Yvette, you bravely took on the job of sorting out (GXYSearch Director) Mel’s wardrobe. What did her wardrobe say about her?

She’s a very casual, chilled-out person with a sense of fun.

Well, nothing says fun like a dozen fake fur gillets! What is the scariest thing you’ve found in a client’s wardrobe?

Sex toys aside, a particularly hideous ball gown that looked like something from a Disney film. It took me a while, but I finally helped the client to see that it did her no favours (even a cartoon Cinderella would have struggled to pull it off!) She eventually agreed to give it to her daughter as a dress up.

What makes someone call you?

It’s usually one of two things: they’re bored with their look and ready for a makeover or their wardrobe is a total mess and they can’t face tackling it alone.

What exactly do you do for your clients?

A range of things: whatever it takes to get their wardrobe working for them, basically. Usually a clean out, an audit and some help with shopping and putting outfits together. I can help organise other areas too: desks are a favourite of mine.

Are people nervous about letting you into their inner sanctums?

Definitely! It’s not unusual for a client to try to cancel just before I arrive because they’re so embarrassed about the state of their house. I usually manage to talk them into proceeding by reassuring them that I’m unshockable. Let’s face it, if people weren’t in a mess, I wouldn’t be in business.

Is it an emotional experience for some clients?

Yes, but in a good way. The process can be confronting, but overall my clients find it very freeing. I had one client who threw out 10 garbage bags of quality clothes she’d collected over decades. She said it made her feel ready to start the next phase of her life.

Does anyone really have one of those 12-item capsule wardrobes you read about in magazines?

Not in my experience. Let’s face it, most women can’t pop out to buy milk without coming back with a new scarf.

What’s your own wardrobe staple?

For me it’s black pants. No matter how many dresses I buy, I end up back in the dreaded black pants!

Yvette Sormann is a Melbourne stylist and wardrobe consultant. You can read more about her business, Closette, here .