Personal shopper - should I or not? I need help, it's getting too cold to go naked...

[MistergodthisisSal]

For one, I absolutely hate clothes shopping for myself. I hate buying trousers / jeans especially, as I see my big fat bum in the in-your-face mirror and give up all hope and run to Starbucks...

Sooo. I'm going on holiday in 3 weeks, seeing a lot of my family for the first time since becoming a mom, first time since I'm about 10kg heavier, and, well, I want to fake style!

So - if I could get a decent-y (well, I know not for most, but that's all I would be able to stretch to) budget of, say £500, do you think I should use someone who can help me decide? Like the complimentary service some stores (was thinking House of Fraser or Debenhams etc) offer?

Or would it backfire by:
a) Them laughing at my budget for a whole season
b) Them only suggesting 2 things, and me ending up with a jacket and a scarf and be forced to go semi-naked in the essential areas?

Oh, I'm good on shoes, so budget doesn't need to cover that.

Not sure if matters, but I don't have the world's most difficult body: 12/14, 167(ish). Should I stick to online perhaps? Once in store I give up after 30 mins max, I annoy myself even!

Thanks.

[MistergodthisisSal]

anyone? please?

[captainpig]

Although I've never done it, I would give the Debenhams/HoF personal shopper a go. If you don't like anything they show you, then you don't have to buy it. Trouble with on-line shopping with me, is I end up sending so much back.

[MistergodthisisSal]

True re on-line shoppping, captainpig. To make it even worse, I often end up not sending it back, even if I can't / don't wear it.

I'm a little nervous, but am trying to convince myself that this is what these people do for a living, so surely they must know better than me... (not hard)

[BikeRunSki]

A friend of mine has done it, loved it. She had a buget of £200 and wanted 3 work outfits. She went to Debenhams and they were happy to work with her requirements. £500 sounds like a decent budget somewhere like Debs where they have cheaper stuff like Red Herring, with the posh labels like Phase 8. They don't charge, you have nothing to loose. You don;t have to buy what they recommend anyway. And even if yo feel compelled to, you could always take it back the next day!

[FlyingMonkey]

Hi, a friend of mine did it and was really impressed. The personal shopper picked out a lot of stuff my friend normally wouldn't have gone for and she was really surprised how well the clothes suited her figure. I think she went to Debenhams.

[MistergodthisisSal]

Ha yes BikeRunSki, I never thought about the return option! I know myself, I'd feel to stupid to say "no" etc, but I guess if I'm really unsure, could buy it and send dh go back next day, as you say!

FlyingMonkey, that's what I'm hoping for (other options than normal). I'm 32 but suspect I dress at least 10 years older, and even for that age group, I think I pick boring choices. Also, I will stop working soon, and will miss the safety of suits.

It's great to hear of someone that's actually done it - I've read their descriptions, but obviously press vs rl sometimes differ!

You know what, I think I'm just going to do it. I'll give them a call (will try Debenhams) - hopefully they can see me after work one evening, as I work close to Oxford Street. Will report back!