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Original poster

John Lewis personal shopper experience…any good?

42 replies

Artyfarty555 · 09/10/2022 18:25

A friend has booked a personal shopper experience or something of a similar name at John Lewis, to update or kick start “her look”?? ..erm not sure what she means.
Just wondering if anyone has ever done this and has it been beneficial? Is it better to go with an open mind or better to have an idea of what you want.
Sometimes l struggle with the ‘ going out with the girls’ pub, pizza…nothing too glam but a bit dressy…I’ve no idea other than jeans and a blouse.
I must admit I’m quite tempted as at 55 l think it wouldn’t hurt as l find some shops a bit too bare midriff and others a bit too formal… and might like a few different ideas? Apparently it’s free although l do wonder if you feel under pressure to buy their recommendations.
Any suggestions on how to get the most out of a session, what to expect or any advice?
Thanks x

OP posts:
DogDaysNeverEnd · 09/10/2022 18:37

I've done it twice and both times taken almost everything I bought back a few days later. Neither "stylist" was any more than a glorified "gofer". I told them roughly what I liked/didn't like and they went and fetched stuff. In fairness I tried in more than if I was browsing the rails but they certainly didn't help style me.

The changing rooms were large, but with terrible soft lighting so I had to walk out on the shop floor to see properly. I did buy a new bra the first time which was a revelation!

It's fine, just temper your expectations and you might try something you wouldn't normally.

Happyhome21 · 09/10/2022 18:45

I went to one before a big interview in Kingston and she was fantastic

Motnight · 09/10/2022 18:58

Done it twice. First time I had no idea what I was looking for and the personal shopper was amazing. Second time I was a bit disappointed.

Original poster
Artyfarty555 · 09/10/2022 19:37

Sounds a bit hit and miss then. I suppose it depends on the stylist and her individual style ideas. I’m just hoping to see how they combine items.etc. My friend is a similar age but not sure whether she has asked for anything specific. A day out if nothing else.

OP posts:
AuntSalli · 09/10/2022 19:43

I had one in Debenhams and one in John Lewis when I was about 28 and they both dressed me like a 45-year-old. I’m considering going back now I am an actual 45-year-old

ItsNotUnusualToBe · 09/10/2022 20:40

Steph in Cardiff John Lewis twice. Both times were fab. First time was after losing weight and she saw me through fresh eyes. Second time for a special occasion. Both times I liked about 50% of what she showed me and she was good at listening and changing track if needed. I bought 5ish things both times and some of the items are still favourites after years.

Oblomov22 · 09/10/2022 20:46

Done it twice in the last year for weddings. Used to go to Debenhams. Fabulous. No pressure, but I'm not the kind of person that would succumb to any even if there was. Fabulous. What's not to like?

lancashirebornandbred · 09/10/2022 20:55

I’ve been about three times. The worst experience was when the expert had forgotten her glasses, couldn’t read the labels and kept bringing me the wrong size. She also kept stopping to chat to various assistants when we were wandering round the floor. I didn’t get anything she suggested. One time I went I had a really lovely stylist. She was very friendly, incredibly helpful, and I bought a few things she suggested.

Bearlet · 09/10/2022 21:02

I went once and found it worthwhile. I tried on stuff I would never have considered otherwise and ended up buying a few bits. Mainly, it gave me the confidence to go for a particular shape/style I wasn't used to seeing myself in and wasn't sure I could pull off. I've since bought a few more things in that style.

It wasn't amazing, though. No life-changing revelations.

There was no pressure to buy; they don't work on commission.

FivePotatoesHigh · 09/10/2022 21:03

I booked for one but cancelled as they said they’d contact me beforehand about what I wanted and nobody bothered to do so.

Original poster
Artyfarty555 · 09/10/2022 21:16

Sounds worth a try.. sounds quite good fun as l like clothes but have really fallen wayside! It does say you can go around the store with the assistant or wait in the changing rooms.. which did people do? I might interfere too much if l walked round?!

OP posts:
FormerlySpeckledyHen · 10/10/2022 06:40

I did it before my sisters wedding. Lovely assistant had lots of different styles ready in the changing room but unfortunately there was nothing in any range in my autumn colours. She went off to look for more dresses after meeting me while I tried some on.
It gave me the opportunity to see myself in different styles that I wouldn’t normally look at.
Would do it again.

Bonus afterwards when I was invited to a fashion show combined with Estée Lauder and got a great goodie bag of stuff.

jeaux90 · 10/10/2022 06:58

Did it at JL for a specific event. She was fabulous (the one near High Wycombe)

halfsiesonapotnoodle · 10/10/2022 07:00

Cardiff one was very good for me. I bought a couple of things and was very pleased.

Canthinkofaname79 · 10/10/2022 07:06

Anyone used the Cheltenham one?

Shortpoet · 10/10/2022 07:09

I did at Reading. I looked at the rail of things she picked out and thought that I wouldn’t have picked any of those things to try on. But I decided to have an open mind and give them all a go.

I ended up buying 3 dresses which I was really pleased with and I still like to wear. There were a couple more “maybes” that I didn’t get and about 3 definite nos. She also picked out some shoes that I liked.

Its opened my mind to new styles and brands I wasn’t aware of.

Its free and there’s no pressure so worth doing.

crustybreaddarling · 10/10/2022 07:17

I tried it at their Southampton store. I had to complete some online details ahead of time to give them an idea of my size, shape and what I was looking for.

After the initial greeting from the stylist her opening words were 'well, we're pretty limited, we don't have much in your size' I'm 5' 10" and between a 16/18.

Firstly I thought it was rude, I hate clothes shopping anyway and her comment didn't make me feel worse.

Secondly I thought as they'd had the information ahead of the appointment they could have contacted me to say the choice would be limited and thus saved me a trip.

So, for me, not a good experience although I did laugh when she found some nice linen trousers. Nice aside from the fact they hung just below my knee on account of my leg length.

Jumpking · 10/10/2022 07:21

I've done it a few times with JL and Debenhams. All depends on whether the stylist you get is any good or not.

Last time I did it was JL at Lakeside. I had a hot date and everything she brought out was wrong, so bought nothing at all.

Walked into new look straight after and got 2 dresses I loved.

AwkwardSquad · 10/10/2022 07:25

I’ve never tried a personal shopper, but I think an important question is whether or not you actually like the clothes that JL sells. I know they have several ranges on offer, so there’s a fair amount of choice, but for me personally most of it is really not my style so I wouldn’t go for the personal shopper experience there.

boniobiscuit · 10/10/2022 07:46

I've done it a few times and my husband has once.
We've both had brilliant experiences but we also know who to book with and she really is excellent. She really 'gets' both of us.

BrownTableMat · 10/10/2022 09:08

Hit and miss, as others have said. A few years back one transformed my work wardrobe. She was fab and I bought and wore and wore nearly everything she found me. Another time was useless, and other times have been somewhere in between (found me one or two pieces, or gave me some ideas, but also a lot of rubbish). As others have said, there’s no pressure to buy so it’s probably worth a try as it’s free

BMIwoes · 10/10/2022 09:11

JL Oxford St in London 3 times, twice for new workwear and once for a special birthday party outfit. Each time was great, got stuff I loved and would never have considered myself. My only regret is I can't wear any of it at the moment as I've gained a bit of weight (hence the username!).

Icanneverthinkofausername · 10/10/2022 09:16

I did one last weekend in Southampton and loved it. Was really worried about being pressured to buy stuff but not at all. When she first showed me the rail I thought, nope it's all wrong, not my style at all, but once on I actually liked most of it, opened my eyes to different styles, and she told me how to mix and match the bits, layer them, ect to get the most outfits out of it. Am already planning to go back in summer

Original poster
Artyfarty555 · 10/10/2022 15:35

Oh, thank you all for your helpful comments. Quite looking forward to it now. Nothing ventured, nothing gained,eh?!

OP posts:
Isabelle70 · 10/10/2022 21:10

I did an online session with a JL stylist that I follow on Instagram. I selected what I was looking and she found about 8 ideas for me. I really liked it, it took me out my comfort zone and I purchased about half of the items she listed or very similar items. As it was online she also sent me the style images so I would know what went with what.

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