For personal stylists, building a beautiful wardrobe is a great outcome; but watching a client grow in confidence and self-acceptance is the real reward. The key to unlocking that confidence and crafting a perfect style identify for your client is to truly get to know them as an individual. What do they need from their wardrobe day-to-day? What is inhibiting their confidence in their style right now? What do they dream of doing if they had the perfect wardrobe?
Visualist speaks with professional personal stylists to find out what questions they have to ask in their initial client consultations.
Personal styling client questionnaire template
Current situation
- When did you last feel fabulous?
- When you look in your closet, how do you feel?
- When do you feel the most confident about yourself?
- When was the last time you wore an outfit that made you feel like yourself?
- When did you last wear this outside the house?
- Where do you currently shop the most?
Pain points
- What could make you feel more comfortable trying X type of item?
- Why do you feel scared to wear bright colours?
- When do you get frustrated whilst shopping or getting dressed?
Inspo
- Who do you follow on Instagram and love?
- What does a typical week in your life look like?
- On a Saturday night, where do you go for dinner?
Goals
- How do you want to feel when you show up in your elevated style?
- Where do you see yourself in the next year if you make changes to your style?
- What would you like to achieve from our session?
To learn more about the thinking behind each question, listen to what our experts had to say...
Michelle Wright
When did you last feel fabulous?
Your role extends beyond curating the perfect wardrobe, it is also about how you make your clients feel. The way you phrase your questions can help to rewrite your client's narrative from one of self-doubt to one of self-love—so always focus on the positives!
Michelle Wright is a personal stylist based in the East Midlands, UK. Read more insights from Michelle Wright.
Erica Ball
When you look in your closet, how do you feel?
Naturally followed by, "How would you like to feel?" Once you have established your client's current relationship with their wardrobe and what they hope to achieve with the help of your services, the work can begin.
Erica Ball is a personal stylist based in Los Angeles, CA. Read more insights from Erica Ball.
Christen Johnson
When do you feel the most confident about yourself?
With this question, you want your client to open up about their passions and motivations. Their answers should tell you more about how they hope to be perceived in their workplace, and you can use that information to build their style identity.
Christen Johnson is a personal style consultant specialising in styling professional women. Read more insights from Christen Johnson.
Morgan Bienvenue
When was the last time you wore an outfit that made you feel like yourself?
Dressing as your authentic self is the key to feeling great. Identify what made them feel great and then analyse why—that way you can recreate those elements to ensure you find clothes that make your client feel great again and again.
Morgan Bienvenue works in editorial and personal styling. Read more insights from Morgan Bienvenue.
Louise Hall
When did you last wear this outside the house?
This is a good question to assess the current functionality of your client's wardrobe, but their answer is also a great indicator of how willing they are to let things go. It also serves as a good starting point for a conversation about having to be ready to let go of the old to make room for the exciting new.
Louise Hall is a personal stylist and colour consultant. Read more insights from Louise Hall.
Lisa Wisdom
Where do you currently shop the most?
Is your client a shopaholic or do they avoid the shops entirely? You'll soon find out! Figuring out your client's go-to brands gives you a good sense of their budget, aesthetic, and where their current wardrobe might be lacking.
Lisa Wisdom is a personal stylist and founder of Style With Wisdom. Read more insights from Lisa Wisdom.
Polly Goodyear
What could make you feel more comfortable trying X type of item?
Asking this question should help reassure your client that they can trust you to support them on this journey. Together you and your client can brainstorm potential strategies to help them overcome their insecurities.
Polly Goodyear is a personal stylist and gift concierge. Read more insights from Polly Goodyear.
Saasha Scaife
Why do you feel scared to wear bright colours?
Wardrobes are more fun with colour! But embracing the rainbow can be hard for some clients, and their reservations are often evidence of deeper insecurities. If you can come to understand your client's hesitations, you can then support them in embracing brighter possibilities!
Saasha Scaife is a personal stylist and colour consultant. Read more insights from Saasha Scaife.
Ginny Hudnut
When do you get frustrated whilst shopping or getting dressed?
It can be difficult for clients to pinpoint what exactly is leaving them unsatisfied with their wardrobe. Instead, it could be useful to identify when the problems arise and work backwards from there.
Ginny Hudnut is a personal stylist and colour analyst. Read more insights from Ginny Hudnut.
Catherine Roberston
Who do you follow on Instagram and love?
An Instagram feed says 1000 words. You're not trying to copy their style icon, but rather use them as a springboard for getting to know your client's preferences and what they may be open to trying.
Catherine Robertson is a personal stylist and founder of CR styling. Read more insights from Catherine Robertson.
Jiovani Cervantes
What does a typical week in your life look like?
What better way to understand your client's lifestyle than to ask for a full run down? Your client's wardrobe needs to be practical for their day-to-day life, so you need to understand what exactly that entails!
Jiovanni Cervantes is a stylist based in Los Angeles, California. Read more insights from Jiovani Cervantes.
Brianna Wise
On a Saturday night, where do you go for dinner?
This question might seem superficial, but a client's answer speaks volumes about their tastes, personality, and lifestyle. Do they need a wardrobe fit for fine dining, or would they prefer to feel comfortable and casual for a home-cooked meal?
Brianna Wise has worked in the styling industry for years and now offers coaching and advice for fellow personal stylists. Read more insights from Brianna Wise.
Shaquanna Chappelle
How do you want to feel when you show up in your elevated style?
Powerful, sophisticated, elegant—if your client can pinpoint a keyword they would like to embody with their new style, that is a great clue as to the style and attitude you're looking to create.
Shaquanna Chappelle is an Atlanta-based image and style expert. Read more insights from Shaquanna Chappelle.
Natalie Daley
Where do you see yourself in the next year if you make changes to your style?
Share in your client's excitement about their future and the clothes that will take them there—it will make the process so much more enjoyable for you both. Plus, speaking your goals out loud is the first step to success!
Natalie Daley is the founder of Style Confidence Daley. Read more insights from Natalie Daley.
Sarah Sullivan
What would you like to achieve from our session?
Before you start, set your goals. It is important to understand exactly what your client wants to get out of working with you. Are they looking for a whole new wardrobe? Or do they simply need advice on styling existing pieces to take the stress out of getting ready in the morning?
Sarah Sullivan is the founder of personal style consultancy, Style Solutions by Sarah. Read more insights from Sarah Sullivan.
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