Personal Styling service reviewed

As many of you know, I've been working in close collaboration with David from Grey Fox blog for awhile now. One of the first things I did with him was a Personal Styling session so he could understand more about what I do and how I work. He wrote about it last year for The Guardian, and recently updated me on his thoughts about how his style has progressed with my help over the past 18 months:

David says: "Many men, whether interested in fashion or not, have at some time wondered if they could be better-dressed. There is an increasing recognition that such confidence helps a man to achieve. First impressions count and a job interview, date or important sales meeting is helped if a man shows pride, self-confidence and organisational skills by being well-dressed. There is also a definite reassurance in knowing that you're looking smartly turned-out.

This realisation has fuelled an increase in styling services for men to help them make decisions about styles, colours and brands to wear. Men working in the City or professions are commonly using such services to help their progress at work.

I asked Sarah Gilfillan, who runs Sartoria Lab, to put me through her one-to-one personal styling service, which she described to me as follows......

"I usually start with a colour consultation and style analysis, as this gives us a good basis to work from. I advise on what colours, shapes and detailing will work for a man's colouring and body shape. For example, going for a lower cut shirt collar and slimmer knot on your tie will make your neck look longer, epaulettes or any contrast seam will help widen shoulders, a pocket square in your jacket pocket can distract attention from your stomach. These are things that you may instinctively choose, but you'll get a higher success rate on buying things you like, once you're aware of the reasons they look good on you. 

After this I either do a wardrobe edit - assessing (and throwing out!) items in their wardrobe and identifying any gaps. And then armed with a shopping list we can do a personal shopping trip - I do a recce first and then go shopping with them, choosing items and putting together outfits.

I definitely influence men's decisions to avoid sartorial disasters - that's what I'm there for! And most men are very happy to have someone to help them make the decisions."

I found the process extremely helpful; beginning to understand how hair, skin and eye hues and body shape influence clothing colour and style choices in shirts, ties, suits etc. Even though I have a better than average understanding of menswear style, I learned a huge amount from Sarah who approaches her task with immense professionalism and spends much time and care on each client.

I enjoyed the friendly nature of the service; Sarah quickly understood my tastes and selected colours and styles which I felt were ideal and introduced me to new ideas, colours and styles which have subsequently influenced my purchases. Overall, her advice has left me with much more confidence in how I dress and with a much clearer sense of my own style - I’ve had many compliments on my appearance as a result of her advice. Highly recommended to any man, whether interested in style or not.

[Adapted from David’s Grey Fox Blog in The Guardian]

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