The concept of Style Personalities has been widely discussed in the world of personal styling. But do people truly understand what they are? Can they identify themselves as strictly classic, high fashion, or boho chic? Are there four style personalities or seven? And more importantly, is it even necessary to know them when styling a client?
At Style ME Training, I believe in six distinct style personalities. However, experience has taught me that none of us fit neatly into just one category. Personally, I consider myself ‘classic,’ but in the Summer, I lean towards a more ‘romantic’ style, while on a night out, I gravitate towards an ‘alluring’ look. What you won’t see me in is ‘sporty’ or ‘boho/creative’—not because I dislike these styles, but simply because my petite frame doesn’t complement them.
Over my years of styling and training, I’ve found that most people naturally shift between two or three styles depending on the occasion, season, or even age. While it’s helpful to recognise which styles resonate with a person, the more crucial aspect is identifying where they want to go with their style.
For instance, a client who has always embraced a classic, well-put-together look might feel that her style has become too predictable and wants a refresh. Another client might love the boho-creative aesthetic but struggles with dating, realising that a touch of femininity and classic styling might help her attract the right partner. Then there’s the woman accustomed to oversized, slouchy clothes who now needs to transition into corporate attire but has no clue where to start.
This is where a skilled personal stylist makes a difference. By assessing a client’s current style and guiding them towards their desired look, a stylist helps bridge the gap between comfort zones and new fashion frontiers. We all instinctively buy clothes that align with what we know, but stepping outside that comfort zone often requires expert guidance.
That’s exactly what I teach my delegates. The training tasks I design ensure they work with all six style personalities, embedding the knowledge deeply and often challenging their own fashion boundaries. By mastering this, they become equipped to help future clients embrace change and very often leave the training with the confidence to get out of their own comfort zone and reinvent their own personal style.
Nisha x