What you think stylists wear versus what they actually wear
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WORDS BY EMILY HOLGATE
“The set-up is rarely an easy job physically, but when you see the final images it’s worth it.”
When you think of a fashion stylist, your mind might turn conjure a scene from The Devil Wears Prada. Perhaps someone draped in an innovative ensemble, sporting a razor-sharp step cut and heels that make that euphonious ‘click clack’ sound as they saunter through the backstage of a runway.
On the contrary, Australian Style Institute stylist Juvelle Behrendorff tells Fashion Journal that there are many misconceptions surrounding the day-to-day of her job – including a stylist’s own sartorial choices. When you’re flitting between multiple locations, lugging heavy suitcases full of clothing, and being on your feet 24/7, comfort is key.
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A stylist’s job is to help create the aspirational, glamorous images that appear on your Instagram feed or in the glossy pages of magazines. While the end result might look polished, stylists will often ensure their outfits are comfortable and easy to move around in (but still chic, of course).
Below, Juvelle takes us through some common fashion misconceptions in the styling industry, and shares what she actually wears on set to get the best job done.
Footwear
Just like any other industry that requires you to work on your feet (hospitality, personal training, retail), stylists require footwear that will provide all-day comfort and support their precious soles. Even more so if they want to change into heels after work for a glitzy event.
The work of a stylist is rarely glamorous, Juvelle tells me. “It involves lots of time driving and walking around sourcing the right clothing and accessories, lugging around clothing racks and suitcases, standing on my feet during fittings or on a photoshoot set. And I hate to say it – it’s a sweaty job so comfort is key.”
She says a good quality sneaker is the most important aspect of her working wardrobe. Although she prefers a cushy pair of sneakers over heels on set, she still tries to complement them to her look, “I’m a stylist, of course I still want to wear a great outfit!” she says.
Instead of boots or heels, Juvelle opts for the Asics GEL-Kinetic Fluent – an understated choice that’s seen her through 10-hour shoots and ‘sourcing days’ that involve carrying heavy garment bags up many flights of stairs.
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“I remember last year, I had a photoshoot in a gorgeous old theatre. The location was stunning, however parking wasn’t close by and I ended up having to not only roll my three racks of clothing a fair distance, but also navigate them down several flights of narrow, uneven old wooden stairs,” she recalls. “The set-up is rarely an easy job physically, but when you see the final images it’s worth it.”
The Asics sneaker is inspired by previous iterations of the brand’s running shoes released in the 2010s, featuring a split midsole, eco cushioning, and 3D GEL technology that creates better shock absorption for ultimate support. “It has this great retro-looking shape and a chunky sole that lends a sporty edge to my outfits,” Juvelle notes.
Clothing
When it comes to the rest of her outfit, Juvelle leans into her “tomboy-ish” style.
She says the assumption that stylists dress in head-to-toe designer couldn’t be further from the truth. She finds most stylists are comfortable in their personal style and enjoy experimenting with it, regardless of what’s trending.
“I like to wear tailored pieces like collared shirts, trousers, suits, oversized tees and structured blazers,” Juvelle explains when I ask about her wardrobe staples. “I stay true to my style even when I am working and I tend to favour pants over skirts and dresses. Pants enable me to move freely and comfortably, especially when I need to bend over or get down at ground level.”
And despite those who might think of double denim as a sartorial crime, the stylist says the Canadian tuxedo is on regular rotation. “Double denim is a go-to work outfit for me. It never fails to look good and denim is a hardy material so it won’t get damaged easily when I am lugging around all my gear and racks of clothes.”
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Hair
It’s easy to assume that someone with a knack for styling would be a natural when it comes to adjacent skills like hair and makeup. But Juvelle admits her hair skills are “very limited”.
“Putting together a great outfit? Not a problem. Curling my hair? Not a chance,” she laughs.
As someone who’s often on the go, Juvelle prefers having her hair out of her face at work. “I want to be able to focus on the job and not constantly be pushing my hair out of my face,” she explains. “Some may call it lazy, I call it practical.”
As we all know, hair sometimes doesn’t play nice when you’re rushing out the door to work. In those moments, Juvelle says she simply dons a cap and calls it day, leaning into her sporty style. “I love the contrast of pairing a sports cap with something unexpected like a suit or structured blazer,” she adds.
Accessories
Ask any stylist and they’ll agree, that accessories are without a doubt, the secret ingredient to levelling up any outfit. The pinch of salt or dash of chilli of the fashion world, if you will.
But unlike some styling videos you might see on social media, where creators share accessorising tips to elevate a basic ensemble, maximalist pieces like rings and bangles, don’t quite hold up on the grounds of a fashion show or shoot.
“I’ll admit I’m rarely seen without earrings, even if it’s just a simple gold hoop, or at least a necklace or two,” Juvelle says. “However, I don’t wear rings when I’m styling – I’m always conscious of the garments and fabrics I’m working with and rings can easily snag delicate fabrics, so rather than risk damage I tend to avoid wearing them at work instead.”
That doesn’t mean she won’t look for other ways to safely accessorise on the job. A great pair of sunglasses will often complete her uniform of tailored, masculine clothes, comfy sneakers and a cap:“the more statement, the better,” Juvelle adds.
Discover Asics GEL-Kinetic Fluent here.
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