"It’s never just about the clothing—it’s about how they put it all together. I’ve always admired that ability from afar, but never quite had it myself. Their ineffable sense of composition made me realize that even though I love to shop, I often wasn’t seeing beyond the item. I was collecting, not composing. I wasn’t thinking about how the shapes, textures, layers, and silhouettes come together to tell a story."
Diana, you nailed the essence of styling! Well done, and beautifully articulated -- thank you for this!
I love all of this so much! I also recently started investing in having experts (who are also friends) teach me about style and makeup and it’s honestly such a game changer!
I can't love this enough! I'm also a collector and have pieces in my closet that I'm only just starting to mix into my outfits, instead of waiting for 'special moments' to wear them, which seem fewer and farther between these days. I love the idea of something beautiful elevating something more basic.
I’ve been thinking about hiring a stylist eventually because I just feel like I don’t quite know how to dress in a way that feels authentic to me and best complements my shape. It makes me irritated at so many of my clothes. Can you give any insights into what something like this costs?
Hi! I feel this deeply. It depends on the stylist's experience and if you're doing digital or in-person, but it costs around $150 - 300 per hour. Some stylists can run a lot more, depending on their experience, and you may be able to find someone just starting out with excellent style and taste who is more affordable!
Hi Mikala! Jumping in here - I'm a personal stylist and wanted to affirm what Dianna is saying here. A good one costs anywhere from $150-350 an hour, depending on the type of styling they do, etc. For myself, I'm on the lower end :)
Thank you, Dianna! A friend recently recommended your substack and in the last week I have devoured each of your posts. Every single one speaks to me. This post has me looking in my closet and wondering what I can do differently, knowing I am doing a lot wrong... and now I feel inspired for change.
This was so good!! I’ve worked with Allison in the past. She’s a lovely person and has taught me to not save the good stuff for a special occasion. I only wish I could have her physically in the room. 😊
The "three words" as baseline for wardrobe is brilliant. After about 30 seconds, I came up with Comfortable, Cool, and Magical...based on everything I own and what I naturally gravitate toward. I want to know what other women's words are on here.
As a personal stylist myself, I was so engaged through this whole read!! I love reading your transformation & I learned a few new things myself. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad — it's taking time to find the "effortless" touch, but I'm getting closer and it's worth it :) It's the little things, and Kelly's newsletter has great tips on those touches.
Love this breakdown. I learned about silhouette dressing/ balancing years ago from a friend who worked at The Row and it changed my sense of style forever.
"It’s never just about the clothing—it’s about how they put it all together. I’ve always admired that ability from afar, but never quite had it myself. Their ineffable sense of composition made me realize that even though I love to shop, I often wasn’t seeing beyond the item. I was collecting, not composing. I wasn’t thinking about how the shapes, textures, layers, and silhouettes come together to tell a story."
Diana, you nailed the essence of styling! Well done, and beautifully articulated -- thank you for this!
Thank you!! I'm so glad it resonated :)
I love all of this so much! I also recently started investing in having experts (who are also friends) teach me about style and makeup and it’s honestly such a game changer!
A GAME CHANGER. Talented friends are the best.
Investing in yourself is never a bad thing…even in fashion
I can't love this enough! I'm also a collector and have pieces in my closet that I'm only just starting to mix into my outfits, instead of waiting for 'special moments' to wear them, which seem fewer and farther between these days. I love the idea of something beautiful elevating something more basic.
I'm so happy it resonated with you! I also love not waiting for 'special moments' — our clothes should be worn and loved :)
I’ve been thinking about hiring a stylist eventually because I just feel like I don’t quite know how to dress in a way that feels authentic to me and best complements my shape. It makes me irritated at so many of my clothes. Can you give any insights into what something like this costs?
Hi! I feel this deeply. It depends on the stylist's experience and if you're doing digital or in-person, but it costs around $150 - 300 per hour. Some stylists can run a lot more, depending on their experience, and you may be able to find someone just starting out with excellent style and taste who is more affordable!
Hi Mikala! Jumping in here - I'm a personal stylist and wanted to affirm what Dianna is saying here. A good one costs anywhere from $150-350 an hour, depending on the type of styling they do, etc. For myself, I'm on the lower end :)
Thank you, Dianna! A friend recently recommended your substack and in the last week I have devoured each of your posts. Every single one speaks to me. This post has me looking in my closet and wondering what I can do differently, knowing I am doing a lot wrong... and now I feel inspired for change.
Truly nothing makes my heart sing more than to hear that the posts are speaking to you. I'm so glad you feel inspired!
This was so good!! I’ve worked with Allison in the past. She’s a lovely person and has taught me to not save the good stuff for a special occasion. I only wish I could have her physically in the room. 😊
Truly!
"Inspiring women on a yacht for 10 days, endless vintage Dom Pérignon, a fully stocked arts and crafts table" — sounds like a dream!
What an insightful read! I loved the note on how working with a stylist can change the way you consume.
It was a dream :) and thank you, I'm glad it resonated!
I really enjoyed this read! Super insightful & made me think about my clothes in a new way
I'm so glad!
You articulated everything we uncovered so powerfully. Just in awe of you.
"I was collecting, not composing." So good–will remember this!
I'm so glad it resonated :)
The "three words" as baseline for wardrobe is brilliant. After about 30 seconds, I came up with Comfortable, Cool, and Magical...based on everything I own and what I naturally gravitate toward. I want to know what other women's words are on here.
I love this! Such great words :)
As a personal stylist myself, I was so engaged through this whole read!! I love reading your transformation & I learned a few new things myself. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad it resonated with you, especially as a personal stylist :)
Ooh you're headed to Japan!? One of my absolute favorite places, I look forward to reading about this! and seeing the outfits! :)
I'm so excited, dream trip!
Love this so much! I’m a collector as well, and this is inspiring me to find that “effortless” touch with each outfit I pull together.
I'm so glad — it's taking time to find the "effortless" touch, but I'm getting closer and it's worth it :) It's the little things, and Kelly's newsletter has great tips on those touches.
Love this breakdown. I learned about silhouette dressing/ balancing years ago from a friend who worked at The Row and it changed my sense of style forever.