Personal styling: a guide for pros

What customers ask, how to win the job, and what to put on your profile.

Offering personal styling

Clients hire personal stylists to build wardrobes that fit their bodies and lives. Your consultation process, your before and after photos and your clear session plan are what win bookings and referrals.

What customers ask

  • Can you help me build a wardrobe that fits my spending limit?
  • Will you go shopping with me?
  • How do you choose colors and fits for my body?
  • What do I do with clothes I no longer wear?
  • How do you help me keep up the style after the session?

How to win the job

  • On the first call, ask about the client's lifestyle, their spending limits, goals and any event or job change they are facing.
  • Show before and after wardrobe photos with the client's permission, including outfit ideas you built.
  • Review the wardrobe in person or by photo, and sort it into keep, change and let go with the client.
  • Build a written list of key pieces and outfits so the client knows exactly what to shop for.
  • Put the session type, the shopping time and any follow-up in the quote so the client knows the full service.
  • Give a short wardrobe care and organization guide after the session.

What to put on your profile

  • Before and after wardrobe photos, shown with consent
  • A list of your styling services, such as wardrobe reviews, shopping trips and event styling
  • Your training and experience in styling, color and fit
  • Your approach to store relationships and disclosure of any payments or discounts
  • Your business registration and any local permit that applies to your business

Follow-up that helps the customer

  • Offer a second shopping trip after the client has worn the new pieces for a few weeks
  • Suggest a seasonal wardrobe check-in
  • Offer a short guide on mixing the pieces the client already owns

Licenses and permits

A license is often not required for personal styling, but rules differ by state and city. Keep your business registration, any local business license your city requires, and sales tax registration if your state requires it for any service you sell, and list your training on your profile.

Questions

Do I need a license to offer personal styling?

A license is often not required for personal styling, but rules differ by state and city. Check your local city or county rules for business licensing, and confirm any state tax registration that applies to your services.

How do I handle store payments or discounts?

Disclose any payment, discount or affiliate arrangement to the client before they buy anything. Put the disclosure in your client agreement so it is clear from the start.

Should I offer shopping trips with the client present?

Yes, shopping trips are a useful part of the service. Set the length, the number of stores and the budget in the quote so the client knows what to expect.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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