How to Become a Stylist

Stylists provide professional advice to clients about their wardrobe choices according to the latest fashion trends and each client’s needs and preferences.

The details of the job vary by specialization, but all stylists have the same core duties:

• Communicating with clients: It’s important for stylists to be good communicators so that they can understand their clients’ desires and collaborate with designers and other creatives to execute them.
• Preparing for sessions: Stylists may need to source and procure clothing or lay out makeup before sessions, as well as quickly organize and store these items afterward in an easily accessible way.
• Understanding the industry: Stylists need to be up to date on the latest trends in their specialty while also having a thorough understanding of historical fashion trends and the ability to research them. It’s also important to know which styles work best for different body types and which color combinations go well together.

Types of stylists

There are many different types of stylists, and each has unique responsibilities:

• Fashion stylists: These stylists work with models for photoshoots or fashion shows. They are often the ones setting fashion trends that others follow. Stylists who primarily focus on fashion shows are also known as runway or fashion show stylists.
• Wardrobe stylists: These professionals create a cohesive wardrobe for clients (rather than just selecting individual outfits).
• Celebrity stylists: These work one-on-one with celebrities to help them choose their outfits, both on a daily basis and for special events, such as movie premieres, awards shows, or media appearances.
• Editorial stylists: Magazines employ these stylists to collaborate with photographers, hair stylists, and creative directors. They often set up photo shoots for editorials.
• Commercial stylists: These work with designers, photographers, production houses, and agencies to style models specifically for ads for TV or print publications. They’re similar to product and e-commerce stylists, who work with companies and retailers to showcase clothing and accessories for sale (usually online).
• Television/movie stylists: As their name suggests, these professionals work with costume designers, directors, and producers to dress actors for TV and film. They may also style those who appear on TV professionally but aren’t actors, which includes news anchors, reporters, and reality TV stars.
• Hair and makeup stylists: These are also exactly what you’d expect from their name—stylists who focus on hair and makeup, respectively. Many hair stylists focus on specific types of hair (such as curly hair, or a certain gender), and some makeup stylists specialize as well (e.g., by focusing on special effects for film, TV, and theater, which may also involve working with prosthetics).
• Retail stylist: Also called fashion consultants, these stylists work for retailers and luxury brands to guide and encourage customers to make a purchase by giving free consultations.

How personal stylists are different from other stylists

Most of the stylists we’ve listed usually work in the fashion industry or with clients who need help with their wardrobes in a professional context (e.g., celebrities, models, news anchors, and so on).

Personal stylists, on the other hand, work with everyday clients who want help with their wardrobes, whether that means overhauling their entire closets or just selecting a few outfits for special occasions.

Because they serve a different clientele, the process for becoming a personal stylist is different from the process required for entering the other specializations, which is what we’ll walk you through below.

If you love fashion and want to break into the industry, follow these steps to get started with your new side hustle or career:

1. Choose a specialization

It’s important to choose a specialty early on in your career. This will help you focus your training and make it easier to find a job or market your skills to clients.

Start by reading the list above and thinking about what appeals to you. Consider whether there are any areas you have a deeper background in already (for instance, if you’re a makeup addict in your personal life, specializing in makeup styling is an obvious choice).

2. Get education and training (if necessary)

You don’t need any particular degrees or certifications to become a stylist, but having some sort of formal or informal training can give your career a boost.

Popular programs and certifications

Consider taking online courses or enrolling in cosmetology school or a certification program. Popular options include:

• School of Style: This online program teaches you the basics required to start your career in the fashion industry. It offers certifications for menswear, fashion, and personal styling. Upon completion of the program, you can opt to join the alumni club, which boasts access to internship and job opportunities, as well as networking opportunities and continued education.
• The Aveda Institute: Their cosmetology program teaches you the basics of styling hair, makeup, and nails, as well as the business side of setting up a career in styling.
• Paul Mitchell Schools: With locations all over the US, this school’s programs include cosmetology, barbering, nails, and makeup.

Fashion colleges

Depending on your chosen specialty, it may also make sense for you to pursue a formal degree in fashion, apparel, or beauty. This is a good option if you’re confident you want to pursue a new career in this space and not just do it as a part-time side hustle.

Look into these top fashion colleges in the US:

• The Fashion Institute of Technology: This school offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in fashion design, as well as a bachelor’s in fabric styling.
• Parsons School of Design: Offers associate’s and bachelor’s degrees in fashion design and also provides internship opportunities.
• Savannah College of Art and Design: Offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in fashion and a bachelor’s in fashion marketing and management.

If you intend to freelance as a stylist, you may also want to study business—especially marketing, accounting, and business administration.

3. Develop the necessary skills

Whether you get formal training or not, you’ll need to develop certain skills in order to become a stylist. As you’d expect, you’ll need creativity, an eye for fashion and beauty, and a thorough knowledge of the industry (including both historical and modern trends).

You’ll also need strong communication and networking skills. This is necessary both to deal with your clients and with other creatives and industry professionals. As in many industries, who you know (and what they think of you) will have a strong impact on your career.

4. Gain experience with an internship or entry-level job

When you’re just starting out, you might be worried about how to get experience, which is an important step in growing your stylist career. There are a couple of ways you can do this:

• Get an internship: An internship or apprenticeship will allow you to gain work experience under a respected stylist, who can then recommend you to employers or clients when you strike out on your own.
• Become an assistant: Working as an assistant for an established stylist is much like having an internship, except it’s more likely to be a paid position (some internships are, but not the majority).

Working as an intern or assistant will give you the chance to learn more about the industry and what’s expected of you in your role as a stylist. You’ll fill in gaps in your knowledge and have someone to guide you as you assess your strongest and weakest skills. This also allows you to wait to take on the responsibility of having your own clients until you feel more confident in your abilities.

Where to find internships and entry-level jobs in fashion and styling

There are several websites that focus on the fashion and beauty industries that you can scour for opportunities. Look into:

• StyleCareers
• Fashionista (look at the Careers section)
• InternQueen

You can also find jobs on general-purpose job boards, such as LinkedIn and Indeed.

5. Create a portfolio

As you train, create an online portfolio of your work to showcase your talents. It should have the following traits:

• Simple layout: Keep the design of your portfolio tasteful and minimal to keep the focus on your work.
• Diverse projects: Avoid showing too many projects with the same style. Potential clients and employers want to see that you have a varied background with a variety of projects within your specialty.
• Relevant and recent work: Instead of including every project you’ve ever worked on, be selective about what you put in your portfolio. Make sure that the bulk of the projects are recent, and include work that shows off your signature style and technical skills.
• Favorable reviews: You can include reviews from satisfied clients to boost your credibility.
• Short explanations: For each project, give enough context for the viewer to understand your inspiration, vision, and execution, but keep it short and let the work speak for itself.

6. Build a network

While you’re developing your skills and gaining experience, you can make connections with other stylists and fashion industry professionals and build a reputation among potential clients. Having an established network will help you secure your first job as an independent stylist.

There are a few ways to do this:

• Attend events: Participate in or volunteer at conferences, workshops, and seminars in the fashion industry. Introduce yourself to people and exchange business cards, then follow up with them afterward.
• Use social media: Follow your favorite stylists, models, or brands on Instagram or LinkedIn. Engage with their content by liking it and commenting. After a while, reach out with a direct message.
• Send cold emails: If there’s a certain designer or editor you’ve always wanted to work with, don’t be afraid to contact them via email. Let them know that you admire their work and point out any mutual connections you share. Ask if they’ll take a look at your portfolio and keep you in mind for any future opportunities, but don’t be pushy.

7. Choose whether to freelance or apply for jobs

Before you start looking for work as a stylist, you’ll need to decide whether you want to be a freelancer or an employee.

There are several benefits to being a freelancer, including the freedom to pick your clients and set your own schedule, as well as unlimited income potential—you can charge whatever people are willing to pay. That said, going at it alone is also a lot more work, since you’ll be responsible for your own marketing, health insurance, taxes, and so on.

If you decide you want the stability that comes with employment, you can choose a company based on your specialty and area of interest:

• Salons: Many salons hire stylists. Be aware that if you plan to be a hairstylist, cosmetologist, or barber, all US states require you to get a cosmetology license before you can start working. 1
• Agencies: While most agencies are limited to major fashion cities, they have wide networks and opportunities for growth. Research the agencies you’d like to work for and contact an agent via email or phone to set up an interview and show your portfolio.
• Studios: If you’ve made connections with designers who work out of studios, contact them to see if they know of any available positions for stylists. You can also search for studio jobs online and apply that way.
• Fashion magazines: Contact your favorite fashion magazines to ask about employment opportunities. You may have to begin as an intern or in an entry-level position and work your way up.

8. Promote your services

Whether you choose self-employment or traditional employment, you’ll need to establish an online presence to promote yourself and stay connected with your network. You should have:

• A website or blog: Setting up a website is a great way to spread the word about your services. It can also host your portfolio.
• Social media accounts: Platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube can help you reach potential clients. You can collaborate with other stylists to widen your audience.

Becoming a stylist isn’t the best side hustle for everyone. It’s a competitive industry, and the pay isn’t always commensurate with the hard work you’ll be doing. Still, for those who are ambitious and love fashion, it can be extremely fulfilling.

Here are several reasons why styling might be a good choice for you:

• No degrees or certifications required (although they may help)
• Low startup costs
• Could turn from a side hustle into a full-time job
• Great creative outlet
• Interesting work that’s constantly changing
• Insider access to fashion events
• Work with talented, famous people

How much does a stylist make?

How much money you can make as a stylist varies depending on your chosen specialty, your clientele, and your geographical area. According to Indeed, traditionally employed stylists average $16.57 per hour or $55,717 per year. 2

It’s harder to estimate average rates for freelance stylists, since they set their own rates, which means the range of possible incomes is very wide. In the beginning, you’ll probably make something comparable to what traditionally employed stylists earn, but if your career really takes off, the sky’s the limit.

Alternatives to becoming a stylist

If you’re not sure about becoming a stylist but still want to pursue a career in a related field, consider these similar jobs in the fashion industry:

• Personal shopper: Personal shoppers or mystery shoppers help clients select and purchase clothing and accessories that suit their style.
• Fashion designer: This is an exciting (but highly competitive) role. It involves designing your own clothing and accessories for others to make and wear.
• Fashion editor: Determine the look and mood of photoshoots by choosing a photographer, the clothing, the location, and the models.
• Fashion marketing specialist or merchandiser: Market and promote various products and brands in the fashion world.
• Fashion blogger or influencer: Share fashion advice, trends, and your personal style with your online followers.

If you decide to get into one of these side hustles, follow essentially the same process we outlined above—get the necessary training and skills, develop a solid portfolio, and find clients. With a little talent and a lot of hard work, you’ll be sure to succeed.