The Ever-Evolving Female Body & Style: Embracing Fashion Through Every Life Stage
- Heather Chapplain
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
The Ever-Evolving Female Body & Style
The female body is constantly evolving. From the transitions of girlhood to maidenhood, through the wisdom of the mother and crone years, our bodies—and our sense of style—shift in incredible and magical ways.
Some young girls enter puberty earlier than ever, while some women continue their menstrual cycles well into their late 50s. These biological changes, alongside the influences of our environment and those we surround ourselves with, deeply shape our body awareness and personal style, in and throughout life.
Embracing Fashion Through Every Life Stage
At some point, you may have been told, "That colour looks terrible on you" or "You could never wear that style." Wee sweet soul, I am here to tell you this is utter nonsense. No matter your shape, colour analysis, or styles you are drawn to, there is always a way to make it work for you
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My history with textiles, fashion, and personal style runs deep and spans decades. I have seen trends come and go, but one thing remains true—style is deeply personal and an ever-evolving journey of self-expression.
"Style is more than clothes—it’s a reflection of who we are, a visual representation of our journey through the archetypes of Maiden, Mother, Temptress, and Crone."
I have been drawn to clothing, textiles, and textures for as long as I can remember. As a child, I transformed white bedsheets into flowing Roman gowns or wedding dresses—whatever my imagination desired in the moment.
Over the years, my style has shifted many times, but there are certain elements I always return to—pieces that feel like home. Our style is a reflection of who we are, a visual representation of our journey through the archetypes of Maiden, Mother, Temptress, and Crone.
The Maiden: Exploring Identity Through Style
As we move from girlhood into maidenhood, we begin to experiment with style—trying on different identities, pushing boundaries, and expressing ourselves through fashion. The more confidence we have at this stage, the more we embrace bold choices.
But it is also a tender time. An unkind word, a judgmental glance, or an offhand comment can shake our confidence and make us hesitate to wear what we truly love. If this has ever happened to you, I encourage you to ask yourself:
👉 What styles did you love in your maiden years? 👉 Did you ever stop wearing something you adored because of someone else's opinion?
If so, maybe it’s time to reclaim that part of yourself.
Finding My Own Style as a Maiden
I remember my quarterly trips to Toronto’s SickKids Hospital for scoliosis check-ups. My stepfather would take us to Kensington Market, where we explored the army surplus store—which, to this day, still stands.
At the time, I was obsessed with roller skating. But because of my full-body brace, I had to maintain two separate wardrobes—one for when I wore the brace and another for when I was free of it.
The brace-on wardrobe was practical, restrictive, and frustrating for someone who loved fashion as much as I did. But the brace-off wardrobe? That was my playground.
On one of those Toronto trips, I spotted a sale on Lee stovepipe jeans. Lee was the “it” brand at the time, though stovepipes weren’t quite mainstream yet. But I didn’t care—I was going to skate around in those jeans and feel stylish, confident, and free.
Style Is More Than Clothes—It’s a Reflection of Who We Are
The clothes we wear are more than just fabric; they are stories, memories, and symbols of our personal evolution. Each stage of life—Maiden, Mother, Temptress, and Crone—offers an opportunity to redefine, reclaim, and reinvent how we express ourselves.
So I ask you: What style made you feel the most YOU in your maiden years? And if you’ve lost touch with that version of yourself, maybe it’s time to welcome her back.
✨ Share your story in the comments, and let’s celebrate our evolving styles together!
Style Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery
To deepen your connection with your personal style, consider exploring these journal prompts:
Reflect on your childhood style. What were your favorite outfits as a child or teen? Do you see any common threads in what you love today?
Break free from past judgments. Have you ever stopped wearing a color, style, or accessory because of someone else's opinion? How did that impact your confidence?
Revisit your style icons. Who inspired your style growing up? Do they still influence your fashion choices today?
Dress for your essence. If you had no limitations (job dress codes, societal norms, etc.), how would you dress to fully express your inner self?
Honor your body’s evolution. How has your body changed over the years, and how has your style adapted to celebrate those changes?
Take time to sit with these questions and see what insights emerge. Style is a journey, and each phase of life is an opportunity to rediscover who we are through the clothes we wear.
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