Back in 2015, Style&Bloom conducted research to uncover the latest style trends in Brisbane. Through the power of social networks, we gathered the thoughts and opinions of 59 women, mostly between the ages of 25 and 64 and not yet clients of Style&Bloom.

Perhaps not unsurprisingly, only about 3% of the women said they had engaged a personal stylist in the past 12 months. However, more than 8 out of 10 believed that they would really stand to benefit from a wardrobe makeover. So what is holding people back?

It’s all about value for money and expertise with fit.

We dug a little bit deeper to find out the top 5 drivers for potentially engaging a personal stylist in Brisbane. Whilst many might think it’s all about the ‘latest fashion’, the results show that women are much more fixated on value for money and expertise with fit.

Value for money
Expertise with fit
Design credentials
Latest fashion
Local knowledge

So it seems that the typical personal shopper is a bit out of vogue. Most women do not simply want to be taken to the hippest new boutiques around town to spend loads of money on clothes that look good at the time but perhaps they will hardly ever wear.

What I really want are clothes that suit my body shape.

We asked women what they think are the things that matter when it comes to a wardrobe makeover. Guess what, it’s all about putting the personal back in personal style. It’s all about unlocking your own signature style and not being a slave to bad fashion fads.

Suit my body shape: professional fit to ensure your personal style suits exactly who you are
Update my look: a fresh set of expert eyes to help get you out of that ‘same old look’.
Mix and match: making the most of what you have, cutting back and filling gaps
Shop much smarter: saving money in the long run by only buying what you really need.

Here’s a few of our favourite comments about the potential advantages of a dealing with a personal stylist. It will be interesting to know if any of these thoughts remind you of … you! This research has inspired the development of the Style&Bloom Wardrobe Detox.

“I don't really have any idea of what really suits my body shape (especially post baby) or what really suits my natural colours.”

“I would like help to make the right purchases based on appropriate styling for my body shape. Plus I would like a positive and fun experience!”

“Firstly, I need to be measured correctly and be advised what shapes and fits are best suited to my height and weight, etc.”

“I want to learn how to pick clothing that complements my shape and focus on quality staple items instead of sale items that go out of fashion quickly.”

“I'm over 30 now so my tastes have changed quite a bit over the years ... so too has my body!”

“I really need to declutter my wardrobe and make the best use of all the clothing I already have.”

“My plan is to find clothes that work well for my figure and get tips on putting different items together!”

It might be time for a personal fitter, not just a stylist!

So whilst there is very strong demand for a wardrobe edit, perhaps a lack of accessibility and perceived cost have been holding people back. This is the sort of thing where you need to have absolute trust in the stylist you are dealing with, as it's a very personal experience.

Ultimately, this represents an investment in you and the pay back is the confidence you exude. Only 3% have engaged a personal stylist but a lot more would have been to a personal trainer! Perhaps it’s time to open your mind and your closet because it’s #timetobloom!

Fabulous Fit, Fabulous You