If you’re looking to unleash your full potential, it might be time to hire a corporate image consultant. Here’s why.
Have you ever wondered how industry power players effortlessly command attention as soon as they walk into a room? It’s more than just a well-fitting suit or even their reputation.
These CEOs and leaders use their visual identity to create a narrative about themselves, their business, and their success.
But, they don’t do it alone. As the saying goes, experts hire experts. So if style and your appearance aren’t your strong suit, find someone whose it is.
That person is a corporate image consultant.
How do we know this? Because that’s what we do at Next Level Wardrobe. Our image consultants help successful, driven people upgrade their closets and their lives.
Today, we’re sharing the top five ways we do this. But don’t worry, we’re not just telling you, we’re showing you real success stories from our past and current clients.
Table of Contents
#1 They Take The Stress Out of Style
“After almost a year of frustration with my closet, I decided to make the investment to work with a personal stylist. I loved that Cass’s styling is based on a system – it lets you focus on what you need and do more with less.” – Melissa S., Yelp
One of the most common things we hear from our clients is that shopping and dressing themselves stresses them out.
They don’t know what to wear, how to build outfits, or how to pick out clothes that actually fit well and don’t end up crumpled in the back of their closet.
They want to feel calm when they get ready each morning, instead of frustrated, defeated, or rushed.
So how does a corporate image consultant help with this?
They give you the guidance and expertise you need. When you work with a (good) image consultant, they should have:
- Answers to all your questions
- A plan to guide you through everything (more on this later)
- Prepared everything for you ahead of time
Here’s an example of how we make style a serene experience. When we work with clients, we give them a white-glove experience. They don’t have to lift a finger because we’ve already thought of everything.
When we take them shopping, we’ve pre-pulled items ahead of time and placed them into a private dressing room.
We catalog and keep track of everything they try on and purchase so they know what’s in their closet and what to wear with it.
And we take the question of “Will this fit me?” away from them by having a tailor or alterations expert on hand to make any adjustments.
#2 They Give You A Plan
“The part I enjoyed the most was the support that Maggie gave me in putting together my new wardrobe into outfits – this was where the magic really happened and I started to see myself in a new light.” – Ho F., Yelp
Let’s talk a little bit more about that plan we mentioned earlier. One of the reasons people don’t love their wardrobe or feel overwhelmed is that they don’t have a plan.
They don’t know where to start or what they’re doing. A corporate image consultant should take care of that, and we do.
At Next Level Wardrobe, we’re big believers in systemization.
For example, with every client, we follow this same process:
- Consult: We get to know you. We ask you what your style challenges and goals are in an in-depth conversation and have you fill out a detailed questionnaire. We figure out what impression you want others to have of you and where you want to be in five years.
- Closet Edit: We get down to business! The key to a good wardrobe is having the right pieces in your wardrobe. So, we clean out your closet ruthlessly. Anything that isn’t serving you gets donated. (Fun fact: most people don’t need over 50% of the items in their closet!)
- Shopping and Alterations: We take all our learnings, identify the gaps in your wardrobe, and we pick out the perfect pieces and brands just for you.
And our true guiding light for each of these steps is the Next Level Wardrobe Style System (but we’ll get into that in the next section).
But we don’t just give you a plan and cut and run. We treat our time with you as an educational opportunity. We walk you through every step of the way and we don’t keep secrets. That way, you can recreate your success with us all on your own.
#3 They Put You In Charge of Your Closet (Not the Other Way Around)
“I chose to invest in the NLW Virtual Personal Styling service after experiencing a ton of frustration with my closet. My closet was full of items that I didn’t love and couldn’t create outfits with. The NLW team helped me edit my closet, find the right brands and pieces that fit my current lifestyle and body type, and taught me along the way!… Getting dressed is now effortless and I can create multiple outfits with every single item in my closet.” – Kaitlin M., Yelp
We use this same system on all of our clients. Why? Because it puts you in charge of your closet. So many people have closets that are messy and overflowing with items they never wear. Or they have a monotone closet filled with just one color, which puts them in a major style rut.
But with the NLW Style System, you get a perfectly balanced wardrobe that you’ll love and actually use.
Our style system is:
- Focus on Core Colors: Your closet color palette should be divided into three parts. The largest part should consist of core colors: black, navy blue, white, and gray. These colors go with everything, maximizing versatility. The next largest portion should be made up of “tonal” colors. These are shades and tints of those original colors. Then the final, smallest section is for bold colors, prints, and statement pieces.
- Prioritize Fit: Let’s face it, if something doesn’t fit right, you won’t love it and you won’t wear it. We believe in never settling for “good enough” and always holding out for pieces that make you feel good about your body at any size.
- Investing in Essential Pieces: A great wardrobe ranks quality over quantity. It should have those staple pieces that you need for your lifestyle. We tell our clients to look for well-made pieces that will last rather than reaching for fast fashion quick fixes. While high-quality items may cost more upfront, they actually save you time and money in the long run.
Do this and you’ll be able to create endless outfits in seconds, saving you closet anxiety.
#4 They Save You Time
“Cassandra is a consummate professional. She works hard to understand her client’s goals and provide expert guidance along the way. She’s never pushy and adapts her approach to each client. Building a new wardrobe can sound time-consuming and a huge hassle, but she makes the experience fun. You’ll be happy at the end result.” – Jose R., Yelp
Speaking of saving, a corporate image consultant should also save you time.
One of the biggest things our clients have in common is that they’re what we call “time-poor.” They don’t have a lot of time on their hands. They’re busy and have other things that take priority over dressing well.
Most people don’t have the time or energy that goes into perfecting their style from head to toe. And, many don’t want to spend their time or energy that way.
We all have other priorities and things we care about. Perhaps you’d rather spend the hours you lose wandering around stores or aimlessly online shopping a better way. Like networking, working out, or spending time with your loved ones.
Working with an image consultant means handing over those time-consuming tasks to someone who will get the job done right.
No more wasted days at a shopping center or staring at your computer screen.
Our team has years of fashion industry experience so they know what brands, materials, and styles work best for you. We do all the research so you just have to try on our picks and say yes or no.
After our shopping day, we have all the items delivered to your door so you don’t have to worry about bags. Plus, we send each client home with their own personalized shopping guide with information on each item and links for repurchasing.
#5 They Help You Develop Your Personal Brand
“I was especially impressed by how [Cassandra] was really able to hone in on who I really was and find a look that both matched and amplified that.” – Nate, Google
A corporate image consultant isn’t a personal shopper. They don’t just buy clothes from a list and call it a day.
An image consultant knows that you are your business card. They’re here to make sure how you present yourself aligns with your goals and ambitions. They turn how you look into a part of your personal brand.
They tackle every part of our outward appearance. From clothing, to hair and personal grooming, to a signature scent, and accessories. No part of your “look” goes unnoticed or underconsidered.
They help you figure out what works for you in each of these areas. And most importantly, they make sure all of these elements work together seamlessly.
Doing this ups your confidence and improves your interactions with others. It’s cliché but “dressing for success” is real. First impressions are huge, so make them count by working with a corporate image consultant.
Ready to take the next big step in your career? Apply for NLW’s image consulting services for men and women and experience the best version of yourself today.