A friend wanted to give her close friend an unusual birthday present and bought one of my gift certificates for shopping with a stylist. So a woman who had not booked anything herself came to meet me in Lisbon, and she knew exactly what she wanted from her wardrobe.
The request is one many people share: build a capsule wardrobe and learn to vary everyday outfits so they stop looking dull and samey. There were enough clothes in the closet. What was missing was a system.
I split the meeting into two parts. Theory first: I prepared a presentation on how a basic and a capsule wardrobe are built, how to combine pieces, and what to do with colour and texture. Not a lecture for its own sake. Once you understand the principle, you stop grabbing whatever looked nice on the hanger.
Then we went shopping. Two hours of fittings: we looked at which cuts and styles suit her and which do not, and why. We worked through colour: which shades to keep close to the face and which can go to the lower half of an outfit. We also talked about shoes: which styles are current and how to pick a pair that works with most of the wardrobe rather than with one dress.
I photographed every good fitting and every combination that worked. A month later you no longer remember why that skirt looked so good with that top, but the photo shows it.
What she took home: an understanding of how a basic and a capsule wardrobe are built; hands-on practice in combining colours, cuts and pieces; ideas for refreshing familiar outfits with what she already owns; photos of the fittings and finished combinations; the presentation with the theory, to come back to at any time.
The present turned out to be about more than one pleasant day in the shops. It is about confidence in choosing clothes for years ahead. If you are also looking for a present for a friend, a gift certificate for shopping with a stylist can be issued for any of my services.
