Getting ready for our trip leads to a very personal shopping experience
Sarah and I made our annual sojourn to Maryland yesterday for pre-BlogHer (and road trip) shopping.The woman in this video has been helping me dress for 4 years. Yes, it's true, I can't always dress myself. Figuring out what goes with what- on me-has always been a challenge. I am fine helping others, my kids do wear clothing after all, I just can't seem to be able to dress myself without assistance.
Having a personal shopper sounds so hoity toity but most stores do not charge for this service. Also, it's important to know that personal shoppers vary, so if you don't click with someone keep shopping for a person you do click with. If I store doesn't offer a personal shopping service, but you find a salesperson who really understands what you need and how to help you dress the body you have. don't be shy about asking for their schedule. My shopper isn't even in the same department where I found her anymore and she is still willing to help me (and obviously my friends) because I am pathetic when the need arises.
Next September will mark my 5 year anniversary with my personal shopper! Over4 years ago I went shopping with my mother and our sales person kept bringing us clothes to try on that actually fit! She would not bring me a size two and say "Why don't you try this?" (I find it terribly frustrating and emotionally depleting when I get into a dressing room and NOTHING I try on fits or looks okay on me.) She also brought clothing in a wide range of price points and respected my budget. When I realized that I was actually trying on clothes I liked, reflected my personality, didn't break my bank and I felt good in, I actually took them home and wore them!
Who here among us has a closet filled with clothes you don't wear? Maybe you thought you were going to find "something to go with" that shirt. Maybe you think you will "lose some weight and these jeans will fit." Maybe you found a jacket on sale and thought you would eventually find a skirt to go with it. I too used to have the "Closet of Dreams." Then I realized how much money I was wasting on clothing I wasn't wearing and realized I needed to dress the body I have, not the body I want to have and put an end to my nightmare of a closet of clothing that hadn't seen the light of day in over a year. Screw it.
And now? I actually wear the clothing I own. I spend far less money on my clothes because my personal shopper knows what I already own. If show up at her store telling her, "I need a black shirt" she will save me from myself, "You have a black shirt. It's in your closet. Go home." She will also recommend other cost saving measures to me, suggesting I pick up a particular accessory at a discount store instead of spending money on a fad item that won't be stylish for the long haul. She knows I don't like to wear many accessories anyway, so she knows I don't want to spend much money on them.
I believe this is the mark of a great salesperson; only selling to you when the item will serve you well, not just serve their commission. My personal shopper respects my budget and my time. Which on the other side, means I save both when I shop with her. Last year Sarah and I visited her for a pre-BlogHer shop. This year we did the same. If anyone reading lives in the DC area and needs a wardrobe intervention, I am happy to pass along information regarding my personal shopper. I can't say enough wonderful things about her!
When Devra isn't cackling wildly off camera, she can be found over at Parentopia, DC Metro Moms Blog and Loser Moms.
"Video and pictures taken with Sony DCR-SR45 Hard Drive Handycam® Camcorder. To learn more, please visit www.sonystyle.com".
I love it! Of course, Sarah bought those jeans, right?
Posted by: jodi | July 10, 2008 at 08:59 AM
I need a personal shopper! Maybe I should find one in the Nati before BlogHer. I don't know if I want her buttoning my pants, though. That's a little too personal, even for me.
Posted by: Susan | July 10, 2008 at 09:35 AM
That video is soooo funny mostly because I now know how I look when I'm in the fitting room. You all are so brave to video it. I am excited about following your journey across country. You go girls!!
Posted by: Mel | July 10, 2008 at 09:52 AM
No. I didn't buy the jeans. While, yes, they zipped I am not (and will most likely never again be) a size 8.
I am not even close.
Plus I like breathing.
Posted by: Sarah, Goon Squad Sarah | July 10, 2008 at 12:20 PM
ok, that brings a whole new meaning to the term personal shopper! :)
Posted by: workout mommy | July 10, 2008 at 09:20 PM
Twin moms unite to the challenge of buying a pair of jeans that fit!!... I even tried a lower waist version below my twins tum..
Posted by: Beth B. | July 11, 2008 at 10:35 AM
Just wanted to let you know that my mom (who has not laughted in WEEKS) was rolling on the floor when she saw this video. Seriously, tears were coming out of her eyes... and she said, and I quote: "You know that ALL OF US have jumped up and down in the dressing room trying to fit on pants. It's just that NONE OF US want to admit it, regardless of size. It's just that NO ONE has EVER video'd it quite like this"....
Hey, thanks for making my mom smile... she has been so sick for so long... it was a gift for me to see a smile on her face.
Jill
Posted by: Jill Asher | July 11, 2008 at 10:48 AM
I would come down to DC for a personal shopper like that.
Posted by: Lori | July 31, 2008 at 01:09 PM
This personal shopper is amazing! Her name is Amanda...
Posted by: Erica | September 09, 2008 at 08:36 AM
Great blog article about this topic, I have been lately in your blog once or twice now. I just wanted to say hi and show my thanks for the information provided.
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Anna Avni
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I would so love a personal shopper I have very little fashion sense and with the little I have I can never find the things that I like...
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Anna Avni
Posted by: Chanel | May 28, 2010 at 09:24 PM
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Posted by: Tiffany Jewelry | July 05, 2010 at 08:41 PM
Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents' generation, try "delousing" the closet in your own room.
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