What Type of Stylist is Right For You
A recent podcast by my business guru, Nicole of The Styling Consultancy, reminded me of a blog topic I’d been meaning to write for some time now. We are all well aware that working with a personal stylist is no longer just for the rich and famous, it’s for those who prioritize style and value their time and energy. Many people are looking to hire a stylist these days, whether it be to free up time to focus on their business or family, help them develop their brand through their wardrobe, or help them revamp and figure out their goal style, but how do you know what type of stylist to look for? That’s what I am here to discuss in this particular post. Nicole describes three types or levels of personal stylists:
Store Stylists- Someone who works for a specific store. Sometimes it is a term given to any store associate that works in that shop and sometimes they are specifically hired as a stylist and need to be booked by appointment. Either way, they only recommend items within that store often receiving commission based on the total sale or they have incentivized sales goals they must meet to receive a raise or bonus.
Transactional Personal Stylist/ Personal Shopper- This type of stylist is essentially a personal shopper, client tells the stylist/shopper what they’re looking for and the stylist/shopper finds it.
Transformational Personal Stylist- Help clients analyze and find their ideal style. Helps them develop their wardrobe and usually involves deeper level work leading to a transformation.
So which option is right for you? For many all the above options come in handy at some point in their lives, but let’s discuss so you’re able to identify what you’re looking for right now.
Store personal stylists are hired by the store or brand to work with a shopper closely, sometimes by appointment only, to help them find things within that store that (ideally) look great. They usually involve a commission on total sales, which can sometimes lead people to question motive. Back when I worked retail we were always taught to “build the sale” to keep adding things that the client should try on to get them to buy more and more. I never recommended anything that someone didn’t look fabulous in, which is why customers specifically asked for and told me I should become a personal stylist, but that was me not every store stylist may take that approach. I mean at the end of the day money is money right? The more you buy the more they earn or the more recognition they get and they eventually get a raise or bonus. There are some pretty hilarious videos circulating on social media where people will go into stores like Forever 21, and try on items that do not fit, flatter, or align with their style. They will then walk out of the fitting room and ask the store stylist what they think. The stylist always tells the person how fabulous they look, but of course, the person trying on knows better. What motive do they have to tell you the truth when they’re constantly pressured to meet sales goals? Even further, what is their motive if they make a percentage off of the total amount you buy? — I suggest this option for someone who KNOWS what works on them and is not easily influenced by someone telling them items look great on them. This can be a fun and cheap option when you know you want to shop at a certain store, but you want a more individual, sometimes private, experience. The key point being DON’T do this if you’re looking for someone to honestly tell you what looks good on you and works for your body type (there are exclusions to this rule, but it’s rare).
Transactional Personal Stylist should really be called Personal Shoppers, but many just go by personal stylist and I do understand why. For instance, sometimes I do transactional work, it depends on my client. I have clients who aren’t looking to transform, they know what they like they just don’t have time to find it. Sometimes they tell me what they need exactly and sometimes they know I know their style and they give me free rein. Sometimes they provide me with items they have already purchased or are eyeing and they just want me to complete the look for them. This is transactional because no deeper transformation is happening here, mostly because in these cases they don’t need transforming and that’s just not what they’re looking for. Search for this type of stylist if this is you…you know your style, you’re just too busy to shop OR you shop, but you need someone with a professional eye to complete outfits/looks for you. I find balance in doing both transactional and transformational styling.
Now let’s get to my favorite type of personal styling, transformational. This is what a majority of my clients come to me looking for. If you feel lost, like your style does not fit you, or you lack style altogether, if you just went through a major life change and you’re ready for your style to match your new phase of life, this type of styling is for you. This is why I added The Style Discovery to my available services. During a Style Discovery we discuss things from, adjectives you’d like to define you and your appearance, your career or your goal career, your brand identity, colors you love, textures you love, pictures of outfits you’re drawn to and why, your body type, etc. After the hour is up you have a worksheet that defines your goal style then we get to work on bringing it to life. Transformational styling is hard. I could easily be a personal shopper or transactional stylist all day every day, but transformational styling fills my soul. This is where my degree in psychology sets me apart from someone with a background in only fashion. Studies show what we wear has a direct impact on how we feel. An outfit has the power to not only change your mood but amplify it as well. I once worked in the advocacy world, empowering people who have gone through power-based personal violence, with very traumatic pasts. Now, I get to do similar work through my very favorite thing, fashion. Often I find what is holding my clients back in achieving their style goals is something in their past that made them feel they were not worthy of feeling confident or looking put together. Transformational personal styling is my jam. A transformational personal stylist is what you should be looking for if you’re looking to really transform your style and you have either gone through a major life change that is making it difficult for you to do this on your own, or you feel you have never really understood how to dress or what works on your body. But only seek out a personal stylist if you are READY for change. Otherwise, I recommend you start working on yourself with a therapist first and foremost.
Still a little confused about what type of stylist may be right for you? If you’re struggling to choose between transactional and transformational, I do both; so a consultation with me is your next step. During the consultation and through a short pre-consult survey, we can decide the path forward to great personal style.
