The Style Suite - Colour Analysis, Personal Styling & More - Cardiff, South Wales & Online
The Style Suite - Colour Analysis, Personal Styling & More - Cardiff, South Wales & Online
If you live in South Wales but hate dressing yourself, you might want to enlist a personal stylist to help pick out some new clothes.
This used to be very easy. In-store personal stylists were quite commonplace on the high street, with even mid range shops such as River Island and Topshop offering services for free.
However, with the move to online shopping, some physical stores in South Wales stopped offering styling services. Others such as Debenhams who offered access to personal stylists in Cardiff, Newport, and Swansea have closed stores entirely. So where can you go now?
Of the stores remaining, only John Lewis, Reiss, Hobbs, and Mint Velvet still offer access to personal stylists in South Wales. Sadly, these stores are all based in Cardiff. Also whilst they do still offer the service for free, the cost per garment with these brands might also leave you feeling left out of pocket compared to old services provided by Debenhams and Topshop. This is especially true if you’re looking for a total wardrobe overhaul.
The move to online shopping has also affected the quality of personal styling offered in stores. Fewer stock options can result in an experience heavily influenced by what’s available to purchase. This means receiving incomplete outfit suggestions, or recommendations based on what’s in stock opposed to what compliments your colouring, body shape, and lifestyle. Something now acknowledged by Reiss who have now rebranded their personal styling service to a “Personal Shopping Experience”.
So what should you do!?
If you want to see a free personal stylist in South Wales, travelling to Cardiff might be your only option. If you’re short on cash and time, and really need to buy one emergency outfit for a special occasion, then I definitely think John Lewis Cardiff is your best option.
As John Lewis are a department store, they stock a number of different brands. This means your stylist has access to a broader range of colours, fits, and aesthetics compared to Reiss, Hobbs, or Mint Velvet. Increasing your chance of finding something that truly flatters you.
However, if you are looking for a wardrobe overall, visiting a personal stylist at John Lewis might be less successful. Whilst I trust they have a good range of stock available and styling skill; I don’t believe the average price point in store allows them to build a new wardrobe under most people’s budget. This is echoed by users on mumsnet who felt pressured to purchase but later returned many items.
Therefore if you have time, I really would invest in building your own knowledge so you can shop where you want and style yourself successfully.
Whilst The Style Suite offers in store personal styling in South Wales, you are able to book personal styling sessions which equip you with the knowledge you need to shop independently. You can discover your best colours, learn which fabrics will flatter your body most, and start to understand why some jeans just never work for you.
Overall, I believe this is more beneficial than using a store based personal stylist long term. This is because the sessions help you understand what suits you and why. Helping you spot and buy really flattering wow pieces of clothing when you see them, instead of just settling for whatever happens to be available when you need it.
As style services are based on a one off fee for an independent consultation, it means you have purchased the knowledge to use and apply anywhere, and any time you want. You won’t be limited to shopping with any particular brand like you are with free store based services.
Additionally, since the stylists aim isn’t to hit sales targets, you also can trust all information is impartial and tailored to you; not a sales tactic to sell more products.
Like the other stores offering styling in South Wales, The Style Suite is based in Cardiff. However, home visits can be arranged if preferred. Services are currently offered in the following areas:
Bridgend, Newport, Swansea, Pontypridd, and Bristol. Click to Enquire.