Anyone used a personal stylist/shopper?

[e3chick]

Trinny and Susannah ish, to maybe look at my figure/lifestyle (or lack of it) and then maybe go shopping to help me stop making any more mistakes. I am thinking of asking for it as a christmas present. Was it any good, did you learn anything really helpful?

I am in London by the way.

They're brilliant! And free.... :)

If you go into Debenhams, House of Fraser, Top Shop etc - they all have a personal shopping service available now. It's free, you tell them what you want, have a cup of tea and read a mag for half an hour while they rush round getting lots of stuff for you to try on (in your own private dressing area!!) and get other things for you as and when you need them.

I've used them a few times now and they're fantastic - always find things that I wouldn't have picked out myself but are utterly fab.

Westfield are good. You need to book in advance, Saturdays are busiest of course but if you go in the week you might be able to get an appointment for the same week or even day.

Good luck!

Yes, it is bliss. They typically know their stock, and can even rustle up stuff that hasn't reached the shopfloor yet. I've used the John Lewis ones on a couple of occasions and have been pleased with the results. It is also relatively lowstress, as you sit in a room with a drink and are interviewed and then they run around the store whilst you sit and flick through a mag.

If you're talking about it as a present, then obviously the cost is the clothes, not the shopper.

Also used John Lewis personal shopper - was great. She took time at the start to talk through what I wanted, lifestyle etc.

One of the big advantages was that she knew the stock really well so could get stuff quickly and I wasn't restricted to the usual 'Only 4 items in the changing room'. She didn't work on comission so didn't go for the hard sell. When we'd picked lots of clothes she gave me a calculator to work out the damage......

Did they come up with opinions too? I think I may need a bit of that, but want it to be from someone whose taste I like.
And how long did it take?

I think that they know how to make the best of what they're faced with if that makes sense? So yes, it is a bit Trinny and Susannah ish, though you can hide behind curtains if you really want to though after the third change, you'll just be out there!

I don't think that they will necessarily try to totally change your image, so if you wanted a makeover it might not be quite right. But I've been introduced to some designers that i probably wouldn't have gone for myself. They tend to know which designers suit which clients.

I don't know if there is a time slot, but I would allow 2-3 hours.

It took about 2 hours, but the time flew by.

The lady that I saw at John lewis came via a personal recommendation from a friend - they have a couple of advisors at my local branch.

She had lots of opinions but it was more about trying new things out and also complimenting my existing style. She also had some suggestions about what I could do with my hair as well. She was also totally realistic about sizes and shapes that suited me - the size range I came back with covered 3 sizes.

In terms of her taste she was actually very neutral and well put together but worked with me and had a great eye for what suited and what didn't.

I did the Debenhams one a couple of weeks ago and it was really good. I was there for 2.5 hrs!

Oxford St is easier to get an appointment than Westfield.

I tried on loads of stuff that I wouldnt usually try on. Some stuff I was a bit but he said try it on, and it looked really good.

Its stress free, and no obligation to buy anything.

Do it!