Making the most of a once-in-a-lifetime shopping spree

[HastyShopper]

My granny has got me a 2K gift card and a personal shopper appointment in Selfridges.
Apparently she doesn't believe in inheritance but does believe in the power of well cut clothes. I've recently got back to size 10/12, babies not babies any more, a few years off 40. To paraphrase - she wanted to get my mojo back and have the satisfaction of seeing me launched into the next decade looking fabulous.

Problem is - luxury stores are really not my natural habitat. Most expensive item of clothing I own is Levi's jeans; a lot is supermarket & second hand. I am a SAHM & wear clothes very hard - lots of time in the park with the kids etc. I am careless at laundry and never dry clean.

Can anyone guide me to where I should aim my unexpected windfall - so that the benefits really last? *
*
I am a bit scared of the prices - and a bit scared of wasting/ruining/mis-choosing stuff.

She has said I am expressly not allowed to eBay off my loot to convert it to cash .**

This is where I would aim, (I'd obviously prioritised based on what they have in and what I already own)

Practical but stylish outerwear that won't go out of fashion in an instant. Personally I 'need' 4 pieces here - a smart wool coat , a practical warm coat, a trench with a hood (v tricky to find) and a beautiful leather

Some lovely footwear. I find I wear converse, ankle boots, tan loafers, patent brogues, and some sandals takes me through the seasons. Of course, a great pear of heels doesn't go a miss too!

Then depending what how much of that lot I decided to go with, I would buy one or two complete outfits. Perhaps one being a dress, opaques and underwear and the other jeans, silk blouse, costume jewellery.

I suggest you get your style done before you buy a thing. Classic trench coats and a Coach bag are not the right thing for everyone aged 40.

How do I get my style done? It sounds painful! Appt is this weekend - so I'm in the express lane. I did the colours thing - is that similar?

I'll be back to see how you are getting on later but I would say... As you are looking at such a step change to keep the tags on everything and wear each item around the house for a bit in case you want to return.

hasty on a practical note, I used personal shopping to get my corporate dress Nokia back after mat leave - there are my takeaways:

Overall v positive experience, especially if you are honest about what you will wear

When I tred anything on, I put it in 3 piles, yes, no, maybe. I only too, the yes to the till.

I actually did 2 appointments in the same week, different department stores, I didn't worry about duplicates, I just did a lot of returns when I picked the best of the best (might not be an option of you).

You can return clothes!

Something that didn't occur to me till a long time after was that because I went in the summer, all my key pieces were summer/summer weight. This was on for most of my suits, but the tops and dresses didn't work so well in Winter

The personal shopping part is free, you only pay for the clothes, so consider splitting the money and having two appointments that span the seasons

Mojo, not Nokia!

I love your granny. Just saying.

Coat, mac, jersey blazer, shirt, long sleeve t tops, boots, nice sandals, jeans, summer skirt, handbag, underwear.

I could spend it easily!

PS don't play in the park in your new clothes

Just smiling and the suggestions of Coach bag and Burberry trench. I am 41 and went shopping at Bicester last week....and guess which two items I purchased

I'd go for a decent coat, some fabulously fitting jeans, good quality flats, boots that will last, good bag, maybe a watch, some nice underwear, maybe a classic smart dress tha could be worn out for drinks or dinner for years ahead. Nice classic high heeled shoes, probably black suede. Nice stylish leather belt.
Basically things that won't date and you can't ruin in a washing machine! But you'll wear them for years.
Enjoy!

Black suede? Surely that wouldn't wear?

I would get

Bag
Purse
Watch
Blazer
A good suit if anything leftover.

oooh lovely! I'd get a Saint Laurent large leather tote, some lovely every day bras, some new gym clothes (I tried a lovely pair of leggings on in there last week), some classic suede loafers and a pair of sunglasses. Maybe some make up too.

I like these but maybe a different colour?

Remember, you dont actually have to buy anything at your appointment!!

Use it as a 'dressing up/tryout' session to try a few looks and styles , then consider everything suggested for a couple of weeks and look at style blogs .. then go back with your voucher

Lucky, lucky you ! what a fab Gran you have !

Oh does your granny want to adopt perchance? What a wonderful gesture; she must be a marvelous woman!

I' spend it on a great trench coat, boots, handbag and sunglasses as first order. Get quality in these items and they will last for a very long time.

Then with any money leftover some jeans that really fit you well, or lovely trousers, and yes to a great quality leather belt. The one thing that can really dress up any outfit is that great belt.

ENJOY your spree.

Id go for a couple of really good bras , a black tube skirt (and also one in grey and burgundy (you can tell I am a Hush lover) also consider navy, 3/4 trousers , boots , - high with a small heel and flat ankle boots (chunky with buckles) or loafers (try Kurt Geiger Limbo loafers) , Some slouchy jumpers in cashmere/mix.. and some lighter weight ones in linen mix . ( this is what I wear anyway!)

A lovely jacket.. (maybe a biker? ).. some neutral vests and tops
and a leather backpack bag like this one in burgundyor black .
Also some lovely long scarvesr (try mint velvet and tkmaxx) ..to pull it all together

However I am well over 50! (but still fairly on trend I hope.. )

Fab Granny btw! But just think how much further the £2k would go at Brandalley...

You want things that won't date

I would choose to spent the money on a just a few classic pieces

Well cut coat £600
Handbag £600
Leather jacket - £800

Don't have to spend it all in one go you could book another appt for later in the year
As someone said Selfrdiges sell everything basics and expensive stuff!
Post preg and getting figure back I needed everything and haven't been able to splurge
So completely new underwear
New boots / shoes / trainers smart and casual
New jeans blue and black
Black trousers / similar
Going out tops as well as everyday stuff
Accessories so jewellery as well as bag etc
Swimwear
Gym kit

I wouldn't blow it in one go but spend it over the next year on replacing everything
Enjoy!

What a shame that your granny can't let you be who you are - I'd find that a bit insulting to be quite honest. Shame that such a generous gift comes with strings. I'm sure she means well but I'd hate it.

I agree. I would like to spend 2k on clothes but I'd like to choose my own shop (would do better in John Lewis or House of Fraser than Selfridges, personally) and I would HATE to have a personal shopper.

It's quite a controlling thing to do and suggests she thinks you are a bit of a hopeless mess.

How lovely of her. If you're not generally a 'designer' person, I'd just go for good quality basics that will last you for several years.

A Whistles leather jacket, maybe?
A couple more pairs of Levis if you like them.
A coat or jacket that could be worn through Spring and Autumn and brought out again next Spring.
Some boots.

I think you are best off going in time for the new Autumn/Winter collection and buying some great boots, a great classic wool coat, a couple of cashmere sweaters/cardigans and maybe a silk shirt or a really good LBD.

It's 'controlling' to give somebody a very generous gift and ask them to choose some things they love with it????

Some Valentino Rockstuds - best investment shoes apparently! and very comfortable ;)

I personally think a great wool coat, boots (leather or suede) are what I notice. Cashmere etc is all very well but you have to be prepared to take care of it (moths etc).

You're not going to get the coat or boots this season though I doubt, sales have passed.

I'd be very honest with the shopper, and buy for your actual life, just nicer versions - good jeans, cool trainers, good coat, whatever you like. Don't get anything because you think you should...

Lucky you have fun- there are so many concessions, you'll be able to get whatever you want.