I live in NYC, and I want to hire a personal shopper. What should I know going into the situation?

March 27, 2008 3:40 PM

I live in NYC, and I want to hire a personal shopper. What should I know going into the situation?

All my live, I have feared and loathed shopping - even more so than your average straight white guy. I know nothing about style, fashion, or trends. I always feel uncomfortable and out-of-place in clothing stores. However, I'm finally at a point where I'm ready to invest some money in my wardrobe. I've heard that you can hire people to go shopping with you, but I don't know how to go about it.

Here are some questions in my mind :

1) How do you find a personal shopper?
2) How much do they usually charge?
3) How much should I be willing to spend in order to make the whole venture worthwhile?
4) How can I get a feel for a personal shopper's style? How do I know if I'm going to like the same stuff that they like?

Please let me know if you can help with these questions, or if you have any other advice on the subject.

And yes, I have considered asking a friend to go shopping with me. I'm too embarrassed to do this, so I'm not going to go that route. Also, I'd like to find somebody who specializes in fashion and shopping - it's something that I'm willing to pay an expert for.

posted by Sloop John B to clothing, beauty, & fashion (11 comments total)

I work as a personal shopper periodically for one specific store. I'd recommend picking a larger store that generally appeals to you, and asking them to hook you up with one. Barney's and J Crew both offer personal shopping services free of charge (as do most big stores). I'd recommend spending a thousand dollars in NYC (more if you need suits). That should give you some variety with pieces that work together and apart.

As for knowing if you'll like what they like... it doesn't really work like that. I put my own tastes aside in favor of the client, unless they're making some sort of horrible faux pas or wearing something that doesn't work for their body types. And I only work for stores where I feel I like the clothes without reservation, because I will not lie to a customer when I really don't like something.

The more you work together, the better your tastes will jibe, and the more courtesies you will have extended your way-- like holding things until they go on sale, or sharing with you the friends and family discounts. Repeat business is key for that, even if you don't buy something every time.

I'd be happy to answer any questions, my email is in my profile. And don't be embarrassed! Most of my best clients are newly-dating geeks. :)
posted by astruc at 3:48 PM on March 27, 2008

When you say that the stores offer the services free of charge, even so, are you supposed to tip them something?
posted by J-Train at 4:29 PM on March 27, 2008

No, you don't tip. We make our money with salary + commission. The store paid my expenses.
posted by astruc at 6:01 PM on March 27, 2008

Also, Sloop, I can ask you a few questions that can help clarify what you're looking for, if you decide you need some more help.

And to clarify the tipping issue-- I tend to work for stores. If you work with a by-the-hour independent shopper, you could maybe tip her. I tend to think we're professionals and should not be tipped, though.
posted by astruc at 6:15 PM on March 27, 2008

If you're having trouble even picking a store, I'd recommend Nordstrom. I'd say that hands-down they have the best customer service of any retail clothing store, by far.
posted by radioamy at 6:36 PM on March 27, 2008

If you're having trouble even picking a store, I'd recommend Nordstrom.

If you're considering Nordstrom, I'd recommend a car.

Seriously, Nordstrom's legendary service is going downhill. If you've got the cash to burn, you can't go wrong at Saks.
posted by Kwantsar at 7:42 PM on March 27, 2008

there are a lot of personal shoppers advertising their services on craigslist. these would be people who will show you items from multiple stores but they do expect to be paid. I would second the 1k range as a spending limit for your first time. ask them about experience and see if you like their general personality/style. you don't want a teenager who is doing this for the first time.
posted by krautland at 9:40 PM on March 27, 2008

Hey, buddy. An alternative route to the department store suggestions above is to use craigslist to hire a truly independent young woman with good taste who will spend a day taking you to whatever places make the most sense for you -- for your body type, your style, etc. If you just go with one store -- even if it's a Saks -- you're likely to get one kind of look. And every look is not right for every type of guy. If you're a pudgy geek who prefers comfort to fit, Barney's probably doesnt have the right clothes for you. Also, in those dept stores, they assign some shopper to you who may or may not have the right idea for you. And then you're uncomfortably stuck with this person and you have to go through the motions for a few hours and try to avoid their bad recommendations. Also, multiple stores diversify the risk that you end up with "one look" -- and also diversify the price points you hit (you mix up some good hot t-shirts from American Apparel with an awesome $250 sweater from APC)

I would write a very descriptive posting on craiglist explaining a bit about who you are -- maybe even a photo (you can black out the eyes for privacy) -- what you do for a living, where you hang out, etc. Explain that you're looking for someone to spend 8 hours with you picking out the right clothes to fill out your wardrobe. Explain that you're looking to spend $x on the wardrobe. In exchange for the shopper's help, you will pay $y. I'd recommend $250 for the shopper in NYC. For that price, you'll get a lot of responses, and you can choose someone who's truly experienced. Invite the respondents to explain their qualifications and the types of places they may take a guy like you to find the right clothes. Do their responses sound good to you? Go to the web sites for the suggested stores and see if the images click with your sense of what you want to look like.

If you can, meet up with the shopper on a weekday at 9AM for a quick coffee and chat near the first store. Weekdays are easier because the stores are empty and you get more attention from the sales folks.

If you actually are going to spend a lot of money in one store, a good personal shopper who's not affiliated with the store may speak to the manager and cut a deal for you to get a discount off the entire purchase if you spend $z.

Good luck.
posted by geoffbart at 7:06 AM on March 28, 2008

In your situation, I'd try to build a good relationship with one person at one store. Over time that person will come to know your taste, current wardrobe and lifestyle. It'll be much easier to shop for you after a bit of effort.

Pick a store that is consistently in your price range and has a wide range of styles and accessories - suits, causal clothes, shoes. If you pick the most expensive store you can possibly afford, then you're sort of stuck there. Macy's offers personal shoppers, as do Nordstrom's, Saks, etc. You can get the service at most mid-to-high end stores.
posted by 26.2 at 8:10 AM on March 28, 2008

Hey there! I am a wardrobe stylist/personal shopper, have been for over 3 years now and I'd love to help you if you're still searching. I do a few things (you can check out my website and read more), but generally speaking, I am hired to go to clients' homes and help them 'weed out' the items that aren't doing them any justice and from there decide what is missing in the mix. I always shop at stores based on the clients' budget, lifestyle, body type and personal style. If you aren't sure what style direction you want to take, well that's what I'm for (and to help you find all the stuff). Someone like me is an advantage over a personal shopper in stores because they have no idea what you've already got lying around at home, and they also make commission usually on your purchases, so I question their motives to sell you certain pieces at times. I have worked in television, print, and mostly with my beloved clients for the last 3+ years and I'd love to speak with you more! This is a fun process (although most guys don't see it that way). Don't be nervous about it at all!
posted by CarlasClosets at 8:18 AM on March 28, 2008

I'd love to know how the OP ended up making out on this.
posted by John Kenneth Fisher at 9:01 PM on June 17, 2008