At casual gatherings, I’m often introduced as, “She does fashion.” While I appreciate being perceived as a fashionista, my personality is somewhat distant from being fashion-forward—though, let’s be honest, who doesn’t enjoy a trendy piece from time to time? Styling, as a field, is divided into two main branches: personal styling and fashion styling. While they share roots, they focus on different purposes and bring unique benefits to your life. Let’s explore what sets them apart and where they converge.

What Is Personal Styling and Who Is It For?

Personal styling is about you. It’s designed to help real people discover their personal style, build a wardrobe that reflects their lifestyle, and find clothing that fits and flatters their body while projecting the image they want. If you’ve ever:

• Felt overwhelmed standing in front of your closet, unsure of what to wear.

• Struggled to dress for an important event or a new phase in your life.

• Wanted a wardrobe that makes you feel confident and authentic every day…

Then personal styling may be the solution you’re looking for. Whether you’re a busy professional, a stay-at-home parent, or someone who just wants a refresh, a personal stylist will work one-on-one with you to create a style that feels effortless and empowering.

What Is Fashion Styling and How Does It Impact You?

Fashion styling is more about the industry. It focuses on creating bold, artistic looks for photoshoots, runway shows, red carpet events, and advertisements. While you might not work directly with a fashion stylist, their work heavily influences the trends and inspiration you see in magazines, movies, and on social media.

If you’ve ever admired a celebrity’s red-carpet look or been inspired by an editorial spread in a magazine, that’s the work of a fashion stylist. Their job is to make clothing tell a story, often pushing the boundaries of creativity and trends.

How Do Personal and Fashion Styling Connect?

While they serve different purposes, both personal and fashion styling influence the way we experience style:

• Fashion styling inspires: It sets the trends, introduces new ideas, and sparks creativity.

• Personal styling applies: It takes inspiration from trends and translates them into practical, wearable looks that suit your everyday life.

Think of it this way: what you see on the runway or in a magazine might be exciting but not always realistic for daily wear. A personal stylist helps adapt that inspiration to fit your unique personality and needs.

Note:

Although trendy style is considered one of the personalities within personal styling, it serves as the bridge that connects fashion styling and personal styling. This is because a trendy person is likely to incorporate a higher percentage of fashion trends into their personal life, blending the creativity of fashion with their individuality.

How to Decide Which Styling Approach Matters to You

Ask yourself:

• Do you need help finding what suits you, defining your predominant style personality (when building outfits), organizing your wardrobe, or shopping more effectively? → A personal stylist is your best choice.

• Are you a celebrity or influencer, a fashion brand or designer, a creative director, a photographer, or a model? → A fashion stylist is the one who can help you achieve your goals.

The great thing is that both branches enrich the way we engage with style. While fashion styling sets the tone for creativity and trends, personal styling ensures you can bring that energy into your daily life in a way that feels authentic to you.

Closing Thoughts

Styling isn’t just about clothes—it’s about how you express yourself and connect with the world. Whether you’re looking for personal guidance to refine your wardrobe or you’re inspired by the artistic vision of the fashion world, both personal styling and fashion styling have something to offer. At the end of the day, it’s all about finding what works best for you.

Marcela Londono