118 · Becoming a Wardrobe Style Consultant

Not everyone is naturally inclined to dress stylishly. However, there are important situations where it’s better not to look like a disheveled scarecrow, such as a romantic date or a job interview. If you have this talent and love fashion, there are people willing to pay for your expertise. So, how can you successfully start and find clients quickly? That’s what I invite you to discover in this article.

• Here's the program
• What is a wardrobe style and makeover consultant?
• Why become a wardrobe style consultant?
• What are the essential qualities and skills to succeed?
• How to learn to become a makeover consultant?
• How to start a career in wardrobe style consulting?
  • 1. Acquire the necessary skills
  • 2. Create an online presence
  • 3. Develop a professional network
  • 4. Offer unique and personalized services
• How to find your first clients?
• Tips and tricks
• Conclusion
• EcoTips
• Pros and Cons
• Information recap

What is a wardrobe style and makeover consultant?

A wardrobe style and makeover consultant, aka clothing style consultant, helps individuals, both women and men, refine their appearance by choosing clothes and accessories that suit them. They take into account aspects like morphology, personality, and the goals of their clients to create tailored looks. In other words, they transform the image their clients project so that they feel more confident and authentic.

But that’s not all. A style consultant also plays the role of a mentor. You guide your clients in their quest for an image that truly represents them. This can be particularly rewarding when you see the transformation of your clients, not just in their appearance but also in their self-perception and how they interact with the world. This career is ideal for those who love fashion and want to help others feel better about themselves.

Why become a wardrobe style consultant?

Becoming a wardrobe style consultant can be a rewarding experience for several reasons. First, this profession allows you to transform a passion for fashion into a job where every day is different. You help people feel better about themselves, gain confidence, and project an image that truly reflects who they are. It’s a way to create a positive impact in others’ lives while doing a remunerative activity you love.

The market prospects for style consultants are also favorable. With the growing importance of personal image in our society, more and more people are looking to improve their appearance, whether for professional or personal reasons. Social media, dating platforms, and the rise of remote work have accentuated this trend. Consequently, the demand for style consulting services continues to grow, offering numerous opportunities for those skilled in this field.

Furthermore, the profession of a wardrobe style consultant offers great flexibility. You can choose to work freelance, start your own business, or join a fashion agency. This flexibility allows you to manage your schedule according to your preferences and personal commitments. Additionally, thanks to the internet, you can expand your reach and work with clients from all over the world, thus broadening your network and opening up more professional opportunities.

The first step for a wardrobe consultant is to delve into his client’s wardrobe to discover the treasures hidden there.

What are the essential qualities and skills to succeed?

Having a passion for fashion is not enough if you want to succeed as a clothing style consultant. You also need certain personal qualities and specific skills. These elements will allow you to provide quality advice to your clients and stand out in this competitive field.

Qualities

• Empathy: Understand your clients’ needs and emotions by putting yourself in their shoes.
• Psychological insight: Understand clients’ motivations and emotional barriers to help them feel comfortable with their new appearance.
• Patience: Each client is different, and some may take longer than others to accept changes in their style.
• Creativity: Offer innovative and tailored ideas to each client while staying up to date with fashion trends.
• Self-confidence: Believe in your abilities and stylistic choices to inspire confidence in your clients.
• Flexibility: Adapt to your clients’ different tastes, budgets, and time constraints.

Skills

• Knowledge of fashion trends: Stay constantly informed about the latest trends and know how to adapt them to different body types and personalities.
• Communication skills: Listen carefully to your clients and communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Morphological analysis: Understand different body types to recommend clothes that enhance each type of body.
• Project management: Organize makeover sessions efficiently, respecting deadlines and budgets.
• Marketing and social media: Use marketing tools and social media to attract and retain clients.

Accompanying your client for a shopping session helps them make wise clothing choices and opt for garments perfectly suited to their style and body shape.

How to learn to become a makeover consultant?

If you are interested in this idea and you’re a beginner, you’ll first need to go through a learning phase. Yes, style can be learned. One of the best ways to acquire all the necessary skills for this activity is to take specialized training. Many fashion schools offer courses in styling and makeovers.

These programs cover subjects such as morphological analysis, colorimetry, image psychology, and fashion trends. You can choose between in-person or online training, depending on what suits your schedule and learning style. Here are some online training platforms, but if you’re looking for a school near you, a Google search should help you find one.

Some learning platforms

• Udemy
• Italian E-Learning Fashion School
• Pearl Academy
• Fashion Institute of Technology
• Sterling Style Academy
• Florence Fashion
• Style Coaching Institute
• London Image Institute

While not required, obtaining a certification can strengthen your credibility and legitimacy as a makeover consultant. Some schools and organizations offer recognized certifications in the field. These certifications demonstrate that you have reached a certain level of competence and professionalism.

In addition to formal training, participating in workshops and seminars offers practical and interactive training. You get a chance to work directly with industry experts and benefit from their advice and experiences. These sessions can also be an opportunity to create professional networks with other fashion enthusiasts. Again, Google is your friend.

Finally, nothing replaces practical experience. Start by offering your services to friends and family. This will allow you to test your skills and receive constructive feedback. You can also volunteer for associations that help job seekers improve their image. Each experience will help you refine your skills.

How to start a career in wardrobe style consulting?

Now let’s get to the heart of the matter and see the necessary steps to become a clothing style consultant.

1Acquire the necessary skills

As mentioned before, everything starts with solid training. Even if you have a good sense of fashion aesthetics, good training can make a difference and significantly impact the success of your activity. Enroll in specialized courses in styling or makeovers, whether online or in a fashion school. Learn, because if your inspiration seems to come from your grandmother’s wardrobe, no one will want your advice.

2Create an online presence

To attract clients, you need to be visible on the internet. Create a professional website, even modest, where you can present your services, share testimonials from satisfied clients, and especially showcase your portfolio. A well-designed site with easy navigation and clear information can be very effective for your communication. Make sure to include an “About” section to introduce yourself and share your background, as well as a contact form to make it easy for people to book appointments. Learn SEO techniques to improve your search engine ranking and increase your visibility.

Social media are also powerful tools for promoting your services and interacting with your audience. Create professional profiles on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and regularly post interesting content. For example, share style tips, before/after photos of your clients (with their permission), and anecdotes about your professional experiences.

Use relevant hashtags to reach a wider audience and interact as much as possible with your followers by responding to their comments and messages. Social media can also serve as a platform to organize contests or special promotions, potentially attracting more attention to your services.

Besides your website and social media, consider creating a blog on fashion topics. Regularly publishing informative and interesting articles can establish you as an expert in the makeover field. You can write about current trends, give practical advice, or share success stories of your clients. An active and well-referenced blog offers added value to your visitors, encouraging them to return regularly to your site.

How to build an attractive portfolio?

A good portfolio is essential to demonstrate your talent. You will need to fill it with content as quickly as possible. To do this, start by working with friends or family. Offer your services for free or at a reduced rate in exchange for before/after photos. You can also participate in collaborative projects with photographers, makeup artists, and hairstylists to enrich your portfolio with professional photos.

Then document each project with detailed descriptions and high-quality images. A well-presented online portfolio on your website can be a major asset in attracting new clients. And to create your website and portfolio, the simplest and quickest way is to use a “website builder” platform that allows you to create everything relatively simply through a user-friendly interface. Here are some examples: Canva Portfolio, Adobe Portfolio, fabrik.io and Portfoliobox

Canva Portfolio is a free tool that lets you quickly and easily build a professional portfolio.

3Develop a professional network

As mentioned earlier, having a good network is crucial for finding opportunities and making a name for yourself. Attend fashion events, fashion shows, trade shows, and workshops to meet other industry professionals. Joining professional associations and participating in online fashion groups can also help you expand your network and access exclusive resources. Keep an eye out for fashion-related events happening nearby that you can attend.

4Offer unique and personalized services

We now address one of the key points that can guarantee the success (or failure) of this business. To stand out as a clothing style consultant, it is essential to offer unique and personalized services. Each client is different, with specific needs and preferences. Adapting your services to these particularities will allow you to retain your clients and differentiate yourself from the competition.

First, offer individual consultations. These personalized sessions allow you to spend one-on-one time with your clients to understand their expectations, tastes, and goals. During these consultations, you can conduct a detailed analysis of their current wardrobe, identify pieces to keep, modify or replace, and suggest new outfits tailored to their morphology and lifestyle.

Accompanying your clients during their shopping sessions is another way to offer personalized service. Since many people find shopping stressful and confusing, you can help them choose pieces that suit their style and budget. You also teach them to make smarter and more thoughtful purchases, which will benefit them in the long run.

You can also offer complete makeover services. This can include a makeup session, a haircut, and advice on accessories in addition to choosing clothes. This type of service is particularly appreciated during important transitions in your clients’ lives, such as a career change, a wedding, or returning to the job market after a period of absence. Offering a complete makeover shows your ability to transform your clients’ appearance holistically.

To go even further, consider offering your services remotely. Thanks to modern technologies, you can conduct consultations via videoconference (via Zoom or Skype, for example), send outfit recommendations by email, and even offer online shopping sessions. This is particularly useful for clients with busy schedules or who live far from your geographical area.

How to find your first clients?

Having made an excellent start with your friends and family, it’s now time to step up. To attract your first “real” clients, those who pay you what you’re worth (or pay you at all), you need to set up an effective marketing strategy and use the right communication channels. Rather than going over already discussed methods like using social media, participating in local events, or networking, let’s focus on other equally effective strategies.

• Word of mouth: This remains an extremely powerful method. Encourage your first clients to talk about your services to those around them. Personal recommendations are often more convincing than any advertisement. To facilitate this, ask for testimonials that you can display on your website and social media.
• Paid advertising on Google or Meta: Invest in paid advertising campaigns on platforms like Google Ads or Meta ads (Facebook/Instagram). These targeted ads can help you reach a specific audience and quickly generate qualified leads for your makeover services.
• Online classifieds and local newspapers: Offer your services on classified ad sites, as well as in local newspapers. These ads can attract clients actively looking for makeover services in your area.
• Collaborations with other professionals: Establish partnerships with hair salons, spas, or local clothing stores. In exchange for mutual recommendations, organize joint events or offer cross discounts to attract new clients. This allows you to benefit from the established clientele of your partners and increase your visibility.
• Promotional offers and discounts: Offer special deals or discounts for your first clients. For example, offer a discount for any consultation booked before a certain date or a bundled package at a preferential rate. These incentives can encourage people to try your services and talk about their positive experience to their friends and colleagues.

These are just a few examples, but there are many ways to find clients. And on this topic, I suggest you read my dedicated article on this specific subject.

Tips and tricks

Finally, here are some concrete advice and practical tips to help you implement this idea effectively and optimally.

• Create personalized style guides: After a consultation, provide your clients with a personalized style guide. This guide can include outfit suggestions, clothing care tips, and store recommendations. It’s an excellent way to showcase your expertise and provide added value.
• Organize live makeover events: Offer live makeover sessions on platforms like Twitch, YouTube or Facebook Live. Invite your followers to participate and ask questions. This can attract new clients and strengthen your credibility and visibility online.
• Use fashion apps: Recommend fashion apps like Indyx, Clozzie or Cladwell to your clients, which help them manage their wardrobe and create outfits. These tools can complement your advice and provide continuous assistance to your clients.
• Stay updated with trends: Subscribe to fashion newsletters, read books, magazines, and specialized blogs, and follow influencers on social media to stay informed about the latest trends. Share this information with your clients so they feel they are receiving current and relevant advice.
• Offer follow-up consultations: After an initial consultation, offer follow-up sessions to see how your clients are integrating your advice into their daily lives. This shows that you care about their progress and can help them stay engaged with your services.
• Develop an eye for detail: Practice spotting the small details that can make a big difference in the overall appearance of an outfit. This can include fit adjustments, accessory choices, color combinations, or layering techniques. Clients appreciate precise and personalized advice.
• Show empathy and support: Style changes can be an emotional experience for some clients. Show empathy and offer positive support throughout the process. A client who feels understood and supported is more likely to return and recommend your services.
• Create a YouTube channel: Share your knowledge and expertise by regularly posting videos on topics related to style and makeovers. By offering useful and informative content, you will naturally attract clients interested in your services and strengthen your image as an expert in the field.

Organizing online consultations via Skype, WhatsApp, Zoom, etc., allows you to advise your clients wherever they are, while offering maximum flexibility.

Conclusion

Becoming a fashion consultant requires a combination of passion, specialized skills, and well-thought-out strategies. We have covered the essential steps: obtaining solid training, creating a convincing portfolio, and using marketing techniques to attract your first clients. The key is to remain adaptable and attentive to your clients’ needs while staying current with fashion trends.

To succeed, diversify your services and explore innovative methods like online consultations and collaborations with other professionals. Use each interaction with your clients to refine your skills and strengthen your reputation. Choosing this career now means transforming your passion for fashion into a profitable and rewarding pursuit, all while helping others feel good about themselves. Additionally, with the rise of online consultations and the growing demand for personalized services, there is enormous growth potential in this industry.

What do you think about this idea? Have you ever considered becoming a wardrobe style consultant? What motivates or holds you back from starting such an activity? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!