A Stylish Surprise: Inside a Gifted Personal Shopping Experience

One of the things I love most about my work as a visual image consultant is the way it allows me to be part of meaningful, confidence-building moments in people’s lives. Recently, I completed a personal shopping project that began with such a thoughtful gesture—a client reached out because they wanted to gift a style session to their friend. Their goal was to provide their friend with the opportunity to work with a stylist who could help them curate a wardrobe that made them feel confident, seen, and truly great in their clothes. That intention set the tone for a truly special styling experience.

"Helping someone feel seen is one of the most powerful gifts we can give.”

Step 1: Style Discovery

We started with a style questionnaire and a conversation. I wanted to understand the recipient’s lifestyle, personality, and how they wanted to feel in their clothes. We talked about image as more than just fashion—it’s a form of communication, empowerment, and alignment with your personal identity. This process helped me uncover what was missing from their current wardrobe and what types of pieces would help them step into the next version of themselves.

Step 2: Curated Shopping

From there, I did a deep dive into sourcing the perfect pieces. I looked for clothing that complemented their shape, color preferences, daily routine, and—most importantly—their style goals. I sent a mood board with curated looks with outfit suggestions, a mix of staples and statement pieces, and a few wildcard options that could elevate their existing wardrobe. It is always important to me to provide pieces that will allow for mixing and matching of pieces to create looks outside of the original pairing.

Step 3: Fit + Feedback

For this particular recipient, we did run in the problem of sizing not being available in store. For this reason, we had to order our pieces online and wait for them to arrive before we could meet to do a fitting. Once the pieces did arrived, we met in person to review the pieces and try everything on. I offered guidance on outfit creation with our pieces, what to keep, what to exchange, and how to mix and match new items with what they already owned. We built simple outfit formulas that could be reused and restyled for work, events, and everyday confidence.

The Best Part?

Seeing their face light up when they put on a look that felt just right. There’s something powerful about having someone say, “I feel like myself—but elevated.” That moment of connection between style and self-worth is what makes this work so rewarding.

This wasn’t just a shopping trip—it was an act of care and empowerment. And for the client who gifted the session, it was a beautiful reminder that confidence can be shared.

Style isn’t about having a closet full of clothes—it’s about feeling like your best self in what you choose to wear. That’s the kind of transformation that lasts far beyond a fitting room.

Thinking about gifting a style session to someone you care about—or maybe even yourself? Let’s create a style experience they’ll never forget.. Whether it’s a special milestone, a personal refresh, or just the desire to feel good in your clothes again, I’m here to help guide the way.

Contact me to learn more - biancadesmith@gmail.com or message me at thevisualaesthetic.com

With Style and Grace,

-Bianca