The Wardrobe Shrink

Mirror, mirror on the wall, does your reflection say it all? Rarely, says Sarah Whittaker, a London native who now lives in Savannah, Georgia. Whittaker started her image-consulting company, Insideout Profiling, to help people respond to the perennial question "What do I wear?" by attempting to answer an even bigger one: "Who am I?" Drawing on years of marketing experience and a keen sense of style, Whittaker digs deep into closets and histories. She uses in-depth phone and Internet consultations to assign her clients an "image type" and suggest ways to sartorially accentuate its strengths, from general guidelines to specific accessories. The result, she claims, is a blueprint for style that resonates with the person within.

PT:You said your clients become magnets for the kind of attention they've always wanted. How?

SW: It's like getting a product on the shelf and getting the exact right packaging. People want to go up and grab it. I help people give themselves the right labels.

What's one image type?

The Parisienne is feminine and curvy, and there is a saucy undertone. I recommend mixing sexy French artisan touches with lightweight delicate fabrics and a touch of naughtiness, like a slit in the skirt.

Is "wardrobe shrink" a good description for what you do?

Having an image isn't necessarily about power dressing, it's about being yourself. When you're talking about someone's image, it's a lot more than just a style. It's how they see themselves. But what they're seeing isn't always their true reflection. It's a composite of their beliefs staring back at them.

Where do the beliefs come from?

I have clients come to me saying, "Oh, I was always chunky when I was younger," and I'll say, "Well, who told you that?" And they'd have to think back. "Well, my mum told me that."

When is it a good time to get an image profile?

There are points in life when we question our image and our style—when we're looking for a new job or promotion, when we're looking for a partner, or after pregnancy.

What drives people to work with you?

One client is a sweet woman with a lovely little figure. Her husband called me because she goes through such torture when she tries to get ready. He saw that it was really affecting her, so he rang me and said, "Look, I really want her to feel better about herself." It was really delightful.

Any favorite "aha!" moments?

A client recently told me that people now look her in the eye. They didn't do this before, and she feels confident enough to look them in the eye, too.

Do you have a favorite piece of clothing?

My wedding dress had bright aqua and pink butterflies on it in the shape of the British flag. It was so me.

How has the move to Savannah affected your image?

I'm determined not to change.