it took me some time to build up my own styling kit to what it is today. working in the same space as other stylists and working closely with photographers, especially off figure photographers, i learned a lot of tips, tricks and tools to add to my arsenal over time. also, having problem solving skills has also lead me to come up with a few tricks of my own.
today i've decided to share some of my stylist kit essentials, for both on and off figure. there are many more items that i have in either kit but what i have pictured below is a great place to start.
here are some essentials for an on figure/fashion styling kit:
1. tailor snips- smaller and more precise than scissors these are great for snipping small threads that would be too risky to clip otherwise.
2. shoe shiner- pick them up at any shoe store (or even a dollar store) to give footwear a final polish. especially important in menswear styling.
3. scissors- goes without saying that these are an essential need in any stylist's kit.
4. sewing kit- needles, thread and stitch witch, perfect for emergencies like a popped button, a fallen hem or a tear in a side seam.
5. portable steamer- much more convenient than lugging a full size steamer with you. pros: it's small and easy to pack. cons: you have to fill it frequently but it's a small price to pay for something the size of a dustbuster.
6. iron- i don't have this with me for all jobs but it is nonetheless an essential addition to my kit. i tend to bring it with me depending on the job. for menswear, like suiting, an iron produces a much crisper result than a steamer. crispness is imperative for men's suiting.
7. lint roller- 3M's scotch lint roller is hands down my absolute favourite. i have my mother-in-law pick me up the super packs from costco where i get more for my money!
8. velour brush- for when a lint roller alone won't cut it for fabrics like velvets; this is also great for suedes or any materials that have a short pile or nap.
9. double sided tape- not all tapes are created equal. there are different strengths and there are ones where the tape is white and where the tape is clear (clear is better). perfect for taping down shirt plackets, flys on pants, necklines on low cut tops, etc.
10.static guard- very necessary for cling elimination, especially in dresses. just be cautious when spraying and keep it at a distance so that you don't stain the garment you're using it on.
11. rubber bands- may seem like an odd kit essential but they are perfect for the bundling of hangers making the carrying of garment bags a breeze.
12. alcohol wipes- use these for cleaning earrings before you hand them to your model to wear. too often i hear from girls how thankful they are that i do this for them. let's change that. let's make health and safety the norm.
13.microfibre cloth- and i don't mean those teeny tiny cloths you get when you purchase glasses. this is perfect for effortlessly cleaning fingerprints from sunglasses and any other reflective or shiny surface (belt buckles, jewelry, watches).
14 - 17.bulldog clips, safety pins and clamps- quick tailoring for anything from lightweight and delicate clothing (
bulldog clips while using felt or fabric) to clothing that needs a bit more strength to keep it together (clamps for bridal gowns). use what best works for you just make sure what you use doesn't damage clothes. for safety pins make sure to steam the clothes afterwards to remove pin marks.
other essentials not pictured:
shoe horn- which can be purchased at any shoe store or a dollar store. i have a tall one that prevents the model from having to bend to put their shoes on, which is also perfect in preventing them from wrinkling their just steamed looks.
garment bags- not all showrooms and the like have garment bags for you to take home merch in. i like to always be prepared and bring my own garment bags (and rubber bands!) every time i do a pull. i also will have clear garment bags available, from the dollar store, to put over more delicate clothing items that i don't want catching on other garment (think sequins, studs, etc).
cutlets & nipple covers- use for sheer blouses, lingerie shoots, swim shoots and bridal. it's not uncommon for lingerie and swim models to have their own but it's still good to have your own set. for bridal, often the dresses are too big for the model so cutlets come in handy for filling in the bust, especially with strapless styles. for sheer blouses where a bra is not being worn nipple covers are perfect because they often don't show in photographs. both cutlets and nipple covers are reusable but do make sure to wash them after every use after every model!
swift tag gun- sometimes when you are working with clothing on a shoot there are tags that can't just be tucked away out of camera's site and require removal. always cut the tags off (don't pull them off), keep them bundled with the hanger they came from with a safety pin (write down the tag info and a description of the clothing if you need help remembering) and always try to reattach the price tag exactly where it was originally.
carry-on suitcase- it's the perfect case for your styling kit essentials, especially if you get a carry-on from brands like
heys or
rimowa. spend the money to get one that will go the distance (and will look good when you arrive to your bookings). also, a case with 360 wheels is the easiest to manoeuvre because your kit can get heavy.
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*additional tip: because a lot of stylists have the same tools in their kits from the same brands make sure you put your name on EVERYTHING.
use sharpies and where sharpies won't work try using tape or ribbon to help identify your tools. |
here are some essentials for an off figure/still life styling kit:
1. straight pins- it's good to have a variety of sizes pins in your kit to use for different fabrics, from delicate to heavyweight. t-pins and coloured head pins are good to have also.
2 - 5. bulldog clips, safety pins and clamps- bulldog clips and clamps are handy when styling forms to clip bulky apparel, apparel that can't be pierced with pins and for belts. safety pins are great for quick pinning of fabrics where straight pins may otherwise get lost in.
6. iron- just like for fashion styling an iron is best to produce a crisp result like in menswear but also in bedding. bedsheets and pillows are to always be ironed, never steamed. another good reason to have your own iron: you never know how well a studio iron is maintained. the last thing you need to so use the steaming function only to have contaminated water or calcium buildup shoot onto your merch.
7. steamer- though i hardly have to use these for off figure bookings it's always good to have one in your kit, just in case the one in studio decides to stop working (i've had that happen).
8. table top ironing board- convenient enough to set up anywhere. since this is not small enough to fit in any kits completely (at least not without the top sticking out) i often will check with studios/clients if an ironing board will be present before i bring my own.
10. wooden skewers- used for a multitude of purposes when styling. basically used for propping up details that won't stay up on their own. use a tool like wire cutters to get the length needed for the task (using wire cutters saves your scissors from getting dull from trying to cut wood).
11. microfibre cloth- great for cleaning off reflective or shiny surfaces like watches, sunglasses, glasses and jewelry.
12. alcohol wipes- these are great for removing oily or greasy residue, like fingerprints, from hard surfaces.
13. lighter- i know it seems like an odd item to have in your kit but when you're working with ribbon (like for gift wrap) and the edges get a bit gnarly, make a clean cut with some sharp scissors and run a flame quickly over the just cut end to melt it ever so slightly. this will prevent it from fraying again and leaves you with a clean edge.
14 & 15. snips and scissors- these essentials need no explanation.
16. shoe shiner- doesn't have to be used on shoes only. it's also great on any leather goods that need a little moisture before photographing.
17. exacto knife- great for slicing up pieces of foam core, styrofoam or foam insulation board which is often used in off figure styling.
18. double sided tape- this is really just one of many kinds of tape a stylist should have in their kit. not pictured, you should also have masking tape, foil tape and something i refer to as "snot" tape. at one point or another you will need them.
19 & 20. lint roller and velour brush- mandatory staples for your kit. i'll say it again: 3M scotch lint roller is the best. and the velour brush, not only can you use it on velvets but use it to brush the nap or pile in one direction for short furs, suedes or even corduroy.
additional essentials not pictured:
felt, flannel- in white. felt and flannel are often used to line clothing in still life styling. though studios would likely have a supply of these it doesn't hurt to have about 2 yards in your kit just in case.
tissue paper- in white but black is a good colour to have also. used for stuffing accessories like hats, shoes (black tissue if the lining is black) or bags. just like felt, most studios would have tissue paper or something similar for use but it's always good to be prepared.
clear plastic bags- another clothing lining alternative. use either dry cleaning bags or clear recycling bags (which you can get at dollar stores too).
carry-on or small suitcase- all the above pictured items (but not including the ironing board), plus the additional essentials, and more, can fit in a carry-on case. get one that has storage compartments to better sort and separate your tools and materials. depending on how thorough your kit is, going up one size to a small suitcase (26" to 30") will often fit everything and the kitchen sink.
