9 fashion-forward careers for stylish ladies
Fashion doesn’t just have to be a hobby you indulge in on the weekends or during nights on the town. In fact, there are plenty of stylish people like you putting their eyes for design to work in careers that require a put-together woman (or man) in charge.
We’ve found nine examples of fields that will give you a way to put your wardrobe obsession to work for you. And, with the money you make on the job, you can keep adding to your own closet. We think that’s a win-win situation.
1. Retail:
Perhaps the most obvious choice on the list, a retail position would allow you to be surrounded by clothes all day long. You’d do more than just ring people up and clean messy dressing rooms and displays, too. Some customers might enlist you to help them put together outfits, and, as you move up the ranks, you could be responsible for creating window and in-store displays that work with seasonal trends and the store’s brand. Retail can also be a gateway to other opportunities in the fashion world — more on that below.
2. Fashion Merchandising:
Fashion merchandisers work at the balance of business and fashion. It’s their job to watch fashion and consumer trends, advising fashion houses on what to bring to the table. Fashion merchandisers might also end up managing retail shops, too, which means that prior experience on a retail floor will come in handy. A bachelor’s degree is also typical for this career, although some stores may offer training instead.
3. Buying:
What area of fashion are you most interested in? Whether it’s shoes, women’s watches, men’s suits or casual women’s wear, learn as much as you can on that subject. Only then will you possess the knowledge to become a buyer for a store, a role that allows you to say what a store will put on its shelves and how much of each piece you should have in stock. Again, a great way to forecast what buyers want and get insight into how they buy is to work on the sales floor first.
4. Fashion Journalism:
It’d be hard to write about style if you didn’t have any of your own. Luckily, you can rely on your own love of fashion to inspire the articles you write for blogs, print magazines, entertainment news channels, etc. The best way to get a position in this coveted field is by getting yourself out there, whether you’re starting your own blog or applying for internships with news houses that put out the type of pieces you want to write. Depending on what type of media you write for, you could make between £53,050 and £73,200 a year.
5. Advertising:
Another creative outlet for those interested in fashion is advertising. You could work in all different facets of fashion advertising to put your style to good use. For example, you could become an art director and put together advertising photo shoots for clothing or accessories. You could also become an ad buyer and decide the best places — magazines, billboards, online banners — to advertise for a particular brand.
6. Hairstyling:
Hairstyling is just as fashion-based as a clothes-centric job, if you think about it. After all, your hair is just as much a part of your look as your outfit and accessories. As a hairstylist, you’ll get to give your clients the trendiest styles of the year… or modern takes on classic cuts they’re more comfortable with. Either way, you’ll be imparting a bit of your fashion sense to someone else, which is exactly what you’re looking to do.
7. Home Design:
Another field that’s indirectly related to fashion, home styling requires a creative eye like yours. Of course, you’ll have to be diligent in following trends in order to keep your looks fresh and sought-after, but you should have no problems with that. You can take courses to become a home stager or earn an associate’s degree in interior design.
8. Graphic Design and Photography:
A fashionista who loves playing with colours, proportions and patterns would make a great graphic designer. A career in graphic design will typically require an associate’s or bachelor’s degree. Photographers also focus on the visual, although they have to work harder to find the colours and looks they want happening naturally. Of course, you could also become a fashion photographer, snapping pictures for magazine spreads, ads or woman-on-the-street fashion collectives.
9. Nursing:
You’re probably wondering how nursing made the list, since the uniforms they wear might seem a bit bland. However, with many pioneering scrubs designers creating fashion-forward work wear, you could have lots of fun putting your hospital-ready look together. The same goes for dental hygienists, veterinary technicians… just about anyone who has to wear something comfortable and functional to the office each day. It just goes to show that the truly fashion-forward wearer can make just about any work environment her (or his) runway.
