Personal shopper made me buy it. Not sure now, Help!

[Howmanytimes]

I used the services of an independent personal shopper last week. She was fab and picked out exactly the sort of things I wanted, in order to make me look a bit more pulled together on casual days.

However, I loved it so much I took more home than I could afford, with the plan to whittle it down once I'd tried the items with things I already owned. There are 3 things I'm not sure about:

fur gilet
[[
www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=2070431&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=223048&parent_categoryId=209166&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=20 leather pencil skirt]]
lovely dress

Problem is, I think I'm shying away from these items because they are just the sort of thing I'd never usually wear and I don't know how to wear them for everyday. The personal shopper did tell me how to "style them" but I don't know.
This was the very reason I paid for the personal shopper in the first place, to get me out of my rut and looking a little more funky. They all looked great on that's why I bought them. All the other items I bought with her have received rave reviews from family and friends.

What do you think? Would you wear them for everyday Mum stuff? I'm 38, 5' 10" size 14 if that helps.

Like the dress, not so sure on other two.

HTH

The dress is ok but the other two are hideous, imo.

If you don't feel like yourself wearing them, I would ebay them. It's good to get out of your rut but there's no point making yourself feel uncomfortable.

If all the other items she picked work well for you, it sounds like you had a good personal shopper experience - I think it's impossible for any shopper to have a 100% success rate.

hth

I like the leather skirt you could wear with a nice v neck cashmere jumper and knee boots. The dress with black leggings and biker style boots. Not sure about the mango gilet I think I would get bored of it.

What were the must haves you bought? if you don`t mind sharing

I love the skirt and the dress wish i was slinky enough for both!

I don't like any of them but I am not the one to wear them. If you are not sure now, that makes me think you will never be. May be best to return them but keep in mind what the shopper has said and try and may be replace them when the sales come on Boxing Day.

How short is that dress OP? I'm tall and find stuff is mostly too short for me to get away with for work, but that is a lovely dress at a lovely price.

Fur thing... a bit last year I thought

Leather skirt... quite like it. It would dress up well with cashmere v-neck and boots.

Keep the dress: wear with boots and thick tights for everyday. Ditch the others: the gilet will go "off" very quickly and the leather skirt looks a bit cheap

I like all three. Go forth and rock them

I like the skirt and the dress but the gilet is vile!
I would wear the dress with a long sleeve tee underneath and tights/leggings.

I would return the gilet (which looks so fake it's terrible). Return the dress too - hideous print.

You clearly have better taste than the shopper!

No point keeping something you're not sure of, it will only end up in the back of your wardrobe for later regret.

Oooh, thanks for the prompt replies!

Weak Cough, I like the dress the most out of them all too but I'm unsure what to wear it with for everyday to keep warm!

FrancesFarmer, you've hit the nail on the head; I don't feel myself in the gilet and the skirt. It's not too late to return them to John Lewis so I'd do that. I did feel that I had a good experience and I'd definitely recommend doing it.

Brookeslay, the personal shopper said the same as you; to wear the leather skirt with a v neck cashmere jumper and knee boots. I do have such a jumper from Gap and some nice lace up boots but I was worried it would be too much leather!

My absolute favourites were this cardigan
[[http://www.johnlewis.com/159724/Style.aspx
really flattering on]] and a stripy whistles top I can't link too. I also got some great bits from Wallis and great fitting skinny jeans from Oasis. I'm a recent convert to skinny jeans and boots (I know! I'm slow going with fashion!)

Great advice about the sales gregssausageroll. I also agree about not being sure now.

Thanks everyone you've been really helpful.

Hmmm I'm not actually liking any of them. I'd personally return them assuming you got some other stuff you're happy with.

I bought a fur gilet a couple of months ago and it was indeed a big mistake - worn once and felt like a womble in it.

How long is the dress? I would probably keep that and wear as others have said - leggings, biker boots, etc.

The pencil skirt could look good.

The gilet looks like it's made from Kiwi feathers...!

What were the other items? I am also 5' 10" and a size 12/14.

I think they are all pretty bad sorry. If you are unsure now, how often will you wear them when the novelty has worn off? I bet they languish in the back of your wardrobe.

The cardigan was the cute bow cardigan in red. Lots and lots of compliments!

No to the gilet.
Not sure about the skirt. Is it soft or quite stiff? If nice and soft, you could get use out of it.
I like the dress.

God, I love the comment about the gilet and feeling like a womble! I've got to return it now

Damn you for making me look at all the lovely stuff on the Hobbs site!

Love love love the dress - in fact, am seriously thinking of gettin me one of those. The leather skirt is a bit meh, and the gilet is just plain hideous.

No to the skirt. It is dry clean only, what a faff and not mad about it. I think you could find a nicer one.

No no no to the gilet!

Maybe to the dress, if it suits you then yes, keep it.

Pleeeeze... HOW LONG IS THAT DRESS?? Mid thigh? arse? just above knee?

5Dollarshake, my links are not working vey well but a pair of black skinny cords from Jigsaw which were a great fit. A drapey top from Jigsaw in an aubergine colour. In Wallis I picked up a jumper dress/tunic in blue with a cowl neck which looks great with leggings and boots. A longline camel cardi and a patterned top which looked awful on the hanger but is super flattering on; all from Wallis.

I think the Gilet will definitely have to go, the dress I think I can make work I'm still undecided about the leather skirt. It does suit me, it is great quality for the price but It's just not me.

I think gilets have had their moment - too gimmicky to be useful in the long term.

I was going to say the skirt looks a bit long and potentially ageing but you're tall so I'd guess it's maybe above/just on the knee?

I'd struggle with the dress, mainly because it's winter and it looks flimsy and chilly! Plus, again, I find Phase8 things are usually too long.

I wouldn't worry about taking things back; personal shoppers are great at getting you out of your comfort zone and it's fab you've got lots of new looks, but what she's recommending here is maybe just a bit further than you're ready to go.

It's a matter of getting used to 'seeing' yourself in a new way, which takes time, and one shopping trip is only the start of that.

Trouble is, if you're anything like me, you'll now be nightmarishly picky about what you wear, and suffer many fruitless shopping expeditions!

I think they're all practical things for mum stuff, but Phase 8 has loads of dresses that are nicer than that. It's a good idea to get dresses that look good with a rollneck under as well as on their own, so they're good for winter. The skirt is nice - do you have something to go with it? I don't like the fur gilet at all, personally.

Bottom line - if you don't wear them they're a waste of money! Take them back if you don't like them.

Don't feel you should keep them just because someone else chose them for you.

I'm not keen on any really. But if you don't love them return and get something else.