Personal Stylist Lisa Gillbe talks changing career, wardrobe must have's, pet hates and dressing politicians.

Lisa Gillbe is a personal stylist based in London. She helps senior professionals, many from the Corporate world, to get a wardrobe that works for their personal style and lifestyle. She has run her own styling consultancy since 2010, styled hundreds of people including politicians, TV personalities and top executives across all professional industries. She is also the host of a global chart-topping podcast about style and fashion ‘The Style Stories Podcast.’ 

Q. How did you get into fashion and styling and when did you decide to focus on personal styling as opposed to working on editorial shoots? 

I’ve never worked in editorial, it’s not a path I’ve ever explored and have always been a personal stylist.

I started out in retail many moons ago, then made a switch to corporate and worked in banks for a decade before having the idea for my styling business. I could see that the senior people I was working with in Banking didn’t have the time to shop for clothes and pull together a great wardrobe. Hardly anyone in London at that time was doing personal styling, previously it had been more of a thing for celebrities but over In America, it was becoming popular for time-poor executives so I thought this was a great opportunity. I was really unhappy in banking, to say I wasn’t suited to that life is an understatement! I wanted to run my own business, help people and use my creative skills so I retrained at that point at London College of Fashion. I then worked for free for a whole year to build up my ‘real life’ experience. I set up Lisa Gillbe Style Consultancy 15 years ago now and since then have styled hundreds of men and women including lots of executives but also TV personalities, Radio DJs and Politicians. 

Q. From a stylist's perspective, what would you say are wardrobe essentials / must haves. 

Blazers! Jackets of any kind, I always say if you have jackets, you have outfits. Adding a jacket, or a shawl or a cardigan even creates an outfit and acts as a finishing touch. You can be wearing joggers and a hoodie but add a nice jacket and you instantly look more pulled together and elevated.

Smart elevated blouses or shirts always add polish in my opinion. I might be wearing jeans one day but if I want to feel a bit more polished, I’ll add a nice silk blouse or something interesting with a statement sleeve to make the look more interesting. 

Accessories are essential. Layered gold necklaces or classic gold or silver hoops will add interest and jewellery can add so much personality to an outfit. A really stylish leather tote also finishes things off. I’ve seen people in a great outfit carrying a scruffy rucksack and it just kills the vibe. 

A great coat. We all need practical, weather-proof coats but it’s great to have a smart wool coat. It really helps you make an entrance or a dramatic exit when you need to. If you turn up to an event or a work meeting for example with a really stylish wool coat and a smart leather tote bag you’ve already won. You look stylish and pulled together and in the winter, the smart wool coat IS the outfit when you’re out and about. 

It also pays to pay attention to footwear. Most if us have ditched the stiletto and heels in general so good chunky boots, nice trainers that aren’t worn out and some interesting flats, maybe Mary Janes or something metallic are a wardrobe staple for me. 

Q. Tell us how the skill set for a personal stylist is different and lessons you have learned on the job. 

I curate entire wardrobes and style people for every event in their daily life working with people of all ages, heights, shapes and sizes. Editorial and commercial styling is styling for brands to tell a story for that brand and whilst it definitely involves working with people of all ages, heights, shapes and sizes, the main difference is, editorial is storytelling for a brand and personal styling is styling an individual for their day-to-day life. 

I have learned that even if two people are the same on paper, same height, weight, shape etc… they won’t necessarily suit the same dress. Knowing your Personal style is far more important than following ‘rules’ about what you should wear if you are a certain shape or whatever. Personal style is a vibe, it’s how people wear things. Over the years I have made sure I get the vibe of someone and get clear on their personal style before I even set foot in a shop to find clothes for them. It’s a very personal approach. 

Q.  What if any trends do you find yourself being drawn to, or do you not follow trends? 

I don’t follow trends but I like to look up-to-date so I pay attention to cuts of clothes. At the moment I’m wearing a lot of wide leg trousers and wide jeans for example and I wouldn’t wear skinny jeans because they feel dated. I don’t like to look the same as everyone else and would not be one to jump on a trend. For example last Christmas everyone was wearing silver trousers, I like them and think they look great but because it’s a trend, I won’t wear it myself, just admire it on others. Personal style is about refining not adding lots more things to the wardrobe and getting distracted by trends.   I feel like I know what my style is and I stick to it. 

Q. Most worn item in your wardrobe. 

Has to be my jeans and slip skirts. Both things I could never be without and I have a selection of each!

Q. Any tips for a DIY wardrobe sort out?

People hang on to clothes they don’t need or wear because they often feel guilty about getting rid of things that cost money. It’s common to make up reasons to hang on to clothes you no longer wear but my advice is to have a brutal clear out at least once a year! Set time aside, try everything on and see how you feel in the item - if you put it on and feel a bit rubbish i it, put it in a bin bag. Are you really ever going to wear it again? Also, try not to hang onto clothes that no longer fit you. 

Unworn clothes are only clutter and it makes it much harder to see what you actually need and makes it harder to pull outfits together. 

Lots of wardrobes are like time capsules, frozen in time. Ask yourself if the clothes you are hanging onto but not wearing represent a past version of you. Get rid of as much clutter as you can, it’s really energising and refreshing. 

Q. Fashion pet hates 

A pet hate is seeing people in a good outfit wearing really crappy trainers that are dirty and sometimes muddy. Or just very worn-out shoes. I see this A LOT getting on the tube to and from work. 

I know they are on trend but I HATE Crocs with a passion. Maybe I have a thing with shoes in general?They are so ugly and not chic or stylish in any way. Keep those for gardening! 

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