'I'm a personal shopper - this is your wardrobe essential and why you should pay at least £100 for it'

Sky News

17 hours ago

If you've ever spent your morning commute daydreaming about starting afresh with your career, this feature is for you. Each Monday, we speak to someone from a different profession to discover what it's really like. This week we chat to personal shopper and founder of One Of A Style Stefania Bartolomei...
Salaries can vary significantly... A freelance stylist starting out might earn £20,000-£25,000 a year, but with experience, a strong client base and the right network, that figure can grow to £100,000.
I've started working with a financial adviser who is helping me plan for the future... including setting up a private pension and contributing monthly. Until now, I hadn't prioritised it - but as a business owner, I've come to understand how important it is to take full responsibility for my retirement.
I might start my day with a wardrobe edit in a client's home... or else head to a boutique for a personal shopping session or receive clients at my office for styling consultations. Some days I work from home on admin, prep sessions or attend networking events. There's a lot happening behind the scenes - creating lookbooks, planning events and checking in with clients.
The best perks are... early previews of new collections, invitations to exclusive events and collaborations with fashion and beauty brands. I've received beautiful items and samples through partnerships, which is always a lovely surprise, though not the reason I do what I do.
I find pencil skirts and bodycon dresses difficult... They're rarely flattering for most body types and feel restrictive. As a stylist, I can't recommend them to the majority of my clients. When these styles dominate the shop floors, they limit the options available for my clients (and for me, too!).
I'd love to see a return of tailored pieces with bold personality... like the power suits of the 1980s, reimagined with modern cuts, shoulder pads and vibrant colours.
To find a style that suits you on a budget... start with the basics: understand your body shape and your colouring. When you know what suits you, you'll stop impulse buying and start shopping with purpose. Focus on versatile pieces you can style in multiple ways. Aim to build a capsule wardrobe instead of buying one-off pieces that barely get worn. Buying less but wearing more is key - strategic, intentional choices help you save money while staying stylish every day.
A wardrobe essential is... a tailored blazer. It instantly elevates any outfit (and it's very on-trend right now). A great blazer can cost anywhere between £100 and £400, but if you wear it often, it's absolutely worth investing more in quality fabric and structure. I personally wear blazers almost daily, styled with jeans, tailored trousers, leather or dresses. They're no longer reserved for office wear - they've become true wardrobe staples.
The most common mistake people make when buying clothes is... buying based on impulse or trends rather than what truly suits them and fits their lifestyle.
One thing that makes a big difference is... learn your colours. Once you know which shades enhance your natural features, every shopping decision - from clothes to accessories to make-up - becomes easier and more cohesive.
I have styled high-profile professionals, influencers and journalists... Discretion is key, so I never name names - but at the end of the day, every client wants the same thing: to feel confident and like the best version of themselves.
Personal styling originally served celebrities but... I want to help busy mums, professional women and anyone who wants to feel more confident and put-together while saving time.
Whether it is £40 or £400... if you invest in a piece that's versatile, confidence-boosting and used often, it's worth every penny. I always say: the true value of an item is how often you wear it.
I usually work around 36 to 40 hours a week... though this can increase during busy seasons like spring and autumn. Sometimes I work weekends too, but as a mum, I try to reserve weekends and holidays for family unless a weekend job is absolutely necessary.
I trained with a styling academy in London... completing an intensive one-week course in image consulting. After that, I continued my education with additional online certifications in personal styling to build confidence and reinforce my knowledge. That said, the most valuable training has come from working with real clients.
The biggest threat to my industry right now is... fast fashion and AI-generated style tools. Both can make people believe that style is quick, cheap and universal, when it's actually deeply personal and intentional.
Partnerships with brands or personal shopping arrangements... should never be the focus - the client and their needs always come first. I only take clients to brands or stores that offer a commission if, and only if, I believe they genuinely align with the client's style, budget and needs.
I don't have a fixed retirement age... Styling is both my passion and profession, so I'd love to remain involved in some capacity. My long-term vision is to evolve my business into a style academy, where I can mentor the next generation of stylists and share what I've learned.