https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Fri, 17 Apr 2026 14:15:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122785 Sat, 23 May 2020 12:15:07 +0000 cindysmith 2122785@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now I want to shop by appointment. It seems so "Pretty Woman" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122765 Sat, 23 May 2020 08:09:28 +0000 rachylou 2122765@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Jenni, yes! Online shopping is so hard for me that way. Ooh! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122764 Sat, 23 May 2020 08:07:54 +0000 rachylou 2122764@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I have to say I do like to browse to see what’s out there and touch everything (that’s a thing of the past, eh?) and rely on kismet. Altho, with this shop, it’s a little bit like that because of their windows... of course, it’s also buying straight off the mannequin which, you know... can sometimes be kind of tragic.</p> <p>I don’t much like going into a store blind and only getting to see what a shopgirl brings you. I’d be a terrible haute couture customer and have found a good number of boutiques tedious for that reason in the past. You know, the kind that are empty except for one outfit and a chair, lol. </p> <p>...It’s funny, I watch a bit of the restaurant review shows and someone always says something like ‘they make you feel like family’ or ‘you feel like a regular the moment you walk in.’ And I always think, ‘I’m not sure that’s entirely a recommendation,’ lol. I mean, can’t say I’m keen to be bossed around by and obligated to the whims of strangers.</p> <p>But there have definitely been SAs who’ve directed me towards winners that I’d never have known about. I don’t suppose it depends on their skill, whether I like it or not. People who throw everything at you in hopes that something will stick are difficult. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122763 Sat, 23 May 2020 07:49:54 +0000 Jenni NZ 2122763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just remembering what happened late last year when I was looking for new summer trousers. I decided to try the favourite boutique chain ( Harleys) that I’ve bought lots of successful items from. I found some muted patterned pants with lovely blues and pinks on their website, on sale, which the website said were available in one of their stores near me. So I went there to try them. But the fabric was completely different from what I imagined- sort of soft and slippery where I wanted crisp.<br /> It was a happy ending because I found the black and white snakeskin pants instead, very crisp, and I love them.<br /> Don’t think they were on the website. You couldn’t tell the difference without handling them in person. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122760 Sat, 23 May 2020 06:56:36 +0000 Zaeobi 2122760@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oooh, interesting - I'm sure you'll feel like a VIP in that situation! I'm not so sure if I'd enjoy it, though - out here, it's very common for the SAs to follow you around the store &amp; 'advise' you on just about anything you pick up. I always have to politely reassure them that I'm just browsing (for now) whenever I'm looking up the hem of a skirt to find the fabric label. They of course think I'm looking for the price tag, &amp; therefore take that as a cue to reel off all of their special offers. I <i>abhor </i>this kind of behaviour, because it has the complete <i>opposite </i>of the intended effect - makes me feel anxious, pressured &amp; ready to run for the hills instead of the till! I much prefer the British approach, where the SAs let you know their name (&amp; where to find them) as soon as you come in, but otherwise leave you alone until&nbsp;<i>you </i>approach them first.</p> <p>YMMV, but for me I'm like <b>@Jenni</b>&nbsp;in that I like getting a feel for items before committing to trying them on. I prefer to be able to touch the material of items &amp; pretend to layer them in front of the mirror to visualise how they would work together first (before deciding whether to take them to the fitting room). Here they'll whisk the item out of your hands and 'hold onto' it for you so you can try it on in the fitting room, even if you didn't ask them to. But it sounds like you know exactly what you want in your situation <b>@rachylou</b>, so maybe this kind of approach would work in your favour. Be sure to report back! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122755 Sat, 23 May 2020 05:19:00 +0000 Jenni NZ 2122755@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I guess that makes me a “Lookie Lou” or tyre kicker! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122753 Sat, 23 May 2020 05:13:04 +0000 Jenni NZ 2122753@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It is going to mean that it may be harder for inspiration to strike, as it were. I am definitely going to miss browsing in store. Although, my favourite local mall was open this past week for the first time in ?7-8 weeks, since we have almost beaten the virus in our country currently. I actually bought a gift for my older daughter’s best friend’s baby, who was born one day before our lockdown. I did my usual browse for inspiration in the baby store, which worked. So with the women’s clothing stores, I just wandered past the windows, which was almost as good as previously, since I felt too mean to be one of only 10 people or whatever they would let in.<br /> Since I am thinking so incredibly hard about anything that I buy, I suppose I may have to do most browsing online for ideas and then go on a more specific hunt... but I have sometimes bought my best items in the past by just seeing them in store, even though I walk away for a “power pause”. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122534 Fri, 22 May 2020 17:39:17 +0000 rachylou 2122534@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The one thing about this shop is they do good windows, and now new windows every week. I think I don’t mind as much being committed to buy if it fits, IF I’ve gotten to see the items IRL first and know I really like them. I suppose that’s one of the things I don’t like about shopping online. Something about those little online pics doesn’t do it for me. I like print-catalog shopping better than online shopping.</p> <p>Lol. Fendi didn’t have window displays like this shop does... No doubt SF Fendi has windows now, but you can’t pay me to go into the city. Not for shopping. Lol. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122530 Fri, 22 May 2020 17:22:50 +0000 slim cat 2122530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's possible that true bargain shoppers that just go from one store to another looking for the cheapest pieces will stay away from "shopping appointments" - and I'll be glad of it. People who truly want to find the right clothes for them, who welcome professional help and understand the value of good fit/fabric/style will come back into the stores eventually ( when and how - are the questions ..). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122489 Fri, 22 May 2020 14:57:42 +0000 Anonymous 2122489@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are wise to see that shopping by appointment will bring in true buyers and screen out the Lookie Lous as they were called in Southern California many years ago, but the term seems to fit. We will have to think of what we really want ahead of time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122487 Fri, 22 May 2020 14:57:20 +0000 Angie 2122487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Some of our furniture stores in the city are set up this way too. Shop by app only. The boutiques will probably follow suit.&nbsp;</p> <p>I vote have the shop app experience, since you feel safe about it <b>Rachy.</b> See what it's like.&nbsp;</p> <p>Personally, I will probably just shop more online - which I was doing anyway. Shopbop, Boden. Zappos, Bloomingdales, and now Marks &amp; Spencer were all online shopping for me anyway - and a lot of Nordies was too. I use to buy in stores from BR and Anthro mostly. And Nordies of course. I suspect that will change. Very unfortunate.</p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122485 Fri, 22 May 2020 14:31:31 +0000 Anonymous 2122485@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's become a "thing" where I live , and all 3 shop owners I've talked to about it said their businesses are motoring along just fine that way. &nbsp;Now, granted each of these stores has their core clients who will buy &nbsp;, so it weeds out the tire-kickers who don't spend money anyways and just take up space that now is not readily available and resources that are thinner on the ground. &nbsp;Another one &nbsp;of my clients/friends &nbsp;runs a small boutique and did an Instagram poll re: shopping by appt vs open to anyone . I actually voted "open to anyone" because her store has less inventory and is one where I am not guaranteed to find something at any given time, making an appointment too pressure-filled. &nbsp;But &nbsp;- I am not likely her core customer anyways. &nbsp;</p> <p>I think the concept forces us to plan ahead, and to train ourselves not to use shopping for entertainment. I know there is a huge argument to be made for browsing to discover new treasures and new ideas....but maybe it's jus not how it can be anymore. &nbsp;</p> <p>And why don't you already have utility pants???&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122436 Fri, 22 May 2020 09:51:14 +0000 Bijou 2122436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rachy go for it! A smock and utility pants sound like highly practical purchases, and very safe given social distancing to have a private appointment.</p> <p>I have had two shopping by appointment experiences in the last 10 weeks. YES - I bought things, but only items I wanted and will use - from my favourite local stores. So many businesses locally have closed even without covid, if you find something that you want and need, it is a win for both of you. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122429 Fri, 22 May 2020 09:28:26 +0000 abby 2122429@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Professionals like this shop keeper earn their money. &nbsp;They know their craft and they know where the best items are. &nbsp;If browsing is your thing, please do not waste your time and theirs. &nbsp;These folks are a little like shopping as a handyman in a hardware store. &nbsp;If you must buy some items and you want the best available, professionals are how to get them. &nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <div>I found my most beautiful dress ever through a professional shopper at Macy’s in downtown San Antonio. &nbsp;A professional shopper in Macy’s downtown Philadelphia put together what is, seven years later, still my most fab sweater-skirt outfit. &nbsp;Macy’s usually has my style, in these cases in Easter dresses and in dressy outfits. &nbsp;Therefore, I went in knowing what I wanted (a fab dress, a great dressy outfit...) and knowing that Macy’s would likely have something in my style that would eagerly follow me home. &nbsp;They work with me when I am serious: &nbsp;We negotiated discounts on a five-item capsule at that Macy’s in Philadelphia. &nbsp;You describe similar conditions with your shop keeper, so your chances are good of getting a truly fab result. &nbsp;A professional shopper is how I get a truly fab outfit when I absolutely must get one. &nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div>These days, you can get social distancing this way. &nbsp;If you want entertainment, this is not it. &nbsp;But if you want a great outfit with great service at a fair price and a safe environment, this is a win. &nbsp;</div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122412 Fri, 22 May 2020 07:28:49 +0000 Jenni NZ 2122412@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’m with Joy. It will be heaps harder to walk out with nothing than the previous browsing situation. Maybe however I was kind of ripping them off by wandering in, checking out the merchandise and hardly ever buying (because so much choice...) They still had to pay rent, staff, power etc when I did that. But then I also felt that I never forced them to open that store or go into business.<br /> So, in summary, IDK! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122397 Fri, 22 May 2020 04:30:22 +0000 Anonymous 2122397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I know how you feel. A private appointment feels like an obligation to buy something. I do not like that kind of shopping. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122390 Fri, 22 May 2020 03:11:25 +0000 slim cat 2122390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds exiting! Please report back if you do go for a special "shopping by appointment" event &nbsp;;) &nbsp;. <br />Hope you'll find something fun and comfortable ( utility pants sounds great ). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/shopping-by-appointment#post-2122386 Fri, 22 May 2020 03:00:43 +0000 rachylou 2122386@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Well, I’m not sure where we are in lockdown now... if it’s collapsing on its own or this is official reopening progress... I see a lot of people in my neighborhood meeting up with friends for walks... and I inquired by email about something in a shop window... and the owner said a private appointment was possible... so it would only be myself and her in the shop. I feel it’s a safe setup. I also feel like it’s like going to Fendi for a ball gown, only I want a smock and some utility pants. Much less fraught, tho. Haha. </p>