LOOKING THE PART. Whilst visiting a trade fair, I was introduced to a fashionable, good-looking woman. Her business was certainly my business.

A fashion adviser, Penelope, explained that she made her living by advising clients on how to dress well.

Yes, my new friend’s clients paid her to accompany them while they shopped for stylish clothing. Well, not just clothing. Any idiot can do that, and I was such an idiot.

‘That seems to me to be very expensive. Something only the rich can afford?’ I smiled.

Penelope laughed: ‘It is because they engage me and take advantage of my services that they are wealthy.

Pausing, my attractive companion asked me how many suits, jackets, and coats I had in my wardrobe. A quick calculation revealed that my wardrobe was bulging at the sides with my clothing.

‘’Six suits,’ Penelope exclaimed. ‘How many of these do you habitually wear?’

‘One!’

‘So,’ she smiled after making a quick calculation. ‘You have spent *7%*2@*’ on your wardrobe but actually use only 5 per cent of your clothing.

Then, the smiling Penelope hit me harder. Without blinking an eyelid, she told me I was clueless about dressing properly.

‘If that is your best suit and tie,’ she laughed. ‘You have wasted your money.’

‘Had I accompanied you to stores that I select for you and purchased clothes suited to your appearance, complexion, eye and hair color, your age and gender, your job and your social needs, you would have looked like a movie star yet saved a fortune in time and money.’

Yes — that’s a real profession, and it comes in a few different forms. There are professionals whose entire job is to shop with or for clients and help them choose outfits that suit their bodies, lifestyles, and personal styles.

Known as personal stylists, these are the people who typically assess a client’s body shape, coloring, lifestyle, and goals.

From there, they personalized style profile, shop with the client or on their behalf, and create outfits and full wardrobes.

Personal advisers teach clients how to dress for their proportions and personality.

Some work independently; others work for fashion retailers or styling services.

A personal shopper focuses more on the shopping side, but many also give styling advice.

They often select clothing based on the client’s preferences and needs, pre‑pull outfits before the client arrives, and offer guidance on fit, color, and coordination

Many will work in department stores, boutiques, or as freelancers. Some personal shoppers specialize in luxury fashion, while others help everyday clients.

Image consultants go beyond clothing and may analyze and advise on color palettes (e.g., seasonal color analysis), offer advice on grooming, posture, and communication to help their client develop a cohesive personal brand

They work with professionals, public figures, or anyone wanting a polished image

They often include wardrobe styling and shopping as part of their services. Now you too know where you are going wrong. You can address this personal failing by finding a friend who has an eye for style.

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A BOOK AT BEDTIME. A NEW GENERATION OF ROMANTIC NOVELS is by Michael Walsh. He is the magical weaver of romantic dreams. THE ENIGMA OF TIFFANY, SOUL MATES and THE DOVETAILS HOTEL. https://michaelwalshbooks.wordpress.com/