Most of you have probably heard about personal stylists, but you may have thought it was service that ‘other people’ take up. Perhaps those with more disposable income, or those with a fancier social calendar than yourself. The truth is, personal stylists are becoming more of a ‘norm’, and the service has expanded much more than the ones only available at premium department stores.
You see, having a personal stylist is a service tailored to work around you. You can have a one off session, or see one more regularly depending on how much help you may need. How we dress says a lot about ourselves, and it can completely change our confidence. But too many of us get stuck in a fashion rut, and get so bogged down with the clothes we have and talk ourselves into thinking that we have no idea how to get out of it. The shops can seem so overwhelming, then it’s knowing how much to spend, the colours, the latest trends…. then before you know it, you’re still walking around in a drab pair of jeans and jumper you’ve owned for years that does nothing for you mood.
Over the past few years, there’s been an increase in demand for personal stylists, so I thought I’d share some of the reasons why it could be worth considering looking into one:
Why Use a Personal Stylist?
- It can save you time: Some of us love shopping, and some of us hate it. Regardless of what team you’re on, it can take ages to do. Especially if you spend hours trawling the stores or online retailers, then working with a stylist will save you lots of time. Then, once you have an organised wardrobe, this will also save you time in the mornings!
- It can save you from stressing – There is nothing more stressful than never finding things that suit you or fit you right. The more it happens, the more shopping you do or even just simply getting dressed, can lead to a lot of unwanted stress and frustration. A personal stylist loves shopping and makes it there job to find you outfits to compliment you, so they will never make the task a stressful one.
- You’ll learn so much about yourself– It’s crazy how much the clothes we love and the way we pair items together can shape our personalities. The more you experiment with styles and colours, the more you can learn about your own style personality. You’ll also learn about your confidence levels – understanding more about what you look and feel great wearing.
- You’ll understand the colours that work for you – it could be that you’re stuck in a style rut of wearing neutrals because you just can’t brave wearing colour. Or, you might be wearing blues and green because you simply like them, regardless of whether they actually do anything for you or not. Personal stylists are colour experts, who can open you up to a whole new world of colour dressing.
To learn more about personal styling and how it could be the best step forward for you, I chatted to personal stylist Karina Taylor. She’s a Manchester-based, mother of three, with a lifelong passion for fashion and styling, who kindly opened up about her job, giving insight into how helpful a passionate and professional stylist can be:
Meet Karina Taylor
I understand that a lot of women turn to personal stylists after having children. With myself becoming a first time Mum in January this year, I totally understand it. It’s too easy to ‘loose’ ourselves. Tell us the service you provide for mums and how you can really help them find themselves again.
When you’re a mum, your family’s needs usually come before your own, and when they’re very young they need all your attention. Making time to sort out your own wardrobe, go clothes shopping or browse online would be a luxury! You may have lost confidence in the way you look and don’t know where to start when it comes to buying new clothes. I used to find that when I did get to a shop, I headed straight for the children’s section to see if they had anything nice in!
Your bodyshape changes after having a baby, and you realise that you’ve been living in leggings and whatever is clean and easiest to pull on in the morning. You might feel that you don’t want to buy new clothes until you ‘get back into shape’, or the clothes you wore pre-pregnancy don’t work for you anymore. As you start to get a bit more time to yourself, and perhaps return to work, you want to get back your identity and find a sense of style again.
I can help you to dress your new bodyshape and show you how to put together a collection of clothes that work for your lifestyle. I want to make getting dressed and knowing what to look for when buying something new, as easy and stress free for you as possible.
Do you cater for both men and woman, and if so, how do you find working with the two differs?
I work with women and men, and I approach every client the same way – with an open mind, making no assumptions about what they need or want. Although they often have the same issues, each client is very much an individual with different lifestyles, wardrobe requirements and style personalities.
Typically, women are more trend conscious and a bit more adventurous, and men more practical, but I have worked with many men who have disproved that theory! I have heard shopping with a man being described as a tactical missile strike – targeted, quick and effective! There is truth in this, as I do find that men enjoy shopping less, which is why a Personal Stylist will make the experience easier and more efficient.
Although Personal Styling used to be thought of something for women, many more men are hiring a Personal Stylist than previously and it’s definitely more ‘known about’. This might be down to our success driven culture, and wanting to be noticed for being well dressed.
Being a personal stylist means more than just picking the right outfits. Tell us exactly what it means to you:
I learned very quickly that Personal Styling is about much more than clothes. It is very rare that I have a client who just wants some new outfits. Our levels of confidence and self-esteem are reflected in how we present ourselves to the world, and how other people see us.
Feeling uncomfortable or badly dressed and can make your day go badly as you feel insecure. Wearing an outfit that feels right and looks good is a huge confidence boost and makes you feel positive and energised. Imagine how it would be to feel that way every day, and what a difference it would make to your life?
For me, seeing someone put on an outfit that I have picked out for them, looking in the mirror and loving what they see in the mirror is magic! Their smile and the way their eyes light up, is the most rewarding feeling in the world.
Tell us the process from when you meet a new client, and how you typically work:
Initially, a new client might be unsure of the exact service they need and would give them the most benefit, ie, whether it’s an overhaul of their current wardrobe, a shopping trip for new clothes or perhaps both. We’ll chat about what they struggle with, whether its putting outfits together, finding clothes that fit, needing to look smarter for a new job – there are many reasons why clients seek my help. I will advise them on which service will suit their needs best and ask them to complete my client questionnaire. This gives me all the information I need to begin to prepare for the session.
If possible, it’s good to meet up beforehand, either face to face over coffee or virtually, so we can get to know each other. It’s also a good opportunity for them to ask more questions and for me to reassure them that the session will be fun, relaxed and always a positive experience. Listening and asking questions is how I understand my client’s style, particular pain points and ideal wardrobe, which are key to a successful styling experience.
You’re from Manchester! What do you love about the cities fashion?
I’m from Chester and have lived in the Manchester are for 25 years, so I’m North-West born and bred. Growing up, Manchester was the epicentre of music and fashion for me and my friends. We used to get the train over and wander around, always visiting places like Affleck’s Palace which we thought was so cool and amazing! Having a large student population and cultural diversity means that Manchester has always created fashion, and it’s an inspiring form of self-expression.
The city centre is still a great shopping location, and as the global fashion industry is changing, there are lots of smaller start up brands and boutiques emerging in particular areas like the Northern Quarter, adding to the exciting retail scene.
What’s your favourite fashion trend, and designers?
It’s really hard to narrow my favourite fashion trends down to one (or two!), but I do love sports luxe and the fact that you can wear a sweatshirt with a skirt and heels or trainers with a suit. It’s the smart/casual way of dressing that is right for now, as so many of us need to dress less formally for work. I also celebrate the return of wideleg or bootleg jeans as a figure flattering alternative to skinnies that have been around for forever!
My favourite designers are Chanel (so classic but always modern), Tom Ford (understated luxury with a retro twist), Stella McCartney for ethical fashion that is fun with a minimal, relaxed style and Alexander McQueen for feminine shapes, fabulous tailoring and drama. Designer clothing is out of the reach of most of us, but what you see on the catwalk inspires the trends that filter down to the high street.
What are your favourite high street & online brands?
In terms of high street shopping, my favourite brands are Jigsaw, Whistles and Reiss which are good for updated classics that you can invest in and wear for years. Other Stories and Zara are great for fashionable updates. My personal style is minimalist, but I do love some pattern and bold colour, and Boden and Kettlewell are online brands that do the basics for wardrobe building really well.
Best advice for someone wanting to try a new trend they are a little afraid of?
Fashion is accessible to everyone. Introducing current trends updates your style and can breathe fresh life into your wardrobe. If you’re a bit unsure of trying something new, and are worried about getting it wrong, my advice is to introduce one element at a time to your outfit rather than throw them all into one. Also think about what already have so you don’t end up with high fashion pieces that that you have nothing to match with! For women, wear your on-trend sequin skirt with a plain crew neck jumper and long boots, or for men, wear your new bright patterned shirt with indigo jeans and a navy jacket to tone down the look.
You can find out more about Karina’s services over at her personal stylist website here.
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