About Fashion Consultants

Anyone who wants to look snazzy, jazzy and pulled together can easily find a fashion consultant. Although they specialize in clothing, many branch out into other areas of appearance, image or even life. Celebrities have long used consultants to revamp or fine tune their wardrobes and the industry has boomed to make fashion consultants accessible for everyone.

Function

The main function of the fashion consultant is to advise you on your clothing choices. This includes helping you to utilize the latest trends, color schemes, fads, skirt and pant lengths and all the newest styles in the fashion arena. In addition to knowing what's hot, the consultant works personally with you to also advise what fashions work best you.

Types

Fashion consultants are known by several different titles, some with varying goals. The wardrobe or clothing consultant is going to stick largely with advice on fashionable clothing. Style consultants and image consultants may also serve as fashion consultants, but they often broaden their scope to include hairstyles and makeup, body language, verbal communication and etiquette. Depending on the services and the amount of time spent with a consultant, fees vary widely, but you should expect to spend several hundred dollars.

Features

Even consultants who stick to clothing advice have a large job ahead of them. Most will start with a wardrobe makeover. In this, the fashion consultant evaluates your entire stock of clothing and suggests updates. Fashion consultants will then go shopping with you and show you how to integrate new purchases into what's left of the previous wardrobe. Style tips and closet organization are usually also included, as are follow-up appointments every several months.

Time Frame

While fashion consultants used to work with just a select few rich and famous celebrities, the field has definitely grown. Now anyone who wants a consultant can usually find one to work with, either by word of mouth or searching a directory (see Resources). Consultants have gone from being a luxury for the very rich to a necessity for many who want to have an edge with getting ahead in this cut-throat world.

Considerations

To achieve a certain style, image or dream, you need to go beyond selecting the right clothing to wear. Fashion consultants realize this and often branch beyond clothing. Some consultants may dabble in career advice, motivational coaching and speaking and help you achieve your dreams with numerous tips that go beyond the wardrobe.

Resources

• One directory of fashion consultants