to never buy anything from this store again?

[Cupcakemum79]

Last weekend my husband, daughter and I went shopping for winter coats. I was really looking for a nice trenchcoat or ideally a woollen winter coat.
We walked past a luxury brand store that is known for really nice coats. Husband knows I love their coats and suggested we went inside. Normally I wouldn't even consider buying such an expensive clothing item, but husband insisted that I try on the coat I liked. He wanted to treat me if I ended up loving it, as he said it was a timeless item and he wanted to buy a nice Christmas/birthday gift that he knew I'd enjoy for years.

We asked the shop assistant for a size up in the coat I liked. It just didn't fit very nicely. Shop assistant then suggested I try on a couple of other (much more expensive[ coats. Those were really straight fitting coats though and I told her I preferred the other coat because it had a waist belt and didn't look so baggy.
She then told me "that coat maybe it was for you 20 years ago, now it's not for you".

My husband and I found this incredibly rude, but were too shocked to say anything. It ruined the shopping for me though, so we left immediately and husband told her that we didn't want a coat anymore. He was really angry. I am now 44 years old and tried the size 14, which fitted but pulled across the chest. Surely that's not incredibly old or fat to deserve a remark like that? Also what's with the '20 years ago' I really don't even look that old!

AIBU that I found this incredibly offensive and also I think that had I looked really rich she would never have said anything like that? Also I really don't want a coat from that store anymore...

Don't be so sensitive!

Apart from the rudeness of the shop assistant, what struck me about your post was how nice your husband is. Makes a change from the majority of the posts on MN. Forget about the rude cow and glad you have a lovely husband.

I've never understood why shop assistants feel they can look down their noses at customers. I once told a sales assistant I'd had a reaction to touché eclat, she haughtily told me that it was definitely me and not the product as no one had ever in the history of the world had ever been allergic to the great touché eclat. I've never bothered with YSL make up since, what a bizarre attitude

Playing devils advocate here but I think the sales person could have been right in terms of shape and style. They know the stock and who is buying certain items better than anyone else, perhaps they were going off how you presented yourself at the time, are you a young 44 or an older 44?

Just came to say that your husband sounds absolutely awesome 🤩 and that shop assistant was a cow.

I have no idea but I have a wool coat from burberry that I got 6 yrs ago that now has holes in the lining. For the amount my coats from hobbs , and other stories, etc have faired better and were cheaper.

ETA max mara may be a good shout for a stylish long lasting trench.

This is more interesting and to the point if you name the store, and link the coat
please

You are arguing for the sake of arguing.

What is the context here? Did OP go for a crop top or a coat with belted waist? How many 20 year old buy burberry coats?

You have started a debate on age appropriate clothing unnecessary.

The salesperson was rude. Op didnt ask her for her opinion on how she looked or if that jacket was okay for her age.

It would have suited you 20 years ago? Op, you should've asked how old she thought you were and if she really thought that coat was for a 20 something, she should study the target market of Burberry.

Op, complain to the company, also leave a Google review.

https://uk.burberry.com/l/womens-trench-coats/

Would you say any of these are age specific?

Or these

https://uk.burberry.com/womens-coats/

YANBU
I once asked if I could try on a pair of jeans in a size 12. The assistant asked looked aghast then said she would need to go to the store room as they keep the large sizes in the back 😂

"just" shop staff, err, that's a bit snooty, is it not!

How old was the shop assistant OP?

im guessing young

we all say daft stupid things when we are young and then look back on it and cringe

so I think it’s unfair of those posters calling her a “rude bitch” and that she “should be sacked”

Just don't shop there again.

You don't go to a store that charges £1000+ for a coat to be insulted. If they want to lose customers then they're going the right way!

I don’t know how I’d feel about my husband “holding back” and wanting to “get so angry there and then” but only not doing so because of me. I would worry what he was like when I wasn’t there!

I remember being in a Levis store when the "skinny jean" trend was appearing, I was a UK size 10 at the time. I was walking round the store, trying to find a size 10 and asked the sales assistant, she looked me literally up and down head to toe and said "we don't stock YOUR size in here", in an almost laughing tone. I was young and weak back then so cried my way home at being so "fat".

What a horrible woman! I’m so sorry. I’m glad your husband complained. I had an encounter with a shop assistant in a department store when I was only 25. I wanted a Max Mara winter coat and asked if they had any smaller sizes. After initially ignoring me, shop assistant condescendingly told me that if I was actually a regular Max Mara customer I would know that this was not the season their coats come in to the store. I’m not sure how that was relevant, but the implication was obviously that I don’t usually shop at Max Mara. She was so rude. I went back to my office and called the store to complain. She was forced to call me and apologise. She made excuses and suggested I had misunderstood her. I was very clear that I knew exactly what she was trying to do and her behaviour was unacceptable. I was very direct, but not rude. She ended up in tears. The store also sent me a written apology stating that her behaviour is not reflective of their brand and she will receive training.

Honestly, do not tolerate this BS. It’s her job to sell you the coat, not take out her personality issues on you. Imagine what kind of person she must be to speak to another person like that. It’s sad for her.

• Blinkey21 I'd had a reaction to touché eclat, she haughtily told me that it was definitely me and not the product as no one had ever in the history of the world had ever been allergic to the great touché eclat.* I'm allergic to it too! I wonder how many "no ones" there actually are.

I don’t like that brand at all, I read that they destroyed a huge huge amount of fabric (millions) just so nobody would have their branded fabric. Wasters.

That must have been so satisfying to do! Stores shouldn't make assumptions base don looks. Some of the richest people I know always look scruffy.

@LalaPaloosa oh I was just looking into MaxMara coats actually as everyone here seems to really rate them. Sounds like she really did have a bad day though.

Sad to have said it at all, but in front of your daughter!!!

A little girl out shopping with her mum should not be exposed to such.

I've had a 6 year old girl I was babysitting ask if her bum looked big in her jeans, 6 years old!!
Felt sad at that but to think a sales person who should know better would do such a thing is just shocking.

It could stay in your daughter's head for life.
Well done to your husband for raising a complaint.

Please do not tell me what I am doing, I don't need your little wisdom explaining anything to me and do not appreciate your school teacher hectoring tone, this is the internet ya'know??

I am simply stating that not everything looks good on every age. My opinion to which I am entitled, OK?

My estimation would be around 30..

@Shadowonasun well I know from Eastern European colleagues that that is definitely true there. This shop assistant was asian though, and I understand they may have the same opnion on what is considered 'fat'. I didn't think her nationality was important, although it may indeed explain her opinion..