nightwear is critical to your sense of style—and even your self-worth—might seem a bit out of left field. But trust me. Treat yourself to some beautiful pyjamas, moisturise, put them on, and sleep well. You’ll wake up knowing that you’ve already done something good for yourself, and that’s the perfect foundation for a great day.