Personal Stylist has changed my life

[Bigboobsnotgoodboobs]

Back in October I saw a personal stylist for the very first time. It was a real investment, not cheap (it was at selfridges). I got some amazing clothes and my style totally changed

I have just had a 2nd appointment for “spring/summer” and can actually say it has changed my life.

each time I’ve gone I’ve spent just over £1000 on clothes, but I haven’t really spent much in between

I go on holiday in a couple of weeks and it’s the very first time I’m going away without being in a blind panic about what I’m going to wear, and literally buying a tonne of stuff online, however inappropriate before I go away.

its not cheap but its such an investment in me. At 45 with young children, size 16/18 I’m not lying when I say it’s transformed my life. I used to live in black leggings and black tops. Now my wardrobe is bursting with colour.

not looking for any validation here, but if you’re in a similar situation and just don’t know how to shop for your body type then I’d say absolutely go for it

that’s fantastic.

Did you have to pay for the service or just the clothes?

How many outfits do you think you got out of the £2k you’ve spent do you think? Do you think the stylist considers how many outfits you’d be able to put together? Workwear or just casual? Did it include shoes?

sorry for all the questions I’m just tempted and curious how it works.

Great news OP
I tried one at John Lewis and it was absolutely awful. She didn’t bring anything that suited me or would suit my lifestyle. I was very disappointed but I see loads of posters on MN recommending JL

I am so happy for you.

That’s great & very worth it from the sounds of it.

having my colours & style done by house of colour years ago definitely changed my life so I hear ya!

Yes so the stylist’s time in extra - first appointment was £500 as it included a colour analysis

2nd appointment was £400

you don’t physically go shopping. The stylist has pre selected all of the clothes already based on a questionnaire, this includes body shape, budget, lifestyle (mine was everyday wear - no fancy outfits).

first appointment was jeans, tops, jumpers, trench coat & trainers, shirts and knitwear

2nd appointment was much more extensive, jeans, linen trousers, sandals, trainers, dress, tops, sweatshirts. And pretty much everything was a capsule. I probably got about 20 outfits

this week I wore cream/oatmeal linen trousers with a white blouse (tucked in) and tan sandals. I’ve never had so many compliments

so yes it’s an investment, but off my own back I would would never ever have picked out those clothes

Wow that sounds like a proper treat, I guess if you add up all the smaller purchases and wasted money over the years then this works out as a valuable investment. Do you think you got lucky with your stylist? I had a John Lewis one years ago and it was awful I felt like she was trying to make me look stupid!!

Not quite on that scale, but o got a colour analysis and body type thing done and within six months I reckon I saved the cost of it because I didn’t buy things that didn’t suit me or weren’t a flattering shape for me.

No I don’t think I got lucky, the stylist doesn’t work for selfridges, she just rents a personal styling room.

she has a large instagram presence and a good website with lots of reviews. I had to wait about 6 months for a free appointment and I know that she is fully booked for the rest of the year

Thanks that’s helpful. Can you share who she is?

Of course, it’s Clare Wakins Personal Styling xx

I’d love to see one or more of the outfits she put together for you if that’s possible.

I also had a bad JL experience, and recently had my colours done & I’m convinced it’s wrong. So wary of trying again.

But would love to see an example of it being done well & any tips :)

Another one here with a shit JL experience. Would love to have a session with a plus size whizz.

I had a personal shopping session at John Lewis; I didn't really like the selection she’d pulled out, and she basically told me more clothes would suit me if I lost weight. (I was a size 14.) Haven’t been back…

With the exception of the leopard print jumper all items were from whistles. The jumper was from Anine Bing.

Whistles

White Top
orange dress
cream linen trousers
blue dress - (amazing)
striped sweatshirt

The jeans I got were from Good American - they are absolutely amazing

other T-shirts were from Ganni. Shoes were from Adidas and Kurt Geiger

I definitely have a tummy, big boobs (although from my name not good boobs).

I am considering this, so thank you for sharing

My main concern is that I actually want my clothes to be quite easy care and comfortable. I feel as if a lot of their suggestions are going to involve dry clean clothes a lot of ironing, etc

I have known a couple of people do it, but it was for smart work clothes.

I'm more concerned that my everyday clothes just don't seem to work. However, I thought it was more to do with my shape than anything else.

I actually have a colourful wardrobe that's but I would like to move to neutrals.

I have a distinctive menopausal apple going on and I was thinking they probably can't make helpful suggestions for that.

I think the nearest place for me would be London, but I wasn't sure if it was really worth a trip. They can only select from what they have in store is that correct?

Most of my wardrobe is whistles - which is absolutely washable - but admittedly might need ironing. I used to think it was only for very expensive smart items - which just isn’t true

That’s absolutely awful, I’m sorry you had that experience. JL isn’t coming out well here is it

@Bigboobsnotgoodboobs sorry I missed your second post when I replied

So if you pay that money for the appointment and they don't come up with any clothes that you like, have you basically just paid for it?

Thank you for posting this because it's on my list of things to do, to sit down and get some new clothes for summer. I think I basically know what I want so that's a good start.

I really don’t think that will happen. She spends weeks pulling options, so you might have 30-40 items in the dressing room, but realistically only take 8-10 things home. She’s very honest and if something doesn’t look right she’ll say. She’s very good at what she does

Your budget needs to be realistic though, if you only want to spend £300 on clothes then maybe Clare isn’t for you. She wants you to go home with as many looks as possible for your budget, which I think realistically needs to be a min of £900

Would you mind linking to the jeans you got? Thanks!

I’ve done an online personal stylist. I think she charges around £100 for style and colours. It’s made clothes shopping a lot easier, and I get far more compliments now.

I got sent recommendations for what trousers, tops, shoes, jeans, etc I should wear, plus what shades suit me (i’m an autumn).

https://www.goodamerican.com/en-gb/products/good-legs-crop-mini-boot-blue670

these are my new ones, they are fab but I’ve also got straight ones

Don’t want to high jack your post op but just to add…

I was feeling so crap, can’t lose weight, can’t stop binge eating. After having 2 kids my confidence was at an all time low. I saw a personal trainer (which to me was something rich, fit, privileged people do) I was so wrong it has changed my life. I’m a stone down in weight and managing my eating so much better. Going to the gym twice a week and just feel so much better. Can’t recommend it enough. So well done op glad you’re feeling good about yourself. Sometimes you have do do a leap of faith!

That’s absolutely amazing well done!

I felt exactly the same, but part of my mindset was that I need to love me as I am - by constantly hating how I looked and wearing black baggy clothes I felt that I was setting such a bad example to my 2 girls. I was so sick of hating myself, so I just decided to look better as I am as the first act of self love