Is Styled By Susie really that bad?

[atgnat]

Is Styled By Susie really that bad?

I was reading a thread about SBS on here and the first few pages had mixed reviews, but some definitely positive ones. Then when I skipped ahead to page 40 it was all talk about trading standards etc. I didn't read the intervening pages to find out what happened, but my question is: is it really that bad, and if it is, what's a better option for me?

What I'd like is a service that's online and affordable and where I can:

• Know once and for all what my body shape is.
• Find out my colours. A 'definitely avoid' and 'definitely incoporate' short list of colours would be fine for now; I know some colour stylists go deep on this, but I'd be willing to lower my expectations of what the service offering is for the price, so long as it's accurate.
• Be able to tell if gold or silver jewellery suits me better. I just can't tell.
• Know what makeup shades suit me.
• Get some idea of how to put outfits together.

I'm a bit hopeless, you see, and am finding it more difficult than ever since going up two dress sizes a few years ago. I barely knew what suited me to begin with, and now I'm struggling to hold a stable self-image in mind when shopping as I definitely sometimes imagine I'm still a size 10, which means I end up making lots of mistakes and just never being quite sure.

Any advice on SBS or recommendations for similar (better?) services much appreciated!

I don't know because I know my body shape and what suits . I can help you for free if you want ? Doesn't she ask you to wear a black vest and leggings ANS take a pic so she can see what shape you are ?

I haven't done SBS. I had my colours done in person, at HoC. I have had an online colour analysis elsewhere also, and I wasn't convinced of the result (online suggested spring, HoC said summer - I definitely need cool (summer) colours!)

I would heartily recommend an in-person analysis if you can possibly afford it.

They are okay but they did my colours wrong (diagnosed me as a winter because I'm dark haired with pale skin, but I'm actually an autumn). HoC is much better for colours as they drape you and take their time.

Check out the reviews on Trust Pilot. I'd avoid.

I had an SBS Style analysis and personal shop from Susie pre expansion. It was great for body shape and capsule wardrobe suggestions and value for the price.

The season was wrong so the makeup suggestions were not useful. I didn’t rate the wardrobe declutter pdf at all (Marie kondo far better). The basics and capsule wardrobe pdfs were useful for me, and the packing guide was too though a bit steep at the price. The Jean recommendations were excellent, but I am an awkward shape so find that a real challenge.

I would do an online or personal shop with Susie but would not risk the lottery of current stylists.

Check out Style Me Happy / Emily Innes
She used to work for Susie and everyone seems to love her

@Cluelessbeetroot

Check out Style Me Happy / Emily Innes She used to work for Susie and everyone seems to love her

Thanks for your replies everyone!

Does anyone have any first-hand experience with Emily? I looked her up but I'm not sure, not least because it seems like she, like some of the other stylist recruits, are ex-SBS customers? In other words, how much of an expert in style can someone be when only a year or two ago they felt they needed help themselves.

I was fairly happy with my analysis but it wasn't particularly professionally put together and didn't address a few things I'd asked. I'm very short and curvy and I don't feel my height was taken into account with some recommendations.
Mine was done by Susie and I'd have been happy with Sarah too but personally wouldn't have felt as comfortable with the other stylists currently there. After recent events I wouldn't give them my custom again.

Mine was done by Sarah at SBS pre expansion. There were some useful bits, but a lot of it felt quite generic. My colour was no suprise (autumn) but I was surprised to be an hourglass shape.

I'd not heard of SBS until the recent drama and took a close interest in what was going on (I love a bit of drama).

From what I can gather:

SBS is great low cost way to get styling services. They will analyse your body shape and let you know what suits you. However it's a very basic service, involving lots of generic pdfs.

Look

I've done an online styling course and it's not rocket science. If you are willing to do the legwork, you can work out a lot of it yourself eg body shape and even your colours.

No personal experience with Emily herself but I did have a SBS analysis (against my better judgement and at my friend’s persuasion) - and it was absolutely shite.
However lately I’ve seen that a lot of old SBS customers had their analysis redone by Emily and had great things to say about it - more detail, personalised, all questions answered etc
She does genuinely seem very friendly and open so perhaps drop her a message and get a feel for it that way ?

Have a look at SBS' Instagram...and that of her 'stylists'. That should give an idea of whether their opinion on style is something you'd want to pay money for.

Lots of department stores eg House of Fraser and John Lewis are doing free virtual consultations at the moment. There's no pressure because they send you an email with suggestions after your chat and you can look through at your own pace

I’ve looked at the Instagram posts. Here are my takeaways:

• wear a belt. Even things that don’t need a belt should have a belt
• denim jacket with everything
• your colour is leopard print
• white trainers or ankle boots. Those are the only choices
• hat if you want to feel like a bit of a dick
• the sort of trousers you’d wear after an operation ‘down below’.

Thanks everyone. I've looked at her stuff again and I'm going to try Emily first - will report back!

For those suggesting it should be easy to work out for myself - I take your point to an extent, but if it were that easy I'd have done it already. It doesn't help when things like different guides for body shape online come back with different answers. And not everyone has the ability to 'see it', even when presented with the right information! I basically need someone to tell me what to do.

You could try the Style Sisterhood group on Facebook, lots of ladies there advising each other including some professionals.

From what I've seen it's a very half hearted approach to colour analysis.....summers can't wear black, but with SBS they can! I don't see the point in paying money for incorrect information, it's a waste and poor service if you ask me.
House of Colour is expensive, but it's face to face, in depth and worth every penny if you're interested in doing it 'properly'.

@atgnat .. as I said above I'm happy to help . I work in women's fashion and I'm always dressing people who don't k ow what suits them often with some amazing results !