As someone who is always on the lookout for ways to enhance efficiency and personal style, discovering The Women’s Essential Style Guide by Corina Holder of Frump Fighters (@frumpfighters or #frumpfighters) this past Mother’s Day was a true revelation. This guide is not your typical style book; it offers a fresh, practical approach to revamping your wardrobe, making it particularly appealing for anyone looking to simplify their daily routines.

What triggered my search for a style guide was a humorous yet poignant shopping trip with my two youngest daughters at Goodwill—our favorite clothing store. As I picked out what I thought were cool and chic outfits, their reactions—groans and laughter—revealed that they thought I had absolutely no sense of style. While their teasing was all in good fun, it reminded me of harsher critiques I’d received from my ex-husband, who often labeled me as “frumpy” or criticized my dressing. This sting from their lighthearted jokes spurred me to take action and find ways to enhance my wardrobe and, by extension, my self-confidence.

The Purpose of the Guide

Corina Holder designed this guide with one clear goal in mind: to help women (and men, through a similar version tailored for them titled The Men’s Style Guide) escape the “frump” trap and step into a more polished and personalized style. The guides are available in both a digital PDF format and a printed version, making it accessible and convenient for all types of readers. Its primary aim is to streamline the process of selecting outfits by creating a capsule wardrobe that not only saves time but also ensures you look and feel great every day.

For me, The Women’s Essential Style Guide has been nothing short of transformative. Integrating Holder’s advice into my daily life has revitalized both my morning and evening routines. The stress of deciding what to wear is gone, replaced by a seamless process supported by a well-organized, versatile wardrobe. The guide encourages thoughtful consideration of each piece of clothing, focusing on how well items can be mixed and matched to create a variety of stylish and functional outfits.

Elevating the Capsule Wardrobe

An added advantage I discovered was the ability to “shop” my own closet. Having previously undertaken what was essentially Step 1 of Holder’s guide—as part of my Marie Kondo tidying project—I had already focused on keeping pieces that I loved and that fit well. This made the reorganization and further streamlining of my closet remarkably easy. Furthermore, due to the nature of my work, I found it beneficial to create two separate capsules: one for business professional attire and another for remote work. Although originally drafted with stay-at-home moms in mind, the quality of the style advice and the way the clothes are put together make this guide perfectly suitable for all professional types, whether working remotely, part-time, full-time, or on a flex-time basis.

For those interested in a more in-depth look at the process and how it can be adapted to various lifestyles, I plan to delve deeper into this topic in June’s month-long series on self-care. This will provide an opportunity to explore each step of the guide in greater detail, offering additional tips and personal insights on how to maximize the benefits of a well-curated wardrobe.

Overall, The Women’s Essential Style Guide by Corina Holder is a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their wardrobe and daily routine. Whether you are a busy professional, a stay-at-home parent, or simply someone eager to refine their style, this guide offers valuable insights and practical tips that can lead to significant improvements in both your appearance and lifestyle. As I eagerly await the arrival of my printed copy, I continue to benefit from the digital version, proving that great style truly can be simple and accessible.

I highly recommend that you check out this book and system. You can find them on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and online. Please note, Corina originally started her blog as Now That I Can Do and still uses the URL of nowthaticando.com. I didn’t want you to think that you were being inadvertently redirected to the wrong site!