Personal Shopping with a Client – Making You Look Good

Making the best clothing purchase to complement your personal style, figure, and coloring much about making you look good; a executive wardrobe consultant can save you from spending money on anything less than your best purchases.

I was personal shopping with a client last week, at a store that I felt was appropriate for her style.  As we started shopping and picking out clothes, we were approached more than once by sales clerks who asked, “can I help you? Are you looking for anything in particular? What size are you? Etc…” I proceeded to let them know that I was working with my client and if there is anything that we need help with I would be sure to let them know and thanked them.  As we gathered a bundle of things to try on we headed for the dressing room.

Tales from the Dressing Room

I was sitting in the dressing room as my client was trying on clothes; another woman came out of her dressing room with a dress on.   The sales clerk came up to her and said, “Wow that looks great on you.”  The woman proceeded to ask her if it was too tight and she commented “you could go up a size”, so she went to get her the bigger size.  She tried on the next size up and that appeared to be bigger on the top for her.  She was a tall slender woman and if I were to guess, her age was 50’s. 

Again the sales clerk came up to her and said “that looks like it fits you much better” as the woman proceeds to ask her if she thinks the top is too big on her?  She also asks if she thought the dress was a little short.  I was waiting for the answer and it was,” you would probably have to order a tall online”.

  I held my tongue long enough and stepped in saying to the woman,” if you don’t mind, I do this for a living may I make a suggestion? “Yes, that dress is too short for you and in order for it to fit you just right I would take it to a tailor and have it altered to fit you better on the top”.  She thanked me and ultimately didn’t purchase the dress in the store.

Benefits of a Honest and Professional Opinion When Shopping

As I am waiting for my client to come out with another outfit on, another woman went in to try on a leather skirt she saw in the window.  She came out of the dressing room and three sales clerks come up to her and said “wow that looks awesome, we haven’t seen that on anyone yet. “

The woman said, ” I am not sure if I like how the skirt flairs out especially on me. I think I would like it better if it was straighter”, their reply “You can put a pair of tights and boots with that, it would look great”.  She also had a light colored gray sweatshirt on that totally washed her out, she knew it did and the girls reply, “I think it looks great on you”.

  Now, I really can’t keep my mouth shut, as she said I am 49 years old, I don’t want to look like my daughter.  So I piped in and asked, “Would you be ok if I gave you some advice?”  She said “yes” – “the skirt isn’t for you, it is too short and it really doesn’t look like it’s your style, also the sweatshirt is not your color it washes you out. “

Sales clerks make a commission to sell. I did let the sale clerks know that I didn’t mean to steal their thunder, because I know they make commissions on what they sell.  One clerk asked me how I knew that wasn’t for her and  I explained that you have to ask questions, and be honest with them, in a polite way of course.  You may sell something today, but when they take it home and try it on for their significant other and get a negative reaction, they are going to return it, that leaves you with no sale.

My client came out of the dressing room with everything we picked out; everything looked fabulous on her because we knew her size, style, and color scheme.  We didn’t go in blind-folded playing guessing games.  We knew what we were looking for along with all the other details to make her shopping experience fun, enjoyable and unforgettable.  She bought everything that fit her well and looked great on her.  The sales person that was helping us that day got a great commission, because they learned to work with me and not try to sell something to my client that wasn’t appropriate.

My client also mentioned to me that if she had gone shopping herself, she would have given up long before trying on the outfits I have suggested.

Gain Your Own Personal Shopper with a Image Consultation

Having an Image Consultant shop with you for women’s clothing helps with your anxiety, frustration, self-esteem, confidence and you also walk away with a sense of accomplishment. What’s the difference between a personal shopper and a store clerk? That same day I was golfing and a fellow teammate asked me if I shop with my clients in addition to my other services and I said yes of course and told her of the experience I had with the client earlier in the day. She also asked me what the difference between myself and the sales clerk at the department stores, such as Macy’s, Nordstrom’s, Ann Taylor etc…  I replied with the fact that I get to know my clients first, find out who they are, how they want to be perceived and how do they want others to perceive them.  I am also honest; I will let them know if something doesn’t work for them.   I don’t spend your money, I help you save money and I show you how to be a Savvy Shopper!

Looking for help with your shopping needs, call today for a free 30-minute phone consultation and let me help you take the guesswork out of shopping for you. We help many men with wardrobe shopping, too.

Dawn Stebbing is a leading full-service Minneapolis image consultant providing personal styling, personal shopping and extreme makeovers.

Have you been misled by a store clerk?  Tell me your experience with stores clerks by leaving a comment below. 651-307-0342 or more@dawnstebbing.com.