The word “stylist” tends to make people think of celebrities and designer clothing and red carpets.
And while it’s true that folks who regularly pose for cameras often depend on stylists to help them look good, there are lots of everyday men and women who rely on them, too.
“Our clients range from on-the go moms to busy executives who don’t have time to shop, but would like to have great pieces that build a foundation for their wardrobe,” says Elizabeth Bean Smith, founder and stylist at Wardrobe Therapy, a Columbus-based fashion consulting firm that specializes in wardrobe styling, personal shopping, and in-home outfitting.
Elizabeth, a graduate of Bowling Green State University and the Fashion Institute of Technology, founded Wardrobe Therapy in 2006. After several years in the retail industry — in visuals and styling at Express, then managing a local high-end boutique— she realized she was most passionate about helping men and women develop their personal style.
New Wardrobe Therapy clients are always asked a series of questions designed to help Elizabeth and her team get a better understanding of their needs, preferences and any life changes (like a new job or a divorce), as well as what they hope to achieve with a wardrobe update.
Next is an in-home consultation, where a Wardrobe Therapy stylist reviews the client’s current wardrobe, takes their measurements and determines their shape.
If there are holes in their wardrobe, the client can fill them on their own or the stylist can help by shopping with or for them. And since Wardrobe Therapy’s stylists don’t make a commission on the pieces they acquire, clients can rest assured that they’re shopping with their best interests at heart.
Outfitting is the final step in Wardrobe Therapy’s process.
“We mix and match the old with the new to maximize your wardrobe,” Elizabeth says, adding that the firm’s digital look books are a great tool for helping clients get dressed.
“We photograph the client in their outfits to make sure they know how to put each look together,” she explains. That way, they don’t have to commit all the details of each outfit to memory.
Some clients meet with their stylist on a seasonal basis, while others add time throughout the year when shopping for special events or packing for trips.
Welcome to our new monthly feature on fashion and style presented by Wardrobe Therapy. If you’ve got a style question, feel free to reach out to the Wardrobe Therapy team by phone at 614-321-2200, by email, or on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram).
Wardrobe Therapy is a Columbus, Ohio-based fashion consulting firm that specializes in wardrobe styling, personal shopping, and in-home outfitting for individuals and corporations. For tips, tricks, advice and more, check out their blog, and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.