Chloe's Style Makeover

The Style Makeover Brief

Initially, when I found out that Chloe is a musician, I thought she'd be looking for personal style branding for her stage persona. However, it turned out that she'd already done that a few years ago (which makes sense from what I see on her website).

Instead Choe sought me out to help with her off-stage style. While her stage style is appropriate for her music she finds it's too 'stagey' (too dramatic/pop art) for her every day self. She'd come to realise she had no idea what to wear on a day-to-day basis.

She wanted to find out how to dress more like a woman than a girl, yet still portray her creativeness and sense of fun. While she doesn't mind putting the effort into understanding and developing her look, she doesn't want to spend too much time thinking about her wardrobe on a daily basis.

Chloe is a strict vegetarian, so she doesn't wear leather shoes. She knows some good online places for non-leather shoes, but wanted to know what to look for when putting together an outfit. Since Chloe is tall she'd rather wear flat shoes than heels.

The Style Makeover Summary

We agreed Chloe needed these services:

• Personal style discovery (includes putting together 1 or more outfits)
• Colour analysis
• Body shape assessment
• How to dress for her body type
• Suitcase wardrobe consultation -- Chloe came to me from Melbourne, since I couldn't visit her wardrobe, she brought a suitcase of clothes and accessories with her so we could review them together
• Shopping trip

We spent 2 consecutive busy days together. On the first day we defined Chloe's personal style, did her colours, assessed her body shape, went through the shapes that suit her body type and reviewed her suitcase of clothes. 

It was a wonderful day, but it is a lot to do in just 1 day. After I dropped Chloe off at her hotel that evening she decided her brain was too full. She was overwhelmed. So she cancelled our shopping trip the next day. However, later, after she'd relaxed a bit she realised she'd be able to cope with a shopping trip after all.

During our shopping trip we agreed to focus on outfits for smart casual every-day occasions. We focussed on items Chloe could mix and match with the best items in her suitcase, making sure the outfits created fit with her style formula (that is: her style words; her body shape; her colouring; and the types of occasions she'd wear them).

Chloe had come to realise her performance style had overflowed into her everyday style and that it didn't feel like her, even though she had toned down her performance branding since it was originally done. I believe Chloe's new off-stage personal style will now inform her performance style, albeit slightly more dramatic or stylised when she's on stage. Understanding where her personal style is coming from should allow her to feel more in synch and authentic with her performance outfit choices as well.

We didn't have time to do much more than touch on how to pick shoe styles, so I pointed her to my article on how to buy shoes.

The Style Makeover Experience

Here is Chloe's feedback about her style makeover experience...

Before choosing my style makeover services…

Q: What encouraged you to look for style makeover services?

A: Feeling uncomfortable and tired in my old clothes, and I was making bad choices when shopping for a new look. I was also interested in understanding how to dress more flatteringly for my body shape and having my colours done.

Q: Do you remember how you first heard about my services?

A: Online search and comparison.

Q: What were your major objectives at this stage?

A: Guidance on colour and style (specifically for my body shape).

Q: Were there any time constraints affecting your decision?

A: No.

Q: Why did you choose me?

A: Your approach seemed fresh and genuine. Instead of focussing on generalisations, you seemed more interested in the individual. The testimonials were from a range of different people (rather than all corporate, or all high fashion etc). Your articles felt real, applicable and down-to-earth.

Q: What were the major attractions of the solution?

A: I didn't really think about this until we were corresponding, but I love that it applies to a diverse range of people. That it crystallises each person's values and needs, in line with their personality, into something applicable to their own lifestyle.

What was your experience of working with me?

Q: Tell me how you felt going through the style makeover process?

A: Loved it! You've got a fresh and natural approach. I particularly enjoyed the style formula and the colours.

Q: What were your expectations? And were they met?

A: I was hoping to understand better what suits me in terms of colour and shape -- and those expectations were more than met. You went WAY above and beyond. I really appreciate your dedications and passion (and time!). 

Q: What are my strengths?

A: Love of your job. Understanding of your techniques. Ability to listen. Warmth. And cooking -- you are a salad-making marvel!

Q: What are my weaknesses?

A: The only thing I can think of is budget. I think it'd be useful to talk to your clients about their style budget. How much they spend on clothes/accessories/hair etc. How much they'd like to spend etc. What they think of as high end, what they think of as a bargain etc. Where they currently shop...Also, if you're going shopping with a client, it'd be useful to have an idea of their shopping spree budget.

[Jane: I do usually do this. I did apologise to Chloe for skipping this part of my process in her case. I certainly don't put any pressure on Chloe to buy items. We put items we like on hold, then had a review at the end of the day to decide which, if any, pieces she would buy.]

Q: Would you use my services again?

A: Definitely.

Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering reviewing and improving their image?

A: It's worth taking time to choose a new direction. And it's definitely worth seeking help. From Jane.

What did I achieve for you?

Q: What are the major benefits after your style makeover?

A: Colours. I really love my colour palette -- it's a constant in my handbag.

Q: What will you do now that you were not doing before?

A: Look at colour first, then make sure I'm going for the right shapes (I now know what these are!).

[Jane: in an email I asked if Chloe was using her style words as she got dressed. She said "I've been a bit hit and miss with the style words - sometimes getting dressed is just a morning rush to get warm! But when I use them, it's helpful."]

Q: On a scale of 1 (poor) to 10 (excellent) how do you rate your experience with me?

A:  9. I had a great time Jane. I feel that you took the time to listen and understand where I was coming from -- and to help suggest new directions. The only reason this rating isn't a 10 is that I was a bit unprepared for the budgetary stretch, and I'm still a bit confused about overall shapes (I know the individual pieces that suit my shape, but I'm not 100% on how to put it all together).

[Jane: Chloe's personalised eStyles program is there to remind her about overall shapes as well as individual pieces. However, as Chloe's finding, it can take a bit of time and practice to work out how to put it all together.]

Q: What further services are you considering?

A: That's it for now. But I'd consider another shopping spree in summer (if you could put yourself through that again! Who knows, I might be a bit more grown up about it all next time).

Q: Are there any services that I'm not currently offering that you would like?

A: I think an overall shapes/outfits service would be great. Kind of a 'how to' for putting outfits together.

This 60s inspired tunic
dress would look even
nicer with a silver or
gold coloured pendant

[Jane: Since Chloe's visit I've split the style consultation into two sessions: 1. To identify your personal style 2. To assess body shape and teach you how to dress to suit your shape. I'm also working on developing a series of workshops to help with outfit ideas, and how to create a mix and match wardrobe. I also offer ongoing style and image coaching, in person or via Skype/phone, where we can address whatever style, or wardrobe issue you're currently finding most challenging]

Q: Would you refer and recommend me?

A: Have already!

Q: What would you say about me and my services?

A: Thanks for sharing your passion for colour and style, and helping me discover the best way to reflect what's inside with what I choose to put on the outside.

Q: Do you have any other feedback or comments for me?

A: Thanks for going the extra mile Jane. Your commitment and enthusiasm is amazing -- as is your dedication. I'm also grateful for the enormous amount of time and preparation you put in. I'm a bit floored, actually. Thanks again, C.

You can see and hear Chloe and Silas perform here and find out where their next gig is.

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