So excited! A friend asked me to take her shopping! - YouLookFab Forum

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So excited! A friend asked me to take her shopping!

catgirl

Veteran

My very dear friend and climbing partner has accumulated a stash of Nordstrom gift cards from her husband, who is the sweetest person and doesn't seem to notice that she doesn't ever spend them. Anyway, she asked me to go shopping with her to help her find clothes, and I am so excited! She's one of the people in my life whose wardrobe I would love to update (think high-waisted pleated Lee jeans and oversized purple print rayon button-downs), but never mentioned anything for fear of hurting her feelings. And now the moment has arisen! We are going to Nordstrom this afternoon!

She said (and this surprised me coming from her) "You always look so nice and have such a great eye for finding things for other people." !!! I'm a little nervous because I feel like now I'm on trial. At the same time, what an opportunity for some fun bonding and spending someone else's money!

Has this ever happened to anyone else? It's like a dream come true for me - I may have even posted about it here...

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23 replies

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chewyspaghetti

Veteran

How exciting! I'm so jealous. My one friend has lost a lot of weight and could desperately use a wardrobe overhaul. I keep trying to convince her that she should let me take her shopping, but she won't. She hates shopping, but it's because she hasn't been able to find the right fits (she pulls her jeans up almost to her arm pits!) or styles that will work for her.
Every once in a while someone jokingly mentions they need an outfit and will I go with them to help shop. I totally would, and I tell them that, but nobody has taken me up on it yet.

Astrid

Veteran

This is great! I think you're going to have so much fun.

I was once shopping with a good friend of mine who needed a bunch of 'normal' clothes for job interviews and her following internship. She's a goth and dresses all black and spikey, but did her internship as an interpreter in the American embassy, where all people were fairly dressed up. You can imagine that our shopping trip wasn't so funny. It was very hard to find middle ground between the things she liked and the things I said were alright to wear. I did most of the shopping, because she had no idea what was appropriate and knew it (that's why she asked me to help her). We did buy two pair of pants and different tops to change up, one pair of black booties and a simple black handbag. She wore her normal black wool coat with it. I was exhausted at the end of the day!

rae

(website)

Veteran

I dearly miss a friend who let me play at being her personal stylist. It was amazing to watch her eyes light up when we found things that flattered her figure - a feat she'd sworn up and down was absolutely impossible.

And of course there are my kind friends who let me budget shop for them - so fun!

I hope you find this experience as rewarding as I have, Una! It is always a good feeling to give to another, but giving of your own, specific talent is fantastic. I know you'll find your friend some really killer things.

catgirl

Veteran

Rae, you're the expert at this! The good thing is that she's not afraid to spend - she bought a Dooney and Bourke handbag with one gift card already! I just have to convince her to try stuff on. She is NOT a good shopper, but I'm thinking if she can trust me belaying, she ought to trust me in the denim department.

qfbrenda

Veteran

Yay! I hope your shopping trip goes well.

It has happened to me with one friend. She had me help her find maternity clothes this fall--no easy feat! Decent maternity clothes aren't easy to find. And she plans on me helping her with her wardrobe next fall after baby is here and her body is starting to get back to "normal". It's been great fun... like dressing a living doll. But it's been intimidating too because I better not be wrong! Ha! And at times it's been a bit frustrating because she doesn't pay much attention to how to care for clothes. An adorable rayon dress pilled because she washed it with regular stuff and put it in the dryer [eek!]. I warned her she better not do that with a new wool sweater, or her daughter would be wearing it. But overall it's been great getting to help her.

celia

Veteran

That is like a dream come true.
Sometimes I go with friends and will give my advice or choose other things for them if they ask.
There is a friend of mine that I would love to take shopping when she realises that she needs to update her wardrobe.

Sylvie

Veteran

Your friend is so lucky. I'm sure you'll do a fantastic job finding things for her.

I always shop alone and I'd gladly be "taken shopping" by any of the stylish YLF ladies.

rae

(website)

Veteran

Yes, a solid foundation of trust is very important - for shopping et al!

Sona

Veteran

squeeeeeeeeeeee! Have fun. I did this with a friend in the fall- shopping for a cruise she is going on in feb 2012. and she had nothing suitable. we picked up everything from bathing suits to cocktail attire. And I rejected so many items. By the end of it I even had the SA saying " if it doens't make you feeel fab and if its not flattering and if you don't wan t owear it right ut of the store" we are not buying it!!

such fun. you will do awesome and your friend will love all the items you guys pick!!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Yay Una! This will be so much fun for you and your friend! And she's right - you always look great and have a wonderful eye. You go girl!

Nakidra

Veteran

Man!! That is SO awesome - You have very good taste so it's no wonder why she asked you. That is like a dream come true! I have about 6 people in my life who I'd love to make over.
Have fun!!

HelenInCanada

Veteran

It's the ultimate compliment! Have fun!

For me, the person I've taken shopping in recent times is my partner! He is ULTRA casual and a bit of a frugalisto, so he is content to wear clothes that are nearly falling apart. At his workplace he wears a safety-approved uniform. Anyway, he is fine going to Winners (our version of Marshalls) and Old Navy, and letting me pick button-downs and sweatshirts that look decent (IMHO)! I also chose a winter coat for him. He was wearing his 20s-age-era leather bomber til the seams had gone haywire. I'm happy he trusts my opinion!

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

YAY! What a compliment!

I hope that you and your friend will have a blast - it's very generous of you to share your time with her!

Anonymous

Oh you will have (or *are* having) so much fun! She's right, you do have a good eye and whatever you find, it will be an improvement, right?

A few weeks ago, a friend of mine asked me to help her shop for her son's wedding. I had such a blast spending her money! First we went ot Soma and got the invisible back bra. Then we got her a beautiful purple dress at the mall. After that, we went to Steinmart to get jewelry, shoes and a little clutch. I think I had more fun than she did. I wanted to post her picture on here, but she wouldn't let me.

Ask your friend if you can take before and after pics and share with us!

catgirl

Veteran

Okay, so we've postponed till Wednesday as she's running behind schedule... Ah well, more time to plan my strategies! Glad I'm not the only one plotting for the benefit of my loved ones!

qfbrenda

Veteran

What kind of stuff are you going to lean her towards? I'm betting decent denim is at the top of the list. Are you limiting her to a particular color scheme so things will mix well? I've been thinking ahead to helping my friend next fall and trying to figure out decent strategies.

catgirl

Veteran

I don't know, but denim seems like a priority. She is a vet, so she doesn't need dressy clothes. Maybe I'll ask in a separate thread...

Amy

(website)

Veteran

You two are going to have so much fun! I'd love to hear all about the trip

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Una, I'm totally unsurprised that she has asked for your help. You are going to be so great for her! And the two of you will have a lot of fun. I can't wait to hear the story!

Aida

Veteran

What a wonderful compliment! So fun I go shopping with my sis and my closest girlfriend for stuff for them, and really it'll be very educational for both of you. I'm sure you two will have a blast, and I know you'll find her some great pieces.

(I wrote a little about it after the LA trip actually.)

velvetychocolate

Veteran

What Sylvie said...

I'd *love* to be taken shopping, and you'd definitely be someone I'd love to have help me shop.

I hope you have lots of fun, and I'm looking forward to hearing how it goes.

Lantana

Veteran

This is going to be very special. I'm with the others in wanting to get the full story, with pix if your friend will permit

Anonymous

Please report back on how it went. I find it hard to shop with a friend when neither want to hurt the other's feelings about how an outfit one thinks is fabulous and the other has reservations about it.