A photograph of a thoughtful Colette Ali, professional stylist, styling and outfit
Episode 26 – Is a personal stylist worth it?

In this podcast, Lesley talks to Colette Ali, a personal stylist, who helps people look and feel their best through what they wear. What we wear is one expression to the outside world of who we are and what we represent so it's vital to get that right to ensure you always feel your best. Lesley talks to Colette Ali, who works with clients on their self esteem, body image and wellbeing through shopping with and styling them.
Prefer to read rather than listen?
Transcript of this podcast episode
Intro  0:07  
Welcome to today's episode of The Declutter Hub Podcast. Your channel for super easy, no nonsense advice on how to declutter and organise your home. Please welcome your hosts professional organisers, Ingrid Jansen and Lesley Spellman.

Lesley  0:29  
Hello, and welcome listeners to Episode 26 of the Declutter Hub Podcast. I'm Lesley if you have clutter and one two sorted out this is the show for you. In today's episode, I'm talking to my good friend and personal stylist Colette Ali. Hi, Colette.

Colette  0:44  
Hi, Lesley. 

Lesley  0:46  
So Colette and I used to work together and Colette was a clutter fairy, weren't you, Colette for a number of years. And so and it was always so fantastic when Colette said that she wanted to come and work as a clutter fairy because I could put her on wardrobe jobs. And she offered that extra fantastic step. I've been able to advise people a little bit on style as well. So that was always fantastic. And obviously, we went that extra mile for our clients since they absolutely loved having collapsed and did not want me basically. But anyway. So there's a big difference. Isn't there collab between being a stylist and being a professional organiser? So our our remit normally, I know there was a bit of a crossover with what we used to do with Barry. But normally, as a professional organiser, working with somebody, or if you were doing your own wardrobe, what you'll be looking at is this sort of decluttering do I use it? Do I need it? Do I love it? What you wouldn't be interested in is fashion and style and capsule wardrobes and accessorising and things like that. And that's what we're here to talk about today. Yes. So tell me a little bit about your background, and how you came to be a personal stylist.

Colette  1:51  
My background is actually nursing. So I was a general nurse. And then I changed to be a psychiatric nurse. So I worked probably for about 28 years. And I just fancied a change. But I still wanted to work with people, and in a way not lose my nursing skills. So I trained as a personal stylist. And I found that actually, my nursing background just comes in very useful when dealing with emotional, vulnerable clients. Because a lot of personal styling isn't to do with high fashion. It's to do with people who are quite depressed, not very happy with the self image, very low self esteem. So all those nursing skills actually came in very useful and very handy, because it can be quite a very tearful emotional process.

Lesley  2:31  
Absolutely. Absolutely. And the same with getting rid of clothes as well. So same sort of professional organiser. It's the exact same emotions, but it just takes it that one step further. Really? Yeah. Because our clothes are our expression to the world of what we want to be. And sometimes that's not, you know, we don't always get it, right, do weigh people. Exactly. And you know, so there are a lot of people actually, who I work with who wants to get to the end of the decluttering and organising process. And that's such a big positive move for them, that will then go that one step further and go out with a stylist or go to a shop that offers a personal styling service. And because there are styling services out there for free as well. And that would be obviously just in one shop. So it'd be slightly different. Brilliant. So ya know, it's really important to understand that it's all about the psychology, isn't it? And then there are some practical things that you can do as well, to really help as well. So today is not really about what kind of things should you wear. And you've already said, it's not all about fashion and things like that. So what we're not trying to do today is we're not trying to say these are the things that you need in 2019 for spring summer. That is not what this is all now, this is about how can you make the best of your wardrobe? And what sort of things do you need to be mindful of when you actually decluttering decluttering and organising your wardrobe. So that said, then when when you start your decluttering are the things that you need to bear in mind as you're going through and choosing what to keep and want to get rid of.

Colette  3:55  
We were having this conversation just before but obviously people's wardrobes do vary. A working moms wardrobe is going to be very different from a girl who works in the city as a barrister or whatever, as is the same lady who plays golf and is retired, the wardrobes are slightly different. But there are always core items that you probably have in everybody's wardrobe that are the same and then you add individual pieces then just to build your wardrobe to suit you and your lifestyle. So my job is clearing out people's wardrobes. But with me, obviously I'm thinking about body shape as well. I'm thinking about the colours that people have in the wardrobes. I'm thinking of the things the actual items they have in the wardrobe. Do they wear them? Or is it has it been a waste of money? Can they wear everything that is in their wardrobe? And does it suit their lifestyle? So we are throwing things out and decluttering but at the same time I'm thinking about somebody's lifestyle, somebody's body shape. So all these things come into mind when you're actually a stylist as well as sort of decluttering

Lesley  4:53  
Yeah, I know because I had styling session with you. I was lucky enough to do that connect with which was absolutely lovely. And that was I'm looking at my cell today I'm thinking I should have worn something completely different with my stylist friend. But anyway, that was a few years ago. But I remember some of the things were, you know, had some really lovely dresses and things that were maybe, you know, short sleeves or open sleeves. And it was about adding a cardigan, so that it was fit for purpose within England, which is mostly free. Yeah, and things like that. So sometimes it's like, why am I not wearing that you're not wearing it? Because you wouldn't really want it as a holiday dress. Yeah. So it's something that you would wear around during the day here. Or if you're going out to wherever, but you need a cardigan or a little denim jacket or something like that. So sometimes it's about adding things, isn't it to make these things more versatile. So when people are shopping, what kind of mistakes do they make?

Colette  5:44  
It's very easy these days to do your homework. I mean, it was very different in the past, when you and I were teenagers, and we had money to spend. Now there are glossy magazines, with lots of fashion ideas. The internet is fantastic. There's lots of different sites, you can go on. Even these big department stores, they have styling pages, how to mix and match outfits and whatever. So when people go out to date, I think you need to do your homework before you go out shopping. Because otherwise, most people have a budget, you are just going to waste your money unless you know actually what you're going to buy what you're out there to buy that day. Is it shoes is it jeans, otherwise you look at something and think, Oh, I love that. I need to buy it because it's gorgeous. And then you bring it home. And it doesn't go with anything in your wardrobe. It doesn't mix and match with anything. And then it just hangs there for months years and never gets worn. So it's just a very costly mistake. So before you go shopping, do your homework and think, What do I actually need to buy? And don't be swayed by bright colours and fabrics? And I think

Lesley  6:42  
yeah, I think quite often what you find is that wardrobes tend to be overloaded with like beautiful dresses are going out dresses and things like that. Because those are the things that look exciting, aren't and those are the things that you wish and shove in your basket. Yeah, on a kind of retail therapy session, really. And what you don't necessarily want to go out and buy is kind of black skinny jeans that you might need every day, basic Jersey tarps or things like that. Although I do as I've mentioned before, on these podcasts have many, many pairs of black skinny, not showing you by the way, I thought we did my styling on combat. Yeah. So yeah, it's things like that. It's just as mistake buys. And it's using your emotions. And it's intentional spending really isn't it and making sure that you know what you're going out for with very specific purpose in mind, and making sure that you're not just throwing stuff in your basket, because you absolutely love getting carried away with the emotion with the

Colette  7:37  
colours and everything. You just get caught up in all the, you know, the styling, you know, the mannequins in the shop and that kind of thing. You think, Oh, I love that. Yes, that will look great on me, but then they're just not practical.

Lesley  7:49  
Yeah, exactly. So how can you get the most out of your current wardrobe. So if you were not to go out and buy anything new, what sorts of things would you need to make the most out of your current wardrobe,

Colette  8:01  
I would always say people don't have to go shopping every season, the basics in your wardrobe should stay the same. So if we're coming into spring and summer now you should have a good pair of jeans in there. Maybe some black skinny jeans, a pair of tailor trousers, that kind of stuff. So all you need to do now for spring and summer, is freshen up your T shirts, buy a few new T shirts, maybe a couple more blouses, maybe just a nice cardigan, or a nice jacket for the spring summer. You don't need to buy a completely new set of clothes each season. So as long as you've got the basics there, which you can wear in wintertime, and summertime, and then you just change the tops according to the season, or according to what colours are in that season. Or according to what suits you.

Lesley  8:42  
Yeah, we've all got things as well haven't worked in our in our wardrobes that we can accessorise with as well. And we sell belts and scarves and jewellery and things like that, that really change up the way that an outfit looks. So it's not as you say, it's not going out and buying whole new things. It's going up and buying some basics, and then accessorising with what you've already got.

Colette  9:02  
I have to say, even accessories have actually changed over the years. I was thinking about this the other day, I mean, everybody used to have lots of belts to go with different kinds of trousers and everything. But really, we probably don't need as many belts now unless they're a piece to go over a jacket, a belt worn as a piece of clothing, rather than holding up the trousers because today trousers have got lycra in them. They're elasticated, so we don't need belts to hold up our jeans anymore because they actually fit to our bodies. So there are certain things which we probably used as you and I were younger, which are probably now defunct in our wardrobe. Yeah, because we don't need them.

Lesley  9:35  
And those are the kind of hard things you know, if you've got a really nice black leather belt, for example. Those are really hard to make a decision to get rid of. Because you think well it's a really good belt. It's been there for years, but actually it

Colette  9:46  
costs me a lot of money when I was young. It's sentimental, but really, you've probably never going to use it again. Yeah,

Lesley  9:52  
exactly. Things do change and what we need in our wardrobes really changes over the years but some things are just really genuinely hard. coats are very hard to get rid of as well, but you know, you tend to buy a coat every I don't know, well, I've read a lot of people every season every couple of seasons. And you know, you still got things because they're really nice coats. But actually fashions have changed. And it's about being honest with yourself, isn't it. So what's the most important thing that people need to be mindful of when they're creating a wardrobe,

Colette  10:19  
that everything in your wardrobe has to work for you, you have to be able to wear it, you have to live wearing it, you have to be excited about wearing it. So everything in your wardrobe is something that you can wear the shoes, the bags, the tops, the dresses, coats, whatever, is pointless having a wardrobe, bursting at the seams with things that you're not going to wear things that you don't like things that you don't love, things that don't suit you. So just make sure that everything in your wardrobe is wearable, and you enjoy wearing it.

Lesley  10:53  
Okay, and what do you think about sort of quality over quantity? You know, I mean, I know there's been a lot of information in the media at the moment. I don't know whether you saw the Stacey Dooley investigates programme, I think it was called fashions dirty secrets, where it was all about this kind of really cheap fashion that's out there. And people it's kind of throwaway fashion. And it's trying to make people more mindful and intentional about the kinds of things that they're buying. So what's your thoughts on that? Do you think people should buy cheap? Or do you think people should buy quality,

Colette  11:21  
I think people should buy quality. And I always would say to my clients, we obviously are working with a budget, but we always buy the best quality items that we can. It's pointless having hundreds of things in your wardrobe, that are cheap that you never really wear because you don't like wearing them, it's better just to have a few quality, well chosen pieces that have cost you a lot of money that will last you for a long time. And then obviously, if you look after your clothes as well, they will last you even longer.

Lesley  11:51  
Yeah, or five of the same thing or things in different colours. And it's really important nowadays, isn't it? You know, there's a lot of documentaries as a lot of interest and appetite for this kind of throw away, throw away clothes and people who are spending, we're spending an awful lot less on our clothes at the moment and then just chucking them away, and you know, everything, although a lot of these things are going into landfill. And it's just quite wasteful. So it's definitely a movement isn't the towards having the quality rather than the quantity?

Colette  12:16  
It is that and also with my clients as well. You buy the best you can possibly buy, but you look after your clothes. Right? Okay, that's very important. You don't just throw them in a corner, and then think, oh, where's that jumper bought that really expensive jumper, you look after them and you hang them up in your wardrobe properly, so you can actually see exactly what you've got. And hopefully get to wear everything that's in your wardrobe.

Lesley  12:39  
Okay, so you're talking about looking after your clothes. Yeah, what are a couple of rules that you think that in terms of looking after clothes that are really important,

Colette  12:46  
good quality hangers, okay, you don't want these wire hangers that are all misshapen and everything. So good quality hangers, I always like to use non slip ones, the velvety ones, because they're not going to they're not watch that they're not going to catch on the blouses and that kind of thing. So good quality hangers to keep your clothes in a good shape. And also things like knitwear just do bubble things, get the bubbles off and that kind of thing. Spray issues every few months with leather protector, even your handbags and whatever. So just look after your clothes, and your bags and your accessories. And they will serve you very well, year after year.

Lesley  13:20  
And we're just talking about the D freezing of clothes. Would you would you advocate using one of those machines?

Colette  13:26  
I've used those in the past? Do you know what the best thing I find is because mostly the bubbles you find along your arms. If you've brushed up against your body, that kind of thing. And down by the side, one of the bristle shoe brushes. Do you know that we used to polish our shoes? We Oh yeah, you get a soft bristle one. Every time you wear your jumper or cardigan if you just go down the inside of your arm. That way it stops all the pilling and it prevents sort of all these bubbles sort of occurring. I use cashmere combs because I find those quite gentle actually as well rather than do public machines. Okay, I think maybe sometimes they do catch and you can create little holes or Yeah.

Lesley  14:01  
All right. That's, that's good. That's good. Right? Okay, so is there anything else any other hints and tips that you've got collect that you wanted to talk to us about today in terms of styling, have a thing

Colette  14:13  
before you go out what you want to buy. And also be very honest with your wardrobe, try to figure out what your body shape is, there's no point in buying clothes, which suits somebody else's body shape and not yours. We'd all love to be six foot tall and be able to wear long maxi dresses. But if you're going out for a maxi dress, when you try it on, you think oh I need to have like 20 inches cut off this. So the whole shape of the dress then changes because I'm not that kind of body shape to wear that kind of clothing. So think about your body shapes. Think about your budget. Definitely, always buy the best that you can and just have fun with your clothes and make sure you're buying the clothes for the person that you want to be not because you think you should be wearing that because I'm too old for that. Now I'm too young for that. So just have fun with your clothes because every time you open You wardrobe door, you want to be able to wear everything in that wardrobe and feel very special and feel very good and confident about your styling choices and the clothes that you've got, you've paid a lot of money, so you should be able to enjoy wearing your clothes.

Lesley  15:14  
I think that's really important. You know, where there's no rules, really, you know about age and but there are there are with shape to be fair enough. Yeah, I think when you it's interesting, really, when you do work with a stylist, that you you kind of say things and you learn things that you know, but you don't know, you know, well, actually, you would be better with high waisted jeans, because you've got a little bit of a monkey on top, and you kind of you kind of still stick with it and keep making the same mistakes all the time. And I think whether it's colour, or whether it's shape of clothes, I think that those are the kinds of things that you can really learn a lot from working with another person who's gonna give you honest advice. And the difference between working with a friend or a family member and a personal stylist is a personal stylist is there to be honest, and you ever asked for that help, and you've asked for that professional advice. And so you will then be more willing to take it on. Whereas if it's a family member, sometimes you might get a little bit. She said I had a muffin top, stuff like that. So I think it's really different as well. And what do you think about the styling options that are available in sort of high street shops, Topshop Marks and Spencers that kind of thing? Do you think they're useful?

Colette  16:19  
The personal stylist in store? Yes, and no, I mean, I do have mixed feelings. I've been out with clients before. And I've seen ladies try things on and this personal stylist is there say, oh, it looks fantastic. It looks great. And I'm actually thinking, please make eye contact with me, please look in my eyes. And I'll just like, be able to talk to you then is it? Oh, I'm not quite sure. And sort of advise you and say, I don't really think it suits you. So, I mean, sometimes they're obviously limited to what they can put on their clients because they're limited to what's in stock in the store at that particular time. But at least they all stylists are different as well. I'm sure all declutters are different. You work in a different way. I work in a different way with my clients. And I might dress my clients differently than another stylist I know. So we all have ideas about how we think our clients should look. But that's the thing about it. You have ideas about how you think people should look. But when you work as a personal stylist, you get to know the person better. You get to know the lifestyle, what they need the clothes for what makes them confident, you get to know very personal details when I think if you go to these instal stylists, they don't know you very well as a person. So they can say, Oh, you look fabulous in pink wear pink, it looks great in the shop. But under shop lights, when you get it outside, you might think oh my goodness, it's so bright. I can't possibly wear that. So

Lesley  17:40  
I think it's just a different motive really, isn't it? Yeah. So within instal I mean, don't get me wrong. I've used them as well. And I think it's great. But I think you've got to have your own ideas and the competence to to work with that and say no, absolutely don't lie, though I do. But it's a nice easy way of shopping because they bring everything in the in the changing rooms, with all the different sizes and things. It's an easy way to shop, but you are limited. And I think a personal stylist is there to make the best of you within your current lifestyle with your emotions and things like that.

Colette  18:09  
And they are working with this season's current styles and colours. Yeah, so these ladies who have the colours done, they used to bring all the swatches with me and I used to think well actually, we're not going to get on great because none of these colours are in this year. So if this is all you can wear, I'm going to have to reintroduce you to colour and what colours suit you so yeah, and stylist in the shop. I mean, with the best one in the world, they do what they can, but they're sort of limited to the time they can spend with you. And what's available in store that time. You know, that's and that's,

Lesley  18:39  
that's an interesting point. Actually, it takes me to talk about this sort of column. I can't remember it's called the colour services, you know, where they kind of analyse chlamydia. And that and we're not here to say anything negative about them. But is that do you think but that kind of what that creates for a lot of people is a kind of rulebook doesn't it on colours in terms of these are the neutrals that you can wear these are the kinds of warm colours, cold colours, etc, things like that. I'm doing it a huge disservice because there's a lot more to it than that exactly. But do you think that there are hard and fast rules about colour with people's own sort of personal colouring then and hair colour and things like that? Or do you think that you should just try something on and see what it looks or

Colette  19:21  
I think you should try something on it and see how it looks. I mean, I haven't trained in colour because I think I would rather concentrate on body shape and colours just come naturally to I know what suits clients and and also it's about how the client feels and something so somebody could put something on in black and think or feel a bit rowdy. They could try something on in pink or think Oh, I love this and I love this coat and it looks fantastic. So it's not about you dictating colours to clients either. It's how they feel in those clothes because if they want to wear bright pinks because they think they look amazing in them. They should be allowed to wear bright pinks because that's giving them confidence. Yeah, and they will wear those kinds of things. I might think cool it's a little bit bright. You know, we might turn it down a bit. But if Pink is the way they want to go, that's the way they should be allowed to go. Because they're going to be wearing the clothes, not me.

Lesley  20:07  
And you hit the nail on the head there colour as well. So somebody wanted to wear something that was bright pink, and it's kind of maybe a little bit garish or whatever, you can turn that down with something quite nice. So, you know, that's important as well making the most out of your wardrobe making it look fantastic by toning it down a little bit. Yeah,

Colette  20:24  
you can tone it down. But if they feel fantastic, that's what it's all about. It's about clients feeling happy and confident wearing clothes, and thinking they look fantastic and amazing. Full stop. Yeah, it's not about high fashion. It's not about you shall be wearing this and whatever. It's about self esteem, and people feeling great and confident.

Lesley  20:42  
Oh, fantastic. Well, I think we've covered quite a few bits, all about the emotions of clothes. Really, we started out in our first walk in wardrobe month, we've done wardrobe month in March, we went through the process of talking about the psychology of clothes and why we find it so hard to get rid of certain clothes. We've gone through the decluttering we're talking to you today. And then we've also done the Organising of wardrobes as well. So hopefully that'll give everyone a little bit of food for thought about what they can do with their wardrobes. We hope you've all enjoyed listening and are inspired to take action are the things in your wardrobe that we'll coordinate with a different outfit to get the most out of your current clothes? Are you keen to book a stylist as a treat, I would highly recommend it by the way that can meet the What a fantastic thing to ask for for a birthday gift or a Christmas present. It's not something that we're going to be able to do every week. Of course, it's not about me, it's something that really might change your whole attitude to clothes and give you the education and information that you need to take things forward to make sure that you don't have a wardrobe where you're only wearing 20% of your things 80% of the time. So thanks for taking the time to listen today. If you'd like to get more tips and advice, please follow us on social media. We're on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook and have a lively supportive Facebook group community where we chat all things clutter. We've got a guide on our resources page all about decluttering and organising your wardrobe to help you out. So pop over to our website and download that to help you. If you don't want to miss the next weekly episode, subscribe to the declutter podcast on iTunes, Spotify and Stitcher and it will pop into your notifications each Friday. Thanks for listening.

Outro  22:24  
Thanks for listening to this week's episode of the Declutter Hub podcast. Check out declutterhub.com For more inspiration, and don't forget to tune in next week.
Subscribe now so you don't miss an episode
Listen on
Apple Podcasts
Listen on
Amazon Music
Listen on
Spotify
Watch on
YouTube
Prefer to watch rather than listen? Watch on YouTube