Has anyone ever used a Style / Image consultant?

[Roseylea]

Because I am thinking about it. I have never been great at choosing clothes, although I think (and hope) that i have got a bit better as I've reached my 30s. When I was younger I had no sense of style at all, then when I hit university I turned into a hippie which lasted until I went travelling in Asia just before I got pg with dd (now 6). Since then it's been maternity wear and mumsy jeans.

I am hoping to change career in the next few years and what I want is to find a look that suits me, my work and my life. So IYO is it worth paying for an image consultant? Or should I just read one of Trinny and Suzanna's books?

I'd be really interested to hear of anyone who has seen an image consultant.

[Roseylea]

Just to add - overthe last yr I've also put on weight due to illness, and I haven't really reconciled myself or my wardrobe to that. So I need to learn how to shop for clothes that suit my now-size-14 shape.

[SueW]

I haven't but I was talking to a friend about it recently and she saw one last year whom she recommends. I think she went to see her either at or following a 'Style Yourself' evening that was put on by the parents' association at school.

The image cons not only recommended colours and styles but suggested shops which stocked clothes which would prob fit well.

No idea how much she paid though.

[Roseylea]

Yes, I need a bit more than "You're a winter" or whatever!

[SueW]

My friend recommended Pippa Rees. I'm sure there are others who would be closer to you though (your profile says Herts). Unfortunately the The Federation of Image Consultants website seems to be down at the mo.

[rookiemater]

I recently had a colour and style consultation done through Colour Me Beautiful. I know it sounds very Bridget Jones, but I found it fantastically useful. I had to bring a number of items from my wardrobe, and she assessed my body shape and gave me pointers about what type of clothing would suit.

It was really helpful because I'd been trying to cover up in neutral coloured shapeless stuff, whereas I am an hourglass who should be wearing more fitted curvy stuff.

Now if only I could find any clothes in the shapes and colours recommended I'd be laughing.......

[blithedance]

A good Personal Shopper in one of the big departments stores could be a good place to start, I had a good experience with Debenham.

[Roseylea]

Yes, I need advice on:

Body shape / size - how to flatter
Colours - ditto
Age - I am not a traveller in Asia any more and I can't get away with wearing what used to! But neither do I wantr to look 50 something. So I need to find a look that suits my age (and a haircut too)
Work - the world of work I am going into(hopefully) is conservative - plunging necklines no no no!!!! (I am hoping to be a vicar). But again I don't want to look much older than I am. I met one female vicar a while back who was strikingly well groomed and well dressed (even in a dog collar) and seemed to wear her femininity well without being...shall we say, distracting to the poor parishoners??!!
Practicalities - I've got two young children so I can't spend half an hour on my hair in the mornings. I'm not rich so my budget is going to be limited, so I want to spend it well. So I need someone who can help me find a look that is manageable within the realities of my life - I'm never going to be Kate Moss!

Thanks for your help!

If anyone has any suggestions about what a stylish 30-something vicar should look like, pleeeeeeeeeeeeease! I need your help!

[ninedragons]

I have also heard very good things about personal shoppers. Are you within striking distance of Harvey Nicks?

Do you have a very stylish friend? Even just a keep-chuck wardrobe session with her should put you on the right track.

[mypersonalstylist]

Hi Roseylea
I am a Personal Stylist so I just read your message with interest. I specialise in post pregnancy/change of career issues so do check out my website www.mypersonalstylist.co.uk

[LittleDorrit]

A session with a pesonal shopper at Harvey Nicks - that sounds like my idea of heaven - but someone else would need to be paying !!!!

[blithedance]

I am trying to imagine being a vicar.

On view to the public and judged on what you wear by gossipy old ladies

Need to express a bit of personality but also a bit of authority as you would be a community figure of sorts.

Need to find a middle way between a sort of religious anti-fashion (nun) and looking like you have sold your soul to the fashion industry.

Given that an image consultant would be quite an investment, it might be worth picking up a Trinny and Susannah book. I thought "What not to Wear for every occasion" was helpful, some of the outfits were a bit barmy but there are a lot of good pointers. Probably could get it secondhand on Amazon.

[Roseylea]

Yes Blithedance, it is not an easy look to pull off! And yes one of the things about being a vicar is that you (and your family) are very visible and inevitbaly will be judged on appearances, not in a malicious way (one hopes) but in a natural human interest way. Even litte things can mark you out as a certain type of vicar, so you do need to be careful.

I was looking through the summer Boden cataloue and quite liked a halterneck dress but thought "Hmmm...could I get away with shoulders on show as a vicar?" I didn't buy it!

Mypersonalstylist, I will check out your site! Thanks!

[neolara]

I had two pairs of trousers and two shirts because I HATE shopping. Then I discovered that John Lewis do free "fashion advice".

I had to book a couple of weeks in advance, but then I had two hours of someone hunting clothes out for me and giving me objective advice about what worked and what didn't. I ended up spending a lot of money, but the clothes look really good. The woman wasn't at all pushy and there was no pressure to buy. I ended up spending so much because she clothes she had selected were so obviously a million miles nicer than anything I already owned. Everything went with everything else so I ended up with a genuine capsule wardrobe.

I've been recommending it to all and sundry.

[sunshine185]

i totally recommend this page i've used her to help sort out my wardrobe and a mini shop and she's brilliant, i'm a size 8 but my friend who is a size 18 has been transformed, she looks brilliant and her confidence levels are sky high now!

she's based in london and totally knows her stuff! well worth the investment...

[sunshine185]

in terms of money, not so bad, some stylists charge a hellava lot more!!! i did a home visit to go through my sad wardrobe for 2 hours at i think £70 and mini shop for around £120

in terms of me, the investment was invaluable! i've got new ideas on what works for and i'm way more confident when i'm dressed! i will see her again for my winter shop coat, boots etc so i can look fab all wrapped up!

i have to say, i found her really down to earth and easy to be around, very professional but no way intimidating iykwim!

[VenusIsis]

I have to say I went to see an image consultant about 14 years ago - and it absolutely has to be the best investment I ever made! I don't know anyone (myself included!) who ever quite got themselves into a new look successfully just from reading books or watching TV make-over programmes. A consultation is just a few hours to get all the guidance you need for years to come ... plus some insider secrets and a much needed confidence boost. And you could easily spend more than the consultation cost on one wrong garment (and most of us have a wardrobe full of wrong/unflattering/outdated outfits when we could have a collection of favourites which really work well for us)Need I say more? Well, I trained to be an image consultant after that and would love to help you to get the clarity and transformation it's got me and hundreds of my clients since then.

I'll also tell you where to buy the new clothes (which shops, online or catalogues) take you shopping, see you 1-1 or in groups of friends and lots more ... www.thegoddesscollection.co.uk 020 7372 8691. Happy to help you feel gorgeous