Stylish people - would you enjoy helping a non-stylish friend shop?

[OrangeVanofPositivity]

Or is it too much of a personal thing - just because you know what makes you look/feel good, doesn't mean you can work it out for someone else?

I'm thinking of asking a stylish friend for help. I went shopping yesterday and hatehatehate it, I wandered round bamboozled by it all, not a clue what to try on.

I would love it, actually. I think it'd be great fun and I'd be flattered to be asked. (Not that I consider myself particularly stylish, though!)

I'm not saying I'm particularly stylish but I have helped friends to shop in the past and I've enjoyed it, and they said they did too. And they bought lots of things.

It's only fun if the person you're shopping for does actually like clothes and is up for the whole thing, though. I went with one friend who really had no interest and although she had said she wanted some help, couldn't be bothered with it so we just called it a day and went for coffee after about half an hour!

I have a stylish friend help me. She pre approves most of what I buy (I buy most clothes online) and helps me clear out my horrible (non approved!) clothes annually. Last night I sent her a pic of what I planned to wear to a meeting and she advised on shoes.

I am so useless with clothes I don't know where I would be without her :)

Yes I would! But there is probably only 1 0r 2 people I would trust with this.....actually maybe 1.

I should add that the times I've done this, it's for friends with very different style to me but that wasn't a problem at all.

I have a good eye and I can buzz round the racks and pull stuff out really quickly. I then show it to them, they say yes, yes, no, NO good god are you mad, then try on the stuff they like. I give feedback on each outfit. Then we do it again. Easiest in department stores.

You do have to be assertive as the shopped-for person, though. Never say you like something if you don't. Never ever buy something so you don't hurt your assistant's feelings. Don't pick someone who will want to push their taste on you, or who won't listen to you.

In fact - try John Lewis, I hear they have good professional shoppers!

It's only fun if the person you're shopping for does actually like clothes and is up for the whole thing, though.

Hmmm, I don't know whether I'd come under that category. I like clothes when I find something that works. I recently spent ages looking online for a dress for an occasion and when I found it I was really happy with it and enjoyed wearing it. But mostly my experience with clothes is 1) get frustrated with jeans and t-shirt, 2) decide to go shopping and try more interesting clothes on, 3) get overwhelmed by all the clothes, 4) try on various things which look awful and/or are uncomfortable, 5) go back to jeans and t-shirts. And repeat.

MsGee your friend sounds wonderful, that's just what I need!

She is wonderful! I think everyone should have access to such a person.

I am just like you with jeans. Friend stepped in after she was horrified I bought 5 pairs of identical jeans from gap.

She doesn't require that I have a huge interest in clothes, just a desire to make a bit more of myself and try something different. It helps she is a good friend and we are a) able to be forthright with each other and b) she is understanding of how horribly I feel about my body.

I put an outfit together myself to buy the other week as she called immediately to say that she was v proud!

Glad you asked this. I was asked by a casual acquaintance the other day to help her shop. She is a rider so defined muscles on her shoulders and thighs. She has pale skin and dark hair and eyes. She wears jeans. bold stripes or t-shirts with funny pictures and in my opinion quite lovely. So O said no you are sporty and lovely and doing fine!
Should I have helped her?

Oh I would love this! Did it once for a friend, we went to Debenhams and she saw a personal shopper. The shopper was crap but I zoomed round the store and found some great stuff for my friend that she ended up buying! I've had my colours done so pretty good at finding stuff that works. I also often go to charity shops with another friend and always find great stuff for her. Would love to do it for a living. :)

Good to hear it would generally be received well :)

Fletcherl your friend probably quite liked hearing that you think she looks lovely as she is. It sounds like she has her own style going anyway.

Oh, I'd love someone to 'take me under their wing' and drag me round the shops. They would just need to make me try stuff on before dismissing it and returning to my tried and tested scruffy ways.

A friend asked me once to go with her (I'm not stylish but I like shopping). I went to her town and met her nice and early, had a coffee and got ready to hit the shops. We went into Debenhams, picked up about four tops, headed to the changing room. She tried on the clothes, bought two of them. I asked where she would like to go next and she looked at me as if I had two heads and declared she was 'exhausted from shopping' and we were finished!

I remember feeling pretty annoyed at the time. If you do decide to ask a friend, be enthusiastic!

I think as long as it was going well I'd be enthusiastic. I have a pretty low tolerance for struggling in and out of disappointing clothes in sweaty changing rooms.

The beauty of my friend is that it's all online...

No sweaty changing rooms!