Tu You Toi is a book that aims to inspire women to look and feel their best. Author Sara Galindo, former editor of Elle in Mexico, is considered one the most important fashion influencers in Latin America. In the book, published by Urano, Galindo highlights the importance of developing a style that is uniquely one’s own and of not being a slave to fashion trends. She looks to inspire women to feel beautiful regardless of their ages and body shapes, reminding them that “you wear the clothes, the clothes don’t wear you.” We spoke with Galindo as she was preparing for a book tour that included at stop at Books & Books in Coral Gables, Fla.

In your book, you discuss the difference between fashion and style. Do women strive too much for fashion and not enough for style?

Fashion is what designers come up with four times a year. Style is what you choose. If you feel great inside, you will look great on the outside. During my 14 years at Elle, I met so many wonderful designers. But their beautiful designs can only be appreciated when worn with elegance. And this is only achieved through your own personal style. Social media has created a culture of “look at me,” and yet people take little time or care in developing their own senses of style and elegance. Finding your own style makes you unique. But the most beautiful thing a woman can wear is self-confidence and having a purpose in life. Being physically attractive is not enough—your mind is what defines who you are and where you are going in life. When women clean out their closets, they should also clean out the emotional baggage they carry within and embrace their beauty. Gratitude is also important: be grateful for what you have in life and not by what you lack.

In Tu You Toi, you write, “What we really have to look for, is to dress to reflect who we are and not define our essence and personality with what we wear.” What was your process in finding your own essence?

I realized that there was always going be someone more beautiful than me or with more money than me. I also wanted to be an example to my children and to be very aware of what I was teaching them. I wanted them to understand that there is a purpose to life that goes beyond beautiful clothing and accessories. My life is about so much more than the latest sunglasses. I want them to learn to be happy with what they have and love themselves and appreciate people for who they are and not for what they have. There is no point in having a closet filled with shoes if you have no purpose in life.

What are you working on now?

I have so many wonderful projects. Writing is my passion, and I want to do a similar book for men, teenagers, etc., but I need to take a break and digest it all. I have received so much mail from readers, and I think it’s important to hear what they thought of the book before writing the next one.