Wardrobe Refresh - Any Recommendations for Stores/Personal Shoppers?

[Anonymous]

I need to update and refresh my wardrobe - particularly my work wardrobe and dressy events wardrobe. I am OK with my current casual/weekend clothing. I am a law firm partner in my late 30s who is relatively petite. I am looking for sophisticated, classic, and stylish clothes. I need some suits, sheath dresses, and party dresses. To date, my clothes have generally come from Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, and J. Crew. I want something a step up from these brands but nothing super high end. I love designers like Roland Mouret but I do not want to pay at that price point. I want to look very professional at work, but also feminine. My style icons are Queen Rania of Jordan, Kate Middleton, Claire in House of Cards, etc.

Any suggestions of places to shop? Should I just go to a department store like Nordstrom or Saks and have them pull items for me? I have a budget of $5,000.

[Anonymous]

Do a personal shopping apt at Nordstrom, think your money will go further than at Saks. I hadn't heard of Roland Mouret before - gorgeous stuff, but I think you can get there with a price point above Ann Taylor and below $800 per piece Go and make them bring you lots of stuff to try on - so many things look weird on the hanger but great on the body.

DVF, Helmut Lang, Akris punto, rag and bone, Theory and Vince are all brands I love and wear when I can afford it (I am mid-30s), I am tall though so not sure which will work on you. Helmut Lang reminded me a lot of Mouret so maybe start there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do a personal shopping apt at Nordstrom, think your money will go further than at Saks. I hadn't heard of Roland Mouret before - gorgeous stuff, but I think you can get there with a price point above Ann Taylor and below $800 per piece Go and make them bring you lots of stuff to try on - so many things look weird on the hanger but great on the body.

DVF, Helmut Lang, Akris punto, rag and bone, Theory and Vince are all brands I love and wear when I can afford it (I am mid-30s), I am tall though so not sure which will work on you. Helmut Lang reminded me a lot of Mouret so maybe start there?

Thanks PP. Have you ever used the personal shopping services at Nordstrom? Did you like them? Do they have tailoring? I am 5'3 and 105 pounds so a lot of the higher end designers do not work all that well on my frame - I feel like they are all cut for tall people like you!

[Anonymous]

Bi OP, yes I have used them. I went to the tysons location. They absolutely do tailoring and the girl I used told the seamstress to make sure my request was done ASAP. I had a business trip in 3 days and wanted some clothes for the trip. She made it happen. And tailoring was free or inexpensive.

I sent a lot of info in advance about preferences and body type, budget and what I was looking for. Didn't feel too pressured to buy outside my budget, mostly it was me coveting all the pretty things. I think they have a reay good selection at that store so you are sure to find things that work well. Give it a whirl! At the worst you'll step out of your box and at best you'll find new things you love.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bi OP, yes I have used them. I went to the tysons location. They absolutely do tailoring and the girl I used told the seamstress to make sure my request was done ASAP. I had a business trip in 3 days and wanted some clothes for the trip. She made it happen. And tailoring was free or inexpensive.

I sent a lot of info in advance about preferences and body type, budget and what I was looking for. Didn't feel too pressured to buy outside my budget, mostly it was me coveting all the pretty things. I think they have a reay good selection at that store so you are sure to find things that work well. Give it a whirl! At the worst you'll step out of your box and at best you'll find new things you love.

Thank you so much! I will make an appointment and I am really looking forward to it.

[Anonymous]

Also, check out the following brands at Bloomingdales: Reiss, Karen Millen, Ted Baker. Also Hugo Boss for suits at Nordstrom

[Anonymous]

NP here, similar size and profession -I use Kristi Berkland at Pentagon City and have some great stuff, including designersPP mentions. All personal shoppers are not equal - the last one I used in Montgomery Mall sold me lots of stuff, but Kristi pulls it together - we run from clothes to bags to jewelry... I cant afford allI want but when I have a big meeting or presentation I feel ready.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all! I love those brands at Bloomingdales BTW.

[Anonymous]

New poster here. When you use a store shopper, will they pull you sale items in addition to full price items? I get about 90% of my clothes on sale because I am patient. It would be painful to have to pay full price for everything.