How (& Why) I Became a Personal Stylist

Radiographer and personal stylist isn't the most obvious of career combinations. It often comes up in conversation - how on earth I found myself at age 40 training to be a personal stylist. And let's face it, we're all a bit nosey so I thought I'd share how I got here.

It Started With a Wardrobe Edit...

My first experience with a personal stylist was about a year after I had my son. I had started back at work in the NHS having had almost a year off and just felt a bit lost with my wardrobe. I was uninspired by my clothes and just reached for the same outfit combo, usually jeans and a jumper. I was working Wed-Fri in the NHS wearing a uniform but outside of work I just didn't know what my style was anymore.

It felt as if my friends around me looked so effortlessly put together and I wanted to feel like that too.

A friend on Facebook had shared a profile of a local personal stylist - so I decided to go for it, and book myself a wardrobe edit.

I still remember feeling nervously excited just making that appointment. It feels quite a vulnerable thing to do, to reach out and ask for help in getting dressed. But our wardrobes (and getting dressed) are so much more than surface level. They form a major part of our identity and allow us to feel quietly confident in our skin.

So, a lovely personal stylist came to our home and helped me declutter my wardrobe, getting rid of things which no longer worked with the style I felt was reflective of who I was now. She helped me to make subtle tweaks to existing clothes to elevate them. I still felt like me but just slightly elevated I suppose. There was a pile of clothes to get rid of at the end and some I sold later on too.

Then There Was a Life Coach...

For a number of years I was quite content with that and was experimenting with my style here and there. I now felt confident to do this - and it's something I still do. I'm often trying combinations and looks to see if they feel right to me. Needless to say, I don't always get it right!

Then in 2021 a great friend of mine gifted me a session with a life coach. What an amazing gift - something which ended up changing it all! I had no preconceptions of what to expect and didn't really feel I had anything in particular which needed addressing however, I was up for a chat.

But these professionals know what they're doing!! Debbie asked the right questions and in the weeks following our sessions I realised something was missing. Yes, I enjoyed my job as a radiographer but there was a creative side to me which felt unfulfilled. Did I need a hobby? Was it that I needed to go back to playing the piano? Go back to perfecting my spanish? I explored a few different ideas and one day it came to me. I wanted to explore the idea of training to be a personal stylist.

I'm Going to be a Personal Stylist...

But was this even possible? At my age? I didn't feel particularly "stylish" but I enjoyed clothes. Would people laugh at me, thinking I was ridiculous to consider a new career at this stage? What would family and colleagues say? So much self doubt as you can hear....

Needless to say, once friends and family heard me out, they were super supportive. Yes, it was a slightly bonkers idea and I wasn't quite sure how it would work out but if you know me, you'll know I'm pretty determined and driven once I put my mind to something! So, I found The Image Consulting Company who offered a week long training course in Bristol which covered lots of aspects of the job as well as the business side of things. I still remember how nervous I felt when it was revealed I'd have a real client to take on a personal shop that first week in John Lewis!

And Now?

So that was almost 4 years ago and here I am still working with women helping them to feel a self assured sense of style. I never anticipated there would be such crossover between my role as a radiographer and a personal stylist. Many of us come with hang ups about our bodies and even body shame, which requires an empathetic, non-judgemental ear. Being empathetic and a good listener is something I've become quite skilled at, if I say so myself! My mantra has always been "life's too short" and again, this is something where there is crossover. I've seen life at its most precarious moments and so I feel really strongly that we just need to:

get on with living our best life because we never know what's round the corner.

I know that sounds clichéd and cheesy but I really believe we need to worry less about what others think. Wear the dress and the bright lipstick!

So there you have it, a little peak into how and why I became a personal stylist. Along the way, I’ve met some truly incredible women and learned so much. If we’ve had the chance to work together, thank you for trusting me to be part of your style journey. I’m deeply grateful for your continued support.