It's been forever since I played the stylist profession, but I do remember that sims would occasionally signal their approval of a clothing choice the same way they do in CAS. (They look at their arms or legs and make approving noises.) I always thought that if you got this reaction while styling a client, you were more likely to get a positive review. Unfortunately, the sims' preferred styles were often as ill-conceived as the ones the game rolls on its own.
Also, if you want to move your sim up the career ladder more quickly, and maybe get offered better assignments, using the drafting table will grant job experience as well, and your sims can use it outside of work hours.