My Top 5 Tips For WorkingWith A Personal Stylist

Let me start with a quick question. Do you go trawling the internet when you need a clear and reliable medical diagnosis, or do you consult your doctor? 

There’s a very good reason why we seek out professionals for guidance and help. It’s because they have expertise and a ton of knowledge about their profession. So, the same can be said when you’re looking for guidance with your personal style. 

Why struggle on your own to understand your body shape, what colours and styles suit you or how to merge your business brand colours in your everyday style. The easiest option for arming yourself with an understanding of your personal style choices is to invest in a professional Stylist. 

Looking good in your clothes inspires self-confidence. And, when it comes to business, consistently making a professional impression helps you gain the trust of your clients and colleagues.

Does the idea of hiring a personal stylist feel a little daunting? Is personal styling a completely new concept for you? Or, perhaps you think hiring someone to help with the way you look is just for celebrities?  

If you said “yes” to any of those questions, are ready to boost your personal or professional wardrobe, have an event coming up or you just don’t have the time to devote to going shopping, these 5 tips will help you decide if hiring your very own personal stylist is a good investment. 

Ready to get started? 

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TIP 1: HOW EXPERIENCED ARE THEY?

Although some stylists complete a fashion industry course, they don’t necessarily have to hold qualifications in order to call themselves a stylist. 

There are a lot of people out there working as stylists without any real education or experience. Really they’re operating as hobbyists and are unlikely to have a great depth of skill and experience. 

When you’re looking to hire a personal stylist, always make sure you look at their education and credentials. Do they have good reviews? Are they insured? Do they have a good social media presence? Always checkout their website for more information, and never be afraid to give them a call. Speaking directly is a great way to get a feel for someone’s professionalism.

TIP 2: FIND A STYLIST YOU’RE AT EASE WITH

The way you dress is very personal to you. Depending on the reason why you're hiring a stylist, the suggestions and changes they give may feel slightly personal. So, it’s important to feel you have complete trust in them and the advice and support they offer you. 

The other reason why feeling at ease is so important, is because there may be occasions when your stylist see’s you in your underwear or needs to take your measurements in order to get the right fit for your body shape. 

So, always make sure you’re comfortable before you decide to work with someone.

TIP 3: GET CLEAR ON YOUR BUDGET

Remember, a stylist knows what styles are suited to your body, so they can help steer you with the right choices and away from wasteful purchases. That said, having a clear overall budget is also essential. 

To put a budget together, expectancies must be set with your stylist right out the gate. You need to be clear on time, services and all of their fees, and factor in your actual shopping budget too. Some stylists charge by the day and others by the hour, and just bear in mind they may ask you to pay an upfront fee. 

Always have a contingency plan in place to free you up when it comes to your purchasing power.

TIP 4: HOW TO GET THE BEST OUT OF YOUR PERSONAL STYLIST

No matter how experienced, knowledgeable or talented your personal stylist is, you have to be able to communicate with them. 

They need to understand your specific needs, wants and style preferences. The more information you can give them and the more honest you are, the more efficient your stylist can be with personalising and tailoring the experience to you. 

This is a collaboration, so working together and staying open with your ideas will help you both achieve your desired end result.

TIP 5: BE OPEN TO TRYING SOMETHING NEW

Whether you’re hiring a personal stylist to help with a wardrobe detox, a brand-new look, or for a general personal shopping experience, always be open and willing to try something new. 

A good stylist will likely encourage you to step outside your style comfort zone and try something that you’d never in a month of Sunday’s opt for. But remember, they have experience in fitting people of all sizes, ages and personalities and will have a keen eye on what flatters and fits you.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Let’s be honest, we all want a wardrobe that inspires us. And, in order to get it, we sometimes need a little boost and an extra helping hand from a personal stylist. 

Why? Because change starts with how you feel about yourself and having additional motivation and support on your side can go a long way to helping you make major changes. 

So, when you’re considering the possibility of working 1-2-1 with a Stylist, get in touch – I’m here for you.

Nichola English is addicted to fashion. From an early age picking out clothes for friends and family, she always had an eye for style which only expanded as she got older, eventually creating her business, The Wardrobe Provocateur. 

Nichola adores working with women (and men) across the world discovering personal style, reinventing that old tired wardrobe and realising new confidence and vitality through coaching, shopping and good old clearing out of the old. You can read her full story of becoming The Wardrobe Provocateur here.