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So many guys resist the idea of working with a men’s stylist.
Some hear the word “stylist” and instantly dismiss it. They think they’ll feel overdressed or forced to fit a mold that doesn’t fit the real them.
Or, they think dressing well means being a fashion expert. They’re intimidated by putting outfits together or trying something new.
And others just don’t care. They’ve got other priorities – why would clothing matter?
We hear you.
But what if we told you that working with a stylist for men would actually make your life easier?
At Next Level Wardrobe, we’re a team of style experts with over 20 years of experience in the business. We’re showing you why it’s worth hiring a stylist, what they can do for you, and how to prep.
Is it time to hire a stylist? Answer these three questions.
Even if they know they have bad style, most guys don’t think they need a stylist. So why don’t we settle the question once and for all? Answer these three questions to find out if it’s time to call in the pros.
- Have you recently undergone a major life transition (relationship status, body changes, promotions/launching a new business, parenthood, etc.)?
- Do you ever see other well-dressed guys looking calm and confident but can’t quite figure it out for yourself? (This includes those nagging thoughts like, “I don’t look like that guy.” or “I don’t want to seem like I’m trying too hard.”)
- Is your idea of hell spending 8 hours in a mall, trying things on, only to walk out with nothing?
Did you answer yes to any (or all!) of these questions? Then we’ve got news for you: it’s time to hire a men’s stylist.
Why Hiring a Stylist for Men is Worth It.
When asked if they’d work with a men’s stylist, a lot of guys say no because they don’t think it’s worth it. They think it’s a waste of time, energy, and money.
Well, let’s see if that’s true.
How much do you think your time is worth? Give yourself an hourly rate. (Remember, this is time you could be spending doing anything. Connecting with family and friends, relaxing, working, traveling, you name it.)
Got a number in mind? Write it down.
Now, let’s think about the time you’d spend upgrading your look if you did it alone. This includes shopping, trying stuff on, researching brands, dealing with returns, and so on.
How many hours is that?
Now multiply those two numbers.
Your hourly rate x time spent shopping and styling yourself = what a professional stylist is worth.
But by hiring a stylist, you don’t have to invest all of that time yourself. You get to use your days on things you care about while your stylist does the heavy lifting.
Still need convincing? Here are three more reasons why hiring a stylist for men is a must.
1. To Help With Life Transitions
New phases in your life call for an update to your wardrobe. You want to make sure the clothes in your closet represent who you are today, here and now.
If you’re holding on to dated clothes from 10 years ago that don’t fit or have worn through, let go. Holding on to those clothes is holding you back.
Did you just start a company or earn a big promotion? Then, you want to make the best first impression possible for this next chapter of your professional life.
What about body change? Have you recently gained or lost weight, for example? If your clothes no longer fit, it’s time to say goodbye.
Or maybe you’re back on the dating scene and want to show off the best version of yourself. Your partner won’t fall in love with you just because of the clothes you wear. But they will be attracted to someone who looks like they take care of themselves.
When clients tell us about their life transitions, it’s our job as men’s stylists to step up. We listen to their challenges and goals and make a personalized plan to get them to the finish line.
2. To Systemize Your Style
Another reason you should work with a stylist for men is to systemize (and simplify) your style.
There’s a lot of bad advice out there saying that style has to be this big, complicated thing. Others try to tell you that you can’t systematically approach clothing and you’re boring if you do.
That’s because they want to sell you a bunch of clothes you don’t need that’ll go out of style in a couple of weeks.
At NLW, we believe that anyone can apply our patented Style System to their wardrobe to streamline it. We believe in outfit formulas, capsule wardrobes, and taking out the guesswork. This will make outfitting a breeze for any occasion and save you time and money.
Why? Because you’re following an easy blueprint. That way, you know you’re buying the right thing for you and your lifestyle. Finally, you can feel proud of what you’re wearing.
3. To Gain Outfits for Every Occasion
The third big reason why you should work with a stylist? So you can finally have something to wear no matter the occasion.
Do you know that feeling when you walk into a room and realize your way under or overdressed? You’re not alone. Many people struggle with dress codes.
Since 2020, things have gotten even more confusing. Dress codes changed across the board. Some have tried to shift back, and in the end, it’s just left most workers feeling lost.
They don’t know what to wear to work or in their spare time.
But a good stylist for men can change that.
One of our biggest goals is to educate our clients. We don’t want to just throw clothes your way and tell you to wear the same thing as everyone else.
Instead, we’ll show you what’s acceptable for what dress codes and what to avoid. Then, we’ll show you exactly how to create outfits within that framework.
(Oh, and did we mention our new phone app? Current clients can use the NLW app to see what we’ve purchased for them and pre-built outfits. Great style in the palm of your hand 24/7? It doesn’t get better than that.)
What To Look For in a Men’s Stylist
Are you starting to see why it’s important to work with a stylist? Good. Now, we’ll show you how to find the right style expert.
1. Do A 360 Review
Step one is what we like to call the 360 review. This means you research them on all public channels.
Don’t just settle for the first result on Google.
Visit their website: is it up to date? Does it look appealing and curated? Or is it glitchy and littered with ads?
Check out their social media: Do they only have posts from 5 years ago? From their feed, do you see things that are relevant and aspirational to you?
2. Read Reviews
Reviews for men’s stylists are everything. Client reviews tell you firsthand what real people experience with this person. Listen to what they’re saying, look at their pictures, and check out their results.
And don’t forget those star ratings. I’d recommend only talking to stylists with at least 15 5-star reviews.
3. Before and After Pictures
Style is incredibly visual. That’s why seeing photos of a stylist’s work is crucial. The best images to seek out are before and after shots.
Anyone can call themselves a personal stylist. But only a fantastic stylist will proudly show off how they’ve transformed their clients.
Go through those photos and make sure you like the “after” outfits. If you’re not impressed, it’s not a good fit.
A Stylist’s Insider Tips For Working with a Men’s Stylist
We’ve been in this business a long time and helped hundreds of clients find their perfect style.
We’ve also seen a lot of other styling businesses come and go. From our own first-hand experience in the industry, here are the three best tips for working with a men’s stylist.
1. Do Your Research
When you hire a stylist, you’re making an investment. We don’t just mean in terms of money. You’re also investing in yourself.
That means you have a responsibility to do your research on your potential stylist. Why? Because you’re trusting them with how you present yourself to the world and how you want others to view you.
Put the same amount of effort into researching your style expert as you would if you were buying a car.
This is most likely a long-term relationship you’re aiming to create. That means you need to do your due diligence.
2. Be Coachable
We won’t lie to you; it can be scary to work with a stylist. Especially if you don’t like giving other people control. That’s why our second tip is to be coachable. This means you need to come into style sessions with an open mind.
If you have too many hard fashion rules or you’re not open to feedback, this probably isn’t for you.
Part of this process is trusting your stylist’s expertise and learning from them. (That’s why doing your research is so important, too: you need to trust the person dressing you.)
If you’ve hired other coaches and professionals in your life, then view this the same way.
When you work with a personal trainer, you listen to and follow their advice.
The same goes here.
Most stylists will go above and beyond to get you results. But that only happens if you’re a good student.
3. Be Present
Clothing can be a vehicle for success in your professional and personal life. If you want to see it pay off, you need to be paying attention.
You’re investing time, energy, and money into this experience. Don’t waste it by not listening or actively participating in your sessions.
Silence your phone, ask questions, and remember, this is all for you.
Ready to work with a men’s stylist to get the wardrobe you deserve? Apply for Next Level Wardrobe’s in-person and virtual styling services for men. Our team will listen to your goals and needs, transform your closet, and change the way you approach style.
