Notes on:
Fashion: Developing a personal style, curating a wardrobe, and exploring fashion trends. Grooming: Hair care, skincare, makeup, and personal hygiene routines. Self-presentation: Body language, posture, and non-verbal communication. Personal branding: Creating a consistent and authentic personal brand across online and offline platforms. Quantified Self Outfits worn per week Items purchased (clothing, accessories, grooming products) Money spent on fashion and grooming Skincare routine consistency (days followed) Haircare products used Gym clothes vs. casual clothes ratio Outfit changes per day Laundry cycles completed Dry cleaning visits Tailoring or alterations done Perfume/cologne bottles owned Shoes owned vs. shoes worn Capsules or coordinated outfits created Seasonal wardrobe updates completed Thrifted or second-hand items purchased Impulse fashion purchases tracked Clothing returns made Donation boxes filled Fashion Developing a Personal Style Identifying colour palettes that suit your skin tone Understanding body types and what flatters them Building a capsule wardrobe Mixing high and low street pieces Learning when to follow trends and when to ignore them Wardrobe Essentials The Basics Well-fitting white t-shirts Dark denim jeans Black or navy chinos A fitted blazer A quality leather jacket White sneakers Black boots A neutral knit sweater Seasonal Additions Lightweight coat for spring Waterproof jacket for rain Wool overcoat for winter Linen shirts for summer Shopping Smart Buying less, buying better Knowing your measurements before shopping online Checking fabric composition (natural fibres tend to last longer) Looking for sales and end-of-season clearances Investing in tailoring — a £20 alteration can transform a £50 garment Caring for Your Clothes Washing less frequently (jeans, knitwear) Using garment bags for storage Learning basic sewing — button replacement, hemming Proper shoe care (polishing, waterproofing) Rotating shoes to extend their life Grooming Skincare The Basics Cleanser — morning and night Moisturiser — suited to your skin type Sunscreen — every day, even when it’s cloudy Exfoliator — once or twice a week Going Further Serums (vitamin C, retinol, hyaluronic acid) Eye cream Face mask (clay, hydrating, exfoliating) Lip balm Hand cream Skin Types and What Works Oily skin: gel-based cleansers, oil-free moisturisers Dry skin: cream cleansers, richer moisturisers, facial oils Combination skin: balancing products, targeted treatment Sensitive skin: fragrance-free, minimal ingredient lists Haircare Finding a barber or stylist you trust Understanding your hair type (straight, wavy, curly, coily) Washing frequency — most people wash too often Conditioner is not optional Scalp health matters — dry scalp means itchy scalp Trimming regularly even if you’re growing it out Product selection — pomade, clay, cream, sea salt spray Personal Hygiene Daily shower or bath Deodorant — clinical strength if needed Nail care — trimmed, clean, under control Nose and ear hair trimming Oral hygiene — flossing, tongue scraping, mouthwash Foot care — exfoliation, moisturising, proper socks Makeup (for Those Who Wear It) Skincare first — makeup sits better on healthy skin Less is more for everyday Setting spray extends wear Removing makeup properly before bed Self-Presentation Posture Shoulders back, chin level Standing with weight evenly distributed Sitting without slouching — core engaged The wall test: heels, calves, shoulders, head against a wall Body Language Eye contact — confident but not staring Open gestures — avoid crossing arms defensively Handshakes — firm, brief, dry Mirroring — subtly matching the other person’s energy Personal space — respecting boundaries Voice and Speech Speaking clearly and at a moderate pace Avoiding vocal fry and uptalk Pausing instead of filling silence with “um” Matching your tone to the situation Dressing for the Occasion Knowing the dress code before you arrive When in doubt, slightly overdressed beats underdressed Fit matters more than brand Clean, intact shoes go a long way Personal Branding Online Presence LinkedIn — professional, updated, with a proper photo Social media — what would you want a potential employer to find? Consistent name and photo across platforms A personal website or portfolio if relevant Offline Presence How you introduce yourself Your email signature Business cards (yes, still) Consistency between what you say and how you present yourself The Throughline Your personal brand isn’t something you manufacture — it’s the consistent thread between who you are and how you show up. It emerges from repeated actions, not a single curated moment.
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