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

Amazing, can’t wait to try this

I had an excellent personal shopping experience at JL (Oxford Street) about 8 years ago - winter work outfits - like the OP I spent a lot but it made me look so much better than what I would have bought and saved time and stress (and money actually). Went back 6 months later for summer work outfits and a couple of “occasion” outfits - initially her choices weren’t my cup of tea - but I told her - and I came away with another great set of clothes. Still wearing them all.

Wow the things you learn! I might look into this sooner then.

So happy for you. Thank you for sharing.
Have a wonderful holiday.

Thanks for this thread @Bigboobsnotgoodboobs it’s lovely and inspiring! I’m so pleased for you, and I love the items you’ve bought.

I’ve had an up and down few years, I also have a young child and will be 45 soon. I’ve been losing weight (battling my peri tummy) but when I’m getting back into my wardrobe I’m finding things don’t fit like they did (or I just want something different).

I’ve definitely been in a style rut / living under a rock so am trying to broaden my horizons at long last (trying to break out of the black legging and tunic cycle). Am now following Clare on instagram! I am not far from Manchester so you have me very tempted to use her services.

I used a free stylist at John Lewis, but it wasn't great. She didn't seem to get what my lifestyle was, and that I won't wear low cut or backless clothes. I spent about £110, but to be honest they were very average seperates, so I wouldn't go back.

Selfridges personal stylist appointments are free
https://bookings.selfridges.com/selfridges-body-denim/new_booking.html?companyId=37208#/service_list

OP you need to message Clare Watkins now, and say you may have got her, a few new potential customers from MN, and that you deserve a discount for your Spring/Sumner 2026 wardrobe :) your post is great advertising for her, lots of positive comments

@Bigboobsnotgoodboobs I'm similar shape to you - how do you tuck that shirt to make it look so good?

I've tried loads of times but it just always ends up looking like I was in a rush when I used the toilet and forgot to pull my shirt out 😂

Crikey that’s a weirdly unkind comment. Not everyone wants to stand out for the extra fashion choices.

That's a great idea, thank you.

I agree. JL was awful, and I'm a size 10 so anything should be OK. Bur she was useless

OP, I really like the orange dress, where is it from?

So that's 3 of us on here with the same bad JL experience. My issue was that she also took no account of my lifestyle.

It’s from whistles - I’m normally a 16/18 but the dress that I’ve got is a 14!! It looks nothing on the hanger but it’s cut in a way that it gives me a great shape at the front

That's a great recommendation and I love that colour.

lol before seeing Clare this would have been me - I think it’s the confidence and a good shirt

I go to Clare too. She’s bloody fabulous! And I say this after a quite good personal shopper at Topshop and an awful one at John Lewis.

I did! I did a JL one online a few years ago, was very detailed in the info I gave beforehand and the girl showed me loads of items (and various ways to wear them that I wouldn't normally have done) and I bought quite a few items which aI still wear frequently today.

I did however do another JL one a couple of years later as I needed some more things but could only get a different woman. Gave as detailed info as the first time, what I like and don't and my colour analysis, and most of what she showed me fit into what I'd said I didn't like or wouldnt wear. Her idea of smart casual was very dated and based on her own style.

If you're interested in a personal stylist, I'd recommend doing a bit of research and finding one whose style is similar to yours to begin with, if you have an idea of what that is.

If you go to one in-store, check the store stocks lots of clothes in your size, as otherwise they might be limited in what they can show you.

With the first girl, I found it really helpful for helping me look at clothes differently. It was brilliant. So I think it just depends who you get, so try and be picky about that.

Which JL has the biggest clothes selection in or near London these days

I’m 5ft 2, 34 H boobs and 12 stones. Thoroughly recommend Whistles as OP has said as their clothes are v flattering. Just bought olive linen trousers, tan sandals and a khaki linen jumpsuit and a cream short sleeved blouse. With 20% off came to less than £400. Clothes wash and last well from previous years’ experience. Returns process also quick and easy.

I’ve lost a lot of weight and now have a wardrobe of many sized clothes. I’d love a stylist to go through my wardrobe but home visits are quite expensive although it’s something I might do later on then my weight has stabilised. I do use ChatGPT though and have used it pretty extensively to talk about my clothes, defining my tastes, what colours I like, whether the fit is good, whether something is worth tailoring. Yesterday I tested it with photos of 5 items I was considering buying at JL and it scored them for me…pretty much scored it the way I felt. Obviously this is not like a wonderful human fetching you brilliant clothes but clearly lots of us don’t have ££££ to spend.

If anyone’s interested in ChatGPT by advice would be to create a project and spend some time teaching it about your current style tastes and colour preferences. I wanted to be pushed out my comfort zone so we discussed Tibi’s colour theory and a Dictionery of Colour combinations I have. I know I’m cool toned but I’m sure it would assess your season if that’s what you want. It can create outfits from your current wardrobe and fill the gaps with suggestions. ( I would say it’s fairly safe with suggestions). I ask it to be a “critical friend” and we play keep or ditch on my sometimes random purchases from the charity shop.

Hey OP - just come across your thread this fine morning and it is such a pleasure to read. (And thank you for putting up pix and details... really fascinating.)

Having six year old twins must ruin your fashion game! I was in a similar boat with two v young treasures 17 months apart, divorcing a psycho and generally getting fatter and fatter.

I've just recently rediscovered the joy of clothes after losing some weight and your post is v inspiring. Currently delighting in Vinted, where I find lots of lovely Whistles and similar stuff to suit my size 16 frame. Never tried a personal shopper though. V tempted to find Ms Wakins.

I definitely think one should learn how to dress for the size you are and feel good in your skin without having to lose weight - this is where I went wrong and felt miserable in my 'anything that fits' years. I also bought loads of things - mainly online since the birth of my (now teenage) kids, which never fitted. The good news is that I now fit some lovely clothes that were just sitting in judgement in the wardrobe - some Whistles jeans being the star item there!

I am a good decade older than you but I have a childlike glee. Also, probably more my street age-wise than yours, but I follow 'That's not my Age' website/substack by journalist Alyson Walsh:

thatsnotmyage.com

... she has lots of good things to say and her pick of designers and shops is 'high-middle end'(?) like our beloved Whistles, plus a few things in the low stratosphere. She is all about fabric, quality, wearability and putting stuff together well.

The joy of decorating yourself in things that make you feel good is 'above rubies' to coin a biblical phrase. I have regrets that I didn't discover this before, but our time is now.

Hope you have a good holiday. I'm strangely excited for you!

Goodness, I wouldn't know the first thing about asking ChatGPT at this level! Any chance of a primer Dive??

I imagine she already knows! 😁