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Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 118
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 5:00 pm: | 
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Has anyone out there ever used department stores' personal shopper services? I am returning to work this fall after a few years out of the workforce, and my suits and other work clothes are pretty outdated-looking -- not that they were anything too great to begin with. I don't want to spend a fortune but have decided the time is right to finally invest some money into a few really good items, like a great basic yet beautiful black suit that will last forever, etc. I know personal shoppers help you find stuff based on your needs, your style, your budget, etc.
I just have no clue where to begin in terms of style, brand, etc. I really don't want to buy a clunker I am unhappy with a few months later. I also just don't know what's out there anymore in terms of clothes, and as the mom of two young kids I barely have time to grocery shop let alone clothes shop. Magazines don't help because so much of the stuff they feature is too trendy or too expensive.
I was thinking of calling Nordstrom, because they are so renowned for their service, but before I did I thought I'd ask around and see if anyone else has used this kind of service. I am open to Nordstrom, Saks, and Bloomingdales, but I have an intense dislike for Macys and I am a little intimidated by Neiman Marcus for some reason. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 1990
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 5:04 pm: |
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Ann Taylor.
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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Spanky
Citizen
Username: Spanky
Post Number: 14
Registered: 4-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 5:21 pm: |
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Tahari has beautiful suits. Not too expensive. You'll find them at Saks. |
Barb
Citizen
Username: Flannery
Post Number: 57
Registered: 8-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 6:16 pm: |
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There's a Tahari suit outlet store in Secaucus with a HUGE selection. There's also a Jone's New York there with quite a lot of business clothing. I second the Ann Taylor suggestion. |
susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 47
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 6:47 pm: |
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I used personal shoppers when I went back after maternity leave (and unfortunately needed one size larger than my prematernity wardrobe, as well as serious wardrobe refreshing). I really needed some help in order to buy a whole wardrobe during a few days between when my daughter started babysitting and when I started work! The help definitely helped me come back looking put together and professional (in fact, I was once recommended to a coworker who needed advice on improving her professional look...definitely a two-edged compliment!)
The great parts about personal shoppers:
1. Really make shoping fast and effective...if you need another size, color, idea, matching shirt, have someone who knows the store go look for it for you
2. Having someone else with a fresh eye to get you to try new things
(both of these are less important if you have a really good shopping buddy to take with you, but I don't!)
The downside:
1. The tendency to try on things a bit more expensive than you otherwise might. I've definitely bought the most expensive suits that I own with the Nordstroms personal shopper...but these are also the nicest suits that I own!
I tried two personal shoppers. The one at Bloomingdales(?) had a fitting room full of the sorts of things that I needed ready when I arrived, much of it from the sale racks. She was fine, but I didn't use her again (in part because she never followed up with me)
I still use Bonnie M. at Nordstrom's occasionally, even though I no longer need power suits for my new role at work. She doesn't prefill a fitting room, but walks the floor with you, gets a sense of what you are looking for, makes suggestions, and gathers clothes. She also always reaches out to me before the big sales, etc. She has a good eye for things that suit me (and also helped me redo my makeup, although at price points that made me cringe as a former user of drug store makeup).
That's my experience, for what it's worth. Also, thanks for the info on the Tahari outlet! |
gemini
Citizen
Username: Gemini
Post Number: 195
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 7:22 pm: |
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Jackie you look great now, even w/o a personal shopper. Anyway, I always found that when someone who didn't really know me helped me shop, I ended up either returning everything or not wearing it. You've lived w/ yourself for 30 some years now, you know what fits and looks well.
I would purchase a few cool items like at ann taylor (one of my faves)...(Nordstrom is great with service but a little fogie [sp?]), nonetheless maybe you could get a few basics if you really wanted to. Then, after working for a week or two you could feel out the environment, maybe say to someone, "Great suit, where'dja get it??". This way you won't buy a year's wardrobe, show up to work and find it's not really "in the grove", know what I mean?? ALso keep in mind that the general sales floor people can be helpful, too, in the right store so you're not paying for "additional" help.
Good luck, see ya soon,
Gemini |
eliz
Citizen
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 595
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 8:02 pm: |
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You don't pay for personal shoppers Gemini. These people are the holy grail of retail. Most people don't even know they exist, let alone they are free! You are under no obligation to buy anything. In a store like Bloomingdales with so many different departments it's simply a time saver.
You can call up Bloomies tomorrow and Sandy will ask you a bunch of questions and you can arrive a few days later (bring girlfriends you trust) and just try on everything. Be very firm about your price points and make it very clear that you are not going over budget. Nordstrom is definitely not old fogie - if you think so you're in the wrong department! Try Savvy or Individualist depts. More fashion forward than Ann Taylor. |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 666
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 8:30 pm: |
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Whoa, Mem and I agree. I like Ann Taylor suits (they're actually separates). When they have sales you can get them for a steal. I like that their pants run long (they have petites too) and now they actually have a size zero. Try AT Loft as well. I also like Banana Republic, but their pants just don't fit me as well.
Tahari has nice suits and Annie Sez carries some for about half retail. I've had a Tahari pantsuit for 5 years that I wear to lots of functions, either with a t-shirt, a camisole or a button down shirt. It's amazing.
No matter what, get it tailored if necessary. It'll make you wear it ten times as often. |
Kalara
Citizen
Username: Kalara
Post Number: 15
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, September 19, 2003 - 9:08 pm: |
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I didn't think I was the personal shopper sort of person until I tried one. At first I had to reject a lot of her selections, we worked together to whittle down the piles according to my needs.
I network with fairly conservative groups but there is no official dresscode. I wanted my look to be current and somewhat hip without looking too trendy or the other direction of old fogey-ish.
With the help of my personal shopper I have more clothes that work well together and no purchases that sit in the back of the closet biding their time for the Salvation Army. Also she calls me when there are good sales. I actually feel less pressure to buy things on impulse - when she helps me she knows I have a history with her and I'll buy when the clothes are right, not out of guilt because she spent an hour with me.
PS - A personal shopper will NEVER let you buy a size 6 when you're really a size 10 because you're going to lose 15 pounds! |
nan
Citizen
Username: Nan
Post Number: 945
Registered: 2-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 6:15 am: |
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". . .and now they actually have a size zero."
Why is this a good thing? |
Jackie Day
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 119
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 9:39 am: |
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Wow, thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I am sort of surprised so many people have used/use personal shoppers. Gemini, you're so sweet...thank you. I appreciate what you say. You're right about getting into a job's groove before you start buying outfits for it. But the job I am closing in on and hope to get requires substantial schmoozing with Wall Street folks -- big-time suits -- and major execs, as well as occasional travel to do so, and it will require a bit more suiting up than I currently do. I have a few goodies left over from my previous working days, but I worked in publishing, which was much more casual. The suits wouldn't have to be worn every day but I need some very good impressive ones to be trotted out for the schmoozing days. I like Ann Taylor but wonder if I am ready for the next step...something higher-end that I will presumably have for years. Will investigate Tahari. My thing is, I need someone to tell me if a suit looks good on me. Will call the above-mentioned shoppers. Also just remembered one of my friends used to work in apparel - duh! She may be a great resource. Thanks, all! |
shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 669
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 10:35 am: |
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Nan, clothing manufacturers are increasing sizes so fat America will buy clothes. What was a four or a six 15 years ago is now a zero at stores like Ann Taylor. I don't know Jackie personally, but some people need smaller sizes, just as some people need larger sizes. In her early twenties, my mom who weighed about 120 lbs at 5'6" was a size 9. A few years ago she dropped some weight (but not down to 120) and she became a size 6.
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1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 360
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 11:41 am: |
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well, let's not badmouth Ann Taylor for adding 0's; she has gone both ways, I believe, and added 16's too. both of these additions are good things, IMHO.
and my personal suggestion is not to buy your entire wardrobe in a compressed time period. buy some starters, wear them, see how comfortable they are and you are in them, scope out both use of classics and new trends, and go back every month or so till you get your closet filled out. have fun! |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 680
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, September 20, 2003 - 4:33 pm: |
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I recently used a Nordstrom's personal shopper and it was great!! I'm in publishing so mostly it's pants and sweaters or blouses. But I've been working at home for three years (and a pregnancy--and let me tell you, losing the weight at 40-odd ain't what it was at 34). Bottom line, I didn't have a single item from my previous business life that fit or looked up-to-date, and my new office, while fairly casual, didn't look like the kind of place where I could wear nothing but black t-shirts and Target yoga pants with old sneakers. So I threw myself on their mercy. I gave them an overall budget, which we stuck to, and emphasized that I wanted the basics: a couple pair of slacks, one great jacket, trouser socks (somehow the ones with the little pom poms on the back didn't go with my new look), etc. The very nice lady didn't try to change me -- she found me some funky trousers that were like dress-up yoga pants, stuck with the basically black palette with one or two strategic additions and talked me into one truly fabulous Garfield & Marks jacket that I use to dress up every single other thing I own. The whole thing was easy, and definitely didn't cost more than my usual hit-or-miss effort (i.e. buy stuff that's on sale but that I won't necessarily wear). My one mistake was to stock up on skirts when, so far at least, I haven't touched one. Great advice to buy the minimum you can get away with to start, then see what everyone's wearing. |
OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 556
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2003 - 10:52 am: |
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I haven't used personal shoppers, but I know the value of having someone give an opinion while trying on clothes. But it sounds like these folks steer you to expensive clothes. I realize you're short on time, as I was also a single custodial parent until last year. This decision is a time/money tradeoff. If you can find the time to shop for yourself somehow (or get a friend or relative to help) you might be able to save a pile of money. I do know the difference between low and high quality clothes, and sometimes, you can get a good value at the lesser known places, maybe even like Sears. Sears is not what it used to be. My favorite place for high quality clothes is Sims. The reason their motto is "an educated consumer is my best customer" is that they don't have a lot of help there. But at the Woodbridge store, they usually have an old man who has been in men's clothes for ages who can really really help me. I don't know, and I hope someone can speak up about the women's department. They have an incredible variety of clothes at Sims, often at astonishing prices. Jeez, I probably sound like a commercial. Sorry.
Tom Reingold
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shh
Citizen
Username: Shh
Post Number: 671
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, September 21, 2003 - 11:12 pm: |
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My husband has gotten nice suits and a tuxedo at Syms for a good price (designer, under $200). The women's suits there can be tricky. My last suit purchase there was a brand called View, which I've seen in the department stores, but for some reason, I allowed myself to buy a chartreuse colored pant suit. I look like an underripe banana. At least it only cost $60. Maybe I can break out the Rit and dye it. You can definitely get a good deal there though, esp. on coats, from my experience. Unfortunately, like any other discount store, it's hit or miss and doesn't necessarily save time. AND, it's a really tough place to bring kids. They end up playing under the racks or running up and down the ramps. Ack! The women in the dressing room are sweet (mostly) but I wouldn't necessarily trust fashion advice from them. Any time I've gone alone I ask another customer who seems to be well dressed.
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algebra2
Citizen
Username: Algebra2
Post Number: 1221
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 10:59 am: |
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Deb -- do you recall the name of the personal shopper at Nordstroms? My husband claims that whenever I shop for myself I come home looking like Ellen Degeneres, maybe I do need a wee bit of help. |
mem
Citizen
Username: Mem
Post Number: 1991
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:33 am: |
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I still wear a skirt I bought at Ann Taylor 14 years ago. (Changed hem of course). So, yes, it was expensive, but if you pick classic styles, colors and good fabric it's worth the money, and Ann Taylor/Loft has been my top (and just about only) choice for years.
There's nothing like being in a BAR!
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Timmeh
Citizen
Username: Timmeh
Post Number: 677
Registered: 1-2002
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:48 am: |
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14 years is a long time. shouldn't you change now and then? |
eliz
Citizen
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 599
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, September 22, 2003 - 11:50 am: |
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Alg - Her name is Bonnie (I forget her last name) but just call and ask for that dept (I think it's called Personal Touch). |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 681
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 9:36 am: |
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Alg--her name is Karen Siegel and I know what you mean about the Ellen thing!  |
OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 587
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 9:50 am: |
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Huh? Please explain. I think Ellen Degeneres looks good!
Tom Reingold
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susan1014
Citizen
Username: Susan1014
Post Number: 48
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, September 23, 2003 - 8:54 pm: |
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Bonnie Maltzman at Nordstroms, 973 467-1500, extension 1454.
I discussed working with her at length earlier in this thread. Best of luck!
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amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 233
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 11:53 am: |
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Question: do you all think a target budget of $400-$500 would be laughably small for a personal shopper? I'm thinking of making the leap and calling one of your recommendations at Bloomingdales or Nordstroms, but I don't want to embarrass myself . . . |
OK, it's Tom Reingold
Citizen
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 621
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 11:56 am: |
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I don't know if it's enough to clothe you, but I do know that there's a professional way to handle a small budget. If she thinks it's not enough, she can do so without embarrassing you. She wouldn't be doing her job if she embarrassed you. I say go ahead and ask her to see what $400-500 can get you. If she says she can't help you, then fine. If she can, you win.
Tom Reingold
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 207
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 12:05 pm: |
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I spend about $300 per season and get a personal shopper at various places, sometimes they schedule later in the day, so they can make a ton off of some or the people spending 4K+, but they still help.
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eliz
Citizen
Username: Eliz
Post Number: 603
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 2:26 pm: |
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It's not laughable at all - it just depends on what your expections are and how many pieces you want. Both stores have private labels or less expensive brands. |
amandacat
Citizen
Username: Amandacat
Post Number: 236
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 2:43 pm: |
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Thanks for all the feedback, I'll give them a call today (probably will start with Bloomies, since I have some store credit there) and see if they can fit me in before I leave for a big business trip next weekend. Wish me luck . . . |
1-2many
Citizen
Username: Wbg69
Post Number: 378
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 3:08 pm: |
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amandacat - don't wear brand-new shoes on a big business trip! break them in first.
have fun and good luck. please come back and tell us how your personal shopper experience was. |
deborahg
Citizen
Username: Deborahg
Post Number: 685
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, September 25, 2003 - 4:55 pm: |
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yes, do! And no, that's not too little! Not at all! |
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