Why do people always recommend personal shopping at John Lewis?

[Nortono]

Who really goes to John Lewis for clothes? Is it because it’s the only place that has a personal shopper?

I think that those poo-pooing JL and M&S, never actually look at the clothes. i like both shops. They cater for women and men who aren't young, but some of us like clothes that aren't fast fashion.

but very ordinary brands

Which brands do you like?

I've done it twice - once for a particular occasion, and recently needing a few outfits. My experience was very positive, and it really helped me break out of what I thought suited me. The lady in JL Cheltenham spent a good half hour on the phone with me ahead of time to understand what I was looking for, then had pulled a load of clothes ahead of time, then moved on from there

I’m going at the end of February to Oxford street, want a casual look make over to get me out of a rut.

I always thought the same - till I tried it. A personal shopper is aware of what's on the shelves that you'd just by-pass because you 'don't like the brand' but could actually fit your shape and be in your colours.

I’ve done it twice- both pre Covid, so not that recently. I had taken my eye off the ball fashion wise and I just needed some casual clothes. I was also approaching 50 and I didn’t know what to wear any more. My previous looks had featured a fair bit of body con. In my head I was expecting a few Toast/Scandi looks. I think what I was given to try on was much more suited to my smaller frame though. I had a Mint Velvet dress in a floaty fabric, some French Connection joggers with a sleeveless top and a Whistles printed blouse with cropped Oasis tapered trousers. The second time was more Wintery and I got three above the knee skirts and some jumper’s which went with them.
I haven’t loved these clothes but I have worn most of them quite a lot.
I feel more confident in my own taste these days but I would recommend it if you have no idea what to buy any more. That said it obviously makes a difference which stylist you get.

I don’t really like John Lewis clothing. They seem to stock very over priced stuff. Utterly boring dresses with 3 figure price tags. Grim jewellery

My dress sense might not be your cup of tea, but I have always got nice, dresses for say about £50 when I went to JL for personal shoppers, for parties, baptisms, weddings etc. I don't think it's that bad.

How can the jewellery be 'grim' when they sell everything from skandi-style, home spun looking, glitzy, classic... basically every style I can imagine

I booked an appointment with a personal shopper at my local John Lewis as I felt I was stuck in a clothes rut and needed someone to take me out my comfort zone. The PS was great. I answered a few questions before I went for my appt.On my way walking through the ladies dept I saw a blouse and though ooh I like that. Guess what,that was one of the items already picked out,but unfortunately the neckline didn't sit properly on me.I ended up with a pair of jeans,2 blouses and a blazer.I could have spent more but I needed to stick to a budget.I would do it again.

Honestly, this is now the only way I go clothes shopping. 2hrs with a personal shopper is far more productive than any amount of time by myself browsing the rails.

My DH went last year as he needed smart casual wear for work and the assistant was amazing, he walked out with a whole new wardrobe! They aren't on commission and the session is free. We were really impress he's early forties.

Their own brands may not be your cup of tea, but they stock so many brands of clothes, shoes, jewellery and accessories, you can't really write them all off in one statement!

I did it once years ago when I was in my mid-thirties, going back to work after mat leave and wanted work wardrobe. I was around a size 14 with big boobs. Pretty much everything she brought me was black scratchy polyester. And tent like tops. I may have been a bit overweight but I don’t think I was so hideous I needed to hide myself in a burka type thing. So disappointing.

It's just silly fashion snobbery. I bet 90% of women over 30 own something in the brands that JL sell, even if they didn't get the item from JL.

Perhaps it’s branch specific. It’s uninspired stuff in ours

They sell brands but most of it is uninspired and boring

I didn't use the personal shopper, but went in once looking for an outfit for a wedding. Absolutely awful! Old, frumpy, dated dresses. Maybe it wasn't a big enough store, but there was not one thing I would have worn.

I would agree that JL clothing department is uninspiring but I don’t actually think that it is because of the brands they stock. (Well not in my nearest one anyway). There’s Reiss, Whistles, Albaray, Hush, All Saints, Ted Baker, Mint Velvet, French Connection, Sweaty Betty among others. So it’s pretty much representative of the mid price high street.
I know there may be more innovative brands out there but not at this price level.
But as I said, it still comes across as uninspiring which I think is due to the department store vibe. It’s not Very well merchandised as in everything is rather crammed on rails. So I think the personal shopper experience is probably the best way to find something you like. The dressing rooms they use are much nicer too.

I think that those poo-pooing JL and M&S, never actually look at the clothes. i like both shops. They cater for women and men who aren't young, but some of us like clothes that aren't fast fashion.

They are the very definition of fast fashion! Rail upon rail of new styles every season, mostly synthetic and cheaply made in China, Bangladesh, etc. Awful.

@New2024
They sell brands but most of it is uninspired and boring

What brands do you like that are inspiring and not boring?

I go when I don;t want to traipse round a lot of different shops. Brands they carry that I wear include All Saints, Mango, Alberay, Hobbs, Barbour, Swetty Betty & Phase 8. I don't think the one I go to stocks Reiss but I also like that brands.

Same experience here. And it was like being told off by my mum

That sounds amazing @bananaapplepear is this stylist by any chance in London and would you mind sharing their name on here or via pm? I’m finally ready to go shopping after a few years of just focusing on the kids, tandem feeding and the insane exhaustion. Would deeply appreciate someone to recommend me styles for me!