Personal shoppers might be rare in Indiana, but they're not discontinued despite the digital age

U.S. apparel sales are estimated at $200 billion annually, yet sometimes we still don’t know whether this shirt goes with these pants.

Amazon, of course, knows this. This summer, it launched Prime Wardrobe, a "try-before-you-buy" option in which customers can order clothes, keep them for a week and return whatever they don't like. The online retailer also introduced Echo Look, a voice-controlled camera that gives you fashion tips.

A bevy of websites such as Stitch Fix let you pick your style, and then they mail you a wardrobe in a box. Voila!

Alexa, who helped us be stylish before?

Personal shoppers did. And they still do. The digital age, they say, can’t beat the personal touch.

H&M vs. 'retail apocalypse': expanding in central Indiana when others fail

Forced into debt: California truckers work up to 20 hours a day, minimal pay

Marilyn Neel, image consultant and a member of the Association of Image Consultants International, said she believes algorithms and clothes matching aren't always the best option. Being in-person is better, she said.

An image consultant focuses on more than just clothes. Diet, skin care and even social interaction coaching can come up.

"Online shopping is a big trend," Neel said. "Who doesn't like to shop online? But sometimes they just don't fit well.

"But how do you know what to choose? That's where I come in."

Indianapolis stylist Beth Divine agrees. The owner of Divine Style said she sees mostly men and women who are 20 and older. She charges $40 per hour.

Recently, she helped clothes shop for a man in his 20s who was getting back into the dating scene. He wanted a makeover so he could feel confident, she said.

"Sometimes they know what they want,” Divine said. “Other times, it takes a while to figure it out."

Julie Shaw, 49, hired Divine to "simplify" her closet and shop for new, better-fitting clothing for work and leisure.

Divine starts every personal styling and shopping experience by assessing her client's eye, hair color and skin tone.

"For your blue eyes, we want warm colors," Divine told Shaw while scribbling notes on a consultation card. "Stay away from blacks and whites."

Shaw and Divine looked over "Color Me Confident," a book about the science of colors and skin tones.

"Wear dark where you want to look smaller," Divine suggested. "Avoid big prints on the bottoms."

Teresa Miller is a personal shopper for Macy's at Castleton Square Mall, which is a complimentary service. She is the only stylist for the store in Indiana.

"I give my clients my full attention," said Miller, who dressed a few Hoosier guests at the 2017 Presidential Inaugural Ball. She helps people in their 60s, as well as children and millennials.

At Nordstrom at the Fashion Mall at Keystone, five personal stylists and six beauty stylists roam the store at any given time. Customers can ask for the complimentary help in the store or make an appointment by phone or online.

John Bailey, public relations senior manager of fashion at Nordstrom, said each stylist creates a shopping experience tailored for each individual.

"They can get you that great must-have item for the season or put together an entire wardrobe for the holidays," Bailey said. "It saves you time."

Nordstrom also offers another option: Trunk Club, its own boxed clothing online option.