John Lewis Personal Shopping - depressing

[bleughhh]

Hi all - feeling very very old! I went to John Lewis and had a personal shopping appointment, trying to find 'weekend mum clothes that didn't make me feel drab' and was brought shed loads of Mint Velvet and Phase 8. Mostly black, grey and khaki (I'm a 'bright spring' for those of you who are into that sort of thing and a 'natural ingenue'). I don't want to look all Boden-ish or like a CBeebies presenter but the colours were so off on me, it was incredible. I even told her I was a spring (they do the colour analysis thing there). I now feel like I am too old for the shops I like (not really but it's a bit depressing to find that's what brands she put me with!). Generally, I like Whistles, Reiss for work (too glitzy for going out stuff), All Saints leather jackets, coolish trainers (but not teenage cool!), skinny jeans or girlfriend jeans etc. Even a bit of topshop... I think I may have to spend the evening putting in the time on the internet and doing a few huge online orders so I can try stuff and send 70% of it back.... annoying as I work nearly full time and have three small children. Am 41 though. Maybe that was why I got all the Phase 8. Am cracking open a bottle of wine...

Hi Rip - I think i remember you from a previous 'spring' thread! I like the idea of recruiting stylish friends. I might order loads and get them round with lots of wine for them to tell me what works and what doesn't. Sounds fun anyway (although alcohol influenced judgment may not be such a good plan...)

No idea if she's any good but this woman offers a few options that aren't as expensive as the Personal-Shopping-Harvey Nicks-Then-Celine kind.

I've been to the Oxford Street JL personal shopper and had an appalling experience. She selected a total of 7 items - 1 pair of jeans and some dresses when I was looking for trousers and smart tops, perhaps a jacket. Totally the wrong colours and mostly dated. I think there was some Phase Eight too. She told me that I'm the wrong shape for clothes. Perhaps we had the same lady.

I've been to Debenhams twice which was surprisingly good. Both times they brought items from brands I wouldn't have looked at and styles that I was surprised suited me. Much better than you'd expect from a fusty brand.