Today's guest is Rachel Margaret, a personal style and beauty YouTuber. She’s known for her humor, great style, and ability to eloquently tackle complex style challenges like, can we experience contentment with our wardrobes? She also loves thrifting, and playing with color. Yep, you’re gonna love her. Enjoy!

Episode Transcript

This transcript has been edited for clarity.

You're listening to Intuitive Style, where we believe everyone has style. Through conversations with inspiring guests, we explore how to tune into our style intuition so that we can dress authentically and live fully.

Maureen

Welcome to the podcast! I have been a really big fan of your YouTube channel, Rachel, Margaret, for a while now. I just heard that you started only a year ago.

Rachel

Yeah. January, February of last year. Yeah.

Maureen

Wow. So can you share a little bit about what your channel is about and how you got started?

Rachel

Well, I think I've always wanted to do something like that, at least since I became an adult, I wanted to do something creative. But I'm a perfectionist, and I've always kind of held myself back. And so about a year ago, I just uploaded a Project Pan video, because I knew if I overthought it, I was just not going to do it. So I just uploaded a Project Pan, and I've been kind of trying to just be consistent and do it ever since.

And it's slowly evolved over time. Now, I would say that it's mainly about developing a relationship with consumerism and style that flows from a place of contentment and joy.

And I really struggled with compulsive shopping in my own life. And I also thought it might just be helpful for me to share my own thoughts for me really, and then also hopefully, for other people too.

Maureen

Yeah, absolutely. All of that really comes through in your videos, this idea of contentment. And I think it's such a positive way to deal with what can be a tricky subject which is like, struggling with overconsumption. To that point, I think it can be kind of hard to discern when we're shopping the right amount, or when we're shopping too much, according to like, maybe our own preferences. For you personally, what did shopping compulsively feel like? How did you know that was something you wanted to address.

Rachel

Yeah, it is a fine line to walk. I think it can be really hard to know what health looks like in so many areas of our life. But you know, in shopping with shopping in particular. I think for me, a really good gauge of the healthiness of a particular action is my ability to pick up or put down that action as I please. Or I guess, to use a different analogy, you'd like to turn up or turn down the dial. I guess, just to clarify. I've never been diagnosed with a shopping addiction or compulsive shopping, or anything like that, because I think that the behaviors exist on a spectrum, and I'm sure that there are people who deal with it much more severely than I do.

I think for me, a really good gauge of the healthiness of a particular action is my ability to pick up or put down that action as I please. Or to use a different analogy, you'd like to turn up or turn down the dial.

Personally, I began to clock my relationship with shopping as compulsive when I would be shopping for some normal reason, and you know I had the dial turned up a little bit and I would recognize, okay, it's enough now, and I would go to turn the dial down, and I would be unable to and it was kind of like I was thinking about this last night as I was falling asleep, but it's kind of like being caught in an undertow in the ocean, in a rip current. Has that ever happened to you?

Maureen

Thankfully, no.

Rachel

It's happened to me, and it can be really scary. It's such a strong current. And I think what they'll teach you. If you get caught in an undertow is to try and swim direct. Well, don't try actually to swim directly into shore, because if you do, you'll get worn out, the undertow will be stronger than you. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you get out of the rip current, and then you can swim back. So it's kind of like that for me when I'm in. I call it like a shopping spiral like any episode. I'm able to sense that the action is compulsive or distinct from regular shopping behaviors, because I'm no longer just swimming in the ocean. There's like another force outside of my own logic, my own discernment, my willpower. and it's acting upon me, and it's pulling me out to sea, preventing me or making it much harder for me to do what I would like to do, which is to swim back to shore. So that's kind of what it feels like, and that's what I'm working on, which is just keeping my hand on the dial, and making sure that I'm connected enough with myself to be able to turn the dial up or down as I see fit.

Maureen

I mean, you have such a beautiful way of speaking. And what a great analogy this idea of the rip current. It's such a great way of thinking about it, because to your point, it's not about putting a label on, or some sort of diagnosis. Because I think that can be, you know, very overwhelming. It can be overly medical. It really takes you out of your own experience in your own, of what you're like, what you're feeling and what you're struggling with.

And so almost, I think it's so important to to teach ourselves what our threshold for compulsive behavior looks like, because it may be, you know, compulsive behavior for one person is like potentially much smaller in comparison to someone else. But that doesn't mean that it still doesn't feel out of sync. We all have our own threshold. So I think that's the main reason I wanted to ask you is like, how how can we learn what that feels like for us? And I mean just what a what a great answer. And also some ocean-safe swimming advice. I didn't have that on my Bingo card, but great reminder for the upcoming summer season!

At the end of last year, at the end of 2024, you shared a really authentic raw video about only keeping your favorite clothes. And what that taught you. You start that video with, “In the past, I wouldn't have said that I was very self-critical, or that I didn't trust myself, but I have a closet full of other people's opinions and preferences that proves otherwise,” for anyone who hasn't had a chance to watch that video yet, can you share how you came to this realization?

Rachel

Yeah, absolutely. I well, I feel like I've come to this realization in the past. I've learned. you know, it was so many of the things that we need to learn in life. We learn it. I learned it then, and then I've had to learn it again and again and again, and each time you learn it it gets deeper and deeper and more settled within you, and it actually starts to become a part of you. So it's not just something that's in your head, but it's something that you really believe and act out of.

Just for context, a few months ago, I stumbled across this really beautiful wooden wardrobe, and while I was out thrifting, and it, it led to this whole series of epiphanies and realizations, and one of those. One of those realizations was just a desire for fewer things, I think, or for, like a more curated selection of things, my favorite things. And I've known that on some level I've recognized that desire within myself, but I've struggled to implement it like there's always reasons to have more to keep that shirt or that pair of pants just in case right like. Or I gain weight, or I get invited to this very specific kind of event. You know, it's like you can always find a reason to keep the maybe items, even though they're just so-so. But there was something about seeing that wardrobe that day, and having this vision before me of a life in a closet that included only my favorite things. and it really gave me an impetus, I guess, to like shed that outer layer that I've always held on to and so, as I was decluttering this most recent time, and I guess also in previous declutters, but I could really see the parts of my wardrobe that were not reflective at all of my own preferences and desires, but of someone else's. and this might be embarrassing to admit, but for many items in my closet. I could actually tell you like, Oh, yeah, I purchased that when I was following so and so, or I got that when I was binging her videos, and it just became exceedingly clear that I was in a habit of seeking legitimacy for my style by copying the style of others.

And I think that that is very normal. It's really natural, you know, and a lot of ways subconscious like when you're 1st starting out finding your style. It's hard to know where to begin, and and it makes sense that you would start by copying what you see. It's like trying something on like a persona or a silhouette or a color palette. You have to trial and error those things. But I mean, yeah, experimentation is necessary. It's necessary to learn ourselves and develop our preferences. It's just that for me. I think that experimentation began to flow solely from and style opinions of other people. And yeah, I just kind of used that realization to trace the line back and to see what was true. Which is that I didn't seem to trust myself. I didn't consider my style preferences as legitimate enough to be the source of my experimentation and my purchasing, and that's why and how I came to that conclusion.

I didn't consider my style preferences as legitimate enough to be the source of my experimentation and my purchasing.

Maureen

That’s so powerful. This idea of you know, we're delegitimizing our own preferences. And I say we, because, same like I still relate. I mean, there are so many different people like influencers that I have really fallen deep into a rabbit hole around, and I just want to copy exactly what they have, even when they are saying don't buy what I buy like. Sometimes they would even say that. And I'd be like, I don't care. I'm gonna do it, anyway, you know, or like. it's just to your point. It's human nature. We want to just try stuff on. And you know, especially when we're unsure of what we want. It can be easier to just be like, oh, I'll just try this then. But : I like to say everyone has personal style, like we're not not getting dressed. We're getting dressed. We're putting on clothing. And so when we say we don't have style, we're saying, maybe our style isn't as good as someone else's, or maybe it doesn't resonate with us in some way which either one is fine. But I think, like what I. What resonated with so much about your video is like. we have the opportunity to just say that my taste and my preferences are enough. And that's okay. And I just I never really heard anyone say it that way before. So I just I really want to appreciate and acknowledge like how powerful that was. And I appreciate you, you sharing that.

In that video and in videos since, you seem to be glowing in a way that you hadn't before, and I don't necessarily mean physical appearance, but I mean more like like an energetic kind of thing. But I would just love to hear like, an update? How are you feeling now? Are you still feeling that kind of energy that you had at the time like, how was getting dressed feeling? Once you had that realization?

Rachel

It's feeling really good. It's feeling really good. Actually, recently I went out thrifting for my birthday.

Maureen

Happy birthday!

Rachel

Another kind of like mini-wardrobe epiphany while I was shopping, and I just realized how I wanted to be more playful with my clothes, and, you know, enjoy color more, and I've tried to figure out how to do that in the past, but I never really found a way that clicked with me. It always felt a little bit inauthentic. And it's probably because I was trying to do it the way another person does it, you know. But yeah, that's kind of where, I'm at recently is just really feeling a lot of freedom around being creative and using my wardrobe as a source of expression, and also just not taking it too seriously. You know it can be. It can be hard to do. It's funny. I mean, it's just clothing, but it can be. It can feel like you really want to figure it out and and have something that works and have it be all certain. But it's it's just not. It's a lot of like playing.

Maureen

Oh, random question. I'm curious, if you relate to this at all like in the past, I will have bought something or been drawn to something. And then I'm like disgusted with myself. And I'm like, Oh. why did I like that like that's so like weird, or that's so bad…Or even like this like striped shirt that I'm wearing today. Like I like it now. But when I bought it, I was like, Okay, this is really cool, like, I really like how I'm gonna wear this. And then, like a year later, I was really into very Scandi minimalism. And I was like, I can't believe I bought this like pink striped shirt with a gold thread like how gross is that? I mean, I'm just curious like, do you ever have you ever had purchases like that where you're like? I don't know what I was thinking, but you actually like the item.

Rachel

Yes, yeah, absolutely. I think it can. Well, it happens for me when I get into like about watching a particular person with a particular style. And suddenly I'm looking at my closet through the filter of that other Yes, style, and I'm like they would never wear that right. Not be good style, right like. And I. And again, it's not as I don't think it's as conscious as that, you know, right. Like we go in our closet and think that exact thing. I think it's very under the surface and yeah, hidden away. But I definitely have experienced that, because then I'll come out of that bout of following that person. And suddenly I like it again. So what’s going on there?

Maureen

I mean, I hear that just as like one person style rabbit hole is not good for us. It's not. And it's like we gotta we gotta balance out our inspiration sources.

So let's talk a little bit about what you do wear. So I'm getting to the point where I'm trying to care more about why people wear stuff instead of what, so that I can have a little bit more detachment. So I would just kind of love to hear. How do you decide what to buy and what to wear.

Rachel

Oh, my God, Yes, that's such a good question. I've had so much fun like looking through your notes and answering these questions, because it's like a good mental exercise. I don't really know, you know the answer to that. I didn't know the answer to that going in. So it's just.

Maureen

It's not an easy one.

Rachel

Like I mentioned recently, I was thrifting for my birthday, and I went into the dressing room, and I tried on this combination that was just slightly I don't know. Out of my comfort zone like a little funkier. A little more fun, more playful. And it was like something clicked in my brain. I can't explain that and then make a Youtube video about it, though to try to explain it somehow. But yeah, I just started to understand. I just started to have a sense of how I wanted to play with color, how I wanted to add playfulness in a lot of ways. It was the first time in recent memory that I can remember having that inspiration come from myself as opposed to somewhere else. And it has been so wonderful. It's been so fun, it's such a different way of approaching clothing.

It was the first time in recent memory that I can remember having that inspiration come from myself as opposed to somewhere else.

Just to answer the question. I have criteria you know, that I think about when I'm wanting to add something in. But I think for the current phase, the current iteration of my wardrobe. It definitely has to start with that feeling of joyfulness when I put something on. And that doesn't necessarily mean that I'm looking for the fanciest clothes, you know, clothes feel amazing for a lot of different reasons. A cozy sweater, you know, isn't necessarily going to make us feel the same reason like feel amazing, for the same reason that a fantastic dress or a power suit. But it doesn't mean that it doesn't deserve a place in our closet if it makes us feel good, you know. So I think, firstly, it's just kind of that checking with myself and seeing if the item has that intangible quality of joyfulness. Like, if it makes me want to sing, then that's a good sign.

So I think, firstly, it's just kind of that checking with myself and seeing if the item has that intangible quality of joyfulness. Like, if it makes me want to sing, then that's a good sign.

Maureen

Oh, singing, that's new! Okay. I haven't thought about that! Are you a singer?

Rachel

No, not a good one, not a good one. More just, if it brings out kind of a silliness, a goofiness, a confidence, a I don't know, a light heartedness. I think that that's what I mean. And I can tell when I put on something, and I feel that way. And then that probably really greatly overlaps with the second thing that I thought about, which is, does it suit me like, does it suit my life? You know I've lived enough life, and I've done enough experimentation, I think, with my wardrobe to have a realistic sense of what works for me and what doesn't. So colors, silhouettes, lifestyle considerations, all of that. But it's got to check all the boxes, you know, and it doesn't. It doesn't mean that I'm never going to go out of my comfort zone. But I think that there are ways that we can play and experiment while still keeping the practicalities in mind. And I find, when I don't keep those practicalities in mind. I regret it, and I never end up wearing the new thing. If it doesn't suit me, then suit my life. So that's a big part about. yeah, just a big factor in deciding what I bring in what I wear.

If [a garment] brings out kind of a silliness, a goofiness, a confidence, a I don't know, a light heartedness.

And then, lastly, I think it is the question of does it work with what I already have like? When I'm considering adding something in, I try to think of at least 5 different outfits I can create with that new item from the things I already have, and it's got to come really easily, like if I can. If I can come up with three outfits. But then I'm racking my brain to create more. Then it's going to be a great addition, you know, to my wardrobe. It's probably more of a fantasy piece, or like, I like the idea of it. It's 80% of the way there. But there's something something missing. So yeah, it really has to work with what I already have.

Maureen

Yeah, I'd love to go back to kind of one of the points that you made about trying to figure out how you want to play with color. I really relate to this. I've done so much experimentation. I really learned so much of what doesn't work for me, and I got to a place where I was like oh, maybe I've discerned a little too much, and things are starting to feel a little bit like same same, and you know, not getting the kind of versatility that I was hoping for. So can you talk a little bit about how how you balance this idea of knowing your preferences while staying open to things that you haven't before like, what about that experimentation with color today maybe feels different than experimentation with color you've done before?

Rachel

Well, some of it, I do think, is those filters of other people's style, removing those as much as possible, because I I think in the past when I looked at color. I've been like, neon, or, you know, gross like, just just because I think I yeah. Well, black and beige and white are cool. Right? That's what cool girls wear. And you know, I don't know just really letting those ideas infiltrate. And it's just what's trending. It's just, you know, this kind of. And if black and beige and white make you feel incredible, then I think, go for it, you know. But yeah, I think some of it is just trying, if possible, to limit how much consumption of that of that inspiration from other people, or at least balancing it with how much we play with the things that we that we have and what's what's ours, you know.

And then the other thing I think like if I'm thinking about adding something in it's maybe balancing, not playing playing enough and not playing too much. So, for example, if I'm going to add a pop of color. Then I'm going to make sure that the shirt is a silhouette that I know. I feel amazing in. For example, making sure that it is like two-thirds of the things that I feel comfortable with, and one-third experimentation, I think that that can help to increase the chances that it will work, or at least increase the chances that you'll actually know if you like that color. Because what if you're trying a shirt and it's not your silhouette you're not going to really be able to discern if it's your color, because the you know, it's getting jumbled. So I just focus on making sure that it's if it was. If this was a white piece I would grab for it, you know, and then I just change one thing about it.

Maureen

That's such a good example. And definitely, something I can relate to, as far as like, that two-thirds, one-thirds different is like within a category or an item, you know, either the color needs to be consistent, maybe the neckline or or the silhouette in some way, but just one of those things might change that makes a lot of sense to me, and I've certainly been experiencing that myself with like realizing that all my t-shirts are white, and I'd like to have a navy t-shirt, or I'd like to have a white t-shirt that's gray, but also a turtleneck, and so like to that point. It's like pretty close to what I have, but just like a tweak on it with the color, or that it's a turtleneck instead of a crew neck. So that makes sense to me. And I definitely relate to that idea of, light tweak but still following within, falling within what you already know you like.

Rachel

Yeah, and you're kind of like walking out on a limb, you know, when you're experimenting, so you can only do it one step at a time. You don't want to jump all the way to the end of the limb, and you know it's I think it's good to just make those small changes. Though it's hard to do. You know, it's like what everyone says. For instance, when you buy a house, or when you, you know, don't get everything at once. Don't just furnish everything. Wait and take your time, and I think it's the same. There's you can always benefit from going a little slower.

Maureen

Totally totally. We talked a little bit about how it feels in your body to to try something on it maybe feels a little bit lighter, or you feel I think you said a little bit more like silly or or just kind of like, yeah, that lightness. Are there any other like physical indicators that might tell you that something is for you like specific texture, fit, etc, that help you decide what to buy or not?Rachel

Yeah, I think so. I mean, I think I've noticed this more since having kids like having big having major body changes just makes you more sensitive to the fact that you know I used to be that when I reached into my closet I basically knew how everything was going to fit me, but with each subsequent child my body has shifted, and especially with the 3rd and you know, 6 months after having her, it was like I I just didn't have any certainty that I could reach into my closet and know what I was getting, that it would fit me, that it would make me feel good all of that. So just doing the work there, taking the time to adjust and and not just I don't know, kind of dig my heels in and be like, well, this worked for me before, or, you know, taking the time to care for myself, my new body. And I think the main thing I can think of in terms of style is just having something that's high waisted enough. I'm really tall and and something. There's something about having a rise that's high enough that hits me at the small of my waist. And for me, that's like it's 12 inches plus for the rise. Or it is not hitting me at the time I waste, and you know it's a small detail I was about to say. It's a silly detail. It's not silly, it's small, but it makes a big difference in how I feel, and so I don't know just paying attention to the little preferences, and and I don't know kind of like we're talking about that legitimacy of like nothing. It's not. It's not small. If you don't like the texture of that shirt. If you don't like the way that pattern is, let it count, let it matter. Let it. You're the one who has to wear the clothes. So it matters, and it counts.

Maureen

Yeah. Two thoughts come to mind with that one being, I think, like having children is such a good example of like extreme body change. And I just want to say for anyone that's listening like like me, that hasn't had kids, but is in like a female body and has experienced a lot of change, or even really anybody. And he's experienced a lot of change. I just want to acknowledge that the human body is not stagnant, and it's almost like we're we're bringing this, speaking from my own perspective and kind of what I heard from you, too. It's like there are phases where we think that we know what we're getting. And then, when something doesn't fit the way that it used to, it feels like it's wrong, and it's our fault. I don't know. You didn't say that specifically, but that's certainly how I would feel is like, oh, I didn't have a baby like, why is my body changing in this way? And then I felt a lot of shame around that. And so I just want to acknowledge like that's such a great example. And also like we can have really big body changes that are not connected to like creating life, just for anyone that relates to that.

Rachel

Well, to be honest, my, I haven't gained…I didn't gain much weight in my pregnancies. All of my body change would happen in the postpartum dealing with the emotional, the emotional toll of having a baby. It was a hundred percent, something that I could very easily feel shameful about, because it was my, you know, choices around food, my choices around movement. My, you know, whatever it might be. it wasn't necessarily because of the hormones or something. So I totally agree that it can happen for a hundred different reasons. Our bodies are shifting all of the time, and your body always deserves care. Your clothes are meant to, you know fit you, and not the other way around.

Maureen

I think, as a collective. We're we're coming around to that idea finally, finally. And I love it. I love it. Let's talk about your style evolution. Have you gone through any memorable style phases?

Rachel

I definitely think my style has evolved. Thank goodness, but I think the main thing I notice when I look back on old pictures is that I was never really a risk taker, with my style like I wouldn't say that I ever had a definable aesthetic. For example, I was into Emo and Indie bands in High school. But I didn't have a wardrobe to match that, you know. I typically fall on the spectrum of I love to ideate and dream, but I've struggled with how to bring my thoughts out of my head and into reality. So probably the biggest way that my style has evolved is that I'm actually taking the vision that I have in my head and acting on it. And I'm getting more and more comfortable with expressing in that way, taking style slightly less seriously. Maybe, like things don't have to be perfect. It's supposed to be fun. And it's okay to go out on a limb. It's okay to trust your preferences. And it's equally okay to walk back from a limb that you were out on and say, you know, that wasn't for me. So maybe I'm just getting more comfortable, I think, with the style as a form of expression, and it's taken me a long time to get there.

Maureen

One of the things I just heard you say is you felt that there was some sort of gap between, how you were hoping that you were dressing, and how things what you actually wore. Could you maybe speak a little bit more about that? I want to understand that better.

Rachel

Yeah, I think that there was a few things going on. Probably I think one of it is one of the things is perfectionism. Thinking that I had to have it all worked out in my head before I stepped out and did the thing. Whether it was wearing the outfit starting the YouTube channel, doing the you know, whatever it is, always feeling like, I needed to be more prepared and never feeling prepared enough to actually start and to express, and I think that there's some fear with that as well like fear of getting it wrong. Fear of being perceived. Perfectionism is just a type of fear. I think that that was probably a big factor, and always really admiring the people who did make bold choices and had something I don't know had something to say like they had a point of view. I think I was really stuck for a long time in just being everything to everybody, kind of general, and nothing very specific and really confusing… I don't know how I would describe it as confusing that with love like that, that's what's most loving to the people around me is to be something kind of general.

And actually, I think that there's a lot of joy. And yeah, that it's really very loving to actually be yourself and to be honest, and to express, because you're actually trusting the people around you with Yeah, you're you're not. If you're not being vulnerable. If you're not showing yourself, then, I don't know you're not giving anyone anything of value be something specific, I think, is what I would say.

Maureen

You just said so much great stuff in there, I'm like, how do I even like? How do I even go from here like I mean, I so relate to the perfectionism. And you know, maybe I heard a little bit of people pleasing.

Rachel

For sure.

Maureen

I don't know if you relate to this, but I'll just say, from my experience, like, growing up Evangelical Christian in the Bay Area, which is like such an oxymoron. But like I grew up Southern Baptist, and so much of the culture was around like being humble and not really trying to like. Take up too much space. Right? It's like, if you are you don't want to be too much. You don't want to take up too much space like almost this feeling of you need to make yourself smaller so that other people can be bigger, and that's what like humbleness or like love looks like. And I just think that certainly related to how I felt around fashion is like. On this one hand I wanted to be like, really this Fashion girl, and very like expressive. But, on the other hand, I had this part of me that was like. But don't take up too too much space like you should be smaller and I don't know. I just felt like that. Whole like economy was just so confusing. It's like, where do I fit with all this? And I think, like, just for myself, I've kind of landed at this middle place, which is like, I'm not super into pattern stripes, notwithstanding. And I really like to have really funky, like silhouette and shape, and just being more expressive in that way. So there's a little bit of like that quiet and a little bit of that loud but I don't know. I just. I kind of heard, like some nugget of that like shrinking or playing small. I don't know if any of that relates.

Rachel

Yeah, well, I I grew up as a Christian as well, and I am currently a Christian. But I do think a hundred percent that it can get confusing. It can get really confusing this message of like make sure that you're loving, you know. And and I don't know. It just gets really bogged down with a lot of… I believe, like misconception about what that means. Yes, you know, and what is actually loving. What does love look like? And for me it was really my relationship with God that freed me from that, because I felt like I had to be God like I had to love all these people really, really well, and part of that was really playing small. But actually, I don't have to do that. You know, I can just be myself. And that has been yeah, just so incredibly freeing across the board. And I do feel like style is one of those areas where I get this release, you know, to just again. Just the joyfulness, the be joyful, be free, take up space, be something specific, like all of that. I don't know. Yeah, it's something I feel like. God has told me, you know, and. And it's very saddens me. I think that it's gotten so mixed up or can be.

Maureen

Yeah, and to be clear, like, I think what I was sharing wasn't necessarily what I would understand from God, you know, like so much of what I was experiencing was the culture around God and the culture around Jesus, and I think that you can have, a Christian faith that is like very loving and accepting. And you can also have a Christian faith that is really structured and controlling. And I think it's really about acknowledging that that religion and that experience of the religion is very specific and can be what you make it, and the community that you seek out around it. And I think just some of the things that I picked up again were more cultural than like, maybe. So, I just wanted to clarify, an observation, I would say.

Rachel

For sure, for sure. I think it is very easy for people to move from a place of fear and control. And I yeah, I see that a lot in Christian culture as well.

Maureen

And it happens outside Christian culture, too.

Rachel

Sure outside of Christian culture, too. So it's… It's people.

Maureen

It's people.

Rachel

Yeah, and really trying to move from love as much as possible. It makes a big difference.

Maureen

Yeah, yeah, totally. Oh, I remembered what I was going to say earlier, which is, basically, you were talking about the rise on your jeans. This is my PSA: If you don't have a clothing like measure tape, get one to anyone listening, get a measuring tape, and then, if you're shopping online like secondhand, or if you're going to a secondhand store, get out that tape measure and see, will this fit me the way that I want it to?

Rachel

Do you know the do you know the trick about putting the waist, the waist of the pants around your neck?

Maureen

I haven't done it, but I have heard it. Does it work?

Rachel

Does that mean that our necks are half the size of our waist?

Maureen

That's kind of what I'm hearing. That's my takeaway.

Rachel

Kind of weird, but it works. If you put, if you put it around your neck and it fits comfortably, then it will fit your waist.

Maureen

I should try that with the jeans that I have, and see if it works.

Rachel

Yeah, do a little test.

Maureen

So we're recording this towards the start of 2025. Only 2 months in. But, anyway, do you have any style or personal goals that you're hoping to work towards this year?

Rachel

Yeah, I mean, I think it connects a little bit with what I've already shared. But I'm excited to be more playful. with my closet this year, and to go out on more limbs. And again, I think, to to not take getting dressed too seriously, and maybe at the same time to take myself more seriously.

Maureen

Oh!

Rachel

You know, have more fun with clothing. Take more risks, because that's a desire that I find within myself. Like to do that as much as possible, and as much as possible to give legitimacy to my preferences and desires in the area of style. And yeah, I'm just looking forward to stretching like the creative muscles and having fun with my clothing this year.

Maureen

Wow! Are there any like specific things that you're drawn towards, that? You want to try this year? Or is it more just like a general openness to see what happens.

Rachel

I love putting together two things that are unexpected. Like, I love interesting color combinations. I love playing with textures and playing like combining styles in a way that isn't maybe an automatic reach, an automatic go to. So I think I'm looking forward to that, just combining things in a way that I wouldn't necessarily normally do. But I don't know. Kind of do that, and then see what happens. See what I can create, see what happens. Maybe do some makeup, not makeup dress up playtime in my closet. And I don't know. Yeah, I think I think interesting combinations, unexpected combinations is something that I'm really drawn to, and something that I want to explore. And maybe also jewelry. And I love fun, jewelry, and earrings especially. I never do anything with my hair. I never do anything with my hair, and I think that hair can be a really big part of style and kind of overlooked or just thought of last. And so maybe playing with my hair more. Yeah, those are some things.

Maureen

Cool, cool. Well, if you feel like sharing any of that on your YouTube channel, I will happily, happily follow along. So on that note. Where can listeners find you?

Rachel

They can find me at Rachel Margaret. That's the name of my YouTube channel. And I'm not on any other social medias, because it’s vicious.

Maureen

Yeah, yeah, I will make sure to include the link to that in the show notes.

Rachel

Awesome. Can I answer the question about the..?

Maureen

Yes, I don't know why I'm missing this question! I did this yesterday, too. I'm so sorry. I just enjoying our conversation so much, I’m trying not to look at my notes too much.

What advice would you give to someone trying to build a wardrobe that feels intuitive and authentic to them?

Rachel

Don't overthink it. And I say that as someone who has definitely overthought it overthinks it all the time. But you know what you like. You know what you like on some level, you do, you? Really, you know, and of course I think you might know more in the future. Right? That tends to be how it goes. But, you have to work with the information that you have right now, and I just think, trust your intuition when you're getting dressed you can't mess it up. There's always another chance to get dressed tomorrow. And you're going to learn so much along the way like this is an as you go, type of thing, so you have to learn it as you go. Nobody's born with good personal style. You have to learn it as you go. The trial and error of it all is necessary. So, try new things. Trust yourself, and keep getting dressed.

Maureen

Incredible, incredible! I love it. It's so true, it's so true. Trust yourself.

Rachel

So true. Just get there.

Maureen

Yeah, trust yourself. Get dressed. See what happens. Awesome.

Well, thank you for reminding me, because I love that question [about advice].

Rachel

Yeah, I love it, too. I just, I really wanted to share. I was like, what would I want to tell my younger self?

Maureen

Oh, yes, yes, and also, maybe it's something you have to learn over and over again.

Rachel

Oh, for sure.

Maureen

Well, as we said, I'll I'll include a link to your YouTube channel on the show notes for anyone that wants to follow along and thank you again for for joining the podcast today, I really appreciate it.

Rachel

Yeah, it was so fun to talk to you, Maureen.

Outro

Thank you to our guest, Rachel Margaret, for joining us today.

Intuitive Style is produced, edited and hosted by me, Maureen Welton. Our theme music is by Noir et Blanc Vie.

In case you missed it, Intuitive Style, the podcast, is an offshoot of Intuitive Style, the Substack newsletter. Head on over to Substack, search Intuitive Style, to see the newsletter, which includes thoughtful reflections on what’s happening in the fashion world, guest features, and my encouragement that you can create a wardrobe that fits your life as it is now, no judgement, no rush.

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