Personal shoppers - anyone used one & are they any good?

[nopudstilleaster]

I have a wedding to go to in April and also want some new clothes for summer. However, I am absolutely crap at shopping and never feel really good or confident with what I get. So, I'm thinking about using the personal shopper service at Selfridges or Debenhams. Has anyone used these services or something similar? Any thoughts on which one might suit me best?

tia

Anyone? [desperate smile]

Def worth doing.
Budget is a bit of a clincher -
much mroe expensive clothes in Selfridges than Debs

I used the one at john lewis for a wedding and found that they were fairly good -I got sosmething that I was happy in and have worn again since. I'd just had a baby so wasn't at my most confident!

A friend of mine was in exactly your situation and used a Debenhams one. It was free; she got a fantastic wedding outfit AND a whole new load of stuff as the shopper made her try on practically the whole store. She really benefitted from it, and has looked better ever since! I'd love to if I had the time and the budget.

I used the Debenhams one locally and she was very good indeed - also she was a normal size and shape - I was rather expecting a size 8 beanpole - so that made me more relaxed.
Most of my family have been to her now, it's so much easier than trailing desperately round the shop when she brings everything to you and she didn't mind me feeding DS2 in the changing room, and there was tea and coffee and biscuits...
I'm a complete convert, and it's free.

Have used the local one in John Lewis Norwich who wasn't great - she kept on going on about what she liked and wanted to buy, rather than focusing on me - not v professional, but I do think it is def worth doing. Have heard good reports of the personal shoppers at John Lewis in London. Perhaps worth taking with you some pics of clothes you already have, so you can buy things which will work with them (for your summer things).

that's what would out me off,the fact that I'm not a size 8.

never used one, but used to work for debenhams and knew the lady quite well.

One thing I'd remember is that they don't usually deal with petite clothes horses, cos they don't need advice or help. They do deal with a whole range of differently sized people who need help with chosing things.

Also they know (ime) what the shop stocks from clothes to accessories so will be able to find things more quickly than you and a better range.

And hey, its free, if you really don't like the clothes then don't buy them or return them at a later date (at another store if necessary).

Thanks so much, was considering getting the wine out to encourage some replies

I'm not a small size so was a bit worried about being seen by a beanpole but that's a bit more reassuring. Think I'd be better off at Debenhams or John Lewis (didn't know they did one as well) by the sound of it.

Debenhams is pretty good in some stores, abysmal in others IMHO. No experience of Selfridges but would second the idea that it'd cost more. NB M&S do personal shopping in some stores apparently.

Best thing to do is ring them before you go tell them what it's for and your size and say 'I'll be in a hurry, can you have a rack ready'. Then you can get through it all quicker and it's not quite so stressed because you can sit around drinking coffee while they scurry.

Debenhams aren't so good on bras though in my experience so you find this to die for dress and then have to sod off to M&S to get a bra to go with it afterwards!!! However I do have large bazungers so hardly surprising.

tinkerbell, I'm in the same boat so any dress I get will either have sleeves or large straps so I don't have to try and stay in a strapless bra