Style, Confidence & Business Balance with Adelle Martin
This month I’m honoured to chat with the strong and sassy Adelle Martin, founder of Stronger Together CIC. Her charity supports small business owners with their health, wellness and work while they navigate a cancer diagnosis. Adelle has achieved so much — I know her best as the woman who got me up Snowdon and taught me so much about peri‑ and menopause. She now runs the Mid Kent Ladies Who Latte while managing her own cancer journey. Let’s find out this powerhouse of a woman’s tips and thoughts on what it truly means to dress to impress.
1. How do you usually approach getting dressed for a big event like networking or training days? - I approach the event by agreeing on which business I am representing and then picking the colours to match that business. If it is a long day, then my outfit will have to be able to be worn with heels and flats. My outfit is always picked and checked the night before to make it easy for me on the morning. The final part is to check the weather for the right coat and hairstyle.
2 . How does what you wear affect how confident you feel at events? - Having the right outfit to match the business will ensure I am confident at the events, along with my Chanel No5 that I wear at very important events. ( The sign of a romantic style personality )
3. Talk me through your favourite outfit at an event/ work. What was it, and why did you love it? I love my tailored suits, silk shirts and sparkly shoes. My favourite film is Working Girl, which inspired me to work in the City in the 80’s. I got my degree, bought my suit and headed into the City in 1988.
4. Do you see your outfit as part of your personal brand? If so, how? Yes, as I run a company and a charity, I will pick my outfit based on which role I am attending as.
5. How do you feel colour plays a role in representing yourself or your business? Colour is key to which business I am representing, so over time my network recognises my signature outfits and shoes...
6. What does “dressing to impress” mean to you in a professional context? Dressing to impress - is the right sparkly shoes to enter the room as I am only 5ft 2. Growing up I was inspire by inspired by Coco Chanel and Jacqueline Onassis. I love that smart elegance. Everything I buy for my business is always with a nod to that childhood memory
7. Do you dress more for yourself, your audience, or both when attending events like this? I dress for myself and my brand. My audience will know me as I am consistent with what I wear for each brand.
8. Is there one go-to piece or styling trick that always makes you feel put together? - I make sure my underwear, trousers and vest/t-shirt are the same colour, then I add my top and jacket.
9. Can you tell me a little about what you chose to wear and why? - Other than my love of Coco Chanel and that chic style, my ethos is to only shop for second hand items. I buy from vinted and charity shops and have done for the past three years. I do a mood board for the season. I build my brand clothing into my business plan. This season my signiture look is a blue suit and silk shirts. I planned my looks and spent 2 weeks building out my wardrobe from the charity shops. I now have all my looks ready for the next 3 months. Knowing my colours and my brand colours have really helped. I love shopping resposably and love the planning.
