Stylist/Personal Shopper
- Overview
The Role of a Stylist/Personal Shopper
A Stylist or a Personal Shopper is a professional who assists clients with selecting clothing and accessories that suit their personal style, budget and lifestyle. A Stylist can work for a department store or boutique, a fashion magazine or a private individual. The main difference between a Stylist and a Personal Shopper is that a Stylist focuses on creating overall looks for a principal, while a Personal Shopper focuses on purchasing and tailoring clothes.
Primary responsibilities include understanding the principal’s needs, preferences and goals, researching the latest trends and styles, sourcing and selecting items that match the client’s criteria, providing advice and feedback on fit, color and coordination, and ensuring the client’s overall satisfaction. A Stylist or Personal Shopper may offer additional services, such as closet editing, wardrobe planning, special occasion styling or personal branding.
To become a Stylist, one should have a passion for fashion and a keen eye for detail, with excellent communication, interpersonal and customer service skills, as well as a professional and friendly demeanor. A Stylist/Personal Shopper may benefit from having a formal education in fashion, but it is not a requirement.
- The Role Defined
Job Description
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
The only formal education requirement for a Stylist or Personal Shopper is a high school degree or equivalent. While a college degree is not a requirement in this role, certain degrees, especially those obtained from fashion colleges, can be useful in gaining relevant fashion knowledge, being exposed to a wide range of styles and fashion, and making connections in the fashion industry.
A Stylist/Personal Shopper will have 2 – 3+ years’ experience in fashion, merchandising or a related field, as well as an ability to work with different clients of different styles, genders and budgets. Professional experience should include shopping, styling, fitting and advising clients in a store/boutique or to a private client setting.
SKILLS
- Strong working knowledge of the fashion world and a natural sense of style
- Ability to be persuasive without pressuring the principal. A good stylist will present appropriate options and refrain from imposing their own style preferences on a principal
- Ability to select and coordinate outfits and accessories for various occasions and purposes, as well as working with different clients and budgets
- Ability to shop, style, fit and advise clients, as well as return, exchange and alter items on their behalf
- Excellent interpersonal communication as well as discretion and confidentiality
CERTIFICATIONS / TRAINING
There are no formal certification requirements for a Stylist/Personal Shopper, but an employer may prefer candidates with a degree or certificate in fashion or a related field. A portfolio of previous work and an extensive network of contacts in the fashion industry and at specific retailers are considered highly valuable in this industry.
RESPONSIBILITIES
A Personal Shopper/Stylist’s responsibilities depend on the principal’s personal style, preferences and needs, as well as the availability of time and resources. For example, a principal whose career is public facing will likely require daily/weekly support compared to someone with a relatively casual and simple wardrobe. Common duties of a Personal Shopper/Stylist include:
- Assessing the principal’s style, personality and lifestyle, and creating a personalized wardrobe plan based on their needs
- Shopping for and selecting clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry and cosmetics that suit the principal’s taste, budget and occasion
- Styling and dressing the principal for various events, such as meetings, parties, or public appearances and ensuring that they look polished and confident at all times
- Coordinating and working with other professionals, such as tailors, hairdressers and makeup artists to provide holistic styling services to the principal
- Organizing and maintaining the principal’s wardrobe, closet or dressing room, and suggesting items to keep, donate or alter
- Keeping abreast of the latest fashion trends and best practices, and incorporating them into the principal’s fashion and beauty plans, as appropriate
- Building a positive and trusting relationship with the principal, and respecting their privacy and confidentiality
- Managing and scheduling styling sessions with the principal with clear and prompt communication
- Supporting the principal’s personal and professional fashion goals and providing them with professional feedback
ATTRIBUTES
Natural sense of style
A Stylist/Personal Shopper should have an inherent sense of style and a natural ability to create and enhance a principal’s appearance and image. A natural sense of style is not something that can be taught or learned, but rather something that comes from within, and reflects one’s personality, taste, and creativity. A Stylist with a natural sense of style will always present themselves and the principal in a way that is suitable, flattering and fashionable for different occasions, seasons and trends. A natural sense of style also allows a Stylist to seamlessly mix and match pieces, colors and accessories, and create unique and original looks for their client.
Active listening
Stephen Covey said, “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” A great Stylist should be pros at active listening, with an ability to understand and respond to a principal’s exact needs and preferences for their wardrobe. Principals often have specific and sophisticated tastes and expectations for their appearance, which requires a Stylist that can listen attentively and empathetically to their feedback and concerns. An exceptional Stylist must also be able to ask relevant and clarifying questions, and confirm and summarize their client’s information and instructions, providing consistent and timely updates between appointments.
Research skills
Top Stylists have impeccable research skills, which allows them find and source the finest products and services on behalf of a principal. Principals often have high expectations or demands, which require a Stylist who can conduct thorough and objective research on brands, designers and stores, using a variety of sources and methods, such as reviews, ratings, referrals and social media. A Stylist must also be able to effectively communicate their findings to a principal using formats such as catalogs, reports or samples.
Organizational skills
A Stylist should be well organized, with an ability to effectively plan and manage their client’s wardrobe. Principals often have busy and complex schedules and require a Stylist who can organize and coordinate their client’s clothing and accessories, ensuring that they are organized, tailored, neat and ready for use. A Stylist/Personal Shopper must also be able to plan and schedule their client’s shopping trips or appointments and ensure that they are efficient, convenient and enjoyable. A Stylist/Personal Shopper must also be able to handle any issues or problems that may arise, such as returns, exchanges, repairs, and alterations.
COMPENSATION
The compensation range for a Personal Shopper/Stylist depends on whether they work part-time or full-time. Full-time Personal Stylists generally earn between $70,000 – $100,000, while part-time stylists may be compensated monthly, hourly ($100 – 250/hour) or per visit (generally $1,000 – 3,000/visit) for their services. They can also be compensated based on an agreed upon percentage of purchased clothing. We’ll discuss the best compensation strategy based on your styling needs during our consultation process.
STANDARD BENEFITS
Full-time Stylists/Personal Shoppers typically do receive benefits, while those who work part-time do not. Full-time Stylists generally have access to the following corporate style benefits (or a stipend to obtain such benefits themselves):
Medical, dental and vision
Standard health benefits help employees stay healthy, reduce absenteeism and ultimately increase productivity.
Retirement savings account
401k, thrift savings plan or simple IRA, especially with employer matched contributions, shows your employees your commitment to their future.
Paid time off
PTO allows your employees to take time off from work for various reasons, such as vacation, sickness, personal matters or holidays.
Travel/miscellaneous expenses
Expenses incurred when travelling or conducting business on behalf of the principal(s). Expenses may include transportation, accommodations, meals and other costs related to business travel and may be reimbursed or covered by an allowance or budget.
OTHER BENEFITS / "PERKS"
Additional benefits are often included to enhance the attractiveness of an employment offer, as well as encouraging long-term employment. Such benefits include:
Education
- Tuition reimbursement, scholarships/savings plans for those with college-aged children
Professional development
- Encouraging and covering an employee’s participation in training courses, workshops, seminars, conferences or professional certifications
Health and wellness
- Healthy food, beverages or snacks offered at the office
- Paid or discounted gym memberships or fitness classes
- Access to wellness programs with counseling services, health screenings, substance abuse treatment, etc.
- Life and disability insurance
Employee assistance
- Financial counseling
- Legal advice
- Transportation reimbursement or allowance
Charity
- Volunteer opportunities
- PTO days for community service
- Charitable match program
Family benefits
- On-site childcare or childcare reimbursements
- Parental and family medical leave
Workplace
- Remote work/flexible hours
- Casual work attire
- Employee recognition programs, awards or rewards
REPORT STRUCTURE
A Stylist/Personal Shopper typically reports:
- Directly to the principal(s)
- To a House or Estate Manager
- To other designated staff, such as a Chief of Staff or Executive/Personal Assistant
A Wardrobe That Reflects Your Style
A Stylist/Personal Shopper works with you to refine your wardrobe, offering personalized fashion advice that aligns with your lifestyle and preferences. From curating outfits for special occasions to creating everyday looks, they help you express your personality through fashion. They ensure you always look and feel your best, saving you time by bringing the store right to you.
Looking to upgrade your wardrobe or find the perfect outfit? Let us connect you with a Stylist who will bring out your unique style and simplify your shopping experience.
Adam Cook
Managing Director, Old State Staffing
- Elevated Style
Fashion That Fits Your Lifestyle
Why You Should Consider a Stylist/Personal Shopper
A Stylist or Personal Shopper helps you define and refine your personal style, from selecting everyday pieces to curating outfits for special events. They take the guesswork out of shopping, ensuring you always find the perfect items that suit your body, personality, and needs. A Stylist can help:
- Build a wardrobe that aligns with your unique style
- Find the perfect outfit for every occasion
- Shop efficiently, saving you time and effort
- Enhance your personal image with stylish, functional clothing
- Keep your wardrobe updated with the latest trends or classic pieces
Hiring a Stylist or Personal Shopper ensures that your wardrobe is always on point, effortlessly reflecting your personal style while saving you time and energy.
- Experts For Every Need
