How to Find the Right Personal Stylist for You

A good stylist will assess your proportions and explain why each recommendation suits your build; whether that assessment is free or charged varies by stylist, so ask before booking.

The six male body shapes used on The VOU are trapezoid, inverted triangle, rectangle, oval, triangle, and hourglass.

Here’s a breakdown of how the right stylist should approach each body shape:

1. Trapezoid: This body shape has broad shoulders and a narrower waist and hips.

Many cuts work on this build, so a personal stylist will mainly focus on fit, choosing well-fitted shirts, jackets and trousers that keep the existing balance.

2. Inverted Triangle: Men with broad shoulders and a narrow waist fall into this category.

A personal stylist will often focus on fitted clothing that highlights the chest and shoulders without making the upper body look disproportionately large.

Tailored shirts and structured jackets work well to maintain balance.

3. Rectangle: Men with shoulders, waist, and hips all roughly the same width have a rectangular shape.

A skilled stylist will use structured clothing or layering to create more definition in the upper body and add visual interest around the shoulders and chest.

4. Oval: This body shape is characterised by a fuller midsection and narrower shoulders.

A personal stylist will focus on creating a slimming effect by using vertical lines and darker colours while adding definition to the shoulders with well-structured jackets or blazers.

5. Triangle: Men with wider hips and a narrower chest fall into the triangle category.

A good personal stylist will create balance by emphasising the upper body, using structured jackets and fitted tops that add visual width at the shoulders and chest.

6. Hourglass: Although traditionally associated with women, some men exhibit an hourglass shape characterised by a defined waist and balanced shoulders and hips.

Your personal stylist should work to accentuate the waist while ensuring the upper and lower body proportions are harmonised.

Autumn: A warm-leaning palette of softer, earthier colours, such as olive, mustard, rust and deep brown.

If colour advice matters to you, ask a prospective stylist how they compare colours, for example with fabric drapes or your own shirts in steady daylight, and how they would use the results in your existing wardrobe.

A good stylist will treat the palette as a guide for new shirts, knitwear and accessories, not as a reason to throw out the navy suit, white shirts or brown leather shoes you already wear well.

• Preppy: A clean-cut, classic American style characterised by Oxford shirts, blazers, chinos, and loafers.

• Sloane Ranger: A distinctly British upper-class style, featuring tweed jackets, Wellington boots, and countryside-inspired attire.

• Dandy: A refined, elegant style that pays particular attention to classic tailoring and bold accessories.

• Bohemian/Boho Chic: A free-spirited style mixing vintage and modern garments, often including flowing fabrics and eclectic accessories.

• Hipster: A style that embraces indie culture and often includes vintage clothing, thick-rimmed glasses, and handmade or craft accessories.

• Vintage: A style that incorporates clothing and accessories from past decades, often mixed with modern garments.

• Grunge: A style inspired by 90s rock culture, featuring oversized flannel shirts, ripped jeans, and combat boots.

• Punk: An edgy, rebellious style incorporating leather jackets, band t-shirts, ripped jeans, and statement accessories.
• Rock: Similar to punk but often more polished, featuring leather jackets, skinny jeans, and boots.

• Goth: A dark, dramatic style often featuring black clothing, heavy boots, and gothic-inspired accessories.

• Minimalist: A sleek, pared-down aesthetic focusing on simple silhouettes and a neutral colour palette.

• Maximalist: A bold, eclectic style that embraces patterns, colours, and statement garments.
• Streetwear: A casual, urban-inspired style that often includes trainers, hoodies, and graphic tees.
• Workwear: A style inspired by traditional labour wear, featuring durable fabrics, practical designs, and a rugged aesthetic.
• Hip Hop: A style influenced by urban culture, often featuring oversized clothing, bold jewellery, and designer trainers.

• Skater: A casual style inspired by skateboarding culture, including loose-fitting clothes, graphic tees, and skate shoes.
• Surfer: A laid-back style inspired by beach culture, featuring board shorts, flip-flops, and casual tees.
• Normcore: A style that embraces ‘averageness’, featuring unremarkable casual clothes.

• Athleisure: A trendy style blending athletic wear with casual clothing, emphasising comfort and functionality.
• Techwear: A futuristic style that combines urban aesthetics with functional, often waterproof fabrics and innovative designs.
• Avant-garde: An experimental, cutting-edge style that pushes the boundaries of conventional fashion.

A skilled personal stylist should be able to explain these styles, where they came from, and which garments from each could work in your wardrobe.

The stylist should also know how to combine garments from different styles into outfits that suit you.

Moreover, your stylist should be able to guide you on how to adapt these styles to suit different occasions, from casual outings to formal events.

A stylist should also understand the different dress codes and their formality levels, such as Morning Dress, White Tie, Black tie, Lounge Suit, Business Formal, Business Casual, Smart Casual, and Casual.

A good stylist can also help your style change over time, perhaps borrowing from different fashion aesthetics as your tastes and lifestyle change.

When interviewing potential stylists, ask them about their experience with these different styles.

A competent stylist should be able to show outfits they have put together in these styles, including outfits that mix more than one aesthetic.

Remember, the goal isn’t necessarily to adhere strictly to one style, but to understand what defines each style and which of its garments suit you.

A good personal stylist will help you choose among these styles and build a wardrobe that is versatile and true to your taste.

Ask how the stylist keeps up with menswear, for example through fashion publications, shows or retail work; a large social media following on its own says little about styling skill.

The stylist should also be able to judge which trends will work for you specifically rather than pushing you to adopt every new fad.

A certificate from a recognised fashion college or membership of a professional styling or image body suggests commitment to the work; ask what the training covered, and check any membership with the organisation itself.

Additionally, consider their years of experience and the diversity of their client base.

A stylist who has worked with various body types, professions, and personal styles will likely be better equipped to meet your specific needs.

Don’t hesitate to ask for before-and-after photos or specific examples of how they’ve helped clients achieve their style goals.

Real examples give you a clearer idea of what to expect from the service.

During your initial consultation, pay attention to how well the stylist listens to you and how effectively they explain their suggestions.

You should feel comfortable expressing your opinions and asking questions.