Has anyone tried a personal styling service?

[Asterisk]

I'm considering booking on at JL or Debenhams... I have lost confidence in my ability to choose nice clothes and have an occasion coming up for which I need to look smart. Are these services any good or just an opportunity for them to persuade you to buy stuff?

[RecoveringPerfectionist]

For my 40th I went shopping with a Colour Me Beautiful stylist. It was brilliant. Obviously there's an hourly rate but I she took me into stores I'd never been in before. She also made sure that if I bought sth I also bought sth to go with it, if I didn't already have sth at home. She came to my house beforehand and went through my wardrobe with me. I'd do it again and I reckon it saves you money in the long run. She has a client who only ever buys clothes when she takes her along. So they go twice a year for seasonal updates. She buys nothing in between. Doesn't even bother going shopping. And she's not loaded. They go to low to medium end high street stores.

[LikeASoulWithoutAMind]

John Lewis personal shoppers are brilliant. No pressure to buy.