Tash Sefton Wants to Help You Develop Your Personal Style

On top of designing swimwear, working as half the duo behind They All Hate Us, and being an influencer in her own right, Tash Sefton has just launched a new site called Where Did Your Style Go? As if her 250k+ followers weren’t enough to prove it already, Sefton’s new site definitely confirms it: She has exquisite taste.

According to the site, Sefton’s “latest venture puts her in the unique position to share her knowledge she has gathered throughout her career”. As a consulting business created to help “ women and men look and feel their best”, Where Did Your Style Go takes Sefton’s expert insight and makes it accessible to the rest of us. After reading a few of her posts on the site, it was more than obvious to us that she knows what she’s talking about.

Needless to say, we couldn’t help our yearning to learn more, so we reached out to Sefton herself to answer some of our biggest questions. To read Sefton’s advice on developing personal style, which trends are here to stay this autumn, and how to adapt your wardrobe for the changing seasons (and more), continue on for the full interview below.

In your post “The Style Myth”, you talk a lot about personal style. What’s your advice for someone who is still trying to find or define what their style is?

I think finding your personal style takes time and lots of mistakes along the way. You almost need to try lots of different vibes to find what works for you. It will change during life milestones, as you get older and even as your lifestyle changes. But be sure to believe in yourself and don’t follow fads or what your friends are doing. Essentially, your style needs to be what makes you happy. Also makes sure you reflect on your style from time to time. Sometimes you can get lazy and think your style is working when it might need a refresh. 

How do you bring personal style to a curated wardrobe?

If you follow my wardrobe diet then it’s much easier, as less is more! You have less choice, so each piece needs to fulfill its purpose. Take for example the trench coat. My style of trench is classic with a hint of fashion. Your style might be a cropped trench or reversible with a check lining. The advice I give with this wardrobe article is to add flavour with accessories and shoes. You could be in work mode in an all-black suit, then add a red heel, which is your personal style.

Which trends this season do you think are here to stay? And which ones are you passing on?

I am loving neutrals and mixing them together. Mustards with camel, terracotta with tan. It’s very sophisticated yet youthful at the same time, so I think this gives it longevity. I think sneakers will stay, as they are just so easy to wear with anything (and very comfortable when you need to get stuff done). I think bold prints will be replaced with hand drawn and organic style prints. And short flippy dresses will be replaced with knee-length or mid-calf-length dresses.

How do you take a trend and make it work with the clothes you already have?

If its a colour trend, you can experiment with an accessory or shoe first. Or buy a cheap version of the colour or trend to test if you like it. Sometimes it’s good to try on the trends in a change room and take mirror selfies first. Walk out of the shop and review when you are at home. Change room decisions are often stressful, and you buy things you will never wear!

Tips for blending high-low styles?

If you are new to buying high end styles, start with accessories and footwear and buy classics first. Save up—don’t binge shop if you can’t afford it. And buy items that are not going to date or go out of fashion. You can buy cheaper styles of-the-minute trends.

Where do you go for outfit ideas and inspiration?

After seeing lots and lots of photographs of myself I really know what suits me and, most importantly, what doesn't. So I know what my filters are before I even start to look for inspo. I have about five girls from overseas that are my ultimate source of inspo, and most of them do not have millions of followers. They are just girls with great personal style, being themselves in clothes they own, not borrowed.

Why did you decide it was time to launch WDYSG?

I get contacted on a daily basis through my social media, and even stopped in the street, with people desperate to ask me questions about fashion and style. Social media can be such an intimidating place for some, and I have always found it difficult to answer people in detail through this platform. This led to the idea of creating a place anyone can read my 'real' advice and implement it into their lives.

To me, simple advice is the best advice, especially in the fashion world with so much information out there. Having witnessed all facets of the industry and experienced insecurities personally, I have found that small changes that can make a big impact on people’s perception of themselves, both internally and externally.

It has also been important to create this next phase in my career. After years of gathering industry and personal knowledge about what works, what doesn't and why, it is now time for me to share this. I am exploding with knowledge (and my kids aren't interested yet).

I started in this industry because of my obsession and love of fashion—it's never been about the bling or selfies, but the journey of why I yearn to find the perfect item and treasure it.

Related: Personal Style Doesn't Happen on Purpose: A Designer Explains Why