John Lewis personal shopping

[WobblyLondoner]

I'm going to a ceremony in a few months where I need to look fantastic and really smart. I don't have anything suitable and am not very confident about what to get - was thinking of going to a John Lewis personal shopper. Any views on how good they are? And if I could choose between any of the London stores what would people recommend?

I did it a couple of years ago on the recommendation of a friend. It was excellent for me, as I am pretty clueless and find shopping soul destroying. The personal shopper asked me a few questions and took 5 minutes to select a few dresses for me. Every one fitted well and suited me well, and were dresses I would never have picked up on my own. Took the 2 hour option which was free. Bought 2 dresses which I have worn a number of times. Personal shopper was just nice and matter-of-fact. Put me totally at ease.
No idea about London options though!

I’ve been to the Cardiff personal shopper a couple of times as i’m a hopeless shopper when I need something for a certain event.
Each time I was nervous but have been very pleasantly surprised at how well she understood what I was after and managed to get me to try things that i’d never had picked off the shelf myself.
I can’t help with London stores, but would advise you to book well in advance and go for it!

Thanks both. Realise I've left it a bit late to get an Oxford St appointment so am going to try Stratford - will then have some spare time before the event in case I need it.

I've booked the Cardiff one for 2 weeks time . I'll report back :-)

@Rattymare Hope it is a good visit - do please report back. Are you looking for a particular outfit or a more general revamp?

I'm going to a wedding in a castle. I'm not very confident when it comes to dressing posh !

Ah, good luck!

Well, I had my personal shopper appointment. It was a really enjoyable experience and the stylist was absolutely brilliant.
You get a cup of coffee in a lovely private dressing room where you have a chat so that the personal shopper can get an understanding of your tastes and style preferences etc. I tried on loads of outfits, and was even measured properly including bra sizing, which actually reduced my dress size as I had been wearing completely the wrong bra size for years.
They will also lend you a pair of shoes to set off the outfits as you try them on.
There was absolutely no pressure at all to make a purchase. I ended up not actually buying anything but that was only because of my own personal confidence or should I say lack of it and John Lewis seemed to have a limited stock at the time of my visit. However It became very clear what styles did or did not suit me.
I probably shouldn't say this but I went on to buy a beautiful dress for the wedding elsewhere a few days later using the tips that I had learnt. My confidence has been given a huge boost.
This was a very positive experience and I would definitely recommend it.

I have been thinking about this (Personal Shopping in JL) and would probably go to Oxford Street rather than Westfield W12. Although it is nearer me, there is more choice for a plus sized woman - which I am -at the Oxford Street one.

Thanks Rattymare, that was helpful.

I had one last October in Birmingham, ahead of doing a big product launch where I was presenting to 1500 people and then had several days of presenting.
My personal shopper was fantastic, really understood the brief, and got me to try lots of things I would have never picked. I came out with two beautiful outfits, and have had so many compliments on my 'stage' outfit.

I've done this twice with JL in Oxford Street. The first was brilliant. 7 years later having gone up to more than a size 16 after kids it wasn't nearly as good - both because the choice of clothes was much more limited (understandably but I was still hopeful) and because the person helping me wasn't as nice or as effective. I left really despondent. I hope your experience is more like my first!

I did the Cardiff one 9 years ago and it was great. I was going to do the paid one because I didn't want any sales pressure but the woman said they don't mind if you don't buy anything and changed me to the free one.

It was so nice just sitting drinking a cup of tea whilst someone brought me clothes to try on rather than schlepping around with an armfull and then sweating in a tiny cabin. But also her recommendations were great. I have lost a lot of weight since then but still wear 2 of the items regularly and the insight she gave me into colours and styles are ones I still use today.

So glad it went well @Rattymare! Mine did too - I went to JL in Stratford London (would have rather gone to Oxford St but ran out of time). It was great - she bought a lot of different styles and colours and I found a gorgeous dress and jacket that I'd never have tried myself in a million years. I'd definitely go again.

Really liked JL Stratford too - smaller but more manageable.

Enjoy your event @Rattymare

Bloody hell, bold fail there - sorry all!