How to Be a Wardrobe Stylist

Wardrobe stylists are also referred to as personal shoppers and fashion stylists.

Do you have a knack for knowing which fashion looks good on a particular person? Do you love working with different kinds of people? Can you navigate through a shopping mall with ease? A career as a wardrobe stylist could suit you. Wardrobe stylists find work in department stores, fashion boutiques and or in their own company. An effective wardrobe stylist is prepared to match the type of clothes with the lifestyle your customer leads.

Instructions

Wardrobe Stylist Information

1. Figure out if a career as a wardrobe stylist is right for you. Finding work and set hours are challenging. Wardrobe stylists often work as freelancers, while others work for either large retail companies or small boutiques. If you decide to freelance, you may have periods of time where work is hard to find. Use whatever free time you have by working to please your customers and growing your business.

2. Be prepared to start at the bottom. While established and renowned wardrobe stylists help celebrities choose their clothing and accessories, working with non-celebrity clients is where you start. Put together styles that help clients gain confidence in job interviews, dates and every day situations. While they may not be celebrities, your job is to make them feel like one.

3. Know your salary potential. Wardrobe stylists earn anywhere from $20 an hour to $1,000 or more per hour. What you make depends on your skills and experience. Stylists at the top of their field can make up to $300,000 per year.

4. Consider obtaining a 2-year or 4-year degree at a college that specializes in fashion careers. Think about majoring in areas directly focused on fashion merchandising and design or marketing. Fashion merchandisers buy and sell clothes for retail stores. Marketing helps you figure out how to present yourself to future clients and businesses.

5. Start looking for internships and apply for jobs in department stores while you attend school. An internship or part-time work is a great step in learning basic wardrobe styling techniques. Working with professional wardrobe stylists is invaluable because you have the opportunity to see both the fashion and the business end of wardrobe styling.

Tips & Warnings

• Read magazines geared toward current fashion trends.

References

• Seventeen Magazine: Dream Job: Be a Personal Stylist
• Fashion Schools: Personal Stylist: Job Description
• Education Portal: How to Become a Wardrobe Stylist

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish