Some of us wanted better words for what we do. Words that made sense to the glasses-wearing public, who often still think having the job title of dispensing optician means you do the eye test. We wanted words that felt more aligned with our passion for aesthetics, not just function. So, we came up with these: eyewear stylist, eyewear styling and style consultations.
And I love them.
They communicate exactly what I want them to, and they help customers understand the experience they’re walking into. They’ve seen a wardrobe stylist before, so this isn’t that different.
But here’s my one caveat (okay, bugbear). All too often, the words are used, but they don’t match the brand, the surroundings, the presentation or the frames on display.
If you’re going to talk the talk, those words need to show up everywhere. Everything about you should scream ‘style’. From your window display, your website and socials, to the interior of your practice. Most importantly, however, in you. Because ‘style’ isn’t just a line in your Instagram bio. It must live in how you speak, how you dress and in the energy you bring to a consultation.
And no, it’s not about fashion, because that’s fleeting. It’s not about designer brands either. That can be superficial. It’s about cultivating something deeper. Something that belongs to you. Style is about identity, not outfits.
If you haven’t found your style yet, start there. Because if your look and language don’t line up, it’s a disconnect. And customers feel it, even if they can’t put it into words. They’ll trust you when they can see that you know who you are. They’ll trust you when they feel seen before anything is ever sold.
And let’s be clear, this isn’t about making people look like you. That’s not styling, that’s cloning. Your bold-and-bright look might be someone else’s idea of a nightmare. So, make space for that conversation. Be the kind of stylist who helps people uncover their style, even if it’s completely different from yours.
Because that’s the difference between styling and selling. Styling makes people feel safe, seen and excited. Selling does not. And styling doesn’t start with glasses, it starts with you. How can you help someone find their personal style, if you haven’t actually explored your own?
If you’re not sure where to begin, there are a few places to start.
Top Tips for Finding Your Personal Style
1 Look in your wardrobe—not just at it
What are the pieces you wear again and again? Why? Comfort? Colour? Confidence? Start there.
2 Pin it. Scrap it. Mood board it
Whether it’s Pinterest or old-school magazines, pull together images of people whose style speaks to you. Whose style do you admire? What’s the through-line, the things that tie these icons together? What words are you using to describe their style?
3 Forget the trends
Trends can be fun, but style is what’s left when the trend fades. Look for the shapes, tones and textures that always feel like ‘you’.
4 Dress for how you want to feel
Confident? Creative? Calm? Choose pieces ¬ eyewear included ¬ that get you closer to that feeling. It’s fine to vary this day by day.
5 Try things on — literally and figuratively
Go bold for a day. Pair something unexpected. You don’t have to commit forever, but you won’t find your style unless you explore. Try loading your wardrobe into the free app Indyx and playing with outfit combinations.
6 Ask someone you trust.
Sometimes, we need a mirror with a voice. What do they notice about how you show up? How would they describe your style? We want customers to see us as the eyewear styling expert, so why not approach a wardrobe styling expert to help you understand and develop your style. This pays dividends in the long run.
Finding your own style is the groundwork for every styling consultation that follows. It’s what makes the words on your website ring true, what turns a passing browser into a loyal and returning customer. When it comes to styling, it’s not just about how you frame faces, it’s about how you frame yourself. It’s understanding that style isn’t really about the clothes, or even the glasses; it’s about who you become in them.
- Rebecca Thompson is a dispensing optician, eyewear stylist and owner of Eyestyle Studio.
