tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post6432541688483970475..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Buying clothes: The personal shopperDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16707137621860929142017-05-01T14:14:59.828-04:002017-05-01T14:14:59.828-04:00Margie: iThat post will run Tuesday; my mistake. T...Margie: iThat post will run Tuesday; my mistake. Thank you.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-25162628303392795592017-05-01T09:17:56.162-04:002017-05-01T09:17:56.162-04:00Duchesse - - "Because the Night" is list...Duchesse - - "Because the Night" is listed as your latest post but all I get is a 404 Error Message for this one - I can access all prior posts. Just thought you might like to know that here seems to be a bit of a glitch somewhere.Margie from Torontohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103835021764804099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-69733979130435219032017-04-28T19:33:49.393-04:002017-04-28T19:33:49.393-04:00materfamilias: I am by now inured to the assurance...materfamilias: I am by now inured to the assurances that I can wear whatever and fake "aren't we having. fun?" friendliness, though I do appreciate thoughtful service like you had at Nordstrom's with your skirt. And you went back- your latest MOTB dress is a stunner! <br /><br />So once again their approach of superior service pays off.<br /><br />Sisty: Now that's a gem of a sales person! I have seen retail sales training manuals that teach the "compliment the customer" tactic. As you observed, it is a 'softening' device. Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-83597832716347152412017-04-27T21:32:31.557-04:002017-04-27T21:32:31.557-04:00There was such a boutique near where I live in Was...There was such a boutique near where I live in Washington DC. The saleswoman brought me a pair of pants that I would not have considered -- these were cotton ankle-length pants, and this was five or six years ago -- that looked absolutely great and that I eventually wore out. She paired it with a blouse I would also not have considered, since it had a gathered bottom band. But together they looked great and disguised extra belly plumpness I was very self-conscious about. And all this without actually remarking on my figure flaws. Sadly, the store closed a few years ago.<br /><br />Not a direct sales tactic, but more of a buttering-up tactic: complimenting you on what you've worn into the store. I concluded it wasn't a coincidence when every salesperson I came across started doing it. <br /><br />Sistyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12392797355758635079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-78866946562271225782017-04-27T17:45:40.202-04:002017-04-27T17:45:40.202-04:00I find this so tough, because if the SA does give ...I find this so tough, because if the SA does give the attention I'd like, I too quickly get a sense of being socially obligated somehow.. . it's easy to get swept up in someone's enthusiasm, although I'm at least very clear about my general parameters and I have some very clear Dos and Don'ts. No point telling me I don't have a short waist, for example, so that I can wear whatever waist-defining dress you think would be "awesome" on me. . . <br />I think what's really frustrating for me is that when I do find an SA who pays attention and who brings something to the process besides false flattery, I often add something to my wardrobe that turns out to be a real gem, something I'd have walked past on my own. <br />Something my daughter suggested last time we were in Nordstrom together and I found the leather skirt I'd been looking for forever was to ask an SA to pull any other contenders in the category -- we went for lunch and when we came back she had six others for me to try. I liked none of them anywhere near as much as the one I'd chosen, and I also saw that -- especially on sale -- the price that I was paying was a decent one for what I was getting.<br />As for Gauss's comment re what’s flattering a few posts back, I’m with her if she’s questioning the (at least implied) assumption that we all want to look taller and slimmer — the adjective seldom means more athletic or rounder or more intelligent. . <br />Haven’t been finding time to comment but enjoying your posts — I like this idea of blogging/writing as a craft that doesn’t consume, materially . . . materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-63668016065828303372017-04-27T12:08:19.147-04:002017-04-27T12:08:19.147-04:00hostess: Oh, you are lucky to have that level of a...hostess: Oh, you are lucky to have that level of attention. When I write "personal shopper" I am referring to staff of a store, like Halbreich was at Bergdorf's. The customer pays nothing. It's a different deal when you hire an image consultant (or stylist) to go shopping with you, or to go shopping herself and bring you the selection. I know several very busy executives who do this.<br /><br />I know another woman- a school principal- who rents all her business clothes!<br /><br />Margie: I would rather go to one boutique, even if there is nothing there, and then try another one awhile later, than face the ant farm that is the mall.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-37545907164722589562017-04-27T10:21:21.997-04:002017-04-27T10:21:21.997-04:00I loved Betty's book too...a personal shopper ...I loved Betty's book too...a personal shopper service would be a luxury as a retiree but as a working woman I think it could be a time saver and well worth the money.<br />One needs to be confident when going shopping to try on clothing...if one listens to the people who are hired to sell, one has to be prepared to hear those lines used to move merchandise.<br />In small boutiques locally we have trusted women who are honest and will say..."you could do better" or "let me find you something I think will suit you" or "we have some things coming in next week and I know there are a few pieces that are going to be fabulous with what you already own...I will call you when they come in."<br />Those are my kind of sales people...hostess of the humble bungalowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06453827257671312902noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-76796703294426863202017-04-27T10:06:20.232-04:002017-04-27T10:06:20.232-04:00I've heard a few people mention Image Consulta...I've heard a few people mention Image Consultants and yes, if I was doing a major overhaul to my wardrobe it would be money well spent.<br />And yes, you make a very valid point about any items out of our comfort zone dressing. Special occasion dressing is difficult and perhaps an experienced but retired saleswoman could offer her services at a reasonable price to assist with this sort of shopping - I know I'd find it helpful.<br /><br />Yorkdale has become overwhelming - he last time I was there I actually had a bit of a panic attack and had to leave - immediately - I just found it all so over the top and it made me feel ill. I'd never reacted that way before.Margie from Torontohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103835021764804099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-87779673154650999882017-04-27T08:43:02.047-04:002017-04-27T08:43:02.047-04:00MargiefromTO: Where those of us who are 'unifo...MargiefromTO: Where those of us who are 'uniform dressers' get caught is when we need something outside our usual- and could really use someone's help. Even upscale malls like Yorkdale are exhausting for me. Some online vendors (J. Crew, Lands' End, Boden) offer "personal shoppers" by phone or chat. That has been useful to me when I am wondering which size to order or more info about a garment, but it is far from true personal shopping. <br /><br />Image consultants (Toronto has many) will go shopping with you. I would do this if undertaking a major wardrobe refreshl. I had a day with a TO image consultant once, as a barter for some work I did, and it was fantastic; we did a closet clean out and I learned things from her I still use. I just made sure I had one my age.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16731159331582691572017-04-27T08:27:50.859-04:002017-04-27T08:27:50.859-04:00I loved that book - and her knowledge of clothes, ...I loved that book - and her knowledge of clothes, and her customers was fascinating and enlightening, especially given what most of us endure these days. Shopping is rarely pleasurable - most of the time I'm either ignored or the salesperson is stuck to my shoulder and every item I look at is "so you and perfect" = Do they really think we can't tell a lie when we hear it?<br /><br />A good salesperson, who knows her customers, and actually listens to them is worth her weight in gold - and I will return again and again to a store that has just such a gem. Unfortunately they are few and far between.<br /><br />I think this is one of the reasons that I've come to adopt a uniform look - I've found the items that work for me and my lifestyle and I feel confident in repeating this look and it then allows me to shop online more confidently. The modern bricks & mortar shop is contributing to their own demise by such short-sightedness.<br /><br />The few shops that do offer this "service" are too high end for me - and given that I'm around a size 16 most don't carry my size anyway - and it's amazing how quickly a woman of my size can become invisible when she walks into many women's shops these days. And yet, I believe the latest statics say that nearly 2/3 of NA women are a size 14 or larger - but trying seeing that reflected in today's shopping mall. Yorkdale Mall here in Toronto has expanded to over 200 stores but I could find something to wear in perhaps 4 of them. It seems to me that they have little to complain about if women turn to online shopping, Perhaps the online vendors should find a way to offer more personal shopper help - that would boost their sales even more. With today's technology it shouldn't be too difficult!<br /><br />I even like to think of Janice (Vivienne Files) as one of those online "Personal Shoppers" for us - she does the research and presents so many options and scenarios for us as far as vendors, styles and colours are concerned that it helps us to narrow things down or to look at things we may have never considered - or even knew were out there. Her knowledge is vast and she offers us a service that we can no longer find out there "in the real world".<br /><br />Margie from Torontohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10103835021764804099noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-74287240033130565502017-04-27T07:32:36.684-04:002017-04-27T07:32:36.684-04:00I was a personal shopper THIRTY YEARS AGO, at Youn...I was a personal shopper THIRTY YEARS AGO, at Younkers in Des Moines. We had a color analysis specialists there, too... We helped women put together work wardrobes that were functional and flattering, and we worked like demons to get our customers the best stuff in the store (for them!). We earned slightly more than the sales people on the floor, but at that time we all worked 40 hour weeks and that job was our only, full-time, professional gig; I supported myself quite well on what I earned.<br /><br />Maybe if stores had full-time staff who stayed in their positions for more than a few months or years, the whole shopping experience might be better. But then the stores couldn't all boast having the lowest prices, which seems to be the only variable that matters, anymore.<br /><br />Sad sigh of nostalgia for a time long gone...<br />hugs,<br />JaniceThe Vivenne Fileshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05740975051742023907noreply@blogger.com