A wardrobe stylist is a fashion expert who curates clothes, footwear, and accessories for movie sets, television series, opera events, and museum curations.
Compared to fashion stylists who assemble outfits from fashion styles and contemporary fashion trends, wardrobe stylists’ work is rooted in history.
As such, wardrobe stylists deeply understand fashion history, aesthetic roots, patterns, motifs, colours, cutting and sewing styles, and fashion design.
What Do Wardrobe Stylists Do?
Wardrobe stylists are the vital link between concept, design, presentation, and finished products in the form of outfits to be won on stage or in movies.
Compared to fashion stylists who focus on trend relevancy by scanning the current fashion trends, wardrobe stylists must ensure historical accuracy at every step that leads to the finished outfit.
As such, wardrobe stylists know well about past cultural and socio-economic movements, clothing and accessories design, and classic fashion styles.
How Do Wardrobe Stylists Work?
The work of a wardrobe stylist starts by understanding the client’s need, context, occasion, thematic background, and budget.
Dressing the cast for a Gothic-themed movie with the action taking place in the winter requires a different approach than creating outfits of high historical accuracy for a Preppy-themed film about a group of teenagers enjoying a summer holiday in New York.
Only after all the historical era, time, season, location, nr of people, social status, and other similar aspects are well defined and established can the stylist start creating.
Compared to celebrity fashion stylists who work directly with high-profile clients only, wardrobe stylists work with large creative teams of fashion designers, hair and nail stylists, and makeup artists.
Wardrobe Stylist vs Fashion Stylist vs Costume Designer
Scope of Work
Wardrobe Stylist specialises in curating outfits for movies and television, ensuring historical and contextual accuracy.
Fashion Stylist focuses on contemporary fashion, assembling outfits for high-profile individuals, editorial content, or public appearances.
Costume Designer designs and manufactures original costumes for theatrical, film, or television productions.
Historical vs. Contemporary
Wardrobe Stylist anchors in historical accuracy must recreate specific eras or movements.
Fashion Stylist is oriented toward current fashion trends while rooting its work in aesthetics from classic fashion styles.
Costume Designer works in any historical or imagined period, depending on the project’s needs.
Clientele
Wardrobe Stylist works directly with producers and directors within the entertainment industry.
Fashion Stylist almost always serves individuals, corporations, or publications one-on-one.
Costume Designer collaborates with theatrical companies, film production teams, and TV shows.
Team Composition
Wardrobe Stylists are part of a larger production team, including set designers and makeup artists.
Fashion Stylists work independently but may collaborate with photographers, makeup artists, and hair stylists.
Costume Designers lead a team of tailors, seamstresses, and artisans to execute their original clothing designs.
End Product
Wardrobe Stylist produces an outfit or series of garments coherent with the production’s storytelling needs and historically accurate.
Fashion Stylist assembles outfits to enhance an individual’s public persona or fulfil an editorial objective.
Costume Designer creates unique outfits crucial in bringing a scripted character to life.
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Get Help From a Wardrobe Stylist
Are you looking to improve your fashion style and don’t know where to start? We’re here to help!
From seasonal colour to body shape and full fashion style analysis, our personalised styling services are based on your current way of dressing, preferred outfits, colours, aesthetics, age, gender, body shape, location, and event you seek to attend.
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Take the First Step With The VOU’s Styling Quizzes
Start your style journey with our free resources. First, take our Face Shape Quiz to confirm your face shape and receive initial styling guidance.
Then, discover your most flattering colours with our Seasonal Colour Analysis Quiz.
Learn which garment styles suit you best through our Body Shape Quiz, and find your ideal personal style with our Fashion Style Quiz.
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For comprehensive image development that goes beyond hat selection, The VOU offers expert styling services to ensure your complete look projects success and sophistication.
Our Professional Face Shape Analysis package provides you with a scientific analysis of your exact face shape, personalised hairstyle recommendations, customised facial hair styling guide, expert eyewear selection guidance, and detailed grooming recommendations tailored to your unique features.
For the most comprehensive transformation, consider our Complete Image Transformation Package.
This premium service includes our Professional Face Shape Analysis, Seasonal Colour Analysis, Body Shape Analysis, Fashion Style Analysis, Wardrobe Curation Guide, and Personal Brand Development.
Through this complete package, you’ll develop a cohesive style that communicates success and sophistication across all aspects of your appearance.
With years of expertise in high-end fashion collabs and a PhD in Sustainable Fashion, Ru specialises in curating eco-luxe wardrobes for the modern gentleman seeking understated refinement.
Currently, the community manager of Platini Jeans - Los Angeles, Betzaida Ruiz is a seasoned fashion, beauty, and lifestyle author with expertise as a personal shopper for 'Personaling' Spain and 'Personaling' Venezuela, and editorial contributions for L'Oréal, Escales Paris, Origins, AVA9 Australia, Beauty Blender, Rosegal, Dresslily, Germaine de Capuccini, Stileo, Beauty Check, Ollia Tzarina, Herbolario Rosana, Perfumerias Laguna, GoldSea Swimwear, and of course, The VOU.