Menopause is a stage of life that brings profound change, physically, emotionally, and mentally. For many women, these changes can feel overwhelming. Hormonal shifts often affect body shape, energy levels, confidence, and even the way we see ourselves. Yet alongside these challenges is a chance to rediscover who we are and how we want to show up in the world.
Clothes are not just fabric, they are an expression of identity, a reflection of mood, and a tool that can help us feel more confident, visible, and seen. But what happens when the wardrobe that once worked suddenly feels wrong? What happens when our shape changes, our confidence dips, and we lose sight of what makes us feel like ourselves?
That is where Claire Causton, also known as The Menopause Stylist UK, steps in. Claire has built a career helping women navigate midlife with style and confidence, reminding us that fashion is not about trends or age. It is about owning the body you have right now and dressing in a way that makes you feel good.
In this blog we will explore Claire’s inspiring journey, the wisdom she shares with her clients, and the powerful role personal style can play during menopause. Along the way we will pull out some of her most uplifting advice, sprinkle in her own words from our recent conversation, and connect you to UK-based resources to help you feel informed, empowered, and supported.
Meet Claire Causton, From Stylist to Menopause Advocate
Claire has been a stylist for nearly twenty years, working with women from all walks of life. Her role is not to sell clothes, but to help women uncover what works best for them, their lifestyle, their body shape, and their personality.
As she explains,
“An influencer will show you what works for their body and what looks good on them. A stylist will help you understand what works for you, your personality, your lifestyle, your body. It is not about trends, it is about what is right for you.”
But Claire’s work took on a new depth when she entered her own perimenopause journey. Around the age of 44, her symptoms arrived with force, sudden weight gain, bloating around her stomach, brain fog, fatigue, anxiety, and depression. “I got to the point where I was nearly going to shut my business down,” she admits. “I just physically couldn’t cope with this anymore.”
It was only when she began HRT, something many women explore through their GP or menopause clinic (see the NHS guide to HRT), that she started to regain her balance. With clarity returning, she realised her body shape had shifted and her old clothes no longer worked. As a stylist, she recognised she needed to apply her own advice to herself.
That was the turning point. She reframed her experience not as an ending, but as a new beginning. She thought, if I with all my training felt this lost, how many other women must be struggling too?
From that point onwards, Claire became The Menopause Stylist UK, focusing her skills on helping women in midlife rediscover confidence through their clothes.
Rediscovering Identity Through Style
Menopause is more than hot flushes or changing periods. It is a transition that impacts how women see themselves. Research from Wellbeing of Women shows that many women report feelings of invisibility during this stage. Claire knows this feeling all too well.
“I looked in the mirror and thought, who are you? I had lost myself. I did not know who I was anymore. Even when I put clothes on, nothing looked right. Everything felt frumpy and wrong.”
Her honesty resonates because so many women have experienced that sense of disconnect, the wardrobe full of clothes that no longer feel comfortable, the frustration of shopping trips where nothing seems to fit, the cycle of giving up and defaulting to leggings or oversized jumpers.
Claire reframes these struggles as natural. Hormonal shifts in menopause cause fat to redistribute, often around the tummy. “It is not you,” she stresses. “It is a normal function of the body. It is not because you are not training hard enough or eating the wrong food. It is just part of this stage of life.”
By accepting that change, rather than fighting it, women can begin to dress with self-kindness and creativity.
Why Style Matters in Midlife
Style is not frivolous. It is deeply connected to confidence, identity, and wellbeing. As Claire puts it,
“What we wear says so much about how we feel about ourselves. It is integrated into our identity. It is fundamental.”
For midlife women, this can be a revelation. For generations, society pushed the idea that women over 50 should fade quietly into the background. Claire challenges this directly,
“Our generation is creating the image of what a midlife woman can look like. We do not have to cut our hair short, disappear, and stop caring about ourselves. We have earned the right to wear what we want.”
Her message is empowering, menopause is not the end of style. It is the start of a new chapter where authenticity matters more than ever.
Claire’s Practical Tips for Dressing With Confidence
Claire’s advice is refreshingly down-to-earth. It is not about rules, but about gentle shifts that help women feel seen again.
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Dress the body you have now. Do not wait until you have lost weight or “fixed” yourself. Choose clothes that fit the shape you are today.
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Embrace elasticated waistbands. Far from being frumpy, many stylish designs use elastic subtly to create comfort and shape.
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Draw the eye upwards. Statement earrings, off-the-shoulder tops, or layered necklaces help balance a tummy and boost confidence.
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Prioritise natural fabrics. Cotton, linen, wool, and bamboo breathe and help with temperature regulation, a blessing during hot flushes. (See more from NHS on hot flushes).
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Clear your wardrobe. Claire encourages women to remove anything that does not currently fit. “If you cannot wear it today, take it out,” she says. This helps break the cycle of a wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.
She even provides a free capsule wardrobe checklist on her website (The Menopause Stylist), helping women see the gaps and focus on key pieces rather than endless impulse buys.
The Emotional Power of Clothes
Anyone who has put on a favourite outfit and instantly felt their mood lift knows that clothes affect more than appearance. They change how we feel about ourselves.
“We get dressed up to go out for a reason, because that makes us feel good. What I do is take the effort out of it so you can feel that good every day, whether you are walking the dog, on a Zoom call, or at the school run.”
This philosophy reframes style as self-care. It is not about impressing others, but about nurturing your own confidence. Dressing well does not mean expensive labels. It means clothes that fit, flatter, and feel aligned with your personality.
Transformation Stories
One of Claire’s favourite memories involves a client with a bold pink jumper she had owned for years but never worn. “She said, I love this jumper, but maybe I should get rid of it. I stopped her. We styled it six different ways, with skirts, over dresses, belted, with wide-leg trousers. By the end, she was so excited. She said, I get it now. I know what my style is.”
Moments like this illustrate how a small shift in perspective can unlock joy and creativity. Women who once felt invisible leave Claire’s sessions excited about their wardrobes and, more importantly, about themselves.
Dressing for Ourselves, Not Others
In our conversation I asked Claire who we are really dressing for in midlife. Her answer was immediate,
“At this stage, it has to be all about us. We do not need validation from anyone else. We have earned the right to fully embrace who we are and express our identity without fear.”
It is a powerful reminder that style is not about pleasing partners, impressing colleagues, or competing with friends. It is about self-expression. When women reclaim that mindset, the transformation is liberating.
Resources and Inspiration
If you are inspired by Claire’s story, you can connect with her directly,
You may also find these UK-based resources helpful,
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NHS Menopause Overview – trusted medical guidance
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British Menopause Society – evidence-based information for women and healthcare professionals
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Wellbeing of Women – charity funding research and advocacy for women’s health
Embracing Self-Care, A Nudi Perspective
At Nudi we believe menopause deserves compassion, care, and confidence. Just as Claire empowers women to dress the body they have and own it, we want to support women in caring for their skin during this chapter.
For many, HRT patches are an important part of symptom management. But they often leave behind sticky residue that can feel frustrating. That is why we created Nudi Spray™, a gentle, skin-kind solution designed to remove patch adhesive without harsh chemicals. Like Claire’s advice, it is about making life easier and helping women feel comfortable in their own skin.
Conclusion? Own It
Menopause is not the end of style, confidence, or visibility. It is a new chapter, one where authenticity shines brighter than trends, where women can embrace who they are with joy and pride.
Claire’s mantra sums it up beautifully,
“Dress the body you have and own it.”
With the right support, a fresh perspective, and a few uplifting changes, every woman can step into midlife not with fear, but with confidence, creativity, and a wardrobe that makes her feel truly herself.
