Q&A-What is a personal stylist and what do they do?
London Personal Shopper
What does a personal stylist actually do?
The job of a personal stylist is to curate a wardrobe that is perfect for you as an individual. It is really important the stylist understands the client’s personality and what they actually need in their wardrobe. Personality and lifestyle are the two main things to consider. For example, if a client works in a very formal environment where the dress code is corporate, the wardrobe needs to have the clothing to match the environment so the client always has the right thing to wear.
Why should you hire a personal stylist?
In a busy world with busy demanding lives, it pays to hire an expert.
You save time - clothes shopping is very time-consuming
You don’t have to use headspace - everything is planned and sourced for you
You get clothes that work brilliantly - that you wouldn’t choose by yourself
You feel confident in your outfits which radiates and has a ripple effect in life
Everything works together - the wardrobe flows
How do you find the right personal stylist for you?
It’s important to find a personal stylist you are going to be comfortable with as this is a personal service. Make sure they are well established, qualified and have good testimonials. Book a call for a chat before booking. On the call the stylist should allay any fears or doubts you have about working with them, show they understand your brief and leave you feeling confident in their abilities and ready to book.
Do stylists dress you in a super fashionable or ‘over-the-top’ way?
Only if that’s what you want! A good personal stylist understands the dress code is different for different environments. What works in a corporate office won’t be right for working in TV or the arts. You should end up with clothes that are perfect for the environment you work in and that suit you as a person.
Not many people want to draw loads of attention to how they dress. Most just want to look good, look up-to-date, and to feel confident in stylish outfits.
What if I don’t like the clothes that are being chosen for me on the shopping day?
Speak up! I don’t take it personally if that happens. If things aren’t hitting the mark then I adjust the personal shopping until they are spot-on. I get excellent results every time for my clients because I have so many years of experience. I’ve kind of seen it all!
Is hiring a personal stylist worth it?
Hand on heart, it is transformative if you are someone who is simply too busy or you’ve lost your way with your style. Having that expert knowledge of what works for you, so you don’t have to think about it is truly liberating. It’s very hard to look at yourself objectively so to get put in outfits that work beautifully on you, that you never would have pulled together yourself makes this a life enhancing and confidence boosting service. Life is busy and this takes the hassle out of looking good.
Why hire a personal stylist when you can get one free in John Lewis, and other stores?
It absolutely isn’t a comparable service. If you don’t have much of a budget then the free ‘in-house’ stylists are a good option, you might get some clothing you like that you wouldn’t have picked yourself. Just remember, these stylists are targeted so you are in a sales situation. They might encourage or push you to buy things that aren’t perfect.
Hiring a Personal Stylist is different because they do tons of research beforehand and get to know you as a person by asking specific questions. This way they can make sure the results you get are truly bespoke and the outfits you end up with match your lifestyle perfectly. It is a higher-end, much more in-depth and personal service that will get results.
Plus, a personal stylist takes you to different shops according to what you need and the budget you have. If you use a personal shopper inside a shop - you are limited to clothing just from there.
What is a wardrobe edit service by a personal stylist?
This is a really important part of working with a personal stylist and one of the main reasons a free ‘in-store’ styling service cannot compete.
At this session, it is the time the stylist will get to know you and your style really well so they can choose clothes that really suit you. The goal is to make sure you look like an elevated version of yourself - the best version of yourself.
Usually this includes a colour analysis session where you get to know which season of colours really flatter you. You then receive a neat little booklet of colours that you can take shopping.
The whole wardrobe is edited and reviewed and the stylist will get you in and out of clothes to see what really works and what doesn’t. The aim is the make the most of what you already have and identify key wardrobe gaps. This way when you go shopping together the items that are bought will suit you, flatter you and make sure everything works beautifully together! A capsule wardrobe that is perfect for you and your lifestyle.
How much does it cost to hire a personal stylist?
The price varies. On the cheaper end for less experienced and new stylists in London it is around £250-350 for a wardrobe edit, £350 for a whole day shopping. Mid-range stylists charge around £500 plus for each service and highly experienced established personal stylists charge from £600 upwards for each service.
Would you love some help with your wardrobe? Get in touch with Lisa and arrange a chat.