Most of us approach clothes shopping in one of two ways: as a fun adventure, or as a time-consuming chore. If you fall into the latter category, you probably avoid the mall at all costs and feel a sense of dread when you realize you need a new pair of jeans. You might’ve even entertained daydreams of your fairy Godmother appearing one day in a cloud of glittery dust with a wardrobe full of clothes curated just for you.
I fall into the category of people who get a dopamine hit from hitting the “buy” button and whose favorite words in the world are “your package has been delivered.” Unfortunately, I also fall into the category of scatterbrains with piles of clothing that I ordered, tried on, hated, and then promptly forgot about, only to rediscover months after the return window is closed.
Whether you’re a shop-aphobe or an over-orderer, there’s one solution that can save us all a lot of time, grief, and regret: a personal stylist. I always assumed personal stylists were the exclusive domain of the rich and famous: I imagine Beyonce sipping a glass of champagne in a silk robe while designers hold up gorgeous outfits for her to either accept or reject with a simple wave of her hand. Well, pop the champagne and grab your favorite robe because now it’s possible for you — yes, you — to join the ranks of the fabulously dressed without having to pay anything more than the cost of the clothing. So how do you know a stylist is right for you? If you fall into any of the below categories, you’re the perfect candidate:
You don’t have time to shop
Ever heard a woman utter the words “I never feel busy or overwhelmed”? Yeah, us neither. Between work, family obligations, and maintaining friendships, it’s tough for most of us to squeeze in 20 minutes of “me time” a day, let alone a week. And if you’re not someone who thinks of retail therapy as self-care, clothes shopping is just one more chore to add to your list.
Your size has changed
If you’re over 25, you know that your body size and shape naturally fluctuate through the years. Hanging onto clothes that don’t fit anymore isn’t only a waste of space, it can take a toll on your mental health if seeing them evokes feelings of guilt or shame. Instead of lamenting the fact that the skinny jeans you bought 15 years ago don’t fit you anymore, why not find a new favorite pair of pants that make you look and feel like the amazing woman you are now?
You need to break out of your sartorial comfort zone
If your closet looks like someone copy-pasted the same black shirt onto 20 different hangers, it might be time to consider an update. Maybe you wear the same colors and silhouettes over and over again because you know they look good on you, but there’s a whole world of fashion out there that you might love — if you gave it a try.
You’ve had a major life change and need a new wardrobe to match
Whether you just landed a new job, are single for the first time in a decade, or are moving to a new city, a new-and-improved you deserves a new-and-improved look. A stylist can help you dress for the specifics of your situation, so whether that means finding sophisticated office attire or revamping your wardrobe for a new climate, you’ll be ready to put your best foot forward.
As personal styling becomes more common for the non-celebrities among us, we got more curious about trying one out. We went with M.M.LaFleur’s BENTO® styling service: Unlike “try before you buy” styling services where you generally pay a fee, receive clothing recommendations in the mail, and then either keep or ship back the items, your BENTO stylist creates a personalized digital “lookbook” of M.M.LaFleur pieces before you even give them your credit card info. Even better? M.M.LaFleur pieces are luxurious, comfortable, and made to last, so this is a far cry from your typical fast-fashion box. After all, if you’re going to invest in upgrading your wardrobe, it makes sense to consult an expert to ensure you get the most for your money.
The process goes like this: You fill out a quiz with the basics — what type of events you’ll be dressing for, what your wardrobe is lacking, the silhouettes you’re most comfortable in, and how much you’re looking to spend. There are also some fun questions in there, like whether there’s a celeb whose style you love (for me, it was Blake Lively), and the adjectives that describe your personal style (I went with “classic, playful, and comfortable”). Then there’s a section where you tell your stylist anything else you think they should know, which I treated slightly like a personal therapy session with my comment:
“I’m 34 (almost 35!), single with no kids. I don’t need work attire, but I live in NYC and go out with friends most nights. I’m also getting back on the dating scene, so would love a mix of casual everyday outfits and some date-night choices that are slightly sexy without making me look like I’m trying too hard.”
After submitting my quiz, I got a text from Nia, my personal stylist. She asked me some follow-up questions about my color and pattern preferences (I was looking for neutrals) if there were any styles I wanted to avoid (I hate anything sleeveless), and if there was anything in the M.M.LaFleur collection that especially tickled my fancy. The next day, my phone pinged, and it felt like Christmas morning: My curated recommendations were ready. Your lookbook is, for all intents and purposes, the “cart” page you see when online shopping. That means you can remove anything you don’t like or change the stylist’s recommended sizes if you want to. Then you check out as you would with any online purchase — if anything you receive doesn’t fit properly or you don’t love it, you can return it for free.
I was slightly surprised at some of Nia’s choices, but I figured she’d gotten this job for a reason, so I said, “Nia, take the wheel.” And let me tell ya: I’m glad I did. Here are the pieces that were on my lookbook roster:
Kati Jacket and Tinsley Trouser Suit
While I wouldn’t say this outfit turned me into Blake Lively (we can’t expect miracles), this is as close as I think I’ll ever get. I never would have chosen this jacket and trouser combination for myself: There’s no scenario in which I would’ve thought I could pull it off. But dare I say…I’m obsessed? Nia knows best.
Antonia Top
Based on my directive that I wanted a top that was: “casual and a little bit sexy, but not too sexy…not tight, but also maybe shows a little bit of skin,” I received the Antonia Top. It’s almost like someone took my description and whipped up a shirt just for me.
Lagarde Shirt
I did not own a single piece of clothing in this color before now, but I’ve officially gone full Sabrina Carpenter: I’m all about the espresso. This is another example of a piece I never would have chosen for myself (I’ve never considered brown to be a color I should wear more of), but I’m clearly head over heels in love with it. Just look at my smile! The hidden buttons make it look more elevated than a normal button-down, and the rich brown is the addition to my wardrobe I didn’t know I needed.
Pepper Dress
What I love most about this dress is that it’s a perfect representation of what I told Nia I was looking for: It’s classic, playful, and comfortable. It’s conservative but also a bit flirty, and it’s a neutral color but still manages to be unique. Oh, and did I mention it’s made of machine-washable silk? Tens across the board!
Since there was so much thought put into each piece I received, I’m happy to report I haven’t felt the need to return or replace any of them with the impulse purchases I’ve gotten so used to accumulating. For me, using a stylist helped me understand that everything I buy should be intentional: Even just the process of filling out the questionnaire made me stop and consider what I actually needed and why. Each item in my box looks and feels like a luxurious staple piece that I know I’ll have in my closet for the rest of my life…or at the very least, until it’s time for my next BENTO upgrade.
