Costco Connection - August 2007

You are what you wear

This expert helps to reveal true personal style

Which type are you?

By Stephanie E. Ponder

LIKE MANY WOMEN I know, I start my day by staring into a closet filled with clothes and coming to the conclusion that I have nothing to wear. My only recourse is to opt for the easy choice of jeans (or corduroys), a T-shirt and a cardigan.

Hoping to put an end to my fashion dilemma, I contacted Costco member Sarah Whittaker, founder of Insideout

AMY GRIFFIN – A & K PHO TOGRAPHY

Profiling ( www.insideoutpro filing.com), a service that “helps people design a personal style that reflects the individual from the inside out.”

Whittaker, a native of England who now lives with her husband in Georgia, has been styling clients for more than 10 years. After writing about her method of dressing people psychologically, the Times of London dubbed her the “wardrobe shrink.”

“When you talk to someone about his or her style, you see that they’re influenced by their upbringing, the people around them or even fashion trends,” Whittaker tells The Connection.

While her work is done mostly one-on-one, it has also taken her to the corporate world, where she recently helped design a work wardrobe for a local bank. She says that her service frees people to “look at themselves in a new light,” helping them determine which fabrics, prints and even skirt lengths look best on them.

But Whittaker does more than just dress her clients. She also helps people by cleaning out closets and going shopping with them—in person when possible and online. Personal shopping services start at $135, while consultations begin at $175.

At the heart of Whittaker’s technique is a set of image types. Coming up with a type is based on three aspects of an individual: body shape, personality and presence.

To determine a person’s type, Whittaker begins by looking at photos of the client. These include snapshots of the client’s face, front and back silhouettes, and how he or she dresses on a typical day. From these photos she evaluates a client’s appear-

ance and the first impression she or he conveys.

Whittaker also sends out a questionnaire in which clients describe how they see themselves—by describing his or her body shape, best features, perception by others, profession, hobbies and interests.

The resulting answers and images are matched to Whittaker’s

35 Image Type System. Examples of types include Parisienne, Moon Sprite and English Rose (think Nicole Kidman, young Shirley MacLaine and Gywneth Paltrow, respectively).

After determining a person’s type, Whittaker chats with her client about the final report. The report includes color swatches, names of celebrities who share the client’s type, a blueprint of one’s personality and physical attributes, and suggested items of clothing that would best suit the individual.

My type? I’m pleased to say she pegged me as sassy: Think earth mother with a very flirty edge. I should go for bold lips and natural fibers. She even suggested that I convey authority at work while maintaining my natural qualities by wearing a jacket for “armor,” a strong heel to show my authority and chunky jewelry to signify rank.

Whittaker suggests, as she does with all clients, that I start with a capsule wardrobe that includes a pair of pants, skirt, jacket and five shirts that can be coordinated. The rest of the wardrobe can expand from those items.

Whittaker says that many of her clients seek her help because, like me, they have a closet full of clothing but nothing to wear. Others are curious to know what their type is. Some are fed up with being a slave to the fashion cycle. Others yet may have had a baby and feel they lost their sense of style.

All of her clients realize that something about their wardrobe isn’t working and turn to her to identify the problem. Whittaker says, “People often see that something isn’t right, but don’t know what it is. That’s how I can help.” C

WARDROBE SHRINK Sarah Whittaker makes a living helping clients find the right clothes to match their personalities. She works with a system of 35 image types. Although just the tip of the iceberg, here are a few traits for some of the types she has worked with.