Ask Angie: Stylists for regular people?

BlondeAmbition

Hi Angie, I'm new to the site and really like your blog. I was wondering if you think there will soon be a market for stylists for regular folks. It seems the only people who have stylists are Hollywood stars and wealthy socialites. But most of us manage to find our own solutions to finding the right beauty treatments. Jennifer Lopez may go to Anastasia to get her eyebrows done while I go to my neighborhood Indian salon to get a threading. A wealthy woman may go to Sally Hershberger to get a haircut but I'll go to a salon within my own budget. Is there a comparable market for stylists out there? It would be great to go shopping with a pro for a special occassion or to update my wardrobe!

17 years ago

General

12 replies

Latest reply was from anne

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Angie is a stylist for regular women like us. Isn't she a gift? So practical, so stylish, so fun!!

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Laura took the words out of my mouth! BlondeAmbition, I don't know where you live, but there are style consultants like Angie in major cities, and you could try to find one. Or you can start with the YLF blog and forum - which has been super helpful and transformative for many of us! Happy reading and posting

17 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

Well this site has been really informative. But shopping becomes overwhelming for me. I end up getting really depressed while I'm out trying to find something to wear and I end up losing focus after an hour and leaving feeling defeated.

17 years ago

Anonymous

If you are in the Seattle area you are in luck because that is where Angie works. If you are not in the Seattle area maybe she will know how you could find someone near you.

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

Okay, you sound like a perfect candidate for a personal stylist who helps you with the process - pre-shopping (evaluating your closet to see what the gaps are, pinpointing your bodytype and style persona etc.), then shopping, and then post-shopping putting your goodies together into fab outfits. I assume you're not in the Seattle area, correct? Have you tried some web searches to see if there is someone in your area? You might use search terms like "fashion consultant", "style consultant", "personal stylist", "wardrobe make-over", stuff like that.

17 years ago

BlondeAmbition

Active Member

Thanks for the advice, I did a search in my area (NYC) and was able to find a couple of things. There seem to be stylists that provide services like evaluating your closet, teaching you how to put your own clothes together, taking you out shopping to supplement your closet, and then creating a look-book (putting together outfits from your closet and then taking pictures of them and compiling them in a book for your own reference). This is kind of what I'm looking for but at the moment the cost would be comparable to a short European vacation and I only have the budget comparable to a local weekend get-away. I will start saving for it because it's worth it but wouldn't it be great if this type of service were more accessible?

17 years ago

Laura

(website)

Veteran

It would be great if stylists were more affordable - but you can do it yourself by following Angie's process and posting photos here on the forum. Inexpensive and very effective!

17 years ago

Antje

Veteran

BlondeAmbition, yes, a stylish doesn't come cheap (which I think is what you mean by "more accessible") but a good stylist sure earns every cent of her fee by putting in many hours helping her client.
You'd definitely want to shop around before engaging a stylist, and ask to chat with former/current clients to make sure she is right for you before yuo make the investment.
And I agree with Laura that if the fee is prohibitive at this point, YLF is the next best thing. We'll all be happy to support you in your style quest!

17 years ago

ChristineB

Active Member

A stylist can be very expensive, but I totally agree with Antje that YLF is a great substitute until you can afford one. I've received tons of WONDERFUL advice here on the forum & through Angie's blog. Posting pictures & receiving feedback is great. I've started to gain confidence in my own style & eye (although I'm still learning lots).

17 years ago

shiny

Veteran

Hmmm.... just a thought, but I got this thing in the mail the other day from Macy's. They have partnered with the show What Not to Wear and are doing a US tour. Here's the link:

http://www.macys.com/campaign/.....merica.jsp

Maybe you can enter the contest?

Otherwise, this may not be what you are looking for, but can you first start with a local department store? A lot of department stores offer personal shopping assistance - and it can even be for free. They may not come over to your home and help you go through your closet, but it's a good place to start.

17 years ago

Sarah

(website)

Veteran

Good tip, shiny. The personal shopper at our local JCrew is fantastic. Her services are no charge (if you hold a card I think) and she is really good at what she does. I love how honest and creative she is.
Also, we are sooo lucky, fortunate, blessed, and all of the above to have YLF. Angie is so generous with her time and advice, as are many other fashionable members here. Take photos and ask questions, there are many skilled, helpful people around here! I've posted photos of nearly everything in my closet and everyone's been so kind and helpful, and have offered great advice.

17 years ago

anne

Veteran

I am chipping in late here...
In terms of going through your closet, this is what I did pre-YLF.
I asked a friend to help me, a friend who had the following characteristics
1) and most importantly was decisive
2) always dressed attractively (and for a similiar lifestyle to me)
3) was relatively similar in size

We spent a couple of hours one evening and went though lots of items I was unsure about.
Now, a few years (and ylf forum) later, I think I have the confidence to do most of this process myself, just posting pictures of a few things I was uncertain about. At the time though, it was helpful, and if you are a bit of a ditherer, as I am, might be worth considering!

17 years ago

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