Personal Shoppers - recommendations please!

Cazza

Has anyone used the free personal shopper services at large department stores and what did you think of them? Any hints or tips?

I am getting married in July and would like to take my Mum shopping for a Mother of the Bride outfit. She's disabled (MS), can't walk far and can get tired quite easily, so the idea of having outfits selected and brought to us, in order for her to choose something she likes, really appeals. I also want to make a bit of a "thing" about it, as due to the illness, she didn't come with me at all when I went in search of my dress. I don't want her to feel left out!

We're in the South East, with House of Fraser and Debenhams nearby; John Lewis is a bit more of a trek but do-able. Brighton - Guildford - Southampton is about as far as I'd want to travel.

Thank you!

duchy

I'm guessing the town from your clues and in your shoes I'd call all three stores (assuming the JL is Kingston) and explain what you want and then book your session with the most receptive one who seems to "get" what you want.

Go prepared with some basic ideas about colour and style and let them surprise you. Maybe finish with a cream tea in a nearby nice hotel before heading home (or lunch before shopping) and have a fab day

Cazza

Thanks duchy - JL is in Southampton, on the edge of a sensible distance for a day's shopping; Kingston is probably a bit too far. I will try your suggestion and see what their reaction is like.

I was wondering also if there were any stores I might have forgotten about other than those three, or maybe if someone had had an amazing experience at one branch and awful at another?? I don't think Mum will be able to cope with more than one appointment, so I'd like to get it right first time, if possible!

Thebestmumalive

I booked a personal shopper at Debenhams for my mum. She was going to her granddaughters wedding and as it was winter wedding had no idea what she wanted.
I went with her and we had a lovely time.
The shopper walked around the store, suggesting things and picking outfits. Mum also chose a couple of things.
She ended up with a lovely outfit that she never would have chosen for herself and has worn it lots of times since.

jenniewb

If money is no object for the wedding, you could try Selfridges in Oxford Street. I've not tried their personal shopping myself but its been spoken highly of.

I'd also recommend John Lewis in Oxford street due to the ease of use in the store, they have both lifts and 2 sets of escalators through the whole store as does Selfridges who also have half a floor dedicated just to shoes (Prices tend to be a bit more global rather then highly priced with the shoe department as it covers everything from Havianas, Topshop and River Island through to Ugg and then onto major designers such as Jimmy Choo and Gucci.

Both stores have several restaurants inside, I'm not sure if they have a special personal shopping area (ie changing rooms and so on in a designated part of the stores) so it may be worth asking about that.

Cazza

It would be lovely if money were no object, but unfortunately Selfridges is pushing it! There's no way I'd get Mum to Central London (trains & tubes etc) without her worrying about the journey and number of people, sadly due to the MS she'd be wiped out before we started.

I think we've narrowed it down to either JL in Southampton or House of Fraser in Bluewater - both will take just over an hour and it leaves back ups nearer home if the trip is unsuccessful!

Has anyone else used either one of these and found them particularly good or bad?

Hannah132

I really think it just depends on the shopper.
Have had a couple before big events in JL, one time had someone simply concerned with commission and pushing certain brands that I had no interest in and were unflattering.
Same shop but different shopper was lovely and helpful, really listened to what I said and what I wanted.

I would phone the departments and talk to the shopper. I'm not sure how to say this without sounding stupid, but I would try and get a slightly older shopper. I had a twenty-something and she just didn't seem to care. Had a mid thirties and she was just lovely. But that might just have been my circumstances.

Cazza

Thank you for all the help and advice - I have booked an appointment for Mum and I with John Lewis in Southampton. I explained everything on the phone and they asked lots of questions so fingers crossed!

jenniewb

Hope it goes well for you, you booked with such a reputable company I've no doubt it will be fine! Can I recommend to get there a bit early and visit the cosmetics hall, get a free makeover (of course if you want anything buy it!) so you both feel even better when shopping