Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Does this exist? Proper stylists, not salespeople.

29 replies

Eyjafjallajokull · 07/02/2012 13:32

I'd like to go to a personal stylist.
I need help with clothes. I'm 40 and I want to look like me but I don't know quite how to do it. I don't want office wear or clothes for a night out and I don't want to look like a Boden-wearing clone. I have a huge list of things I refuse to wear (like polyester chiffon) - I think I'm a tough case. Ideally I want someone who has been through the mothering years and understands how the body changes and that fashion isn't the main thing but that frumpiness is depressing. I'm put off by stories I've heard of people going to a dept store and getting sold a heap of clothes and having to take them back.

I also want some makeup advice about my colouring, but I want it from someone who isn't my age and trowelled in hideous makeup, or about 19 and fresh as a daisy and doesn't know how to acknowledge crow's feet without going quiet. I don't want to be sold stuff, I want to know how to buy stuff.

I really want an expert who can take me through why certain clothes/colours/makeup look better than others and give me a list of what to look for, but someone who'll talk confidently and give honest appraisals. Is this a realistic thing to look for?

OP posts:
bran · 07/02/2012 13:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Earlybird · 07/02/2012 13:41

Yes, these people exist.

Major department stores have them on staff (Selfridge's, Harvey Nichols, John Lewis Oxford Street). No idea if they are on commission or not. You must book in advance (sometimes far in advance). Typically there is no fee for their services.

Some independent boutique clothing stores also will have sales staff who can be knowledgeable about you (your size, your budget, your taste) as they get to know you. Typically they are on commission though, ime, which is not a bad thing - just worth knowing. Down side is you will be limited to smaller stock selection - but it may be higher quality/more suitable.

There are also independent stylists. You pay them an hourly fee or daily rate. It can be quite expensive, as they will typically not be shopping for/with you in chain stores. They will come into your home, assess what you have/need, and shop according to your budget.

Forrestgump · 07/02/2012 13:47

I go to a small boutique local to me when ever i need something very special. I totally trust the owner, I normally ring her in advance and she puts things aside for me, sometimes if my mum pops into see her she may tell my mum that she has something that would suit me etc, or she sends me an email. I have built up a relationship with her now, I have left on a few occasions without buying anything, she never pressurises me. I have also rang her and said Ive a big wedding in x months time, if you are buying stock etc, think of me! yes its expensive, but i very often buy something knowing i will wear it many, many times. I trust her now, she knows my style, wouldnt go anywhere else.

I had my makeup done by someone on the Bobbi brown counter before christmas and specifially siad, I dont wear huge amounts and am not used to huge amounts. (its hard saying, i dont want to look like you!) and i was very pelased with the result.

Original poster
Eyjafjallajokull · 07/02/2012 13:54

OK I should be more specific and say, I am not really a looker and I'm lumpy but not hugely overweight, so there isn't a lot to compliment - I too have been to makeup counters (the hairdresser is the worst actually) and I find they don't really say anything helpful. I think it's because I'm not very good-looking so maybe there's not a lot to work with? But I'm always left thinking, they could have given me some useful advice, oh I don't know, about face shape or colour, but they just didn't say anything............

I really truly don't want to go to a department store (they are absolutely bound to be on commission) mainly because I don't find clothes I really like in department stores! So a private stylist does exist? I think it will be worth it.

OP posts:
Original poster
Eyjafjallajokull · 07/02/2012 13:55

Bran - not a chance! It's gobbeldegook!

OP posts:
daylily · 07/02/2012 13:59

I noticed that there were adverts for a couple in the back of this month's Elle that caught my eye.

Hopefully · 07/02/2012 14:02

Have you considered/discounted something like House of Colour/Colour me Beautiful? I know they theoretically make money from selling you make up, but it really isn't a hard sell, easy to leave with nothing. You can find out your best colours and clothing styles, and how to apply make up/choose the right make up colours.

bran · 07/02/2012 14:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wigeon · 07/02/2012 14:15

You definitely need House of Colour. You can see someone to find out about what colours suit you, and then you can also do a "style day" to find out about kinds of clothes suit your shape and personality.

If you google them you can find your nearest consultant.

I just had my colours done with them (couple of weeks agoa) and although I had a reasonably good idea about some of the colours which suit me, it was a really worthwhile morning and has definitely helped me refine my ideas of what suits. They definitely didn't say "Ah, fushia"!

The style day sounds really good - necklines, skirt lengths, shapes of clothes, jackets, coats, hairstyles, glasses styles etc etc. But mixed in with your personality and lifestyle, so they won't just tell all apple shapes to wear x and all pears to wear y.

They also do make up classes, and the colour class covered a little bit of makeup too.
You can

Wigeon · 07/02/2012 14:17

Just reading your OP, the consultant I saw (in a group, although they do one-to-one, at a price) was honest, professional, polite but clear and not wishy-washy. I was very impressed with her. House of Colour do sell make up, but there was no hard sell at all (although she did of course draw our attention to their range).

If you live in Herts or north London I can PM you her details! (Am not in any way connected with the company btw).

ShotgunNotDoingThePans · 07/02/2012 23:24

Yes HoC definitely the way to go. Or, if you're in Glos, there's an independent lady who does the colour/style consult and takes you shopping for a capsule wardrobe. (V. expensive option!) I'm sure there are independents everywhere - it's a matter of getting a personal recommendation, I suppose.

It takes a while to get the hang of it, and to turn your wardrobe around, but it's definitely worth doing - knowing what styles will 'fit' with your look and personality is such a time and money saver.

Re. selling you stuff: the HoC women do get commission on any make up you buy, but it's reasonably priced and I was quite happy to have a foundation/blusher/lipsticks I knew suited me - and there definitely isn't a hard-sell.

mirpuppet · 08/02/2012 17:36

I have used both independent stylists and the personal shoppers at the department stores -- both have their uses.

I was very happy with both the independent stylist I used I had one do what they call a "closet edit" with me trying on many of my clothes putting together outfits; identifying holes in my wardrobe. A few days later she sent me a 40-page document on my body shape; what works; what doesn't. The most interesting part was the holes in my wardrobe I ignored this advice and a year later I realised my life would be so much easier if I had purchased the items she recommended for my shape. Well worth the money.

I also went shopping with another personal stylist -- we visited several stores and she helped me put together shoes & accessories for an outfit. Really useful.

At the department stores I didn't find them hard sell. Nice to have a big changing room to yourself & describe what you are looking for. But they will bring you out things that have sold well because although they may not be on personal commission -- the whole purpose is to have you buy something or at least have a warm fuzzy feeling regarding the store and the services they provide. I have purchased some useful items after these sessions.

This site lists the independent stylists who are part of a professional organisation-- www.tfic.org.uk/members.html

I found it very useful to visit the stylist websites the message was generally the same. I couldn't afford the famous ones so interviewed two that were "affiliates" just starting their careers. If you want the details of the two I have used pm me.

mirpuppet · 08/02/2012 18:08

I forgot to mention that I spent a evening going through the personal stylists sometimes call image consultants websites and found some common themes in the way they presented themselves.

I have also used the information on my body shape to look at fashion website to get ideas on how to wear certain items -- like tunics, etc.

Dollydowser · 08/02/2012 20:04

The best 5 hours of my life (well, of my 40th year) were spent with Anna the Stylist Smile

berri · 08/02/2012 20:19

You need someone like this - she's AMAZING

www.style-bureau.co.uk/

She's based in Kingston/London though, do you live anywhere close by?

puggirl · 08/02/2012 23:13

My friend, a features writer, used me for an article in a national newspaper a few years ago.

A wardrobe consultant came to my house and went through wardrobe etc told me what I needed/didn't suit etc and organised it for me. I saw things in a new light and have been an accessories fiend ever since!

Her name was Alicia Kite, not sure if she is still about but is Devi stele worth a googleSmile

puggirl · 08/02/2012 23:14

Devi stele?? Meant definitely...

berri · 09/02/2012 01:37

Oops meant to link:

Style Bureau

FauxFox · 09/02/2012 09:28

If you want to pm me a photo, your list of what you won't wear and an idea of your lifestyle and budget ballpark i'll offer you some suggestions on wardrobe/hair etc if you like...I like doing this sort of thing and if I get it wrong you won't have wasted any money Grin

MegaMe · 10/02/2012 17:05

my good friend who was constantly complaining about how drab she looked used this lady in london she's a mum herself, she's always raving about her (not that i need help!! Hmm ) but have to admit she does look more put together these days and spends her energy complaining about other stuff!!

Alexboeck · 03/05/2012 21:41

Caroline who runs the Style Bureau (www.style-bureau.co.uk/) is a brilliant stylist.... lovely to spend time with and really good and listening. She is a mum and has done working mum so she knows the issues you can have as a mum of little ones.
if you are around Kingston and Southwest London check her out !

StyleGuile · 03/05/2012 21:55

Not sure if I should put my hand up at this stage or not for fear of getting a slapped wrist! I am a 41 yr old Mum of 3, ex lawyer, now Personal Stylist based in Birmingham. I trained with Nicky Hambleton Jones in London. I mostly work with Mums and don't work on Commission. I am a very practical, feet on the ground, stylist who uses the High St to its best and takes advantage of all offers where possible. Alicia Kite has a training academy though not sure if she styles anymore. Good luck in finding someone you like. Recommendation is best!

PerryCombover · 03/05/2012 22:25

Oo Nicky Hambleton Jones is she the saffer who dresses middle aged mums inappropriately and has no idea how to dress anyone over a size 12?

I liked her glasses. Was she nice...?

Spookey80 · 03/05/2012 23:28

If you have the cash, book one of styleguile packages. Since reading her blog I have been hinting to my hubby that I would like a shopping trip with her as a pressie, and some spending money too. Bit out of my price range, and as we live on SW, difficult to arrange, but ...in my dreams.

StyleGuile · 04/05/2012 16:45

Hi Perry - I have no idea what a "saffer" is but it's a great word! I think that we must be speaking about the same person - her glasses give it away. What I really remember is how smooth her face was for someone her age- much better than mine -but there again she was only about to have baby number 1 whereas I had had three lots of sleepless nights - so maybe that was it.

Spookey - just drop me a line anytime. We can always have a chat and I can point you in the right direction for things.