“Oh” said the personal shopper

[Jamonfirst]

After a difficult few years with all things me being put aside, an embracing 2020 as the year for me. Have got back into a sport I love, am enjoying eating better and am picking up so many good tips from the S&B boards I actually feel pretty good . Just as well really after my personal shopper session. Researched for a while and found a private lady who seemed to be a good fit. Completed detailed questionnaire, explained I liked a quirky/edgy (age appropriate so no crop tops () style and am 5’2’ and 14/16 and mature of years 55).If a bit thinner would wear converse/pleated skirts but too thick of middle atm. Sent lots of photos, had phone conversation-was v clear I wanted casual clothes (work is a uniform so no prob there) and some going out clothes. Met and her first comment was “oh” then “might be difficult getting the right fit”. I know! That’s why I booked her! Suffice to say it didn’t go well (did get a nice pair of jeans so not all bad!). Have been trawling Instagram and Pinterest- please, if anyone knows any sites that are good for short and chunky hourglass shapes (I can filter for age/quirky) I might be able to build my wardrobe after my declutter..

Boden petite range is great OP . I’m mature , hourglass , petite and it is a perfect fit for me .

Would this website be of interest to you? You put in your size, body shop, style preferences and they select clothes for you to buy and try on. Think there is a £10 fee. www.stitchfix.co.uk/women?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=CjwKCAiAjrXxBRAPEiwAiM3DQheycMtzsbwfmG4Kh_kkDZZEE1yurp-R9voSmHU3a1YJyreTpT67HRoCJ48QAvD_BwE

Seasalt would be worth a look, they do a wide range of shapes and sizes and the mail order is really efficient.

I haven't read the full thread. I am so angry that the personal shopper was so useless AND rude, OP.

I know a personal shopper (it's a small company) who is FANTASTIC. They are quite expensive - not that I've compared the price to anyone else. They are in London but will travel certainly to the areas near London and further afield depending on their availability. You can get in touch here to enquire about prices, etc. This is not my company! But I've used them, following others' recommendations, and they were amazing.

Sorry your PS was as much use as a chocolate teapot.
Here's an idea for Spring/Summer and maybe even Autumn. These look amazing on everyone. I am a 12. My friends are an 8 and an 18 and we all look spectacular in them - about 30 to choose from - dress them up with a jacket in the more conservative prints or a little cardi for a more informal look. I get so many compliments every time I wear mine - cotton too and the wash and wear like a dream. Enjoy x
www.amazon.co.uk/FAIRY-COUPLE-Vintage-Cocktail-Flamingo/dp/B07JLS729Z/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=apparel&crid=3JATV5HFAL2LO&keywords=flamingo&sprefix=flaming%2Cfashion%2C134&th=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExTUFXM1dWSFpQWVZWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzA4NjA2MTQ1NEVBNUlJSjJORCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDQzMzMxMVNTRExDT0RJUjU0MCZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&qid=1580049482&sr=1-2-spons

Thanks to the pp who mentioned Stitchfix! They only go up to size 18 but I am now, just about, size 18 (going down, not up!) so I have ordered a box to see. I am fully expecting not to like anything, so if there are things that work, that will be a bonus. But it just seems like a really fun, easy way to try some new stuff that I might not have picked out myself.

Maybe have a look at Styled by Suzie on Facebook.
Also, Rosie Henshaw on YouTube.

Helenwearsasize18 might give you some ideas too.

So you paid this person for that service? I wouldn't have been happy with that. You can get one OK garment on your own by luck! I'd expect more from a professional. You are hardly an unusual set of requirements.

daughter is 5 foot 2 and curvy - she and her older colleagues get lovely dresses from Joanieclothing.com eg the green dinosaur dress (and won't break the bank)

Hobbs? Bit more on the smart end but they cut for a curve (full disclosure - all my Hobbs come from a charity shop!)

What kind of quirky are we talking? What silhouette do you prefer?

If you want leggings that look like jeans I too recommend Next jersey denim ones in dark wash/bleach. Also the pull on denim leggings. both come in petite options. Then it is just the top part to sort and that is pretty straightforward.

Simply be do a great range of jogging that look like jeans for petite frames. I wear the straight leg Bella ones all the time and roll them up.

That sounds rubbish! I'm only an inch taller than you, definitely chunky hourglass, and fluctuate between a 14 and a 20, and by far my favourite brand is Collectif :) give them a go, lovely shapes and separates!

Check out Alisonstyle on IG, she has a fantastic service.

Cheer up, I’m a size 8 and still walked out of a PS (John Lewis) session feeling like a hideous freak! Where do they find these people? (My crime was that not only am I short, but I don’t want to wear polyester. How unreasonable of me to expect anyone to have any clothes for me to buy.)

I’m shorter than you and older than you but of similar build. I find JL personal shopping great for tops and dresses but bad for jeans (which I wear about 340 days a year). For those I like Uniqlo.

Your independent personal shopper sounds a bit crap.

At least twice a week, I respond to people asking where to shop, and I always give the same reply. Look for the independent shops in your local town, and decide which of them you like best. Then go in and try stuff on, and if the retailer is competent, you will become part of the audience she aims to buy for. Sometimes fashion and style will have little to please you, and other years you may be spoiled for choice. But if you support smaller businesses, they will look after you.

In M&S or JL, you are just a ticket. Which is not to say they are irrelevant, but if you are buying 100,000 white shirts, there's not much scope to choose your preference. An Independent retailer lives and dies by those choices, so they often do a better job.

What a pants service you got there!! Useless woman, I’d be tempted to leave a negative review if she has any kind of feedback platform.
Anyway, well done for finding yourself again as a stylish lady, it sounds like a fantastic journey and you are enjoying it which is the main thing.
Trinny Woodall did a makeover for a lady of similar size to you (she might have been one size larger or maybe she looked it because she had a substantial bust for her height?), although a bit younger in age, she wasn’t a tall lady and wasn’t stick thin. The video is on her YouTube channel sometime towards the end of last year and it might inspire you in terms of suitable styles and proportions. I remember she chose a lovely green top at one point, a really good styling session, casual styles and a couple of dressier options.

I know this sounds weird, OP, but have you tried Topshop? I went for a personal styling session for my 30th birthday with my twin sister and my mum - Mum was 47, and she bought just as much as DSis and I did. I filled in a form saying what size/height we all were, and what sort of things we liked, and the PS brought us heaps of things.

Sorry, meant to say that we’re all 5’2” - at the time I was a 10/12 hourglass, DSis 8/10 hourglass and DM 12/14 and she’s slightly more of a pear than hourglass but not a really obvious pear.

I've found that JL is better online than in the shop. I now order loads in one go and send 2/3 of it back.

I find with being a short hourglass that I tend to need Petite trousers but regular tops to stretch over my boobs.

Sooo many good ideas on here thank you! Will def have a look. Not sure whether Topshop will cater for matron bosoms but happy to investigate . In answer to the pp, there was a fee for her services yes. There were several shops we went in with her picking up bits from the shelves. It wasn’t a complete loss because I found a nice independent jeans shop and a good pair of jeans so I won’t leave a negative review - I was just hoping for a bit more really. When I say quirky, I’m thinking on the Uniqlo kind - simple twists really. When I was slimmer the 50s look worked well for me - that fairy dress is gorgeous. Thank you all so much

And loving the Joanne clothes