| The stars have been doing it for years. With their | | | | (well -trained) eyes in the changing room can really |
| hectic schedules and the constant pressure to look | | | | help to push you out of your clothing comfort zone. |
| fabulous every day, the notion of getting dressed in | | | | Top To Toe |
| the morning without the professional guidance, let | | | | Goods stylists aren't slaves to fashion either, they |
| alone the idea of hitting the shops themselves, is | | | | know that just because something is trendy it won't |
| laughable for most celebrities. | | | | necessarily suit everyone. And while it's all too easy |
| Having a stylist is de rigueur for any serious aspiring | | | | to deceive yourself that you look the spit of Kate |
| starlet - someone to trawl the shops; liaise with | | | | Moss, as you squeeze yourself into a pair of teeny |
| designers; put together entire looks from sportswear | | | | hot pants from her latest Topshop range - your |
| chic to red carpet glamour; and follow them around | | | | stylist won't be so deluded. She'll be able to mix and |
| pinning straps and hemming skirts, ensuring they | | | | match timeless classics with the styles from this |
| never look less than perfect. | | | | season that really do work for you - and throw you |
| Style For All | | | | in a few vintage bargains in the process. |
| And now, these fairy godmothers (and fathers) are | | | | And it's not just your clothes that the stylists focus |
| no longer the preserve of the super rich. We too can | | | | on - it's their job to pull together your whole look, |
| indulge in a spot of A-list retail therapy, by hiring our | | | | including accessories - an area we too often neglect. |
| very own professional stylists, without the A-list price | | | | What's the point in shelling out hundreds on the |
| tag. OK they might not be our constant beck and | | | | perfect party dress, only to grab the first handbag |
| call, and the clothes they source might be more high | | | | that's falls out of your wardrobe and team it with |
| street than high fashion- but they can take all the | | | | your tacky tired jewellery? Stylists understand that |
| trauma out of shopping, guarantee we never have | | | | outfits can be transformed by the tiniest of details - |
| another fashion disaster, and make us look and feel | | | | and will help you learn to do this yourself. Indeed, a |
| just as fabulous as any celeb. And why not? We too | | | | really great stylist will show you how to put an outfit |
| lead busy lives and feel the pressure to look great | | | | together in minutes - whatever the occasion, so you |
| doing it- don't we also deserve a helping hand? | | | | can finally say goodbye to fruitless mad-dashes |
| A good personal stylist will make an evaluation of | | | | around department stores the night before a big do, |
| your physical attributes, lifestyle and fashion sense in | | | | and hours spent in front of your wardrobe each |
| order to make recommendations on which fashion | | | | week wondering what to wear for work. |
| choices will help you achieve the image you desire. | | | | Style Gurus |
| They'll understand your needs, goals and budget; | | | | If you would like to have the whole high street at |
| know all the shops and what they stock; and will do | | | | your disposal - not to mention your pick of |
| all the running around so you don't have to. | | | | boutiques, markets and vintage shops- then hiring an |
| Most of us get stuck in a rut at some point in our | | | | independent style consultant makes the most sense. |
| lives. Whether you've just started a new job and | | | | But be sure to do your research and choose your |
| need a new look to match; have recently had a baby | | | | stylist wisely. |
| and don't have the time to shop-till-you-drop sprees | | | | Always try to go on personal recommendations |
| anymore or you're just sick of staring at the same | | | | where possible - all good stylists will be happy to |
| old tired clothes in your wardrobe - a personal stylist | | | | supply you with feedback from satisfied clients. And |
| could be just what you need. | | | | remember that you don't want anyone too pushy- |
| Fears that stylists are always bossy, pushy and | | | | you'll never look good if you're uncomfortable in your |
| prescriptive when it comes to fashion are unfounded. | | | | clothes. Neither do you want someone with no |
| A good one will be receptive to your wants and | | | | creativity or ideas of their own, sometimes you need |
| needs- whether that's advice on finding your style | | | | a little guidance to discover an exciting new look. |
| and keeping up with the trends, or more of a | | | | Great personal stylists may cost upwards of £75 |
| time-saving service - picking out clothes they know | | | | per hour, buy they'll often be masters at finding |
| will suit your look and delivering them to your office. | | | | bargains - and think of all those costly fashion |
| Of course most of us need a little of both. | | | | mistakes you'll avoid. Never again will you have that |
| You may know you look great in classic, sharp | | | | feeling of guilt every time you go to get dressed and |
| tailoring but who's to say you can't look equally | | | | are confronted with a wardrobe full of |
| gorgeous in the latest flirty floral. An extra pair of | | | | hundred-pound designer-disasters you've never worn! |