What it’s like to hire a men’s fashion stylist for $5,000

What started as a small side hustle has become a lucrative full-time business for the 31-year-old stylist, who is now based in New York City.

And it’s a service that many men are learning they can’t live without.

“A lot of guys just don’t have time (for fashion). They’d rather spend the money to have someone run that aspect of their life,” stylist Maiya Simone told BI. “Nowadays, I see guys aren’t afraid to ask for help in that department.”

Allure of style

Styling has long been considered a tool reserved for celebrities, but it has become increasingly popular among ordinary men as well.

Both Allen and Simone credited the COVID-19 pandemic with changing men’s perception of their styles, giving them a chance to be more free and present themselves in unique ways.

While Turner said most of his clients work in technology, he also includes writers, actors, surgeons and financial professionals.

“Most of my clients come to me because they are at a pivotal time in their lives and feel they need a new wardrobe to go along with this change they are experiencing,” he said, citing the new jobs and divorces as common cases.

Those looking for stylists often have the same fashion issues.

According to Simona, many men are unsure of their body type, the styles that suit them and the best places to shop.

“A lot of guys, even those with richer careers and lifestyles, are still stuck in that fast fashion shopping phase, whether it’s H&M or Banana Republic,” she said.

As a result, many find their closets full of trendy pieces and poor quality clothing.

It’s also common for men, Allen said, to find themselves stuck between athleisure and work style.

“A lot of men struggle when it comes to navigating the more ambiguous parts of style, like ‘smart casual,'” he said. “…a lot of guys have trouble figuring out what will ultimately work for them.”

And the problem becomes especially prevalent as they get older.

“As men enter their 30s, they realize they’re no longer the target market for what’s new and cool,” Allen added. “They can feel a little lost as to how to navigate this fashion world that they’ve been kind of removed from.”

That’s where styling services come in handy.

What do men get with $5,000

The styling process and pricing of styling packages varies in the fashion industry.

Simone, for example, said her main package is a comprehensive service that includes an introductory meeting, a color and body type assessment, and a “game plan on how to take her style in a new direction.” Her starting price is $5,000.

From there, Simone goes shopping to find the perfect pieces for her clients.

“That’s one of the perks of having a stylist,” she said. “I’ve built relationships with different stores and boutiques in different cities, so I have really good and wide access to different options.”

The process, she said, takes about two weeks, after which she meets with her customers again so they can buy her selections and learn how to put them together.

“I want clients to think of me as their best stylist,” she said. “They can always text me or call me if they have questions. I call it extended consulting.”

Allen works differently. He offers a three-step process that starts in the client’s closet to find fashion gaps.

He also takes body measurements, provides a color analysis and creates a “style board” for inspiration.

Step two is shopping—Allen buys a few pieces ahead of time, makes private clothing store appointments to attend with customers, and tailors have purchased garments.

Finally, Allen creates a lookbook of outfit options for clients and provides them with ongoing styling support for four weeks.

He said hairdressers typically spend $5,000 to $7,000 on clothes alone before paying additional fees for optional services they provide, such as grooming.

Styling is undoubtedly an investment. The services can be expensive and the effort takes time.

It’s also extremely beneficial in more ways than getting a closet full of new clothes and shiny shoes.

“Having good style can provide such positive benefits to your life and accelerate your career,” said Simone. “With a stylist, you save so much time. I know guys are afraid of shopping online and going into stores.”

“You also learn so much knowledge: where to shop, what makes sense for your lifestyle, what works for your budget, what suits your body type. No more wasting money,” she added.

But perhaps most important, according to Allen, is the confidence gained by men who hire stylists.

“I want men to gain the confidence to shop on their own and understand how to organize their closets in an intentional way, as opposed to this continuous cycle of trial and error, which may never end up in a look that it really speaks to who they are. he said.

“We put clients through this comprehensive experience so that when they leave,” continued Allen, “they feel like they have a holistic understanding of how to take style into their own hands.”