what do we think of personal shoppers?

[shelley72]

hi there since having DD last year am having a proper clothing crisis - nothing fits properly, i no longer know what suits me, or have any idea of what i should be wearing. i am just lost and look terrible. do you think it wld be worth using a personal shopper to get some ideas? john lewis advertise one with no obligation to buy but there must be a catch right?
tia

HI, i have used the debenhams personal shopper and recommend it. There is no catch however I would not go and see one just to get some ideas, I would go prepared to make a purchase as you may see something you really like.

Basically they will have a chat with you about what you want e.g for a specific occasion or just a wardrobe update then go round the store with you and pick some stuff up, then you can try it on (in a nice big changing room on your own) and they will run out and get other sizes/colours. Make sure you tell them your budget.

it saves lots of time (as someone else is running around for you and you can have lots of things in the changing room) and it will give you some ideas.

they can also arrange alterations and will run out and get you shoes/jewellery etc

i recommend trying it (but have never tried the john lewis one)

I don't know...I would hesitate as I'd probably feel obliged to buy something, doubt she would understand how I want to look anyway and I prefer to shop alone.

HOWever, it might be worth a try. I'm sure someone here will have used one.

My advice would be to get a lot of magazines, and look through them and somewhere in there you will probably find a look that 'speaks' to you and says 'This is what I like'. Once you have something to go on, you can start to explore that sort of outfit and style...

second step is to sit in front of a big mirror and get a good look at yourself. Think about how you used to look, how you look now, and what bits you like and dislike.

It should help you to begin to understand who you are in terms of appearance. that's what you want - not what someone else tells you, but how you are as an individual. The most attractive looking people tend to wear their own style with confidence and look how they want to look.

thank you both.

i do need a general overhaul and a few nice pieces that can multi task rather than clothes for something specific.

IngridBergmann thats a good point as i have no concept of how i really look - i have lost 30 kg (with no effort which is a worry in itself) since i fell pg with DS in dec 2006. thankfully have only lost 10kg post DD birth in May. friends say i look nice but i think i look ill and more worryingly still see myself as larger.

maybe a long hard stare in the mirror wld be a place to start then!