What Does it Mean to Work With a Style Consultant?

Hi, I’m Ashley and I’m the founder of AC.Styles. We’re a personal styling service for anyone defining success on their own terms—whether that’s a CEO, a busy parent, or someone ready to get back on the dating scene.

Today’s blog post is a little different because my goal is to not only give you the education and the tools to find your authentic style, but to also share the importance and meaning behind working with a style professional. These professionals are often called personal stylists, style consultants, or personal shoppers.

After ten years in this industry and after more than 1,000 clients—I’ve heard it all. Every misconception, every myth about what working with a stylist is like. And today I’m going to round up the top questions we get about styling…from people who think all stylists do is shop all day to those who believe stylists can only be hired by celebrities for red carpet events!

Okay, enough build-up, let’s get into the top questions we’re asked about working with a stylist.

Are stylists only for celebrities and the super-wealthy?

Most people’s only knowledge of stylists are these big, splashy moments on the red carpet or in street-style, or paparazzi photography. Basically, anywhere there’s a best and worst-dressed list.

But the answer is no! Fashion Stylists work for all different types of people:

• New parents looking for a wardrobe refresh.
• Newly single adults looking to get back on the dating scene.
• Someone who’s celebrating a milestone birthday and wants to feel their very best.
• Anyone looking for help developing their sense of style.

And just like fashion, their services come at all different price points to meet you where you’re at with your style goals.

If you know you want fashion help but have NO idea where to start, think about what you’re willing to commit to the process. If you want a lot of options for clothing and don’t mind making returns, then maybe a style box service is for you!

If you just want a professional to give you a personalized introduction to what styles and colors look best on you…then a style assessment may be more your speed (we do that service at AC.Styles—check it out here!) And of course, if you want a full closet overhaul or a long-term styling solution, then hiring a fashion consultant or style team is definitely the way to go—and yes, we do that too.

How should someone determine which stylist is right for them?

We’ve ALL done this before: you need an expert for a job you want to outsource…so you go to the search bar and type “personal trainer top rated” or “financial planner in Los Angeles”.

Well, nowadays, you can find a stylist the same way! But, you’ve got to do the research. Check out their website, portfolio, and social media accounts to get a sense of what they could do for you.

On the stylist’s website, look for an “About” section. How long have they been doing this? Do they have a background in fashion? Is it just them, or do they have a team? Why do they love styling? There’s not really a right or wrong answer here, it’s more about your personal preference and what you want to see in a professional you might hire. But this person is hopefully going to get to know you pretty well, so it makes sense you’d want to get to know them, too.

Another great tip for when you’re researching a potential stylist—or any professional you might hire—is to look for a page on their website about their process. It’s okay if they don’t get into every single detail—you’ll likely talk more about that on an introductory call or you could email them any specific questions—but you want to get a sense of what you’ll need to commit to their services. Is it hours of time you may or may not have in your busy schedule? Do they seem to keep things surface-level or get really deep? Again, this is all about personal preference, so go with someone who feels aligned with you.

Viewing a portfolio is perhaps the most important part of searching for a personal stylist. You’ll often see this on their Instagram or social media accounts, but be sure to check their website too for clients’ “before and after” photos or videos. This is where you can finally see their work on real people with real figures. A great stylist will hopefully have a portfolio large or diverse enough to feature someone who looks like you. And even if the client’s style isn’t exactly what you’d pick for yourself, take a long look at them: do they look happy? Confident? Better than the “before”? That’s going to tell you that this stylist listened to their client’s needs and positively transformed their style.

Finally, the lifeblood of any small styling business is its reviews. Take a few minutes to read through past clients’ testimonials, as well as independent reviews through the stylist’s Google Business, Yelp, Thumbtack, or any other service website. As with any business, positive customer reviews are a gold star, but also seeing how the stylist has responded (or not) to negative reviews is going to tell you a lot as well.

The biggest point here is to do your research—they don’t have to be the most famous or most flashy stylist, but they do have to be able to listen to you, understand your needs, and make your style dream a reality.

How do style services work and how do I know if that’s right for me?

Style services are a less-common but more effective way to work with a style professional. Instead of meeting once or twice to pick outfits for an occasion, a style membership is a great way to ensure you’re purchasing key pieces that fit your long-term style goals and current wardrobe needs.

Our services are an all-inclusive way to make sure your style game is elevated year-round. With AC.Styles, your style journey becomes a “choose your own adventure” game! You’ll start with a base package including an initial style assessment, a guide with information on your “season” and best silhouettes, and a style experience of your choice (opt for a Shopping Experience if you need to add to your wardrobe, or go for a Closet Clarity package when you’re ready to downsize).

Our logistics experts, part of your personal style team, handle all purchases and returns for clients. Imagine never having to search for a return label or check tracking on an incoming package again!

Clients also receive on-demand messaging with their stylist so they can help with any last-minute style needs, shopping questions, and more. From there, clients receive exclusive pricing for our add-on services such as consignment/resale assistance, tailoring, and additional shopping sessions.

Ready to take the stress out of getting dressed and take the leap towards better style? Apply to work with us here!

How does virtual styling work if we can’t meet in person?

Having stylists who are tech-enabled has virtual styling better than ever in recent years! Nowadays, it’s so helpful to be able to log into FaceTime or Zoom and connect with clients for their try-ons, view their closet in real-time, or talk about any style struggles.

But don’t get me wrong, there’s still something magical about the in-person experience. Working on the fly is so great for quickly understanding what works and what doesn’t—and you leave your client knowing that they can confidently recreate looks on their own.

Whether you want a stylist virtually or in-home depends on your preferences and schedule, just make sure you find someone who has experience in that area.

How much does a stylist cost?

I’ve been in this industry for ten years and I’ve done extensive research on this…there is no standard cost for a stylist!

They range from $20/hour to $20,000 for the day. It depends on their expertise, what they provide, and how they price their time. Some do hourly, some do day rates, membership models: it’s really all over the place.

But that’s why it’s important to understand what’s included: what deliverables do you get out of the experience? Make sure you know the answer before you agree to work with them.

You’ve also got to manage your expectations: there’s going to be a big difference in what you receive for paying someone $40 to create a quick moodboard with 1 – 2 shoppable looks vs. a year-long membership with on-demand style access and all the solutions related to that. Unless you can do a lot of the legwork on your own based on a handful of outfits, you likely won’t see a huge transformation unless you’re making the investment in a longer-term stylist. After all, it’s really an investment in yourself!

And keep in mind: most stylist fees don’t include your clothing budget. Do you want it all done quickly? Do you want a slow, intentional transformation throughout the year? Think about how you want to build out your new wardrobe or looks and be sure to factor in that cost.

Still Wondering What it’s Like to Work with a Stylist?

If you have a question you don’t see answered here, don’t hesitate to reach out! Whether it’s a general question about styling or what it means to work with an AC.Styles personal stylist, we’re here to pull back the curtain on how to look and feel your best.

When you’re ready to learn more about elevating your style year-round, visit our services page and learn more! We look forward to working with you.