Social ServiceISCO 5142

Personal stylist

A personal stylist is a person who helps clients make choices about clothing, advising them on current trends in dress, jewellery and accessories and helping them select an outfit for an occasion.

Check yourself in a minute: personal stylist

Rate 5 of the 17 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

teach fashion to clients

advise customers on clothing accessories

advise customers on jewellery and watches

offer cosmetic beauty advice

assist with dressing

About personal stylist

The stylist listens actively to establish what a client actually wants, what they will never wear and what the clothes are for, then works from the occasion, the client's preferences and their body shape rather than from what is in fashion. Fashion trends are followed professionally, so that a recommendation is current without being a costume, and current hairdressing trends are tracked too.

The stylist advises clients on jewellery and watches, recommends and advises on cosmetics, and considers the whole appearance as one decision.

The stylist passes on knowledge about fashion so that the client can make their own decisions about appearance and image afterwards: what a shape does, which proportions suit them, how to tell quality, what to buy once and what to replace. Formal requirements, if any, are set by the employer.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (17)

trends in fashiontrends in fashionNew developments and trends in the world of fashion.teach fashion to clientsteach fashion to clientsProvide clients with tips on which clothes and accessories to match, and how patterns or designs on clothing and different garments can influence the clients appearance.advise customers on clothing accessoriesadvise customers on clothing accessoriesRecommend accessories to match customer's clothing style.advise customers on jewellery and watchesadvise customers on jewellery and watchesProvide customers with detailed advice on watches and pieces of jewellery available in the store. Explain about different brands and models and their characteristics and features. Recommend and provid...offer cosmetic beauty adviceoffer cosmetic beauty adviceProvide customers with advice and beauty tips for creating a new look.assist with dressingassist with dressingAid clients to choose clothes for different occasions, ensure that the chosen clothing pieces are clean and ready for wearing, and help the client with putting them on.advise on hair styleadvise on hair styleMake recommendations to customers about suitable hair styles, based on their preferences and your own professional judgment.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.maintain customer servicemaintain customer serviceKeep the highest possible customer service and make sure that the customer service is at all times performed in a professional way. Help customers or participants feel at ease and support special requ...advise customers on usage of cosmeticsadvise customers on usage of cosmeticsProvide advice to customers on how to apply various cosmetic products such as lotions, powders, nail polish or creams.satisfy customerssatisfy customersCommunicate with customers and make them feel satisfied.recommend cosmetics to customersrecommend cosmetics to customersRecommend and provide advice on cosmetic products based on the customer's personal preferences and needs and on the different product types and brands available.listen activelylisten activelyGive attention to what other people say, patiently understand points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; able to listen carefully the needs of cus...develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...advise on clothing styleadvise on clothing styleProvide advice to customers on fashionable styles of clothing and appropriateness of different garments for particular occasions.stay up-to-date with hair style trendsstay up-to-date with hair style trendsKeep abreast of current and future fashion trends in hair styles.apply fashion trends to footwear and leather goodsapply fashion trends to footwear and leather goodsBe able to stay up to date on the latest styles, attending fashion shows and review fashion/clothing magazines and manuals, analysing the past and present fashion trends in areas such as footwear, lea...
Optional (14) — show
style hairstyle hairStyle a person's hair using the appropriate techniques and products.communicate with customerscommunicate with customersRespond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.manage schedule of tasksmanage schedule of tasksMaintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.give advice on personal mattersgive advice on personal mattersAdvise people on love and marriage issues, business and job opportunities, health or other personal aspects.teach communication to clientsteach communication to clientsProvide clients with tips on how to communicate verbally and non-verbally and teach them the appropriate etiquette for different kinds of situations. Help clients attain more effective, clearer or mor...manage a small-to-medium businessmanage a small-to-medium businessManage the organisational, financial and day-to-day operation of a small-to-medium enterprise.network with store ownersnetwork with store ownersBuild professional relationships with store owners. Try to make agreements with them about promoting their stores in return for a certain commission or fee.assess characterassess characterAssess how a certain person will react, verbally or physically, in a specific situation or to a specific happening.maintain professional administrationmaintain professional administrationFile and organise professional administration documents comprehensively, keep customer records, fill in forms or log books and prepare documents about company-related matter.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.accompany peopleaccompany peopleChaperon individuals on trips, to events or appointments or to go shopping.assist clients with special needsassist clients with special needsAid clients with special needs following relevant guidelines and special standards. Recognise their needs and accurately respond to them if needed.control of expensescontrol of expensesMonitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.perform services in a flexible mannerperform services in a flexible mannerAdapt service approach when circumstances change.

Related Occupations

Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.

Frequently asked questions

What does a personal stylist do?

Personal stylists assist their clients in making fashion choices. They advise on the latest fashion trends in clothing, jewellery and accessories and help their clients choose the right outfit, depending on the type of social event, their tastes and body types. Personal stylists teach their clients how to make decisions regarding their overall appearance and image.

What skills does a personal stylist need?

A personal stylist needs 17 essential skills, including trends in fashion, teach fashion to clients, advise customers on clothing accessories, advise customers on jewellery and watches, offer cosmetic beauty advice.

Will AI replace personal stylist jobs?

The AI disruption score for personal stylist is 31/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: manage schedule of tasks, keep personal administration, maintain professional administration. Most resilient: style hair, accompany people, listen actively.

Quick Facts

ISCO GroupPersonal service workers
Essential Skills17

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