Personal Stylist (Male)

Grumpy_chap

OK, so I had to attend a work meeting today, actually in person in a hotel conference centre.  First trip out like this for many months, obviously. 
Most of us (self included) probably looked rather shabby compared to normal pre-COVID work - let's be honest, buying anything new has been somewhat restricted and simply the fact of having to "get dressed" was rather a shock to the system.

One guy, who I never recall as being any more stylish than anyone else, was looking very dapper - to be honest right off the cover of a magazine!  He drew positive comments from everyone else (along with some ribbing), but it was not just the initial presentation but attention to detail on the accessories.  Clearly a high level of effort had gone into his image, and it would be hard not to notice.  And all achieved without any blatant labels - the jacket, for example, was Zara.

By the end of the day he let out that he'd had a personal stylist.  So, is that really a thing and is it common?

[Deleted User]

Yes, of course it's a thing.

It's not common generally, but varies wildly by demographic.

Grumpy_chap

I thought it was a "thing" limited to footballers, celebrities and others in the public eye - maybe even including politicians.  And that jobs like TV presenter come with it from the "costume department".  How does it exist as a "thing" outside of that?

[Deleted User]

It exists as a 'thing' outside of that as some people choose to pay for that service for either personal or professional reasons.. 

There's no requirement to be in the public eye to use a personal stylist.

At its normal level, it's not an expensive service and very often free.

helensbiggestfan

Using a stylist can actually save money and help you make money.  Dressing for success is definitely a thing, practiced by many ordinary folk.  

Edith Head, the Hollywood costume designer said. "You can be anything or anyone you want if you dress the part". 

A well groomed, well presented man will go much further in life than a slob.  😂.  

sammyjammy

Debenhams used to offer a service for it.  Not common but clearly worked for him!

Grumpy_chap

Deleted_User said:

At its normal level, it's not an expensive service and very often free.

Looking online, the rate seems to be from around £450 per day.  Does not sound cheap to me, given you need to buy the clothes on top.
Quite different to Florence & Fred where £450 gets about 10-year's worth of entire clothing requirements for a family of four.  Sometimes a little help from George.

theoretica

Grumpy_chap said:

Deleted_User said:

At its normal level, it's not an expensive service and very often free.

Looking online, the rate seems to be from around £450 per day.  Does not sound cheap to me, given you need to buy the clothes on top.
Quite different to Florence & Fred where £450 gets about 10-year's worth of entire clothing requirements for a family of four.  Sometimes a little help from George.

Or free at eg John Lewis.  But you do need to buy the clothes.

Grumpy_chap

theoretica said:

Or free at eg John Lewis.  But you do need to buy the clothes.

According to their website, only available at Oxford Street, or "virtual".  They sound like little more than shop assistants.  A service linked to one particular store only offers a limited choice - especially how small the menswear department is in John Lewis - they have more floor area dedicated to iPads.

Emmia

I can't speak for the Mens service, but the Women's personal shopping service in John Lewis Oxford Street is excellent - I wanted a workwear makeover a few years ago as I felt stuck in a rut, and booked a session - basically they help you pick you pick stuff out, and then you're in a massive changing room whilst they run around getting different sizes / accessories/options etc and give you advice. 


I've also used a paid for service (it was a gift) for the purposes of buying a party outfit for my 30th which was awful (outfit purchase was also covered by the person who bought the session) we went from shop to shop,  but the shopper didn't listen to my feedback, and kept putting me in outfits that didn't suit me and I'd never wear...  I eventually  bought something that I picked up and insisted on trying but which the shopper didn't like - it looked fantastic.

[Deleted User]

Grumpy_chap said:

Deleted_User said:

At its normal level, it's not an expensive service and very often free.

Looking online, the rate seems to be from around £450 per day.  Does not sound cheap to me, given you need to buy the clothes on top.

You're not looking in the right places. Various stores offer personal styling for free, in the hope you'll buy the clothes they recommend.

If your talking about a daily personal stylist, then of course that will be entirely different.
 And yes, you do need to buy the clothes on top.  😁