Working with a personal stylist can be one of the most empowering, life-changing appointments you have this year. Even if you haven’t “lost the weight,” it can help you feel more feminine, desirable and like your old self again. And a stylist can also help you find the right silhouette for your body shape so you can shop for styles no matter your size.
There’s a lot to learn from a stylist. You’ll learn about the good (and not-so-good) styling choices you’ve been making. You’ll figure out how to make better choices, how to style what you already have, how to shop for different seasons and how to shop by yourself. Yes, we’ll teach you how to shop when you go out on your own so you can continue to implement the recommendations the stylist makes–long after your session.
When you meet with a stylist, she’ll generally only be able to help you with one season’s worth of wardrobe edits. That’s what’s in the stores at the time and that’s usually what’s most pressing for you.
Not only that, but it’s important to practice what you learned–with different clothes in different seasons. So you’ll want to work with your stylist a few times a year, especially in the first year. This helps you avoid wardrobe challenges and mindset issues in different seasons.
That’s why it’s so important to find a stylist whose personality and working style fit well with yours: so you can work together multiple times throughout the year to get you on the right track.
How it Works
Stylists should start with the basics so you can establish a strong foundation in your relationship with your stylist and your wardrobe.
- What is your body type?
- What best matches your style?
- What are pieces you should avoid to establish the look you want?
- What key pieces are you missing in your wardrobe?
Once you’re comfortable there, your stylist will move on to some more elevated basics. You’ll learn to mix and match basics and really step up your style. Your stylist will listen carefully to your needs so you can work together to get the looks you want.
Your stylist’s job is to educate you about how to style what’s already in your closet and how to decide what pieces you need to add for a complete, polished look. She will help you nail your style “uniform” so it’s easy to choose new pieces when you shop on your own.
Then she’ll provide you with a look book to help you maintain your new style over time.
How to Use Your Look Book
A look book is a great take-away from your time with your stylist. It’s your book of reminders of what you learned and a guide to help you maintain your style no matter how many times you hit the shops.
I’ve seen look books done in a variety of ways, some digital and some printed. It’s up to you to put it in a place that’s convenient when you’re getting dressed and when you’re shopping. I recommend having a printed copy in your closet and a digital copy on your phone. (If you’re only provided a printed copy, take photos of each page to store on your phone.)
Your look book will contain photos of specific styles that match your own personal style–either photos of you in outfits or flatlays of outfits. Once you get comfortable with the styles, you can replace some of the pieces as you go. Swap out that taupe pencil skirt for slim-fitting trousers or trade the jeans for some dress-down slacks. You can adjust the looks as you go, following the advice of your stylist on what pairs well together and what you should avoid.
Maintain Contact
I love keeping in touch with my clients throughout the year. This helps with transitions from season to season and also makes it easier for us to fall back in together when we work together again. Remember, you should work with the same stylist a few times during the year to cover all the seasons.
Working with a stylist can be stressful for some who have never done it before, but it’s like working with a hairdresser. Once you find “the one,” you’ll never look back.
