How Much Do Personal Stylists Cost? We Investigate

It seems that behind every influential It girl is a genius stylist. Personal stylists are the masterminds behind the impactful celebrity looks that have the power to shift—and also launch—trends. But it isn't just the rich and famous who hire personal stylists to literally outfit their daily ensembles. There are personal stylists for everyday individuals who want to overhaul their closets and upgrade their day-to-day looks. It can take years to cultivate your personal style, but a stylist can help hone your individual tastes and find flattering pieces that take your wardrobe to the next level. So how much do personal stylists cost? The price of a personal stylist is influenced by a range of variables, including the types of services offered and even the zip code.

New York City–based personal stylist Valerie Halfon of Shop With Val offers affordable personal shopping services, starting at $395 for a three-hour in-home closet consultation ($115 for every hour after) and a wardrobe update for $460. Halfon's most popular option is a package that includes a closet consultation, two seasonal updates, and a home visit for $1335. With packages, clients often pay more money upfront but end up paying less in total than they would with an hourly fee. Packages can be wise for those in need of a complete closet overhaul versus a one-time service.

On Thumbtack.com, the average cost of a wardrobe consultant ranges anywhere from $25 to $120 an hour, depending on the zip code. Large cities like New York and Los Angeles have higher hourly costs on average—upward of $100 dollars—while smaller cities have stylists charging less than a hundred dollars an hour. One of the biggest factors that influences the fee of a personal stylist or wardrobe consultant is their level of experience and client list. Personal stylists with more experience and a larger Rolodex of clients can charge $350 or more an hour.

You should think of personal stylists as an investment. Many individuals never wear the majority of the clothes they own—repeating the same pieces again and again and essentially wasting their hard-earned money on the items that hang untouched in their closet. A personal stylist will help you streamline your shopping strategy, develop your personal style, and maximize the potential of every piece you own.

Next up: I've Been a Stylist for 15 Years—Here Are the 11 Brands I Can't Get Enough of RN

This story was originally published on September 9, 2017, and has since been updated.