Cambridge never saw us coming
Part Ten of a great new series of guest articles from Sue Carter, image consultant extraordinaire!
Series Title – How Image Consultants CAN work together!
I first heard Suzie talk about taking her clients shopping on the Wardrobe Management and Personal Shopping training day. Suzie was the guest speaker and I, like everyone, sat entranced for an hour as she talked about her philosophy and approach to personal shopping for clients. How she got into the zone and just whizzed through the shop gathering clothes and accessories. I so wanted her to shop for me. Not because I don’t like shopping but rather because I do. I just tend to be drawn to the same things time after time. I don’t buy patterns, I dislike dark neutrals and would rather have a necklace than a well-fitting top. My wardrobe and I needed her.
In the build up to the shop Suzie and I had worked out a colour palette, discovered my words and looked at my body. I had sent Suzie zillions of e-mails and she had asked me millions of questions. We’d talked on the phone and explored what I thought of my present clothes (boring, scruffy and not me) and what I wanted from my new clothes (sexy, creative, powerful, authentic, and vibrant). Suzie does this with all her clients not just me. After all this information exchange I think we were ready.
I’m not going to give you a blow by blow account of the seven hours we spent shopping in Cambridge or of the clothes I tried on. I will mention that Suzie kept vanishing into shops to emerge with a ring or a scarf or nail varnish and she had snacks in her bag to keep us going between meals.
What I do want to talk about is the how of the shop. The way it operated was this. Suzie and I would enter a shop. I would stand or sit and Suzie would whirl, there is no other word for it, around the shop and return to me with armfuls of clothes. We would then take over one or two dressing rooms and I would try the lot on; none of this two garments at a time and your friend cannot come into the dressing room with you nonsense. Suzie owned the store from the moment she entered. Once we had decided what I wanted Suzie would then go and ask for a discount whilst I hid in the dressing room. I am sooo English, asking for a discount eekk. I would like to thank those stores that did give me a discount as they helped my budget so much; they were Phase 8, Russell and Bromley Shoes and the lady selling bags in the mall. I said that I would mention them in my blog so now I have. I think the blog might have helped just a bit. Oh and Chesca who gave us a cup of tea and the use of their toilet, both of which were much appreciated.
I didn’t buy everything because some didn’t suit or fit me. I never did find my sexy white blouse so that the hunt is still on for that. I think the only thing we disagreed on was the navy and white sunhat and I do now regret not buying it.
The highlights?
Well, you already know about the bras, and the fact that I fitted into a size 18 so I don’t need to talk about them. One has to be the maxi dress from Phase 8. It was the second thing I tried on and as it slipped over my head I lost ten years and 30 pounds. I was speechless and that is so unusual for me. I would never in a million years have tried that dress on, so thank you Suzie.
What else? The jeans from Chesca, oh my you should see my bum in these jeans. I look amazing, so amazing in fact that my son commented favourably on them. Let me repeat that for those of you with sons in their early twenties: MY SON NOTICED THEM.
All these clothes needed shoes and my favourite pair is from Russell and Bromley. They are bright pink wedges and I call them my look at me shoes. Actually I call them something else but this is a polite blog so I leave it to your imagination.
I’m stopping now because really all the things I bought were highlights and I haven’t even mentioned the necklaces and bags yet.
I now have a new wardrobe that works with my old one. That fills me with joy each and every day I get dressed. I’ve worn everything at least once and with all my accessories I never look the same two days running. I cannot wait for the winter so we can do it all over again.
The first moral of this story?
Add personal shopping to your menu of services. Learn from Suzie on the DVD (coming soon) and go practise on a friend or two.
Second moral of this story?
Save up your pennies and treat yourself to a day shopping with a personal shopper. Suzie gets booked up quickly so plan ahead if you want the best.
Sue works with ladies of 50+ to get their oomph back when she isn’t hyperventilating about her great new wardrobe. Suzie Rice is just plain amazing.
Series Title – How Image Consultants CAN work together!
Part One – Let’s Talk Boobies
Part Two – Suzie and Sue get to know each other
Part Three – Suzie and Sue share four little words
Part Four – Suzie has light colouring
Part Five – What a difference a grey makes! Part 1
Part Six – What a difference a grey makes! Part 2
Part Seven – Bare Minerals Make-up
Part Eight – I have a big bum – NOT!
Part Nine – Shop Your Closet
Part Eleven – coming soon
Related posts:
- Suzie and Sue get to know each other
- Suzie has light colouring
- What a difference a grey makes part 2
- Bare Minerals Make-up
- Shop Your Closet