• Anji Royden, 54, was frustrated with outfits that didn't flatter her.
  • Her daughter, who is 22, helped her discover a timeless look that flatters her body.
  • Choosing an outfit each day is easier now, Anji says.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Anji and Ellie-Jean Royden. It has been edited for length and clarity.

As a child growing up in rural England, I didn't have many opportunities to explore fashion. As the youngest child with older brothers, I wore boys' hand-me-down clothing and had a short haircut. Still, I tried to make it fashionable, rocking my look with a necktie.

When I got older, I tried to teach myself about fashion in magazines. But there was always a tension between practicality and looking great. I worked in hands-on positions at a scrap metal plant and chicken processing plant. My clothes needed to be up for the job.

I wanted my daughter, Ellie-Jean, to have the chance to explore fashion in a way I wasn't able to. I remember Ellie-Jean calling me into her room when she was 12, saying we had to define what her personal style was. I didn't feel confident leading the way, but I let her experiment with different looks without any judgment.

My daughter started a fashion company and then hired me to work for her

Giving my daughter creative space paid off. She developed an eye for fashion. Ellie-Jean was living abroad and would call me to gush about a new styling tool she had discovered: the Kibbe Body Types.

It's always fun to see your child passionate about something. Yet I'll admit at first, I didn't understand what she was talking about. Then, she started sharing posts on social media about how body types inform fashion choices. Her videos got hundreds, then thousands, then millions of views. Eventually, Ellie-Jean asked me to quit my job and help her manage her business as a stylist and influencer.

Mom and daughter posing with flowers
Courtesy of Anji

I'd be working from home, with only my husband and dog for company, but I knew that I wanted to understand the principles of my daughter's business if I was going to be working in it. So, I asked her to style me.

I learned to dress for my body with stiff lines and minimal details

I'd always tried to dress in a classical style. Yet, I found that lots of times, my outfits just weren't working. They didn't feel right, but I couldn't understand why. Ellie-Jean helped me understand that certain outfits didn't work for my body type. High-cut jeans reduced the proportions of my body, capris made my legs look short, and frilly tops gave too much detail around my angular shoulders.

Just as importantly, I learned what fashions work for me. I have a dramatic classic body type, which means I look best in minimal details, structured fabrics, and subtle waist definition. Once I understood those principles, I had a framework to shop within. I was able to build a wardrobe that was age-appropriate but flattering.

I use these three principles to stay stylish

I've seen Ellie-Jean style more than 2,000 women. More importantly, I've seen the impact her approach has had on my closet. I use these three principles to stay more stylish than I've ever been before.

  • Know your color. Color is the quickest way to make or break your outfit. To find the right colors for you, hold fabrics under your chin to see what makes your face light up. Don't overthink it. My colors are muted autumn hues, so when I walk into a store, I can reach immediately for items in that palette.

  • Highlight what makes you unique. One of the principles of Kibbe Body Types is highlighting your distinct features rather than hiding them. I have long limbs, so I dress in structured fabrics with long lines. Many women have broad shoulders that they're tempted to hide. Instead, emphasize them with wide necklines and fabrics that drape over your shoulders.

  • Dress for your life. Sometimes, fashion can look unobtainable. As a middle-aged woman living in a rural area, I'm never going to wear the same items as Kylie Jenner and other starlets. But I can look just as good as them — in my own way.

Getting dressed in the morning isn't a hassle anymore. My clothing items complement each other and my body, so I know I can reach for anything in my closet and look great.