A Closet Full of Potential
- Jennifer Heinen
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Reinventing Confidence: How Sustainable Fashion Shapes Identity and Empowerment
By Jennifer Heinen | Fashion Psychologist & Podcast Host
What if the key to confidence isn't hanging on a store rack, but already sitting quietly in your closet?
In the latest episode of the Style My Mind podcast, I had the incredible pleasure of speaking with seasoned stylist, sustainability advocate, and founder of The Closet Refresh®, Liz Teich (widely known as The New York Stylist). Liz has over 20 years of experience in the fashion industry, working with major brands, celebrities, and everyday women to help them rediscover their style with intentionality and purpose. Her approach combines a love for timeless fashion with a passion for sustainability, making her a leading voice in conscious styling today.
Tune in here:
Our conversation unpacked the emotional, psychological, and sustainable dimensions of fashion — and how a mindful wardrobe can empower personal evolution.
At a time when micro-trends and fast fashion flood our feeds, Liz offers a powerful counter-narrative: "Shop your closet first. Reevaluate why things aren't making you feel good."
Meet Our Guest for This Episode
Liz Teich is a professional stylist based in New York City, with over two decades of experience styling for major fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands.
She is the founder of The Closet Refresh®, a personalized styling service that helps women reconnect with their wardrobes and discover sustainable, confidence-boosting fashion solutions. Liz is passionate about empowering women through intentional styling and is a strong advocate for sustainability in the fashion industry.
Her work has been featured in top publications, and she continues to inspire thousands with her authentic approach to style and self-expression.
The Psychology of Clothing: Why What We Wear Matters
Psychological research consistently shows that clothing does more than just cover the body — it can directly influence cognition, emotion, and behavior. This phenomenon, known as enclothed cognition, suggests that what we wear changes how we think and feel about ourselves.
"Fashion is such a powerful tool," Liz shared. "Growing up shy, getting dressed in an outfit that made me feel confident changed everything. My outfit spoke first, and then I could."
This echoes findings from a Northwestern University study (Adam & Galinsky, 2012) demonstrating that clothing associated with certain qualities (like a lab coat with attentiveness) can activate those traits in the wearer.
What can you take away from that? Fashion is not frivolous — it’s an emotional and cognitive amplifier.
Sustainability: Beyond the Buzzword
We also explored how sustainability is shifting from trend to standard, a movement Liz hopes to see continue. "The pandemic changed everything," she noted. "People are more interested in investing in better pieces rather than chasing endless trends."
Yet many consumers remain skeptical, associating sustainable fashion with limited style options or inaccessible price points. Liz dispels this myth beautifully: "You don't have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Start by shopping secondhand, choosing better fabrics like cashmere, and being mindful about brand practices."
Research supports this layered approach: A 2020 McKinsey report found that 67% of consumers consider the use of sustainable materials to be an important purchasing factor, but also emphasized the growing demand for affordability and style.
Liz recommends using tools like the Good On You app to verify brand sustainability claims, cautioning against "greenwashing" — where companies claim eco-consciousness without meaningful action.
Personal Style Evolution: Dressing for the Life You’re Living
Throughout life's major transitions — motherhood, career shifts, identity rediscoveries — style often takes a backseat. Liz has seen it firsthand with her clients and lived it herself. "When you evolve, it makes sense that your wardrobe would as well," she explained. "You want your clothing — your armor — to reflect who you are becoming."
Interestingly, developmental psychology mirrors this idea: self-concept evolves through life stages, and outward appearance (including style) can serve as both a reflection and reinforcement of internal growth (Kroger, 2007).
Liz's practical advice? Curate your wardrobe intentionally.
Ask yourself: Does this piece align with who I am now? Or could I reimagine it to fit?
"Fashion is not about fitting into trends. It's about making clothes work for you, not the other way around."
Navigating Trends Without Losing Yourself
With micro-trends exploding faster than ever, staying "current" without losing authenticity is a real challenge.
"You have to evaluate," Liz said, "Does this trend work for me and everything I want to present to the world?"
Instead of chasing every fleeting look, Liz advises styling current pieces in fresh ways. A simple example? Reimagining an oversized blazer with a belt, or flipping a cardigan upside down for a completely different silhouette.
This mindset — approaching fashion like a creative, playful buffet rather than a rigid menu — allows for greater emotional connection and sustainable habits.
Fashion as Therapy: The Quiet Revolution
Fashion's emotional power goes beyond identity and trends; it can also be profoundly therapeutic.
Liz shared a deeply touching story about helping a client who had experienced personal tragedy. "It was just clothes," she said, "but putting on an outfit that made her feel beautiful again helped her find a small piece of joy in a very dark time."
In psychology, small, controllable actions — like choosing an outfit — are often recommended to help restore agency during periods of grief and transition (APA, 2019).
"Unlike a bad haircut," Liz laughed, "clothing is something you can always change quickly. Fashion can give you hope."
Your Style, Your Power: The Final Challenge
If there's one message Liz Teich leaves us with, it's this:
"Have fun with fashion. Shop your closet first. And remember: the goal isn't perfection. It's empowerment."
Your wardrobe isn't just a collection of fabrics. It's a living, breathing archive of your experiences, your dreams, your resilience. Every piece tells a story. Every outfit has the power to change your mood, your mindset, and your momentum.
So before you shop for something new, look inward. Rediscover what you already have. Style your mind first.
# Style My Mind Challenge
This week, we challenge you to reconnect with your wardrobe intentionally. Instead of shopping for something new, find an item in your closet that you haven't worn in a while. Restyle it in a way that feels fresh — belt it, layer it, flip it, or accessorize it differently.
Ask yourself:
Why haven’t I worn this piece?
Can I repurpose it to reflect who I am today?
Does it still empower me?
As Liz says, "Shop your closet first. You don't always need something new to feel renewed."
Tag your reinvented outfit with #StyleMyMindChallenge and let’s celebrate creativity, sustainability, and personal growth together!
Ensure to tag Liz and I, so we can share some love as well. Instagram Handles: @thenewyorkstylist & @style.my.mind
What are the Key Takeaways?
Sustainable fashion is stylish and accessible.
Personal style evolves with life's transitions.
Trends should serve you, not control you.
Clothes can act as emotional armour and psychological tools.
Confidence comes from within — but clothing can help reflect and amplify it.
Thank you for reading!
Want to know more about Liz?
Follow her on her socials @thenewyorkstylist
Her website: thenewyorkstylist.com Photo from Liz Teich in Thumbnail taken by Michelle Rose Her Instagram: @michellerosephoto
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