Our remote services aren’t a new development, but have always operated alongside our in-person services. For the last four years, we have had a process to work with clients in other parts of the country. Although we continued to  fine-tune and improve these services as we do our in-person services,  we didn’t actively market them to our local clients. Enter the current state of affairs and boy am I glad we have these  processes in place. I didn’t have to develop and test and launch new services to be able to work with my local clients. I could focus on educating them on how the steps to get to where they needed to be with their style and wardrobe would be different than the in-person work, but the results would be 100 percent the same. I thought it would be helpful to feature several of our recent remote clients who have completed the Closet Audit step of our signature Remote Wardrobe Makeover to show how the results and feedback are exactly the same as our in-person clients.

Client 1: “Anna,” New York City, New York

“Anna” is a young professional living and working in New York, City. She completed her remote Closet Audit a couple of weeks ago. We are starting the shopping portion of the process next week.

What was the impetus for contacting DC Style Factory? Why a personal stylist?

I had been following DC Style Factory for a while and I liked how the stylists dressed their clients professionally yet chic. I needed help letting go of pieces that no longer serve my current lifestyle and breathing life into pieces I already have. After starting a new job, I was so busy and essentially just purchased clothes based on what everyone else was wearing at work, which didn’t really suit my personal style.

What was the primary frustration with your wardrobe and closet space? 

After moving to New York, I realized  how I took for granted how big my former closet was! The closet I currently have could barely hold what used to be in my closet and it also had to serve as storage space. I couldn’t see what I had, all shoes were in boxes and summer clothes in plastic bins. 

 What surprised you most about the remote closet audit process itself? 

I realized I have been a slave to fast fashion and I held on to things that were only good for a season. The actual process was very liberating once I committed to letting go. 

What were the biggest lessons/takeaways from the audit?

I don’t need variety, I need solid staples. This way,  If I want to wear a loud pair of pants or shoes, I can pair it with neutral items. 

Since the audit, how has your approach to your style/wardrobe changed?

Since all the clutter is gone, I can see everything in my closet: tops, blazers, bottoms, shoes, etc. It is no longer claustrophobic <in there> and I can get to everything easily. It makes getting dressed so much easier. 

Client 2: Joy, Washington, D.C.

Joy works for the government and lives in Washington, D.C. Her goal is to create a streamlined capsule wardrobe of cool, functional, modern pieces. Initially Joy had planned to work with our team in person, but transitioned to remote services in April. We also will be embarking on remote shopping this coming May.

What was the primary frustration with your wardrobe and closet space? 

I recently pared down my closet but still struggled with wearing things from my closet. My current closet space is limited so I stored many clothing items in my dresser.

What surprised you most about the remote closet audit process itself? 

The process was simple.  I received clear instructions on the closet audit. Technology allowed me to easily communicate with Rosana and her team.  I was able to upload photos and ask questions with quick feedback.

What were the biggest lessons/takeaways from the audit?

The biggest takeaway was Rosana’s system of closet organization. She completely transformed my limited closet space by restructuring and organizing my closet space so I can see all my clothes and shoes at once.  I used to keep all my shirts and jeans in my dresser.  Now they are hanging in my closet.  If you don’t see it, you don’t know it’s there.  Her system of clothing placement from hanging tops to folding sweaters and shoe organization had completely transformed my limited space.  Now I see what I have and it is so much easier to pick the clothes I need to wear for the day.

Client 3: Cheri, Las Vegas, Nevada

Cheri is an attorney in Las Vegas and we completed our three-step Wardrobe Makeover package with her in early spring. Her goal was to figure out why she was in a style rut when she had a closet full of clothes.

What was the impetus for contacting DC Style Factory? Why a personal stylist?

I contacted DC Style Factory because I follow you on Instagram and really liked the work that you have done with other clients. I’ve never felt like you were trying to change anyone’s style to make them fit into a style box or had gone so far outside of their comfort zone that they end up with clothes that do not fit their lifestyle. I liked that the clients that you post are not all the same and have different tastes, styles and lifestyles, but yet all of the outfits are very wearable. I have seen other clients on your IG and said “That is such a cute outfit, I would wear that” or “Hey, I have the component parts of that outfit, but never thought to put them together like that.” Once I said it to myself enough times, it was time to pull the trigger. It was important to hire someone who could take the time to get to know me and my style, lifestyle, etc. to help me put a cohesive and usable wardrobe together instead of just buying entire outfits that I never wear. 

 What was the primary frustration with your wardrobe and closet space? 

My biggest frustration was the typical so-many-clothes-and-nothing-to-wear theory. I had a ton of clothes and literally reached for the same ones every time. I also wanted help with putting complete outfits together so I would look put together instead of looking like I just threw on some clothes.

What surprised you most about the remote closet audit process itself?  

How many pairs of black pants I owned! Just kidding. I really enjoyed the closet audit process. It made me look at every single thing in my closet and really decide whether it was something I liked, loved, or could live without. Even after doing that, I did a small second round because there were things that I initially said I loved that didn’t fit my lifestyle… and I never wore them. Having the spreadsheet as a guide to essentials was helpful before I started really going piece by piece through my closet. I was surprised by how happy I was when it was done and everything was organized. I actually enjoy walking into my closet now and no longer feel overwhelmed. 

What were the biggest lessons/takeaways from the audit? 

1) Stop buying clothes just to have new clothes.

2) Really look at what you have before you buy anything new.

4) Don’t buy anything until you have figured out how many things in your wardrobe it can be worn with.

5) Having clothes organized by type, sleeve length and color really does wonders. It not only makes my closet look cool, but has made getting dressed in the morning so much easier. You know exactly where to go if you need a short sleeve or sleeveless top for hot weather or something specific for a different event that day (i.e. regular day at the office, going to a meeting, going to court, summer/weekend clothes).

Since the audit, how has your approach to your style/wardrobe changed?

I delete all of the “sale” emails I get from retailers without even opening them because I don’t really need anything and I no longer buy clothes just to have something new. 

Client 4: Beverly, Columbus, Ohio

Beverly and I have been pals on Instagram from quite some time, and I have always loved her non-nonsense chic style - particularly for the office. I must admit I was surprised when she contacted me for remote services! But, she’s not the first fashion blogger that I have worked with so I was familiar with some of the frustrations that can come when your business is presenting the newness of fashion on a regular basis.

What was the impetus for contacting DC Style Factory? Why a personal stylist?

I had been following DC Style Factory on Instagram and loved some of the tips shared. I was finding myself in a slump with never having anything to wear and struggling with dinner out on a whim because I was living in old nightgowns after work. I also felt like I didn’t truly know what my personal style was and needed help with defining my true personal style outside of being a fashion blogger. 

 What was the primary frustration with your wardrobe and closet space?

For me, it was how I was stopping my family from getting out and enjoying evenings out because I would already be in old night gowns after work. 

 What surprised you most about the remote closet audit process itself?

Even though it was remote, Rosana made it seem like she was here with me. I was a little concerned with actually doing the work after paying for the service but I loved how she kept me accountable. She wanted to see the progress I had made and we talked through the process. She helped me edit my shoes in under 10 minutes. I was impressed. 

 What were the biggest lessons/takeaways from the audit?

To stop and think about my purchases. One of the questions that she asked me about all the sweaters and blazers that I owned was, “Do you wear all these things or are you collecting things?” It really made me stop and think of my collection. I was becoming a collector of things that I never would wear. I now ask myself if I truly need something and also think of three ways I would style something <before I purchase>.

Since the audit, how has your approach to your style/wardrobe changed?

If I find myself second-guessing a purchase and trying to convince myself on why I should keep something, I quickly send it back. I don’t find myself buying things just because they are on sale anymore, which is a huge win for me.