Offer customized suggestions that cater to your clients’ preferences.
As a personal stylist, it is crucial to have a strong understanding of your clients’ fashion preferences. So why not begin by exploring their closet? Not only does this provide valuable insight, but it also allows for a tailored and personalized styling experience.
And, you don’t have to start from scratch. Most clients know what they like, even if they have not considered it formally. In this guide, we’ll provide recommendations for different dress styles so you can HELP YOUR CLIENTS LOOK AND FEEL THEIR BEST.
Why You Need to Put Your Clients First
Your clients come from different backgrounds, have different personalities, and have a unique sense of style. Your job is to curate a wardrobe that best fits their needs and preferences, even if it may differ from yours.
That doesn’t mean you can’t steer them towards making more flattering choices within their preferences, but instead, you should BE MINDFUL OF WHAT THEY NATURALLY GRAVITATE TOWARDS.
Below are basic style preferences and tips on approaching your clients’ closets.
7 Different Types of Client Closets
1. Minimalist
- Overview: Minimalists favor simple and understated clothing, often in neutral colors with clean lines. Style-wise, they prioritize functionality and comfort over trends and are organized and intentional with their closet choices.
- Approach: Encourage your clients to choose high-quality pieces that can be dressed up or down and worn differently. For example, a timeless white blouse can be paired with jeans for a laid-back style or a skirt and heels for a dressier occasion.
2. Maximalist
- Overview: This style embraces excess and is not afraid to be noticed. Maximalists love bold, dramatic, and over-the-top clothing choices. They adopt an eclectic mix of patterns, textures, colors, and accessories.
- Approach: Maximalism is about mixing and matching patterns, so mix stripes with florals, polka dots with animal prints, etc. Just balance bold patterns with subtle pieces to keep your client’s look cohesive.
3. Classic
- Overview: Classic dress style encompasses clean lines, minimal embellishments, and neutral colors. It’s known for its understated and effortless elegance. Key designers and brands associated with this dress style include Chanel, Ralph Lauren, and Micheal Kors.
- Approach: Classic style clients appreciate quality over quantity. Opt for timeless silhouettes that are flattering, versatile, and can be dressed up or down. Ensure all clothing fits well and is tailored to their body shapes.
4. Bohemian
- Overview: Also known as “boho” or “boho-chic,” this free-spirited style is characterized by a relaxed and effortless vibe, emphasizing comfortable and flowy silhouettes, natural fabrics, and bold prints.
- Approach: The foundation of bohemian fashion is layering. Mix and match different patterns, textures, and colors to create a unique and individualistic look for your clients.
“Style is a way of saying who you are without having to speak.” – Don Draper, Mad Men
5. Athleisure
- Overview: Athleisure blurs the lines between workout gear and streetwear. This style typically includes leggings, sweatshirts, and sneakers made from moisture-wicking fabrics and stretchy materials.
- Approach: Accessories are crucial to nailing the street style look, so don’t forget to add in statement items like sunglasses, beanies, chunky necklaces, or a trendy backpack to elevate your client’s closet.
6. Preppy
- Overview: Preppy style is associated with Ivy League subcultures in the United States. The overall look is clean, put-together, and conservative, focusing on quality and tailored pieces. Colors are bright and bold, with stripes, plaids, or polka dots.
- Approach: Avoid oversized or ill-fitting clothing as preppy clothing is all about looking put-together and tailored. Accessories are an essential part of preppy fashion. Classic pieces like pearl earrings, a leather belt, and a watch can elevate any outfit.
7. Gender-fluid
- Overview: Gender-fluid style transcends traditional gender expectations and allows for fluidity in self-expression. It involves wearing clothing and accessories regardless of traditional gender norms, mixing traditionally feminine and masculine elements in an individualized and expressive way.
- Approach: These clients may have a wide range of preferences when it comes to clothing. Therefore, it’s best to offer them a variety of options to choose from, including both masculine and feminine styles, as well as gender-neutral pieces.
“Fashion is what you buy. Style is what you do with it.” – Bill Cunningham, fashion photographer
Improve Your Personal Styling Skills
Remember, each client is different, so you need to be flexible and adaptable. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to personal style, it does help to know the basics about personal style, including color theory.
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