Image consultants are the architects behind the polished outfits and personal brands of so many high-powered executives and CEOs. They go beyond simply coordinating outfits and instead overhaul every aspect of a client’s appearance and image.
That’s why they’re a must for anyone looking to climb the corporate ladder to new heights. Especially if you’re an executive in a major city like NYC, you need an image consultant. They’ll save you time and energy so you can focus on what’s important to you.
So how do image consultants do it all?
For that answer, we went straight to the source.
We asked our Next Level Wardrobe team to take us behind the scenes. Here’s a look at an average day in the life of a New York image consultant.
Grab your metro card and bagel and let’s get started.
1. A New York Morning with an Image Consultant: Store Visits
There’s nothing like a round of store visits to kick-start a morning. That and a strong cup of coffee from Joe’s, of course.
Let’s make one thing clear: we’re not “just shopping”.
Sure, we pick up pieces from the customized shopping lists we build for our clients. But above all, we’re researching.
This is our version of going out into the field or running tests in a lab. Though thankfully we don’t have to wear safety goggles to do it.
By visiting a variety of shops, we stay up to date on products, trends, and closet essentials. We keep our finger on the pulse of the fashion industry so our clients don’t have to.
Another benefit of store visits is getting to see products in person. Most of our customers use NLW’s virtual styling services. So we make sure to check out as many pieces IRL as possible. We can check the quality, color, and comfort then cross the product off our list or keep them on (yes we’re that picky for our clients).
So how do we determine what pieces make the cut? By using our proprietary style system:
1. Focusing on core colors (black, navy, white and grey) to make up the majority of a wardrobe.
2. Invest in quality, essential pieces (aka, quality over quantity).
3. Getting the perfect fit—and not being afraid of hiring a tailor.
We use the same system on every single client—and in our own lives—because it works. And it makes shopping much more rewarding.
Wondering what our favorite neighborhood is for shopping?
SoHo, hands down. Whether you’re an Image Consultant in New York or not, you can’t pass up the mix of hidden gem boutiques like Officine Generale (our current favorite) and reliable department stores like Bloomingdale’s.
2. Midday with an Image Consultant in New York: Closet Edits
After store visits, it’s time to meet with clients in person.
Whether you use our in-person executive image consulting services or our online options, every NLW client gets a closet edit.
A closet clean-out with a New York image consultant will instantly boost your style confidence.
Why?
Because you’ll have an expert and neutral third party pushing you to make the deep cuts you need. They’ll be able to get rid of the clutter holding you back and bring your sense of style into focus.
Also, as we always say: great style begins and ends with what’s in your closet. It’s important to dig through the layers of a closet in order to build it up properly.
When we meet with our clients, we go through every single item in their wardrobe. Nothing gets a free pass. We purge until the only pieces left standing are the ones that actually serve you.
Then, we reorganize our client’s closets for functionality.
We can’t tell you how many times we’ve seen people use their wardrobes like trash cans. Or the number of people who don’t sort their clothes for easy access.
Don’t make yourself work harder and for the love of god treat your closet with some respect. (And throw away your trash please)
Once the clean-out is over we take all the items that didn’t make the cut and donate them. No more pile of clothes sitting in the corner that you meant to donate months ago.
Now that we’ve exorcized a couple of closets, it’s time for lunch. It’s time for some Dos Toros (you gotta try their habanero sauce).
3. An Image Consultant’s Afternoon in New York: Prep Private Dressing Room for Clients
Ready to get back to work? Next on the agenda for an image consultant in New York is prepping dressing rooms for our clients.
At Next Level Wardrobe, we pride ourselves on offering our clients a luxury experience getting the closet of their dreams. A private dressing room ready to go with hand-picked items is a big part of that.
We do this because we know how stressful shopping can be and how intimidating dressing rooms are for many people.
Picture it: you’ve already spent so much time and energy running around a store, trying to find something you like. Now you have to try on a mountain of clothes only to feel bad when a piece doesn’t work out.
No, thanks. We’re stopping the madness once and for all.
Instead, we go ahead of time to a store with options we know will work for our clients. We comb through the racks to find outfits—not pieces. Then, we put it all together, ready to go in a private room away from prying eyes and salespeople.
The best part? Since we’ve curated the selection, we’re ready to walk clients through each piece and explain why it works.
Our day’s winding down but before we clock out there’s one last to-do on our list.
4. How Image Consultants Wrap Up for the Day: One Last Store Visit
We told you at the beginning that store visits are our bread and butter. So it’s no surprise that we couldn’t resist checking out one last business.
Sometimes it’s another clothing store, and other times it’s something totally new. Like this little apothecary that we found on Elizabeth Street.
But wait, what’s that got to do with styling clients?
We approach our work as New York image consultants holistically.
That means we don’t stop at clothes, we take in every aspect of our client’s image.
Say you’re a frequent flier for conferences. We figure out what you should wear on a work trip and we set you up with quality luggage.
Or perhaps you’re the face of your company and you need guidance on a skincare routine. We point you to the right products and connect you with an esthetician.
Anything that you might need to take your image to the next level, we’ve got it covered.
With that, the shops are closing and we’re heading home. Or to meet friends for dinner and a reality TV marathon.
Ready to renovate your image and work with NYC top-rated personal styling company? Apply for our Women’s Executive Image Consulting services to work with our team of experts.
