- Guest Contributor
- October 20, 2022
Do you have an eye for style and a hankering to work remotely? If so, then a career as a virtual stylist could provide just the lifestyle you’re after.
Today’s consumers do much of their shopping online – which is certainly convenient, but also a bit overwhelming. Online shoppers can’t try on clothes or ask an employee for advice – and that’s where virtual stylists come in. By advising clients over the internet and helping them define their look, virtual stylists play a vital role in the modern fashion landscape.
Think you’re cut out for the gig? Then keep reading to learn more about becoming a virtual stylist.
What is a virtual stylist?
A virtual stylist, also called an online personal stylist, helps clients develop their own unique style. With a sharp sense of style and excellent taste, a virtual stylist knows just what to suggest to clients who are eager to update their wardrobes. Virtual stylists work entirely online, interacting with their clients through video calls, messaging applications, and other forms of digital communication.
What does a virtual stylist do?
A virtual stylist spends their days assessing their clients’ fashion needs and offering professional recommendations. Most stylists start out by giving a client a questionnaire, allowing them to understand the client’s goals and expectations. The stylist can then offer advice and compile a list of potential purchases. Creating visual presentations can also help clients fully understand the options available to them.
Who hires virtual stylists?
All sorts of people hire virtual stylists. Basically, anyone who cares about their appearance and shops online could be interested in receiving professional guidance. If you’d like to work as a freelance stylist, you can leverage your networking skills to find potential clients all over the world. Some independent companies and department stores also hire virtual styles to work within the framework of their brand.
Skills you need to become a virtual stylist
Working as a virtual stylist requires both hard work and professional competence. If you’re interested in the field, consider trying to further develop the following skills:
Listening Skills: A good virtual stylist takes their cues from the client, never imposing their own views on a person who happens not to share them. You’ll need to listen carefully to what your clients want from their wardrobe, then help them build their look accordingly.
Communication Skills: Discussing fashion is often complicated, and you’ll need to sharpen your communication skills if you want to be clearly understood. Your fashion advice will only be valuable to clients if you can properly articulate your recommendations.
Client-Centered Thinking: The best virtual stylists are flexible by nature, always bending to the will of their clients. You might have a perfect understanding of style, but the client still knows better what’s right for them. Your job as a consultant is to offer advice, not overrule them.
Style Sense: This, of course, is the most important skill of all for an aspiring stylist. While your “sense” for style might be natural, you should still educate yourself about all the latest trends. This knowledge will give you the clout you need to impress clients and build a strong reputation.
How to become a virtual stylist
There are multiple paths to becoming a virtual stylist, but they all begin with improving your skills and increasing your knowledge. Develop your own digital “style book” so that you’re ready to do the same for clients. Study the latest trends. Take online courses in style and fashion. All of this will prepare you for the career ahead of you.
Once you feel prepared, you can apply for a job with a fashion company or attempt to work solo as a freelancer. If you take the freelance approach, make sure to showcase your work online and develop a strong social media presence. If you offer free advice to your followers, you’ll eventually attract clients willing to pay you for personalized recommendations.
Benefits of being a virtual stylist
There are plenty of reasons to become a virtual stylist. Benefits include:
Flexibility: When you work remotely, you have the flexibility to set up shop wherever you want. This means working parents can watch their kids while on the job, and free spirits can travel the world while working as a digital nomad.
Varying Degrees of Commitment: Working as a virtual stylist is a great way to escape (or supplement) the nine-to-five grind. There’s no minimum commitment, and you can work as few or as many hours as your lifestyle allows.
How much do virtual stylists get paid?
According to Salary.com, the average virtual stylist in the United States earns $50,069 a year. While your earnings will vary depending on your experience and level of commitment, this figure gives you a general idea of your earning potential in the field. Whether you collect wages from a fashion company, receive direct payments from clients, or earn commissions from online sales, you can earn a sustainable living while enjoying the lifestyle of a virtual stylist.
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About the Author: Ben Clabault is a freelance writer from Sandwich, Massachusetts. He has spent much of his adult life traveling through Latin America. He currently lives with his fiance in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. His areas of expertise include travel, marketing, SaaS, and global cultures. You can find his work on Copyfolio and reach out to him on LinkedIn.
