Finding Joy Through Style: The Connection Between Fashion Feng Shui® and Aged Care
At first glance, my work as an Image Consultant and Fashion Feng Shui® facilitator, and my role as a Leisure and Health worker in aged care, may seem like two completely different worlds. At their heart, though, they are remarkably similar. In both roles, my focus is on helping people reconnect with the best, most authentic version of themselves in order to rediscover their joy.
Whether I am working with a client using Fashion Feng Shui® principles to explore the colours, fabrics, and shapes that energise them, or supporting an older person in aged care to feel comfortable, confident, and seen, the intention is the same: to lift their spirits and nurture their sense of identity.
There is a special kind of joy that comes from witnessing someone's energy shift. It can be as simple as standing a little taller, smiling a little brighter, or simply feeling comfortable in their own skin. Spreading that sense of confidence and dignity is what brings me the greatest fulfilment in both of my roles.
Clothing as a Tool for Connection and Identity
In aged care, Leisure and Health programs are designed to support more than just activities. They nurture wellbeing, identity, connection, and, importantly, fun. What I have discovered through my work is that clothing can become an unexpected but powerful tool in achieving all of these goals at once.
As a Fashion Feng Shui® practitioner working within an aged care environment, I quickly noticed that what I wear often becomes a conversation starter. A colourful scarf, an interesting accessory, or a bold pattern frequently sparks curiosity among residents, and those moments naturally lead to conversations, friendships, and shared stories. What we wear influences not only how we feel, but how we engage with others and how they respond to us. This energetic exchange exists regardless of age.
Many residents have expressed themselves through fashion throughout their lives, whether by a favourite colour they wore often, a signature brooch, a beloved scarf, or a carefully coordinated outfit they enjoyed putting together each morning. When people move into residential care, daily routines can sometimes unintentionally reduce opportunities for that personal expression. By taking the time to learn about residents' preferences and histories, we can help them reconnect with these elements of their identity. Encouraging a resident to wear a piece that feels meaningful can help them feel more like themselves again. These small details can make a significant difference in how someone experiences their day.
The Energy of Colour and Memory
One activity that incorporates Fashion Feng Shui® principles directly into aged care programming is what I call a "colour energy" session.
During these sessions, residents explore how different colours make them feel. They may not know that each of the Five Elements has a colour, texture, pattern, fabric, or silhouette, but they do know how an elemental design element makes them feel. Some discover that bright colours bring energy and joy, while others prefer softer tones that create a sense of calm. Warm colours may feel comforting and familiar, while cool shades might evoke peacefulness.
These conversations often lead to beautiful moments of reminiscence. Residents begin sharing stories about clothing they loved earlier in their lives: the dress they wore to a dance, the suit they wore proudly to work, the outfit they saved for special occasions. These memories are powerful. They encourage storytelling, strengthen social connections, and remind residents that their life experiences and personal histories are valued and worth sharing.
Comfort, Confidence, and the Courage to Participate
When residents are supported to choose clothing that feels good to them, something shifts. Feeling comfortable and "put together,” whether that means a vibrant scarf, a lipstick that makes them feel beautiful, or jewellery that holds special meaning, can have a noticeable effect on how someone approaches their day. Residents who feel good about how they present themselves are often more willing to join group activities, participate in social programs, or spend time in communal spaces with others.
Of course, clothing in aged care must also balance dignity, comfort, and practicality. Soft fabrics, easy-to-wear layers, and clothing that moves comfortably with the body support both physical ease and emotional wellbeing. When residents feel physically comfortable in what they are wearing, they are more relaxed and open to the world around them. Clothing that honours both comfort and personal style allows residents to feel cared for and authentically themselves, and those two things are not in conflict.
Finding Joy in the Everyday
Fashion can also become a delightful form of leisure programming in its own right. Simple activities like accessory days, fashion parades, or a friendly competition for the best hat, can bring laughter, creativity, and confidence into the environment. Residents compliment each other, share memories, and rediscover the fun of dressing up. The energy in the room during these moments is often contagious.
Wherever we practice Fashion Feng Shui®, we are reminded that clothing and accessories are never just practical items. They carry emotion, memory, and energy. Within aged care, this understanding becomes another meaningful tool to support dignity, self-expression, and wellbeing — because aged care is no different from any other stage of life in that small moments of confidence, identity, and joy can be incredibly powerful.
It is truly an honour to support people in rediscovering those moments, and to help them find joy in the little things every single day.
Suzanne Dekyvere | Fashion Feng Shui® Facilitator | Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | www.thedressingcoach.com.au