In desperate need of a wardrobe refresh, or have a special event in the calendar with no clue what to wear for it? Two menswear personal stylists from John Lewis explain how their expertise can improve the way you look and feel about your clothes in just two hours at their specialist studio at the Cribbs Causeway store.
Gentlemen, when you open your wardrobe and rifle through your drawers looking for something to wear, do you find yourself letting out a deep sigh of despair? Shopping for a new outfit, whether it’s for work, suiting up a special occasion, reacting to changing physiques and tastes, or simply needing to inject a little je ne sais quoi into your daily attire can feel overwhelming at the best of times. But help is at hand, in the form of Serena and Niccole, two expert men’s personal stylists who work at John Lewis Cribbs Causeway. The personalised free-of-charge service they provide is the perfect antidote to stressful retail woes. And the timing couldn’t be better – Father’s Day is just around the corner, an ideal opportunity to ensure the men and any father figures in your life receive a little self-care and a confidence boost.
First things first, why might someone pay you a visit at the men’s personal styling studio?
Serena: It varies a lot. It could be someone is taking a special trip and needs an outfit for the occasion, or just needs a wardrobe refresh because they are stuck in the same routine. Weddings and workwear are also popular.
Niccole: That’s our job as stylists to gently nudge people out of their comfort zones.
How does the whole experience work?
Niccole: A customer can book a Personal Styling appointment in-store or on our website, a few details will be taken regarding their height, size, colour preferences, and some details about what they want to achieve.
Serena: We will follow up any booked appointments with a pre-call to double check all details and ascertain the purpose of the appointment. An example of this could be for a wedding, where is it taking place, abroad or this country? We will establish if there is a colour scheme. Based on the information we have gleaned, we will prepare and pick clothes in readiness for the appointment. Once we meet the customer, we can quickly narrow down what is going to suit them best.
Niccole: One really exciting element of our job is creating a rail of possibilities before they arrive – a capsule wardrobe of, say, 8-11 items that is versatile and will work together, getting better value for money.
We always like to choose some curveballs in the pick and make some suggestions that might feel a little unfamiliar to them. We often find that these items are the ones the customer chooses.
Where does all this take place?
Serena: We have a lovely private, spacious style studio at our disposal.
Niccole: The customer can relax in the Style Studio with a refreshing
complimentary drink while we do all the running around, bringing them
additional items to try if required.
Serena: We take the stress out of shopping, making it an enjoyable experience for the customer.
It’s free? So, there’s no charge at all for an appointment?
Serena: Exactly, we are not on commission, we want to ensure we give the best service possible. When we’re choosing items for a wardrobe refresh our focus is all about finding pieces they’re happy with, taking into account the fit, their personality, their physique, their lifestyle. This way the pressure is taken away from the customer, and they can sit back and enjoy the experience.
Niccole: Sometimes our customers will attend an appointment because they have been given a Gift Card as a present. They can use this to cover all or some of the cost of any items they choose.
For more information, visit the website johnlewis.com/our-services/personal-styling
