Fabrics are the principal element of styling and fashion. Choosing the right fabric will make a difference in any look. Picking suitable items for every client and combining them correctly is an essential part of every stylist’s job. Having the right fabrics for wardrobe really elevates the quality of the total style. The design may be good, but if the fabrics are low quality and inappropriate, the entire wardrobe looks off. Read carefully STYiLES’ 5 tips for image consultants to choose the best fabric for their clients. STYiLES app provides solutions for image consultants and personal shoppers.
On the other hand, there is a large quantity and variety of fabrics on the market. That can make image consultants get lost when selecting the most convenient textures and qualities. The colors and textures are usually the first thing that catches the eye, but that is only one element of the fabric in question. How the fabric will feel when being worn, how it will adapt to the client’s body or how it will drape are just as important as the color and texture of the fabric. Choosing a fabric is something that requires knowledge of some aspects that stylists have to look at, and those are the ones that STYiLES is explaining to you.
HOW TO PROPERLY CHOOSE FABRIC FOR EACH CLIENT
Fabrics should be chosen based on what kind of wardrobe the image consultants and personal shopper/stylists are building for their clients. Fabrics with shine works well with special occasions like weddings or formal events. For other occasions, stylists should keep in with matte finish fabrics. STYiLES classifies the fabrics in:
1. Formal
Wool/Silk 120-150 thread counts for smooth fitting which flatters the body shape.
2. Casual
Wool/Cotton for colder weather, Cotton/Linen for warmer weather.
3. Leisure
Cotton based fabrics works well with leisurewear such as loungewear. Comfortable fitting with a bit of elastic works well.
4. Essentials
Cotton works well for t-shirts, shirts and trousers. It allows mix and match looks with other fabrics like wool, silk and linen.
Image consultants must know that choosing the fabric of the clothing and accessories for every client is the first step to create a right outfit which suits that specific person. Like all processes in the fashion industry, this one also requires research. STYiLES app provides the best quality of fabrics. The choice of the fabric must be made carefully based on various factors: the time of year for which you want to use the garment, its quality, its texture, its use or if the outfit is going to be more sporty or elegant.
Clothing and accessories are totally different depending on the fabric that they have been made of. For this reason, once the fabric has been identified, the image consultant has to make sure that the fabric is a good quality one. In general, this is not within the stylists’ reach because most of the garments that they acquire are already made. However, this allows them to determine if the clothing and accessories they choose are of good quality or if they are only an imitation.
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT FABRIC
1. The shape and texture of the fabric
It is relevant for the image consultant to analyze how the will adapt to the client’s body once he/she has it on and if the texture is suitable and high-quality. Some fabrics are heavy and have a straight drape, while others are lighter and have a more natural drape. The clothing that the stylist has in mind and the type of body that the client has are some of the factors that will make image consultants decide the type of fabric they should select for every client.
2. The width of the fabric
This is a fairly technical aspect of weaving, and yet one of the easiest to understand. Image consultants must take the exact measurements of their clients’ bodies to know what size the clothing and accessories will need to have by measuring the width of the fabric. Like that, the stylist will also be able to order custom-tailored clothes for their clients that will suit them perfectly.
3. The colors
Knowing what exact color a fabric has can be difficult at times because it depends on the light conditions in which it is seen. The best way to avoid errors is to carefully examine the color always under natural light and see its brightness. Another thing image consultants can do is imagining how that color will look in contrast to the person’s skin color, and then making a decision.
These are two of the best ways to choose the color of the fabric that you need. Keep in mind that colors look different on diverse types of skins and body shapes, and the effect they create is distinct, too. The image consultant will have enough knowledge to select the colors that will suit every person best.
4. The elasticity of the fabric
Each kind of fabric has a different level of elasticity. This aspect is relevant when choosing an item or another because it will adapt to the client’s body in a different way and make the person look better or worse. A stylist must know exactly how stretchy a fabric is, and to do this it is best to pinch the fabric at two ends and pull until it is taut.
5. The materials
Some professionals like to use natural fabrics like cotton and linen, rather than artificial fabric. It is true that natural fabric breathes better and is cooler for the summer. It is also important to always follow the instructions to wash each fabric and to know if it is more appropriate to be used daily or only occasionally.
Image consultants must also consider that there are fabrics that are more difficult to combine and wear. Some of the more complicated materials may be wool, velvet or chiffon and silk. If a stylist does not have much experience, it is best to start with easier fabric like cotton or denim and work their way up.
Download the STYiLES app now to get more information on how to select the best fabric for your clients. If you are an image consultant or stylist who has more questions about STYiLES, feel free to contact us anytime at styiles@styiles.darellgensaya.com.
