FAQ - Style Analysis & Personal Styling

Thinking about booking your Style Analysis Session but have a few questions before taking the plunge? You're in the right place! Here I've answered some of the questions I'm asked most often.

What is Style Analysis and what happens during the session?

Style Analysis is about understanding what makes clothes work for you, beyond simply whether they fit or are fashionable. During your session, we'll explore your individual style personality, body shape, proportions and features to discover the styles, shapes, fabrics and details that work in harmony with you.

We'll look at how different style elements come together, identify what you naturally gravitate towards and explore how to translate your style into practical clothing choices. You'll leave with a much clearer understanding of what to look for when shopping, how to put outfits together and how to create a wardrobe that feels authentically you.

Watch this video to find out more about what actually happens in a Style Analysis Session.

How long does a Style Analysis take?

A 1:1 Style Analysis Session takes approximately 4 hours. It's a really interesting and detailed process, so there's plenty of time to explore, get practical, discover your style personality and look at how to bring everything together.

I will ask you to bring along a selection of clothes from your wardrobe so we can workshop them during the session. We'll spend time looking at the actual clothes and potential combinations, helping you understand how to put your new knowledge into practice with clothes you already own. You'll leave with your personalised Style Book and a much clearer direction for your wardrobe.

What's the difference between Colour Analysis and Style Analysis

Colour Analysis is about knowing the answers about the colours that work best for you. Style Analysis is about knowing the answers about the shapes, styles, fabrics, details and overall look that work best for you.

They're two different but very complementary services. Together, they give you a really powerful toolkit for building a wardrobe that works for you. With anything you wear, it’s both the colour and style that make up what it is. If you have something in the perfect colour but the style is off, it will never feel as good as it could. Same goes the other way round - you can have something in the perfect style but if the colour drains you, it will never look or feel as great as it could. With the two working together, that’s when your superpower comes into play!

Do I need to have Colour Analysis before having Style Analysis?

Not at all. You can have a Style Analysis as a standalone service without having had your colours done.

That said, if you've already had Colour Analysis, we'll be able to bring that knowledge into your style journey too. Understanding both your colours and your style gives you a really complete picture of what works for you. Refining your style may actually affect the way you choose to wear your colours, and we’ll talk about that too.

What are the 6 style essences?

At House of Colour, we work with the framework of 6 style personalities: Dramatic, Classic, Natural, Gamine, Ingenue and Romantic. There are 23 different possible combinations of these for women, and 16 for men. It’s most common for someone to have a mix of two, but for some people it might be just one of these.

The style personalities take account of both body shape and personality - believe it or not, there is actually evidence linking the two. And you might be a similar body shape to someone else, but you are different people so you will want to dress differently too. This absolutely is not a copy and paste situation! What we do during a session is uncover who you are, at your most authentic - and there are no right or wrong answers! Everyone has a bit of everything in them, but refining it to one style personality means that you start from the core, and all the work we do afterwards springs from there. 

Your style personality influences the clothes, shapes, fabrics and details you naturally feel drawn to and look your best wearing. Understanding your particular combination helps explain why certain clothes feel so right, while others never quite feel like you. It's not about putting you in a box or following a set of rules. It's about understanding your individual style and learning how to make it work for you.

Can you help me find my personal style if I've lost my way?

Yes. In fact, this is one of the main reasons people come to me.

This video helps answer that question, why "losing your way" happens, and explains why it might be the right time to book your session.

Do you offer Personal Styling for men and teenagers?

Absolutely! Styling isn't just for women. I work with men who want to feel more confident in what they wear in the different roles they play in life whether that's for work, socialising, special occasions or just making one less thing to stress about in the morning.

I also offer sessions for teenagers, which can be a fantastic confidence boost at a time when they're developing their own identity and finding their feet with what they like to wear. These are particularly popular before sixth form, university and other significant milestones.

Can I bring a friend to my Style Analysis appointment?

Yes! Style Analysis is a fantastic experience to share. Some clients choose to book with a friend, partner, daughter or parent, enjoying the experience together and often learning just as much from seeing someone else's analysis. I see groups of 2 for Style Analysis and those group sessions take more like 6 hours.

It's also a lovely opportunity to share ideas and have some fun! If you'd like to find out about booking together and the available pricing, you can take a look at my bookings page.

What should I wear to my Style Analysis appointment?

You'll need some fitted clothing so I can see your body shape and proportions clearly – gymwear or leggings and a fitted top are ideal. We'll also work with a selection of clothes from your existing wardrobe, so I'll give you some guidance beforehand on what to bring.

Don't worry about bringing your best outfits or having everything perfectly organised. The idea is to explore what you already own, understand what works and discover how to make better use of your wardrobe. Everyone has different journeys with their wardrobe and believe me, I’ve seen plenty of variety so don’t worry about what to bring - if in doubt, just bring it! More to work with is always better than not enough.

Will I need to buy a whole new wardrobe after Style Analysis?

Definitely not! My aim is always to help you make better choices, not buy more clothes.

Understanding your style can help you stop buying things that never quite work, make better use of what you already own and identify the gaps that are actually worth filling. 

Some clients love the idea of a fresh start and want to make lots of changes, while others simply want to feel more confident wearing the clothes they already have. There's no right or wrong approach. It's about making your wardrobe work for your life.

What is a Wardrobe Edit and do you offer Personal Shopping?

Both are great ways to put your Colour and Style Analysis knowledge into practice.

A Wardrobe Edit is a practical, hands-on service where we work through your existing wardrobe together. We'll look at what you love, what you actually wear and what's no longer working for you. I'll help you identify the pieces that work with your colours, style and lifestyle, explore different ways to wear them and spot any gaps worth filling. My Wardrobe Edits take 2 hours or more, and we can use that time however is most helpful to you and your wardrobe. We'll have a talk through beforehand about that to work out the best use for the time.

Personal Shopping is about finding those pieces that bring everything together. I offer personalised shopping support, including in person shopping trips, virtual appointments and bespoke shopping boards featuring carefully selected clothing and accessories tailored to your colours, style personality and budget.

Do you offer online Personal Styling services?

Absolutely. If you can’t get to the studio for any reason, I can send you a To Do list in advance and this will help me give you meaningful advice. I have props and things to workshop in my studio, but it’s also not impossible to do this from the comfort of your own home, wherever that home happens to be!

Personal Shopping appointments can be conducted either in person or virtually, and I can create personalised shopping boards tailored to your colours, style personality and budget. Online Wardrobe Edits are also available, allowing you to make the most of the clothes you already own and you’d just need to make sure you had a good enough view of a screen - lots of natural light helps too!

Whether you're based in Horsham, elsewhere in West Sussex or much further afield, there are plenty of ways we can work together.

To find out more, you might be interested in looking at my YouTube channel. There are some informative videos giving you insight into how I work, my philosophy, my story and the practicals of what actually happens in a Style Analysis Session.