Personal Shoppers?

[peanut]

Came back from the seamstress today. Her adjustments will cost me $55. So I am in budget!

While there I told her I sewed as well, but was mostly self-taught. I asked if she'd like work sewing some nice fabrics and she said she had lots of her own to sew. I took that as a 'no'. So I asked if perhaps she would help fit me so I could sew my own blazers, etc. She agreed to do that.

Also did shoe shopping today. That was sad. Nothing fit my orthodics. I ended up buying a couple pairs of walking shoes, one brown and one black, to take to my orthopedic doctor and have him work some magic if possible. If not, I guess I'll just have to go barefoot! Geesh! Part of the problem is I have an AA heel and a C width in the ball of my foot. They don't make shoes for that shape foot anymore. Or so I was told today. Plus one foot is a half size smaller than the other due to a broken toe when I was younger.

I need shoes I can remove the insoles from to put in my orthodics. My orthodics have a bit of a heel in them, which is being problematic. Means my heel keeps slipping out of the shoes. On reason we are going back to the doctor...to see if it can be lowered or removed.

I took back one shirt today to Winner's and exchanged it for another one.

I also took the camera in for developing. Unfortunately it will be hard to post photos on-line. DH has agreed to take photos on the digital camera of me in some of my outfits once I have everything altered. I'll post a few pics then. FV won't have room for all 60 outfits!!!

I went to our annual year end stitch-in potluck today in some of my new clothes and everyone commented. I told them all about Patti and they were impressed. Patti worked on the set for "Corner Gas" with the seamstress, Danika, and they are just a dynamite duo! Very affordable and very good at what they do.

I really think this was worth it for me. But I recognize it's one of those "spend money to save money" things. Let's face it, you need $800 up front to pull this off. Plus money for shoes. The only way this works is if you save ahead. Which means you have no debt and a fully funded EF. I would not go this route unless those were dealt with.

Instead, I would suggest getting together with a savvy friend and doing it together. I don't know anyone here who could do it. But often people can tell you what looks good on you. And if you stick to classics and basics you can do pretty good. The value is in having her assess what looks good on you though, and in showing you how to pull together outfits. And sometimes you just need to pay for that.

The other side of this is "Who needs 60 outfits???!" If I had any idea that's how many I would end up with I would have stopped her halfway. Thirty is enough! That's a whole month's worth of clothes. That's all anyone humanly needs. So, in retrospect, I'd give her a smaller budget. Maybe $250-300.

[peanut]

Okay...let's see...I did buy $580 worth of shoes. The orthopedic doctor told me to take them back. They were too expensive and they don't have the support I need for my orthodics. Store is closed today, so I'll take them tomorrow.

Instead he recommended a few other stores. I went to one and found a pair of shoes that fit...for $150. BUT, they won't be in in brown until August! So here I wait...on a waiting list...

The lady at that shoe store was very helpful. She recognized my problem right away. Actually I'm an EE width, not a C. And a size 6.5. With an AA heel. I see a problem. Web feet. She told me to give up trying to find a dress shoe to fit my orthodic. They don't make them. Just find the most comfortable dress shoe I can and resign myself to 3 hours in it every week.

So I headed to Soleman. Nothing but sandals and runners. Then to Winner's. And there I found a pair of $120 Rockport black dress shoes for...$35! They fit good enough for me to go in them 3 hours. They are a size 7.5 to accommodate the width of my feet. But that's typical.

So...my shoes went from $580 to $35 with a later expenditure of $150. I have yet to find black walking shoes. I might go back for the black pair of the ones I ordered in brown.

So shoes will be about $335 instead of $580 I'm thinking...and the money won't all be paid out at once.

I picked up my altered clothing today. She ended up only charging $47. Soooo...tally time...

$580 clothing
$160 personal shopper
$9 develop photos
$47 seamstress
$796 TOTAL

$350 Shoes - from family budget...eventually...

That's not bad. The shoes will last me years. The clothes...we'll see. Overall, not bad!

I had a chat with the seamstress. She has a fashion design course behind her and used to design her own line of clothing. She also has worked with the film industry. She is willing to come look at my fabric and give me ideas on what to sew and how for my figure. She also is going to look at the clothing I would like remade. And she is willing to fit me for my own sewing. I will make plans after we get back from vacation, or into the fall.

[peanut]

Some pics...











This is just with one pair of pants. I bought another light beige pair, a moss green pair, a pair of blue jeans, a pair of beige capris, and a blue jean skort. So I have lots of options.

[imagine]

Thanks for sharing pictures

[krbshappy71]

Hi Peanut!! I have been away for a few days and just caught up on the Grand Finale of your Personal Shopper. THANK YOU FOR PICTURES!! She did a great job of mix & match, trendy but not too trendy, and COMFORTABLE, they all look very comfortable! As well as dressy!

I think this was a great experience for you. I have often joked to a couple of the well-dressed teachers at my work that I want them to take me shopping sometime. It was great to read up on what a personal shopper can do for you.

Don't sweat the money and number of outfits. If you find you aren't really wearing certain ones but love them, just pack them up and rotate out when you get bored with a certain set. I do this alot as I get clothes from Freecycle. Clothes that I dislike, don't fit, etc I pass along, clothes that I love but already have something similar I pack away for when that similar shirt gets a stain or rip or I get totally sick of it. I've been doing this for years and have a pretty good wardrobe both in the closet and packed away. Now that she's helped you see what style you are, what looks good for your shape, etc. you are set for quite a long time!

Definitely focus on the shoes you NEED not the shoes that look "cuter" with the outfit. Good shoes=less back issues and back problems can be so draining, depressing, etc. Its just not an area I'm willing to negotiate with. My body means more to me than fashion. I hope you find the shoe solution but in the end take care of yourself first and screw the outfit. LOL!

I'm so glad you took the time to write all this up, it is a valuable thread. It has opened my eyes to a service that is out there that I didn't know much about.

[peanut]

Thanks krbs. In looking over the photos after I posted them, I wasn't happy with the green jacket one. I determined to play around with that jacket today. I ended up realizing I just need to leave it open, no tie or nothing across the middle. And I paired it with a really long necklace. I can't believe the difference the right jewelry makes! I definitely need more long necklaces to wear with things. And despite my copious jewelry collection, I am going to have to buy more earrings to go with my outfits.

This was a real eye opener for me too. I never would have thought of this if it weren't for my older sister having done this years ago. Only she hired a personal shopper on a regular basis. Once a month the lady would bring her clothes to try on, and she would 'aye' or 'nay' them. I thought it was something only rich people did. But at $160 for her, and $47 for the seamstress, it's really not that unaffordable. Especially if you have to buy the clothes and shoes anyway, like I did.

The beauty of this is she gave me a great four page cheat sheet. I can go shopping the thrift stores now with a purpose! I'll know what to look for.

[peanut]

Okay, it's been over month and I've had a chance to try the wardrobe out. Here are my thoughts.

~ Some of the clothes weren't as good a deal as they looked like. The Winners clothes developed holes where they put their inventory tags, right in the front of the shirts about 6" up from the hem.

~ A lightweight jean jacket I bought had a flaw in the back that I will cover with something...not sure what yet. My DD tells me to have someone else look at it "because you don't really have good fashion sense Mom." ! I'll get my friend to look it over and give her opinion.

~ The hems came down in 3 of the 5 things hemmed. I rehemmed them myself. Not impressed with the seamstress.

~ When the seamstress took in the waist on the blue jeans, she didn't sew the waistband back on properly, so part of the top of the pant was out and was frayed in the wash. I will have to take the waistband off and re-attach it.

~ Certain clothes have not been out of the closet. I need more casual stuff than semi-casual/formal. But I seem to be attracted to the semi-casual/formal. This could also be the time of year. Some of the semi-casual/formal stuff is lined and too hot for this weather.

~ The skorts are a bit too short when I sit down for me to feel comfortable in them. But they're great around the house in hot weather!

~ Some of the bottoms had fake pockets, which I should have checked before I bought and didn't. My fault. I like the cut on me though, so I won't return them. And the jackets all have pockets, so I just make sure to wear one with the bottoms.

~ One of the shirts ended up too small across the bust when I sat down. It was great standing, but gaped when I sat. I'm going to try adding a snap and see if that helps. It was an embarrassing, uncomfortable time on the airplane though.