Five reasons to shop with an Image Consultant
With warm weather on the way, I knew I needed to beef up my wardrobe beyond the few tee shirts and lightweight cardigan or two that tend to be my go-to pieces for summer and fall. My goal was to branch out and add some quality pieces with twist but didn’t know where to begin, so I called upon my friend Karen, writer of the blog “Of a Certain Age” and owner of Wear It Well Wardrobe and Image Consulting for a few hours of targeted shopping. Karen was well prepared; she showed up with a list of the items I’d mentioned that I’d like to find, along with a list of stores and brands that she thought might work. We decided to start at Nordstrom, and really hit pay dirt there. Arriving soon after they opened, Karen grabbed a sales associate and snagged a large dressing room. We perused several departments, grabbing anything that had potential and then hit the dressing room. I tried the first batch, then Karen went out and found more to try based on what seemed to be working. We had such good luck at Nordie’s we’d checked off most of the items on the list by noon! And staying in the dressing room while Karen went back out on the floor to hunt really cut down on my sensory overload and made the whole experience far more pleasant.
Before we began I was ready to consider the day successful if I found one or two items that worked, but ended up with half a dozen, many of which were on sale. I now feel ready should the mercury climb, and will share some of the finds in upcoming Polyvores on the Floor and action shots.
What I learned today:
1. Sometimes, a camisole is all that’s needed to take an item from “Hey, Sailor!” to Office Appropriate™.
2. The right pattern can hide a multitude of sins!
3. Try each item in different sizes; even if the first one you try seems to fit OK, a smaller or larger size than normal might be better.
4. Bring water for serious shopping. (Karen did, yay!)
5. Style trumps all; if you love it, wear it.
Thanks again, Karen; it was a blast!
~
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So glad you had a productive experience, and got so much crossed off your list!
I’ve never had the good luck to go shopping with an image consultant, but I’ve always gotten great service at Nordstrom. On one occasion, a saleperson tucked me and a friend into one of the extra large dressing rooms, and proceeded to bring us all kinds of great clothes to try on. Since we were both the same size, we had a lot of fun swapping things back and forth.
So bummed I missed your call! Actually, more bummed that I wasn’t there in person!
Congratulations on your successful shopping trip! Being able to stay in the dressing room makes such a difference, doesn’t it? As does water, for that matter! I work in a small lingerie boutique where we specialize in fittings. Every customer I help comments on how nice it is not only to be fit properly, but also to be able to sit in the room while I bring her things to try on, rather than getting dressed and undressed fifty times. That’s why we give up so soon, isn’t it?
Lastly, I couldn’t agree more with the idea of trying on a couple of sizes of the same item, even if you think it fits well. You’d be surprised how much better a size up or down fits, or you can be completely sure that you’ve got the right size when those other ones are too big or small.
Sorry, now the last thing: I love patterns! So flattering! Do not be afraid of the pattern!
Good. You had a real treat! I´m anxiously waiting for your polyvores 🙂
Good for you! I’m looking forward to seeing the results but it sounds like a fabulously productive day.
Sounds fabulous! I can only imagine how fun, yet productive, it would be to shop with Karen. I think it’s so important that the personality fit is there — it would be tough to relax with a style consultant if that weren’t the case.
I had a very helpful young assistant at Club Monaco on the weekend who brought item after item to the dressing room for me — she was obviously trying to make a sale, and brought me items I wasn’t really looking for, but she was never pushy and I had to admit that some of the things she brought were spot-on though I wouldn’t have taken them off the hanger without her eye.
There’s no way that I’m going shopping with Karen. Her eye is so good that I will end up wanting to buy so many fabulous things.
Excellent! Can’t wait to see the results. Like you, I’m easily overwhelmed by shopping and rarely get the opportunity to do more than half an hour here or there, usually unsuccessfully.
Man, sounds like you SCORED with Karen guiding you; can’t wait to see how you integrate the new goods.
[And am glad you didn’t hold off til fall to do this…you have a lot of warm-weather to get through down there!]
All your points are good ones, and it’s why I actually enjoy shopping with (non-expert) friends sometimes — it simplifies the process and helps keep spirits high.
ps On this post and your 4.26 style one, I see highlighted (as in “yellow highlighter”) words. Not sure if this is intentional or maybe just something my browser is doing, but thought I’d mention it in case it was a weird Blogger glitch.
excellent post. I also get tired and discouraged quickly. You gave some wonderful suggestions and I’m dying to see what you bought for the summer. After a few days of high temps and humidity I realized most of my spring outfits are way too hot for the summer. Definitely need a few cool dresses. Thanks.
OH!!! Miss Janey cannot wait to see the goods!
Looking forward to seeing your purchases – sounds as if you had such a great and worthwhile and FUN day too with Karen. x
That’s so cool!
Waiting in the dressing room while someone runs the floor for you is the way I shopped for my mother for the last 20 or so years of her life. I gather it is very nice.
You did great! You were so patient and easy to work with.
Now go work those wardrobe charts I gave you!
Denise – YES! Not having to dress and undress really helps.
Rubiatonta – lately I’ve found that even at Nordstrom, the service just isn’t what it used to be. I don’t fault the sales associate who was helping us; she seemed to be one of only two people on the floor, and had a steady flow of customers at the register.
metscan – first polyvores coming tomorrow!
WendyB – we were bummed we missed you. We were having a great time and spotting celebs at lunch!
tiffany – it’s interesting to me to see how common this is. Makes me think retailers could improve their bottom line by creating a more pleasant shopping experience.
Mardel – thanks! It was *incredibly* productive.
Karen – yes ma’am! I’ve already started on them.
materfamilias – it really does help to have someone who knows the merchandise and is ready to be helpful. So often I find myself ignored when browsing the racks. Those times when we do experience good customer service really stand out!
Belle – yes, she’s VERY good! I’m always amazed at how good her eye is.
Vix – yes I really did hit the jackpot, retail-wise, and yes, I’m glad I did some serious shopping now, not only because I needed some warm weather clothes, but also because this is the season I have such *trouble* with on my own.
(I finally figured out how to remove the yellow, it had something to do with the spell checker.)
Laura – thanks! I credit Karen with any and all wisdom gained from this experience. Fortunately we don’t have high humidity here, but it can get quite hot in the later summer and early fall.
Miss Janey – the reveal of the goods will commence tomorrow!
Semi Expat – yes, it was an incredibly fun day, and one of the few times I didn’t come away from a goal-oriented shopping expedition feeling ready to collapse in a tearful heap.
Duchesse – oh, it was the BEST! I’m totally spoiled now. ;-p
A few times I’ve taken clients shopping I’ve worn a pedometer to see how far I walk during a 2 hour shopping trip – and it averages at 4000 steps! This is why you were so happy to sit in the change room, and why I always wear flat shoes when I’m doing a shopping trip with a client!
Imogen – I believe it! Karen really worked her tail off, even going to the lingerie department on another floor to find a proper camisole!
I wish I could find someone to help me in my own city!
Great advice – and I know it must have been a great experience!