Why the Red Dress Isn’t Always the Answer

By Kate Harrison, The Soulful Stylist

When I first trained as a stylist—over 20 years ago now—I was obsessed with the reveal. That magic moment when Sharon turned to face the mirror, seeing herself styled in her best colours, her body shape beautifully celebrated, her confidence bubbling over. The smiles, the tears, the classic:

“Why didn’t I know this before? I look amazing!”

It was the ultimate hit of joy—for both of us.

But here’s what knocked me sideways...

I’d spot Sharon a few weeks later in Tesco. Black leggings. Grey hoodie. Hair scraped up. Style joy? Gone.

So What Happened?

It wasn’t that the red dress didn't suit her. It did. It was gorgeous. She knew it. I knew it. But the moment she was back in her everyday routine, the “new her” quietly slipped away... and the comforting pull of the old familiar won.

Why? One word: mindset.

Her eyes had fallen in love with that new look. But her mind? That needed a bit longer to catch up.

Comfort Zones > Confidence (At First)

The truth is, our brains are wired for familiarity. For keeping us safe. And while that red dress felt amazing in my studio, Sharon’s subconscious was clinging on to her well-worn uniform of “invisible but comfortable.”

And Sharon isn’t alone. Oh no.

Over the years, I’ve lost count of the women I’ve seen fall back into the soft cottony abyss of an M&S high-waisted legging and the trusty “HAPPY” sweatshirt from Next. Spoiler: they weren’t feeling very happy.

Because here’s the truth no one tells you in Style School:
The clothes are just the start.
It’s not about what’s on the outside. It’s about how you feel on the inside.

From Styling to Soul Work

That realisation changed everything for me. It took me on a journey of my own—through psychology, coaching, colour therapy training, and a whole lot of soul-searching. I became as obsessed with the why behind the wardrobe as I once was with the wardrobe itself.

And what I uncovered changed the way I work forever.

Now, I bring a more holistic approach to colour and personal expression—because unless we get our mindset aligned, the magic won’t stick. Not for Sharon, not for me, not for anyone.

So What Do We Do Instead?

I’ve created 7 steps to Glow, a super easy to follow journalling programme rooted in mindset, energy, and self-awareness—before we even go near a colour palette. Because here’s the thing: it’s not about finding the perfect outfit. It’s about making peace with the past versions of ourselves, the ones who shrunk to fit, who stayed safe, who wore black like armour.

We forgive her. We honour her.
And then? We lovingly give her permission to step into her next chapter.

It’s Not Just Colour – It’s Energy

And here’s where chromatherapy comes in.

When we resist certain colours, it’s rarely about taste. It’s about energy.
That intense feeling you get when you see a fiery red or bold yellow? That could be your energy system calling out for attention.

Red, for example, is linked to our root chakra—our confidence, our sense of safety and belonging. If you shy away from red, it might be because you’re feeling ungrounded or uncertain in yourself. But here’s the magic: if you gently start to work with that colour, it can begin to shift things—not just in how you look, but in how you live.

Sometimes colour aversion = energetic misalignment.
And when we lean in instead of avoiding it, that old dis-ease—emotionally or physically—can start to move.

This Time, Let’s Make It Stick

So no, the red dress isn’t always the answer. Not straight away.

But when you’ve done the inner work—when you’ve realigned, reconnected, and reignited your sense of self—then the red dress becomes more than just a bold fashion choice.

It becomes a statement of self-trust.

And this time? It sticks.

Want help finding your soul shades and shifting into a version of yourself that feels as good as she looks? That’s where ChroME comes in. Let's colour in your life from the inside out.