Like it or not, the way you dress says a lot about you. Your clothing choices speak volumes about your self-image, your personality, and even the way you perform in the workplace.
Are your clothing choices sending the right message? Do your outfits exude confidence and competence? If not, you might want to consider updating your wardrobe.
Not sure where to begin when it comes to shopping for new clothes? You may want to consider hiring a personal stylist.
Here are some guidelines to keep in mind so you can find the perfect style consultant to help you get your wardrobe on track.
Why Hire a Style Consultant?
Why should you pay good money for someone to pick out clothes for you? Can’t you just buy whatever the latest trends are and call it a day?
Well, of course, you could take this approach. But, there are a lot of perks that come with hiring a stylist to help you sort through all the different trends and figure out what suits your personality, lifestyle, and body type.
Here are some specific benefits of working with a style consultant:
- You’ll be able to identify and create the right image to present to coworkers, clients, and everyone else with whom you come in contact
- Every item in your closet will be curated to your specific tastes — no more complaining that you have nothing to wear
- You’ll be informed on the latest trends — everything from stylish outerwear to the top watch brands
- You’ll know how to shop for clothes that flatter your body type
- You’ll know which pieces to splurge on and which pieces to buy at a discounted price
- Someone can save you time and do the shopping for you
This last point is especially important. Think of all the things you can do when you’re not wasting time rifling through racks to find clothing that may or may not work for you?
How to Find the Right Stylist
As you can see, there are a lot of benefits that come with hiring a professional to help you with your clothing and style choices. But, how do you find the right consultant for your needs?
Here are seven tips that will help you sort through all the stylists out there and find the right one for you.
1. Make Sure You Get Along with Them
You don’t necessarily have to like everyone who works for you.
Whether you have a good rapport with your plumber or the guy who installs your cable isn’t particularly important. But, if someone is going to be dressing you and sifting through your closet, you should probably like them and get along well with them.
Remember, you’re hiring a personal style consultant. You should feel a strong connection with this person and feel that they are listening to your concerns and have your best interests in mind.
2. Consider Their Pricing Model
Of course, as with any service, price matters.
Before you agree to work with someone, find out what they charge and how they charge. Is it a flat fee? An hourly rate?
Figure out what you can afford to spend on a stylist before you start shopping around. That way, you won’t fall in love with someone’s personality and approach and then find that they’re way out of your price range.
3. Consider Their Experience
How many clients has the style consultant you’re considering hiring worked with in the past? What kind of clients have they worked with? Do they have experience working with people in career fields similar to yours?
The answers to all of these questions matter when you’re hiring a particular stylist.
Be sure to ask for references, too, so you can found out how other people liked working with this stylist.
4. Keep an Open Mind
It can be hard to step out of your comfort zone and try on clothing that you normally wouldn’t wear. You need to keep an open mind, though, and trust your stylist.
If you’re never willing to try anything new, you’re going to have a hard time finding a stylist who can work with you and help you get the kind of outcomes you’re wanting.
Be open to working with stylists who are different from you, too. You might be surprised by how much they can help you!
5. Ask About Conflicts of Interest
It’s a good idea to avoid working with stylists who earn a commission from selling clothing made by a specific designer or retailer.
By avoiding conflicts of interest, you can ensure that your stylist is suggesting items that look good on you and suit your personal tastes. They aren’t just trying to sell you on a particular item because they’ll make more money if you buy it.
6. Pay Attention to Their Own Style
When you’re getting your hair cut, you feel more comfortable working with a stylist who has nice hair themselves, right?
The same thing goes for personal stylists. If you don’t like the way a stylist dresses, or if they’re generally disheveled looking, consider working with someone else.
You can’t always judge a book by its cover, of course, but it’s generally a good idea to choose someone whose style you actually like.
7. Find Out How Flexible They Are
Finally, be sure to ask about how flexible a particular stylist is before you decide to hire them.
Do they offer refunds if you don’t like the service they provided or don’t feel like you’re dressing better than you did before? Will they refund you for hours you didn’t use if you purchased a specific styling package?
Be wary of a stylist who is not upfront and direct about these kinds of issues. You need to know exactly what you’re getting into before you hire them.
Hire a Style Consultant Today
A personal style consultant can help you take control of your wardrobe and make sure you’re buying pieces that flatter you and fit your unique sense of style.
Now that you know what to look for in a style consultant, it’s time to go out and find the right person for you!
While you begin your hunt for the perfect stylist, do you need some more guidance figuring out what to wear each day?
Be sure to check out the Fashion Archives on our site today for some helpful information on dressing for success.