what should I expect out of an appt with Nords Personal Stylist?

SW Ann

Had my appt with PS at Nordstroms on Friday. Didn't go as I expected. Not bad, just not that good. Without going into detail about the good or the bad, anyone who can enlighten me as to what I "should" expect, I would appreciate. If you have used the PS at any Nordstroms, I would like to know what you did on your first appt. Thanks!

14 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from modgrl

Queen Mum

Veteran

I would expect to be treated like a queen LOL
I've not used a stylist yet, so I'm interested in hearing from those who have.

14 years ago

April

Veteran

I haven't tried this either but am looking forward to commentary from those who have.

And I have a follow-up question: is a Nordstrom "personal stylist" different from a sales associate who keeps track of your style preferences?

14 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

I had one a few weeks ago--it was also sort of eh (without going into details). I emailed with the head PS about what I was looking for before I showed up, and then I went over to the PS department when I got there. They paged the person who I was working with, who took me over to a dressing room where she had some items pulled for me. She took out the things I immediately nixed, and then we sort of went back and forth, with me telling her after a few rounds what was working, what wasn't, what direction I wanted to go in for the next round of try-ons, etc.

We had a little bit of working at cross-purposes about what exactly I was looking for, and I also did feel like I got a bit of the hard-sell (No, it wasn't my bra that was the problem--the dress was TOO SMALL in the bust), but I'm fairly assertive and was able to hold my own. I wouldn't recommend that particular PS to others, however, especially if they were looking more for guidance (due to the hard-sell) and less for someone to pre-select from the racks for them (I was in a time crunch).

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I had a first appointment with a PS for pre-selection. She was super nice, but it was a little underwhelming.

I brought a list of things I wanted to check, she included more things to show me. She did not stick with me in the fitting room (I had my daughter with me), but stopped in to get new sizes, bring new ideas, etc.

She didn't have the fit expertise I had hoped for (ala what I am sure Angie would do!), but rather seemed to follow my lead a little too much.

I also didn't get the color recommendations I would have liked, i.e. the Classiques Entier cowl neck sweater came in 5 colors and I was open to most any of them.

I can't even say she was dramatically different from a good SA, but she did had a special dressing room area to put me in

She was actually not familiar with some of the NAS items I had on my list. But maybe that's because some of them were from the 'regular' departments, and she's most familiar with the Studio and designer areas.

I did appreciate when she took me to shoes and I had her exclusive attention getting shoes, sizes, etc.! That was a treat

ETA: I am NOT a helpless shopper though. I love to look around, see and touch everything, so maybe I'm not the target shopper for a PS. I also think after being around here, we get so much excellent advice and learn so much from others, that we are light years ahead of the average shopper. . .

14 years ago

SW Ann

Veteran

Dashrashi, and MNsara, thanks for your info....it sounds like I got pretty much what you did. I've had better results from using SA several years ago. She did not get many of the things on my list that I asked for, nor did she use the list as a jumping off point to understand my style at all, That's one of the things that I expected that disappointed me. She was not hard sell, which I appreciated, but I have a pretty strong shopping personality and there was no way I was buying or even trying anything that I didn't at least like "a little". Unfortunately, the reason I made the appt in the first place was because I don't have anyone at Nords who I can ask for assistance reliably in the women's dept. I have a great PS for my husband but the experience with him is completely different..and by the way, really good. I know he would help me but I prefer a woman. Not sure if I will give her another opportunity or not....

14 years ago

MNsara

Veteran

I am inclined to think it mght take time to get used to each other and for them to see your style, desires, needs, budget, etc.

But, I'm not so sure I want my hand held for shopping either. What I really want is some expert eyes -- to know what they have that I've overlooked, to know what colors and sizes really are best for me (and not the vague - what feels best to you - input)..

I'd love someone to tell about a great (non-Angie) PS experience they had at Nordstrom!!

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I haven't had really good sales help in so many years, I don't even know what that would be like. I feel like they always say "that looks cute on you!" no matter what. I would be thrilled to have help from someone who has fun with fashion and has an idea of what I am looking for. I wouldn't be against going to a male SA, they might be more honest about the frump factor.

14 years ago

Dashrashi

Veteran

Mine sort of took something I said and ran with it (i.e. I said "I wear a lot of anthro" and so she pulled lots of floral cotton dresses, even though I finished that sentence with "but I have an evening wedding at a downtown hotel and all of my current dresses are too daytime." Sigh.), rather than just sticking to my list. Honestly, I had some very straightforward criteria--it would have been really, really helpful if she would have just gone with those.

"All unhappy PS experiences are unhappy in their own way..."

14 years ago

SW Ann

Veteran

One of the things she did that annoyed me --she brought in 2 of the Hinge shirts that are in the catalog p18, in spite of my not asking about these at all. Okay, that's good, I'll try it. So I try it, and we can both see I look like I've been swallowed whole by this shirt--too long, too big and colors just wash me out (soul sucking....!) So, I say to her--well, I like the idea of this, do you have something like this that''s a little less oversized, or shorter? She says she'll watch for it. I leave and 5 minutes later, over across the store, I find the exact type of thing I'm talking about..... I thought the PS might have a clue about the stuff in the store! Also, I sent her one dress I wanted to try on , and she pulled the wrong dress. None of the dresses were similar in any way to what I'd asked for ahead of time except the brand. Really? How about color, shape, or even the right size?! I think I will go back to doing my shopping alone unless some of you ladies are available for a future shopping experience. It will have to be awhile, though....I really bought a ton for DH and have several things coming by mail....(fingers crossed)....

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

Why don't you try your guy's SA, he sounds like he would be honest and helpful.

14 years ago

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