Everything you need to know about my Wardrobe Edit - the personal styling service for men
Spring is the perfect time for reassessing and reorganising your wardrobe, so in case you don't know what it is, I thought it'd be fitting to give you a step by step guide on how my Wardrobe Edit service works.
You may be aware of the fact that you're not completely happy with everything in your wardrobe, and you're just making do with things but you don't know what needs to change, and what you need to do to improve your style.
Or maybe you have a few nice pieces in your wardrobe already but you just don't know how to put them all together to make really great outfits, and you feel frustrated by that. You want to be able to wear those lovely things you spent good money on but you don't know how.
Luckily this is exactly what I love doing!
A great place to start is by going through everything you have and analysing whether you're wearing it / you love it / hate it / you're making do with it.
But it can be really daunting to do on your own, as often you can't see the wood for the trees.
It's much easier and faster to get some help, and once we've got rid of all the things that don't work, don't fit or are worn out, it's sooooo much easier to see what's missing and needs to be replaced.
Then I'll be able to create you a targeted shopping list to work with and shopping will become a lot easier!
What are the benefits of a Wardrobe Edit by a personal stylist for men?
There are many positive benefits to having a wardrobe edit done by a professional.....these are just some of them:
You get a streamlined and organised wardrobe
You can clearly see where the gaps are in your wardrobe
It's much easier to do when you get some help and an extra pair of eyes
You'll have new outfits to wear without buying anything!
You have fresh ideas on what to buy and how to combine things
You'll understand better what suits you and why, making it easier to repeat successful purchases
You'll have a targeted shopping list
Here's how my Wardrobe Edit for men works:
Step 1 - Booking in and preparing for your Wardrobe Edit for Men
So the very first thing I'll do is ask you to fill in a questionnaire, so I understand what your lifestyle is like and what type of clothes and outfits you need. You might be looking at how to put together smart casual outfits for work, or how to dial up the style when you go out, or perhaps it's how to look cool whilst doing your dad duties when you need to be practical but stylish at the same time.
When it comes to booking in, make sure you book it on a day where you have around 4-5 hours spare. It's obviously dependent on the amount of clothes you have, but it's good to allow enough time for us to do it thoroughly. You don't want to get halfway through and then have to stop - you want the whole cathartic experience! And don't forget as well as getting rid of things, we'll be making up outfits from what you're keeping so we want to make sure we have enough time to do that too.
Once we've found a suitable date, then it's not essential but if you want to save a bit of time on the day, then you can gather things in the same place....so if you have coats in the hallway etc then bring them up to the bedroom. And if have time you could also put like with like (eg. all the trousers together, jackets etc). This will help speed things up on the day leaving us more time to go through but if you don't have time, don't worry!
If you have loads of clothes, and would like to spend more time putting together outfits and assessing whether things should stay or go, then the other thing you could do on your own ahead of the session, is try on anything you're not sure fits any more. I'm happy to do it with you but I don't want it to be a waste of your time, when you can tell for yourself if you can't get the zip or buttons done up on something!
Step 2 - What happens during your Wardrobe Edit for Men
When I arrive, we'll dive straight in. You can give me a quick tour of what you have, and then we'll start going through it to assess whether or not it should be staying!
I'll ask you these questions and we'll spend about 1 hour sorting through your wardrobe to establish the following:
Does it fit?
Is it clean and in a good state of repair?
Is it appropriate for your lifestyle?
Is it a flattering shape and colour?
Do you know what to wear it with?
Do you like it?
If the answer is "yes" to all the above questions then we can put it back in the wardrobe and move on. We don't necessarily need to try each item on at this stage if you're happy with it and wear it. That way we have more time to spend on the things we're uncertain about, and making up great outfits.
And if the answer is "no" to any of the questions, then we'll take it out of the wardrobe and put it to one side to be assessed. We'll go through each part of your wardrobe like this looking at jackets, coats, shirts etc and along the way, no doubt we'll have gathered quite a pile to try!
Now, we'll start going through the things we've put aside, and we'll separate them out into 4 smaller piles.
This part will form the bulk of the wardrobe edit and take around 2-3 hours, focusing especially on the third one - the "Don't Know Pile".
(a) The "Going" pile
If you don't like it, it doesn't fit (and you can't get it altered, or won't be likely to lose/gain weight), it looks old fashioned, doesn't suit you or your lifestyle or has been worn to death then we'll start a "Going" pile!
Mainly I'd suggest getting rid of anything that doesn't fit the size you are now, but if it's something you love and you really do think your size will change in the near future, then we can put it aside to go in another cupboard or suitcase etc and be reviewed in a few months time.
With the other things, you can take them to your local charity shop, give them to friends or family or sell on eBay or Vinted (if you can be bothered!)
If you're getting rid of good quality business wear (including accessories and shoes) in this pile, then the charity I'm a volunteer stylist at, which is called Suited & Booted, would be happy to have them. We dress vulnerable men in suits, shirts and ties for interviews to help them get back into work.
As I don't have a car, I don't take anything with me, but I suggest you get rid of the things in the "going" pile sooner rather than later so you're not tempted to syphon some of them off and back into your wardrobe!
(b) The "To Do" pile
This pile is for the things that need washing or cleaning, need repairs or alterations done to them or general maintenance like depilling......jumpers etc.
If I can, I'll recommend where you might be able to do this.......you can find some of them listed in this blog post. or on the Clothes Care highlights on my Instagram page.
Make sure the things in this pile don't get put back in the wardrobe and forgotten about - it's really annoying pulling something you'd like to wear out of the wardrobe, only to realise it's got a button missing or something similar.
(c) The "Don't Know" pile
This is usually where the magic happens! The things in this pile are usually the ones you don't know how to wear or what they go with, so we'll go through each item and put it together with the other things in your wardrobe to make up outfits.
I often find there are great combinations to be had, which you'd never have considered putting together yourself! Ironically, after a wardrobe edit, most people end up feeling like they've got more to wear as they'll have lots of new outfit ideas, even though we'll have got rid of a lot too.
I'll take photos of the outfits we put together and send them to you afterwards, so you have a record of them. If we can't find the right thing from what you have to create an awesome outfit, then we'll start making a shopping list of what you need to get.
Often I'll see a lot of similar things in a guy's wardrobe, with not much variety which is why they become bored. I also find a lot of blue, black, and grey with nothing to break it up. Something as simple as a contrast colour (or even a sliver of a white t-shirt peaking out from under the hem of a sweater) can help lift an outfit.
It's also the reason you may have blazers that go unworn because they're too similar in colour to your trousers and you need a contrast in colour, texture or pattern so it doesn't look like a mismatched suit.
You may just need a little update and refresh....menswear is quite slow to change so sometimes you may not have realised but things have moved on.
Sometimes we might be able to find ways of wearing things more casually if you find you don't have as much need to dress up anymore. Putting jackets with t-shirts or fine knit sweaters, wearing trainers with more formal trousers to make them more casual, or wearing a knitted polo shirt under a suit instead of a shirt might work - we'll explore all the possibilities.
If you have lots of clothes that you like, then we'll spend most of the time concentrating on this part where we make up outfit combinations. I usually do a mix of you trying on the whole outfit, and some outfits I can lay out on the floor or bed and take a picture. It saves time......and energy on your part!
We'll add to our shopping list as we go through, with items you need to complete or enhance your outfits. Or if we find gaps in the type of outfit you need for certain events - that could be going out to the local pub or going to a wedding, then they'll go on there too.
(d) The "Storing" pile
This is the last pile and is for anything that holds sentimental value or is a specific item for an activity you don't do very often eg; specialised sports gear. This can be stored somewhere that you don't need immediate access to. This can also be used for items that no longer fit but you are not ready to get rid of yet. Revisit them in 6 months time and if they still don't fit, it's probably time to discard them.
We'll spend the last hour finishing off, putting things away, and making sure our shopping list is complete.
Step 3 - Follow up to your Wardrobe Edit for Men
Once we've finished our session, you'll have a nice tidy wardrobe filled with things you know fit you at the size you are now, you know how to put together with the other things in your wardrobe to create great outfits, or you know exactly what needs to be bought to go with them.
By taking a realistic view like this of what you do and don't wear, and getting rid of the things you no longer need, it's so much easier to see clearly where the gaps are. It feels great to have a bit of extra space in your wardrobe and it's really cathartic too! You may even rediscover some things you'd lost or forgotten about during the session!
Afterwards, I'll send you the photos of the outfits we created, and the shopping list. Shopping links aren't included as part of this service, but most people book in for a Personal Shopping trip for Men to follow on from their Wardrobe Edit.
How much does my Wardrobe Edit for Men cost?
Currently it's £550. Prices will be going up very soon though, so if you're thinking of doing, book in today to lock in the price and then we can find a date to do it.
Which areas do I cover for my Wardrobe Edits for Men?
I can come to you if you're anywhere in London, or about an hour by train outside London. As long as I can get to you by train and taxi and you're happy to cover the costs I can come!
If it's further afield, I charge travel time, so email me if you'd like to check if I cover your area, and for an estimate.
How long does it take to do a Wardrobe Edit for Men?
As mentioned above, it would be good if you could set aside around 4-5 hours to do it. If you have a small wardrobe it may take less time, and if you have a lot of clothes, it may take longer, but 4-5 hours is average.
Next steps
If you're a stylish guy and you feel like you have some nice clothes but don't seem to be able to put a great outfit together, then it's time we talked!
Not only will your wardrobe become much clearer and easier to navigate after a wardrobe edit for men but there's sure to be some great outfits lurking in there that you've never even thought of putting together!
And once your wardrobe is clear, it'll be so much easier to see what you actually need so you (or we?!) can shop with intention for the next season and any events or holidays etc that you might have coming up.
Ready to take the next step to a clutter free wardrobe and some great new outfits? Book in your Wardrobe Edit by clicking the button below.
Or if you'd like to ask any other questions before you do so, then email me and I'll get straight back to you.
Here's what one client said about his Wardrobe Edit:
"Highly recommend working with Sarah. During my wardrobe edit, she showed up ready to go, going through everything and putting together different options with me. She honed in on what I wanted quite quickly, even though I hadn't described it very well and didn't realise that I needed help with dressing casually, while still looking cool & smart.
I now feel like I have a much better sense of the above, and have had a lot more fun getting dressed in the mornings. I was also really impressed by the quick follow-up, the many ideas & suggestions she made for items to purchase, and the in-depth way she thought about the interplay of colours, textures and weights.
If you are looking to refresh your look or wardrobe for this new pandemic era of work dressing, I could not recommend Sarah more highly. I wish I'd done it sooner!"
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