Recommendations for personal shoppers

[El Pibe]

By "emphasis on recycling" does it really mean "your t-shirt will last 6 weeks"?

[RosieH]

I sent my friend a card from Muji last week.

The brandless thing came in handy - she thought I'd made it myself and called me "very talented".

I recommend you all do likewise.

[Loz]

*Bob* Wrote:

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> Come on, Huggie. "Not giving a flying @#$%& about

> fashion".. that's a pretty bold statement. I mean,

> what do you do.. simply select clothes on the

> basis of (1) applicable gender and (2) approximate

> sizing - and the rest can go blow?

Most of my clothes come from Sainburys (thoughtfully relabelled 'Tu').

I think you can safely say I don't give a flying @#$%& about fashion...

[RosieH]

Tu has been appearing in Vogue, you know.

Just sayin'.

[Loz]

I think the point, Rosie, is that I don't know that. I buy it because it is cheap and looks like the same stuff I've been wearing for the last 25 years. The law of averages says that every now and again I may wear something that may qualify as (briefly) fashionable but a) it would be a complete accident and b) I'll still look like crap.

The only exception to this is my snowboarding gear, in which I have successfully pulled off the 'mid 40's trying desperately to look like early 20's' look that is so popular amongst ageing fashionistas. We all have our weaknesses, I suppose.

[*Bob*]

What's the matter with you people?! Don't you have wives? Partners?! Don't they care?!

By Christ, if I went out in a pair or Chinos paired with a shapeless pastel t-shirt I'd be in for a few sharp words.

[El Pibe]

La Piba dresses me. It makes her happy and I couldn't give a toss either way so everyone's a winner.

[red devil]

El Pibe Wrote:

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> La Piba dresses me. It makes her happy and I

> couldn't give a toss either way so everyone's a

> winner.

I take it you work from home then?..

http://www.tanoryland.com/images/100_4292.jpg

[El Pibe]

uncanny!!

[*Bob*]

Come now, there's a certain amount of bluster to 'not giving a toss'.

What you mean is you don't give a toss.. as long as something acceptable is presented.. which it usually is.

You would soon start to give a toss if she returned home with something completely daft.

[Gerryw80]

Dont you trust your own shopping instincts? go on your own!

[RosieH]

Thus speaks a man who's never tackled the 8 floors of Harvey Nicks...

It's like my Kilimanjaro

[El Pibe]

Not really Bob, I'm indifferent to the slightly bland understated classic cuts that la piba favours for me, but given my penchant for the more outlandish, my apparent lack of understanding of 'what works' and total inablity to grasp the concept of 'colour clash' I'm happy to accept that I end up looking less of a prat, especially given my sudden arrival at middle age and parental status.

If you see someone wandering down lordhsip lane in off-white flannel trousers, luminous orange urban combat camouflage and a deer stalker, that's probably me whilst la piba is in Ireland visiting her mum ;)

[RosieH]

See, right there - style icon.

Pibe, I'm slightly reluctant to say this out of respect for the Piba, but IGNORE THE PIBA. That outfit sounds immense. Do it! Do it now!

[*Bob*]

Actually I think I have seen that outfit on Lordship Lane.

I assumed it was just a lone hipster from New Cross who'd taken a wrong turn.

[LondonLogCo]

Why do those men who don't give a toss, often end up buying a pair of Merril type walking shoe/trainers, one size too big

Then pairing those oversized & laced-up-to-distortion shoes with the chinos ( creased by the hanger ) and the pastel polo

[Huguenot]

Have you read the thread RosieH?

Oddly enough, not only have I heard of personal shoppers, but I think it makes perfect sense for high ticket items at Selfridges, Harvey Nicholls and other shops of their ilk.

It also makes sense if there's a minimum purchase.

What I called into question was the value of personal shoppers at low margin high street stores for no minimum expenditure for an OP who said that her entire intention was to do it on the cheap.

At face value it doesn't seem to be logical.

Not only that, but I also pointed out that there must be more to this than meets my eye. I was clear that I looked forward to discovering what I had missed.

So that all rather pisses on your self righteous declaration that I 'arrogantly' thought that I knew more about retailing than this list of high street stores.

So what perceived crime have I committed that is really bugging you RosieH, because you're having to make up stuff to have a go at me about?

[RosieH]

I would, delicately, suggest that if anyone has something that's really bugging them, that it isn't me. Nor is it dignified. Let lie.

[????]

Up selling

Word of mouth

Branding

PR

Fook me Huguenot I thoughts you were in marketing?

[giggirl]

RosieH you've make perfect sense and I applaud you but it's time for us to all roll our eyes and move on now.

[Huguenot]

Upselling only works if the shopper is prepared to buy more, which the OP was clear she had no intention of doing.

Word of mouth only works if the service is available for others to take advantage of, which is clearly impractical given the inefficiency of personal shopping in low margin stores. This is a service for 10 people not 5,000

Branding is only effective if the brand accurately reflects the essence of the product or service itself, or it will be perceived as a deception. In the case of low margin personal shopping, this is only likely to go the same way as ?5 plane tickets when applicants realise only one is on sale and the whole thing is a con - it brings the industry into disrepute.

PR is only good if it raises profile and positive perception - since no-one actually knows of a low margin store that provides this service it's failed at the first hurdle.

I do work in marketing Quids - that's why this one escapes me.

I look forward to finding out what it is that I missed.

Giggirl you are of course welcome to 'move on', but it is disappointing to see that you've joined the ranks of those who think they can tell others what to do. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if I did it to you.

In the meantime, Bon Voyage!

[QueenBeeStyling]

...I tried to send this as a personal message but it appears your account doesn't exsit any longer. I thought I'd post it anyway in case you are still out there somewhere...

Hi Ms B,

I understand that you don't want to splash out on a personal stylist but I feel compelled to offer a little bit of advice as I understand how frustrating it can be when you shop the high street.

I do work with most of the personal shopping departments on the high street and you are right they can be a bit hit and miss. The problem is even the best department store stylist is limited to what?s available in the store. You?ll really need to visit a few other stores to give yourself the best chance of getting some lovely outfits. I?ve never managed to source a client?s wardrobe from one store alone.

Obviously I am biased but aside from advising you on what suits you and your body shape, an independent stylist will save you time and money in the long run. They?ll know exactly what?s on the high street, what?s value for money and the best brands to suit your style. This cuts out a lot of the ?faff? involved in shopping.

If you do change your mind or want some further reassurance a number of my clients have posted on the forum in this link:-

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?30,745173,882283#msg-882283

You may want to PM them for additional information

I?m happy to recommend some stores for you (free of charge) but first I?d need to know your personal style. Please feel free to call me if you would like any more information.

Happy Shopping!

Sally

[email protected]

www.queenbeestyling.com

M: 07956 293845