What Does a Personal Stylist Do?

Many often find themselves staring into their closet wondering how they have nothing to wear. Perhaps they find themselves in a style rut, feeling like they have no sense of style or where to turn to cultivate it. Or maybe it’s that they shop at the store and purchase items with no strategy to fill gaps in our closet. What it may be, a personal stylist can address these, and many other style issues so many of us struggle with.

What is a personal stylist and what do they do?

A personal stylist cultivates an individual’s image and style based on their individual needs including body type, tastes and clothing preferences, and overall lifestyle. Stylists don’t need to be certified, but they often are so they have additional credibility and knowledge for a broad clientele. Through their education and expertise, they can offer advice and guidance on what types of clothes and fashion trends will work well for a client and how to update and curate their wardrobe. The goal of a personal stylist is to hone their client’s style while helping the feel more confident, dress intentionally, and save money in the long run through strategic shopping. There are multiple services personal stylists offer:

·       Wardrobe Consultation

·       Personal Shopping

·       Wardrobe Organization

·       Color Analysis

·       Image Consulting

·       Outfit Curation for Different Occasions

Wardrobe Consultations

Wardrobe consultations consist of a stylist reviewing, editing, and auditing an individual’s closet. Typically, the stylist will go to the client’s home and help them eliminate clothes that no longer suit their needs, do not fit well, or are outdated. Additionally, the stylist will assist in creating new outfits from the clothes that already exist in the closet. They will also identify gaps in the client’s wardrobe and recommend new pieces to purchase to round out their closet and polish their style and overall look. More recently, stylists offer these sessions online and in-person.

Personal Shopping

Often, after personal stylists work with a client’s closet, they will assist them in shopping for new items to build out their wardrobe. Personal shopping trips consist of a stylist going to stores with the client to be their consultant as they choose and try on clothes. Alternatively, in an effort to save time for a client, stylists will shop online for their client based on their individual needs. Both options provide opportunity for clients to learn how to shop based on their budget, style needs, and image they are trying to hone.

Wardrobe Organization

Some stylists simply organize clients’ closets. This can be done in a variety of ways including eliminating clothes that are no longer working and organizing a closet based on types of pieces, color, seasons, and clothes that are most frequently used.

Color Analysis

To more holistically serve their clients, personal stylists can also be certified in color analysis. Color analysis is a service that provides clients insight into the seasonal colors that look best on them based on their natural skin color and tone, eye color, and hair color. Within color analysis, there is one of 12 seasonal color palettes that individuals are categorized into based on their hue (warm or cool tones) and value (dark or light).

Image Consulting

Image consultants have a broader focus than personal stylists. They concentrate their attention on the overall brand and appearance of their clients, including clothing, hair, makeup, accessories, and other elements of their personal brand. Image consultants frequently work within corporate and media environments.  

Outfit Curation for Different Occasions

Personal stylists also work with clients on focused sessions to curate outfits for particular occasions. These include outfit selection and preparation for interviews, black tie events, weddings, and any other specific needs that clients have. These usually do not fall within the scope of full wardrobe consultations.

In the end, not everyone needs or wants a personal stylist. But for those looking to elevate their look and confidence, hone their style, learn tactics on how to dress for their body type, understand strategies to continually curate their wardrobe to become a reflection of who they are, and save money, then a personal stylist is a great fit.  

Stylishly yours,

Leah Nalepa and Anthony Bolognese