Personal shoppers - need new image!

[oliveoil]

Anyone used a personal shopper where you make an appointment and they run around and find clothes for you? I feel very frumpy and mumsy but whenever I look for clothes to buy, there is too much choice and I have NO particular style apart from jeans/trainers/t-shirts. Not exactly cutting edge or worrying the Kate Moss's/Sadie Frosts of the world.

I need some ideas of what to buy but don't know how to do it apart from make expensive mistakes.

Have just got back to my pre preg weight (but not shape!) and need some new clothes to cheer myself up.

I did when feeling like you and it was one of the best and most efficient use of 2 hours ever.

I went to John Lewis, was under no pressure to buy (they're not on comission), the shopper mentally sussed out my body shape (or lack of it) and brought things to suit me. She obviously knew their stock really well and brought things from loads of ranges which I probably wouldn't have even thought of.

I spent about £400 which admittedly is a lot but I got a lot of stuff, I'm still wearing the stuff 12 months on and didn't have any expensive disasters.

Go for it !

Oooh, that sounds great. That is exactly what I need, someone to bring me things that I normally wouldn't look at. I always somehow buy another black cardigan! Or black trousers.

John Lewis is a bit of a drive from me though and would involve dh, which defeats the object of stress free shopping

Did you have to say what you were looking for or did she just raid the shop for you?

Can't you take dh but send him packing off to some boys toys shop somewhere and arrange to meet again at lunchtime?

Could do. I might enquire at the swish shops near me (Harvey Nicks/Selfridges ha ha ha who am I kidding) and see if they offer a similar service. I could then pinch ideas and go to H&M and buy in my budget.

lol sounds very sensible!

I just described my situation which was identical to yours and she asked a few questions about my general likes/dislikes and daily routine.

House of Frazer and Debenhams do it too I think.

Have House of Fraser and Debenhams too here! I am deffo going to sort this out, thanks for ideas girls

sounds like fun oliveoil yes I think debenhams do it too...

Debenhams and John Lewis seem to do it well. With John Lewis I left a brief description in advance, but I was left in a comfortable room with some magazines after a short interview. She brought back a couple of outfits and we tried them on with me commenting as to whether I liked them or not. She was also able to trawl through their stockroom, and even go through stuff that was about to go on sale so I did get a bargain too. For my last outfit we also looked at shoes and accessories. Very good experience, and so much easier than normal shopping - and I've had loads of compliments on the outfit! She even phoned up rival stores locally to see if they had certain items in my size. She did stick to my budget too.

Debenhams and John Lewis seem to do it well. With John Lewis I left a brief description in advance, but I was left in a comfortable room with some magazines after a short interview. She brought back a couple of outfits and we tried them on with me commenting as to whether I liked them or not. She was also able to trawl through their stockroom, and even go through stuff that was about to go on sale so I did get a bargain too. For my last outfit we also looked at shoes and accessories. Very good experience, and so much easier than normal shopping - and I've had loads of compliments on the outfit! She even phoned up rival stores locally to see if they had certain items in my size. She did stick to my budget too.

i've done it too, when I needed to sort my wardrobe out before going back to work after ds1. It was good for getting me to look at/try on/ buy things which I wouldn't normally have done. I think you do get a bit stuck in a rut where you end up buying clothes which are similar to what you already have and it got me out of that. But you definitely end up spending more than you intended unless you have an iron will!

My sister had a really good experience with a personal shopper at Fenwicks (Bond Street, I think they have other branches but not sure where). Some surprising and very flattering suggestions and no pressure to buy. I'd definitely go for it.

There was a good thread about this here . Sounds fab, I might try it if I ever go back to work.

www - I even posted on it! In June! Durrrrrr. I must learn to do searches and not do repeat threads, happens all the time.