well dressed is a state of mind, not a fashion statement
Stressed But Well Dressed discusses the link between clothes, confidence and mindset. Each week host Dahlia Stroud is joined by a new guest to get their view on what it means to be ‘well-dressed’, exploring the concept as a state of mind and not a fashion statement.
Voices on the show include former editors of Vogue, Glamour, Hello and STYLE magazine, marketeers, psychologists, emergency service workers, stylists, retailer leaders, founders, health specialists, anthropologists and futurists, writers, coaches, artists and more.
The common theme is that confidence starts on the inside with guests sharing how they have built their confidence over time, grown resilience and used clothes as a part of their tool kit to enable their success.
Every outfit has a story…what’s yours?
why what we wear matters
Did you know that clothing can directly impact how we feel and how we perform in any given situation.
We attach a symbolic meaning to the clothes in our wardrobe and the persona they help us adopt.
Clothes can help to build trust, create belonging, allow us to show the world who we are, help us to blend in or enable us to stand out.
What we choose to wear influences our mood, our performance.
This is called ‘Enclothed Cognition’ and was researched by Dr Adam Galinksy and his colleagues Hajo Adam and Joshua D. Margolis at Northwestern University.
The research looks not only at the symbolic meaning of clothing but how people use clothing to self-reflect and to uplift their mood to increase their positivity.
Creating our own way of feeling well dressed we are directly aiming to alleviate our stress –
Whether we realise it or not.
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THEMES
Stress Management
The show unpacks what stress is, its causes, how to overcome it, and explores burnout: its impact on the body and how to spot the signs.
Women's Health
The show explores topics from reproductive health to confidence, highlighting the link between wellbeing, identity, and empowerment.
Fashion
Episodes featuring editors, stylists, and industry voices on how style shapes identity and influence.
Sustainability
Episodes on conscious fashion, ethical brands, and how individuals and companies drive lasting change.
Career Development
Episodes on growth, leadership, and navigating change, including redundancy and career pivots.
Trends and Technology
Episodes on digital innovation, fashion tech, and emerging shifts shaping retail and wellness.
Trust and Belonging
Episodes on creating inclusive spaces, exploring neurodiversity, and hearing directly from doctors on care and connection.
High Performance
Episodes on achieving peak results, balancing ambition with wellbeing, and sustaining long‑term success.
Resilience
Insights into overcoming setbacks, adapting to change, and building strength through challenge.
Psychology
Exploring the psychology of fashion, neuromarketing, and dopamine’s role in behaviour and choice.
Nutrition and Body Image
Focus on food, health, and the connection between body image, confidence, and wellbeing.
Personal Brand
Building identity, visibility, and credibility through authentic storytelling and strategic presence.
Smart Works
A 5 part series in collaboration with Smart Works highlighting women’s employment journeys, confidence through clothing, and the charity’s social impact.
Becoming a founder
Journeys of entrepreneurs building businesses, navigating risk, and shaping their own paths.
Managing Emotions
Happiness, anger, and the emotional balance that shapes resilience and daily life.
dahlia stroud
Dahlia started ‘Stressed But Well Dressed’ in 2023 as an opportunity to tell stories through the symbolism of what we wear.
The combination of her love for clothes and her research looking at identity, culture and behavioural psychology was the driving force behind the concept of the podcast.
Through her work she is determined to reinforce the belief that the concept of ‘well dressed’ is about mindset not about trends or fashion and that confidence, courage and clothing are intrinsically linked.
listen to the podcast
“Stressed But Well Dressed” delves into the link between stress, confidence, and clothing, helping listeners build a “well-dressed mindset” for success. Dahlia hosts weekly conversations with a diverse range of guests—psychologists, founders, authors, designers, coaches, TV personalities, journalists, a firefighter, a former cult member, marketeers, and even Miss Great Britain—to explore the impact of stress on identity, confidence, and mindset from unique perspectives across a range of topics. Expect thought provoking conversations, practical tips for success and a bit of fashion in the mix!
Dahlia is joined by Victoria Emes, comedian, content creator and co-founder of wellness business FitBtch.
Victoria shares her the journey of her career from working in a high school to full time content creator becoming a household name as one of the funniest women on the internet.
The podcast goes behind the scenes on how Victoria built her online audience, why she’s always leaned into comedy in her everyday and how she amassed a following of people who truly related to her and then created a wellness concept that was a perfect fit for their needs (and for hers too).
Widely recognised as one of Instagram’s sharpest and funniest voices, Victoria has become a household name — the internet’s favourite “accidental” mum‑icon and a standout comedic storyteller. What began as a creative outlet during maternity leave quickly evolved into a cultural moment, as her unfiltered take on motherhood resonated with millions.
Victoria has built a loyal community by saying the things parents actually think. Her parody sketches cut through the curated perfection of Instagram, offering relief, honesty and a much‑needed laugh for a generation navigating modern parenting.
Her debut book, Welcome to Motherhood Btches* (2022), cemented her place as a defining voice in the parenting space, while her hit podcast No Holes Barred continues to be a go‑to for women who want humour, honesty and zero judgement.
Victoria’s brand partnerships reflect her credibility and reach. She has worked with leading names including Very (2022 Ambassador), Fabletics, Elvie and Skin + Me. In 2024, she expanded her relationship with HelloFresh into a full‑year ambassadorship — a testament to her influence and commercial impact.
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