Personal shopper/image consultant - has anyone ever used one?

[CurrantBun]

And if so, would you recommend it?

I really struggle with putting looks together and seem to live in the same old 'uniform' of jumpers, jeans and boots (or variations on this theme) pretty much all the time. I would love some new ideas but have no idea where to start.

I have the added disadvantage of being 5'1" and a small size 6 so everything I try on swamps me. It would be great to know which shops sell clothes that might actually fit me (apart from children's departments) and what looks would work on me without making me look like a doll.

So I was toying with the idea of a session with an image consultant but they are not cheap. I don't want to waste my money so thought someone here might be able to help me decide whether or not it's a good idea ...

Message withdrawn

CurrantBun - you should come shopping here in Paris - lots of the women here are tiny and the clothes are to match. There are whole brands I can't even begin to think about as I have a comparatively large frame (1m74 / size 10...).

I feel your pain, CB. Whilst I am not size 6 (I am more 8/10), I too am vertically challenged and find the clothes in most shops here are just too big. Almost everything I own comes from Gap, Zara, Kew and various US shops I frequent when I am over there. Tis very frustrating. Would love to just be able to go into a shop and try on a pair of trousers that weren't 2 inches too wide at the waist (hips usually OK, tho) and several inches too long. Ayone would think I was an Oompa Loompa, the trouble I have.
Where do you usually shop?

Grumpy, usually shop in Gap and French Connection (FC annoyingly only do a "standard" 34" leg length in everything but jeans, which means at least £10 on top of the price of trousers to have them shortened).

Occasionally find trousers in Next Petite but recently the quality of their clothes has been appalling - all the trousers seem to be polyester! Sometimes successful in Principles although their clothes tend to be quite work-orientated and I generally favour casual clothes.

It doesn't help that manufacturers now make clothes bigger to make larger people feel better that they can still fit into a size 16. They need to start making a size 4 for those of us at the opposite end of the scale!

Anna, would LOVE to shop in Paris (a girl can dream ...)

I too am 5ft 1" but a size 12. I saw a demo not long ago given by a personal shopper in John Lewis. She was amazing!!!!
She new the brands instantly that were no good for shorties and showed how outfits can be worn in different ways. Free service in their stores with no obligation to buy.

HTH

Murphys Law #1 The other queue always moves faster

Thanks, ML - that sounds like it might be a place to start at least! Might as well try out the free services before forking out.