Whilst most people start with a colour analysis consultation, a style and shape consultation is often the missing piece of the jigsaw when it comes to clothes fitting and suiting you.
If you read last week’s blog or watched the video on Youtube this month, you might be wondering what to expect when you book a style & shape consultation at the studio. Here’s the low-down.
Arrival
You’ll have received details about where to come and what to expect in your email booking confirmation. No need to worry about what to wear, it’s covered here.
When you arrive for your appointment, I’ll greet you and invite you into the studio. As you get settled on the sofa and fill in a record card, I’ll put the kettle on.
Drink in hand, we’ll have a brief chat about your wardrobe, your clothes and any challenges or expectations you’ve got.
Introduction to style personalities
How many times have you tried to copy the look of a celeb only to feel…well, let’s say flat? Quite simply, it’s because you’re not the same! But, that doesn’t mean you can’t take some inspiration, and still be you.
What you wear tells a story. Your clothes are a way of expressing who you are, your likes and dislikes. Even if you don’t feel that you have a style, everyone does. There’s a little quiz I get you to do with 10 questions. There’s no right or wrong answers as this is about you and how you dress and feel.
Understanding your style personality is the real you. It’s about the clothes you reach for and how they make you feel. Everyone has style, it’s just learning what it is and how to use it to represent who you are so that you can feel like you in what you wear. We’ll also discuss how you might want to push your style boundaries, because nobody has to sit in a box!
I’ll show you some examples to bring things to life. When you nail your personality type it can help you to create a wardrobe that works for you. It’ll help you avoid further shopping disasters and frustrations too and stop buying things which don’t make you feel good.
Your body line, shape and proportions
Now you know more about what works for your personality (fabric, styles, fit etc), we’ll take a look at your body shape. Size doesn’t matter, but shape certainly does.
There are no tape measures used and you can happily stay fully clothed too!
A lot of women tell me that they don’t know their body shape, or that clothes don’t fit them properly. Sometimes, it’s not your body shape which you have challenges with, but your proportions. (I’ve talked about this previously in this video).
For example, if you struggle with the fit of jeans, trousers or skirts, it may not be the size of the garment which isn’t right for you, or even your shape. Instead, the rise of the garment may not be right for your proportions.
Take a jumpsuit. It’s the perfect example for when you know your shape, it can still mean the garment doesn’t fit you correctly. This isn’t about your body being wrong, but that the garment proportions might not be the right fit for you. Body length, leg length and rise length; they all matter! The wrong rise and it could be too long giving the appearance of a saggy bum, or indeed it could be too short so it digs uncomfortably in.
Understand your body shape and proportions so you can refine your clothing choices and make sure they work for you, and not the other way round. Clever techniques exist, it’s just learning more about it, which is what we discuss in detail.
During this section, I’ll also talk about fabric – specifically the cut and weight. These factors have an impact on whether something fits and flatters you. Rise, seams, darts, necklines and sleeves are all elements to take into account when dressing to flatter YOUR shape. Your fabric choice can be a friend or a foe! I’ll show you some examples of weight, texture, cut and feel too.
To give you an idea of what’s discussed, you can watch this video too. During this, I’ll be showing you examples and talking you through how best to wear clothes which fit and flatter you. Learning clever tips and tricks to create different outfits which fit and flatter you.
Clothing review
If you’ve brought along some of your own clothes, we’ll revisit the ones which you felt didn’t work for you. Now you’ve learnt all about what suits you and flatters you, you’ll be able to see why you’ve not been able to make them work for you. This is an opportunity to get ideas on how you may be able to re-work it, or wear it differently, if you decide that you can or you want to of course!
Summary and end of session
Having reached the end of your consultation, you’ll take away the colour me beautiful book which we’ll have used during your session. This works as a reminder and contains some helpful advice to revisit at home.
After you leave
Most clients head straight home to their wardrobe to review what they’ve got and the rest hit the shops! A style and shape consultation can last up to 2.5 hours so you’re unlikely to remember everything we’ll have discussed! So, I always follow up afterwards to help keep you on track. To inspire you further, I’ll also send you over my own brand/retailer list too using the email address you provided on the record card when you arrived. You can opt-out any time.
Should you have any further queries, or you’d like to book your appointment, get in touch: toni.carver@tlcstyleandcolour.co.uk.
When you understand why certain styles, the fit and fabric work for you and why things don’t, then it helps you to create outfits and a wardrobe that works for you. It rarely happens overnight, but trust me, it will.
I hope this answers any questions you have about what to expect during a style and shape consultation, but do let me know if you have any other questions.