https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 15:56:30 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-373184 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 15:25:10 +0000 lynne 373184@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have a Rina equivalent, also the owner of the boutique. She has the ability to find just the right thing for any size or shape that walks into her shop. She'll also tell you what doesn't work well, and why. Aside from online, hers is the only place I shop any more. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-373098 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 06:19:58 +0000 Scarlet 373098@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to know a sales associate like this before I moved away. It was also a boutique. We really clicked. I loved her style, and she knew exactly what I like. If I stopped in she could just pick out the things in the store that were my style and bring them to me. I really liked this because I often feel overwhelmed in stores. She also remembered what I already had and could suggest things to go with it. Once in awhile she would push my boundaries and say just try this on, and she was nearly always right. She was also really good at giving me things that fit--removes so much of the trauma of trying things on! Especially jeans and dresses! That also meant that some brands she never steered me toward because they did not cut for my type. Man, I miss that woman! Unfortunately she has since left the shop, so even when I go back to visit she is not there.</p> <p>On a related point, I think a lot of people regard a sales person as an adversary who is always trying to manipulate them into spending their hard-earned cash. Of course this can be true, but it can also be true that there are some wonderful people in sales who really know their product, and developing a relationship with them can be very beneficial.</p> <p>Michelle, that is a wonderful collection you have. Just gorgeous! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-373045 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 02:50:18 +0000 yellowgirl 373045@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>What an excellent tribute to a wonderful woman, Michelle! I *need* a Rina - especially seeing all the fabulous outfits she's found for you! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372991 Sat, 25 Jun 2011 01:05:36 +0000 Freckles 372991@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle what a beautiful pairing you make with Rina. Loved your grouping of pics, really shows what beautiful choices you have made and how well they suit you.</p> <p>I have had one excellent Rina in my lifetime many years ago and she was a blessing. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372668 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:41:18 +0000 Isabel 372668@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, I have read your blog page on the wonderful sales woman you have. I think that this is a rarity. A combination of passion, compassion, knowledge and doing what is right for the client and not for the sale.</p> <p>I have never encountered this, except with the wonderful optician that helps me pick out eye glasses. She ALWAYS tells me the truth, even if it means there is not one frame at her shop that works. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372633 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 16:08:53 +0000 StacyJo 372633@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Wow Michelle, what a great set of clothes ( you always look so good and put together!) Sadly, I don't have a "Rina" in real time. However, I do "have Angie"! (And Angie, if you ever make it to the SF Bay Area, would love to treat you to tea at Neiman Marcus). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372589 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:48:19 +0000 Queen Mum 372589@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle- you have struck a gold mine with Rina. And I can imagine she is as delighted with you and your beautiful self as you are with her </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372579 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:35:20 +0000 Jonesy 372579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, you are so generous and lovely. What a great post! Sadly, I am on Team Online Shopping, out of necessity, so I don't have any sales associates in my life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372578 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:34:52 +0000 Angie 372578@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>(I was sure that I posted a comment here). </p> <p>Michelle, I am *thrilled* that you have a Rina in your life. She is brilliant and do tell her that I love what she helps you choose :)</p> <p>Thanks for the shout out, Sarah! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372576 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:34:00 +0000 Sparky 372576@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rina is an absolute treasure! I can't get over how perfect all those pieces are that she introduced to you. </p> <p>I don't have a Rina yet, but I'm working on it. </p> <p>One of my best clothes shopping experiences ever was when I went to a local Boden trunk sale in someone's home several years ago. I ran into a woman I knew who was shopping with two friends. We were all trying on clothes in different rooms, then going into the kitchen where a big mirror stood. Everyone gave everyone else feedback and advice: picture gabby moms giving straight-up comments, both good and bad. It was glorious. These women were good ~ I would have made a bunch of poor purchases if it weren't for them. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372572 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:30:54 +0000 sarah 372572@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Michelle - you are SO right about that!!!! I hope I didn't sound ungrateful. In fact, it's just the opposite - I,too, don't know what I would do without Angie and YLF! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372571 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:29:14 +0000 Isis 372571@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, I always love your posts because you write so well! This one is no exception. And the accompanying pictures, wow! You are lucky to have Rina in your sartorial life!</p> <p>I love all the outfits, but, I must say, the fit-and-flare flowered dress (#11) is especially spectacular! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372567 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 14:23:18 +0000 Aunty 372567@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rina has been solid gold for you!! Long may she carry on.</p> <p>Also it is fantastic of you to give her the credit, not something that I would have thought happened very often. I do hope you are going to tell her </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372510 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 08:22:35 +0000 Polly (thunalata) 372510@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Lucky you!</p> <p>And what a delicious pleasure to be able to look at all of those pics collected in one place! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372475 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:16:42 +0000 Vix 372475@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Based on your evidence, clearly "a lot (of good)" is the answer.</p> <p>Lucky you to have Rina. You can know your money goes to a good business! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372473 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:12:45 +0000 Sylvie 372473@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Every one of those items is fantastic. You are very lucky to have a Rina in your life. :)</p> <p>I especially love your yellow and purple floral dress. It's amazing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372452 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:38:33 +0000 rosee 372452@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is a great tribute to Rina and to your style! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372436 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:20:25 +0000 MNsara 372436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You certainly have some beautiful things from Rina! What a treasure to have someone you can now depend on :-)</p> <p>That would certainly change the way I shop. . . </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372417 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 04:07:38 +0000 marianna 372417@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love this post! So glad you found Rina! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372402 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:49:24 +0000 Michelle 372402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>@Sarah: that's still a pretty amazing style resource! Truly, I don't know what I did before finding YLF. I probably never would have even tried Rina's store without it, honestly. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372394 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:32:15 +0000 sarah 372394@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Michelle, what a terrific batch of home-run outfits you've posted here! How wonderful to have Rina *and* Angie on your team (just to continue the corny metaphor). I don't have any such sales associate in my life, and pretty much rely solely on Angie and the Forum members. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372390 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:13:03 +0000 Refugee 372390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sadly, I do not have a Rina in my life. How did you find her? Any tips for those of us who would love find someone like her? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372387 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 03:03:21 +0000 san 372387@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You, my dear, have a beautiful wardrobe!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372385 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:52:28 +0000 Suz 372385@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh, Michelle...this is a great thread! I can't wait to read the replies. </p> <p>Sadly, I do not have such sales associate in my life. But never say never. This is going to be one of my goals—to find such a person. </p> <p>I do have a friend who is a bit of a good luck charm. She has been shopping with me once and while with her, I bought a few items that I would never have splurged on myself. I thought at the time it was a terrible extravagance and I felt quite guilty. And it is true, I don't necessarily wear the items I bought all the time. But...I absolutely love each one of them, even five years later, and still enjoy wearing them when I do wear them. And they are not dated. </p> <p>This same friend sometimes sends me clothes that she buys and is either tired of or that don't quite work for her. Some of the things she has sent me are really wonderful. I could not afford them on my own, and truly appreciate them. </p> <p>Now, off to look at your photo montage more closely. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/exceptional-sales-associates-the-secret-ingredient-to-a-great-wardro#post-372380 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 02:45:03 +0000 Michelle 372380@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My recent dress splurges at a local boutique got me thinking about the incomparable boon a truly great sales associate can provide to a shopping experience. I'm not just talking about fairly good ones, who provide pleasant service and add some enjoyment to a retail adventure (though undoubtedly the world needs more of them). I'm talking about the people who can intuitively size up a person's style, tactfully urge them to test their fashion boundaries, and make them feel confident about doing it. Rina, the owner of the boutique at which I found my dresses, is just such a person. She's the owner of the business, which you'd think could make her too busy to attend to her customers. Not so -- she's always there and consistently providing some of the best fashion advice outside of YLF that I've ever come across. Thinking about (ok, squeeing over) my new dresses made me think back on exactly how many wardrobe finds she personally introduced me to. The list is really overwhelming! I'm pasting pictures of the items she dug up for me with her own hands, many of which I may never have tried on my own. </p> <p>1. Blue print tunic<br /> 2. Red and black top, as well as the black belt<br /> 3. Eggplant sheath and bolero<br /> 4. Green top<br /> 5. Black keyhole tunic<br /> 6. Purple chiffon blouse<br /> 7. Teal v-neck top<br /> 8. Blue summer day dress<br /> 9. Plum sweater dress<br /> 10. Silver leaf bracelet<br /> And of course, the latest:<br /> 11. Yellow and purple floral cotton day dress<br /> 12. Blue Adrianna Papell formal sheath</p> <p>To all those who work in retail, know that your efforts can sometimes form the basis of someone's wardrobe and, by extension, have a profound daily impact on that person's confidence! Thanks for all you do, but especially Rina!<br /> By launching a business that addresses a genuine market need and providing truly first-rate customer service, both on her own and through her carefully chosen staff, She's managed to turn the plus-size shopping experience into an enviable one (no mean feat, let me tell you)!</p> <p>So, ladies, do you have a Rina in your life? If not, do you have a friend, partner etc who has a Midas touch with your wardrobe, other than Angie of course? </p>