"Snoop" shopping - do you and can you?

[ejvc]

Hi,

Lots of people recommend "snoop" shopping to get to know what's fashionable and also the standards for construction in high-end clothes.  I must confess that I don't do this, for several reasons.  I think it comes down to the fact that clothes shopping has not typically been a very enjoyable experience for me.  For example, I went to Harrod's to the ladies' department and I couldn't find a SINGLE THING that fit me when I was looking for trousers.  I mean, I'm not talking was flattering and lovely but too expensive, I'm talking, would go around my body!  I clearly am not the size they make for and I left feeling quite overwhelmed and depressed about my body.  I don't like that and I don't want to go back there.  At Selfridge's I nearly cried as they were so snooty to me (but not in the yummy food hall!!).  I enjoy going to Liberty's but again - I can't actually try anything on.  So how do those of you who do "snoop shopping" do it?  Do you have to be a size 6 or under?  How do you deal with snooty saleswomen?  Or what is your strategy for keeping up with fashion?

Elizabeth

[tumblina]

I do it all virtually. Like you, I detest clothes shopping - actually I don't like shopping in general. I will do second hand stores, but more because I take the raw materials and remake it, so I'm more likely to be in the men's XL section than the women's .

Between looking at online catalogues, style.com, other women on the bus, and sketching my fancies on my croquis, I'm satisfied with my attempts. That said, I'm actually more into fashion now than at any time in my life, and that's not saying much .

As for construction, that's what tearing apart second hand clothes and reading SG are for!

[lydia]

Regarding "snooty salespeople"; remember, you are the one with the purse and these people are the workers.  I learned this many years ago when a new "Fashion Mall" surfaced in a city about fifty miles from me.  I was much younger then and was a tad intimidated.......THEN, I remembered an old adage:  "we all put on our pants one leg at a time"!

The last time I surfaced at said mall - the salespeople wanted to be your best friend.  Sales were slow!

I love snoop shopping.  There is a upside to this:  we who sew can make a better looking garment and it will fit!

[sewsanna]

I think you have cute and curvy figure. Maybe you have to learn how to buy and alter the waist?

I have to buy for my waist size. Sometimes pants are too big except in the waist. I wonder if it is not the opposite for you.

I don't know. I check a fave dept store and a couple of chain small stores. I do some catalog retail too. Clothes come hard for me. But I don't mind looking, aside from disappointment that I can't find what I want. In thinking hard, I guess I used to feel intimidated because I never could get a good fit, even when I was pounds lighter and years younger.

Because plus sizes are now more widely available, I suppose I don't feel so outside the mainstream.

Perhaps if you remind yourself that you are snoop shopping, that you are not obligated to buy, but you might if you found the right thing, you would feel less frustrated. I don't know what to say about snooty sales persons. The sales persons I encounter want to sell you something!  Remember you can also buy bags and shoes. If you go in and buy something like that, I'll bet the salesperson will be very nice. It might make you feel better to have a successful transaction?

[Terri K]

I've never had an experience with those “snooty salespeople” that others claim to encounter.   Perhaps it's because I plan, and dress appropriately for the experience I want to have.    I wear something casually elegant and chic that could have been put together from any of their racks and also wear a nice attitude and personality.    Would you go on a job interview wearing something that doesn't make you fit into the culture?   I also get to know the people who work in the stores personally so they recognize me when I come in.  

If I'm taking a shopping trip to a city several hours away,  I call first to make sure my favorite sales-person or persons are working that day, before making the trip.    Even if I've never been inside a store before, body language is important, and a smile and friendly demeanor will return the favor in aces.     I can't imagine going to all the trouble of sewing something that I've never bothered to try on in person to see how the color and styles work for me.    I usually wear one or two items I've sewn, and bring pieces I want to match in a shopping bag .  I'm proud to admit and show off what I've sewn, which always impresses the sales staff, especially at the high end stores.  I also take swatches of fabric that I want to see what works with them.   Oh, and I do actually buy things, but not every time.

My latest blog post was about snoop shopping for spring to see what styles, colors and fabrics worked and what didn't.   My sales helper even took the photos of me that I told her I was posting on my blog.

[shams]

I love, and adore snoop shopping, and I am not a size 6, not even close.  lol  I agree with Terri, that you should dress appropriately.  I do not snoop shop while wearing schlumpadinka clothing.  I do wear the clothes I make when shopping, though I do not say I made them, at least not usually.  I shop at funky boutiques that carry the type of clothing I like to make and wear.

I do sometimes buy things, but I typically try to only buy things I can't make, like sweaters, jewelry, or really marked down or interestingly designed items.  This is purely practical - first, I can't afford to buy too much at these stores, but also, I much prefer to wear what I make. 

Snoop shopping can give me a huge rush of inspiration and creativity and lift me out of a sewing funk.  It's so much fun!

[Claudine]

During the season when the clothes are still at full price, I do all my snoop shopping by looking at shop windows and wandering through the stores without touching anything.  Sales people will generally leave you alone if you don't touch.  Then at the end of the season when all the clothes are on sale racks, THAT's when I go and paw through things.  At that time, the salespeople totally ignore you because they really don't care any more.  You can take it off the hanger,  squeeze it to feel for interfacing, whatever.  Harrod's, in particular, is a madhouse at sale times and the salespeople are off cowering in the corner.  Making you feel inadequate is the last of their priorities.  I don't normally try on, but I'm sure you could do that if you wanted to.

I have had some really lovely experiences with salespeople, but it's impossible to tell which ones will be nice.  Once, in Bottega Veneta, which may be the most intimidating store I've ever been in, I spent half an hour with a salesman who showed me the entire collection, including pieces that were not on the selling floor because they were reserved for customers.  He was a total clothing geek and told me all about the construction techniques.

Another thing about snoop shopping is that you can take details from clothes that were not meant for you and apply them to the clothes you make.  It does not matter if it's not your size, or if it's menswear, or whatever, because you won't be buying it anyway.

[Terri K]

schlumpadinka clothing

- Shams that is one of the most expressive and connotative idioms I've seen in a long time.   And my mother and her sisters had some great ones in German!

I like to go to trunk shows and previews of collections.   And I touch and try on.   Most times the sales staff hasn't seen those garments on a real person and like to see what they look like on and combined with other pieces.  That was the case with the Doncaster collection that I blogged about.

I haven't shopped in the UK, but over numerous trips I've had no problem touching, looking at details, and trying on in Italy's high end boutiques.  Italians appreciate the interest in the fabric and construction that they are so proud of.

[ShannonG4d]

I do snoop shop, and I am not a size 4:)  That said, I agree that dressing appropriately is important.  Wear something that looks like it might have come from a comparable store.  I do my snooping in the higher-end stores, because I do not care to be inspired by cheaply made things.  I have encountered an occasional sales person who tries to steer me away from the Chanel boutique and into the Zoran and Salon Z things, but I look her in the eye, keep a smile on my face,  and tell her that I am a student of good design, and that usually shuts her up:)   I will also be proactive, and when I see a clerk headed my way, I'll ask them to show my their favorite new pieces.  They will usually accommodate me, and show me interior workings.
Several years ago, there was a Rucci trunk show at one of the stores.  The trunk show rep was experiencing a slow day, so I told her I made my own clothes (luckily, I was wearing a good jacket that day!), and she showed me, in great detail, the interior workings of the garments. That was a stellar day!

[Zalin]

The notion that you have to "dress appropriately" to go shopping just doesn't sit well with me. I can't figure out why. The last time I looked $1 equaled $1 no matter whose pocket it came out of. But that's just me.  

[sewsanna]

If you are visiting Saks or Neiman's you probably should upscale your look unless you habitually dress upscale. To tell you the truth, when you visit a medical specialist for the first time it helps to look "professional." You'll be treated with more respect. I even think it helps to wear expensive clothing to the beauty salon. What you wear should be expensive, but casual. I have to admit that I would never take the trouble Terri does to shop. And I might take to snooping around Saks. (It isn't convenient so I don't generally even think about it.)

For my forays to lesser stores, I might wear good jeans but a leather jacket.

And, if you try on enough stuff you may well discover a line of clothes that fits you well. I can wear Ralph Lauren, dept. store level stuff, which has been a major surprise and pleasure to me. I can't always afford it, but sometimes I do.

Shams I might have to borrow "schlumpadunka" from you. Is that your coinage or did you borrow it? Love the word!

[Myrna]

I don't worry about dressing for the sales people; I dress for me so that I feel good while shopping.

I also don't worry about trying on styles to see if they suit me in case I want to sew a similar style. It doesn't really matter to me. I snoop shop for details and construction and just to touch the fabric and see the colors. Trying on an ill fitting garment is just frustrating. I know enough about my body to know what to try and what to stay away from.

I think it's also because I sew more for the process and for fun with a bonus wardrobe and because I shop fabric sales which makes it "cheap" entertainment. I'll just try it and see what I think. Recently I made a gathered blouse with a yoke. Part way through I knew was a no go and abandoned it. I also made a dress I wasn't too sure about but one that had enough pluses to give it a try. That turned out to be amazing and now I'll fine tune it.

I'm far more influenced by other people sewing and their blog postings than I am but what's in the stores.

- Myrna

[shams]

Schlumpadinka doesn't belong to me.  I've heard Oprah use it. 

[movinon]

I think, unfortunately, that while $1 is still $1 presentation does affect treatment.  OTOH... if someone thinks there's no way you could afford what you're looking at they may leave you alone longer!  
I haven't snoop shopped in some time. Maybe its time.  Cheap entertainment! I find  it amusing when the salesperson doesn't quite know what to make of the fact that you're looking inside the garment, trying to figure out how pieces are joined, construction accomplished, etc.  
I was doing this at an art show recently, more looking at the shape and how the drape was created on some sweater/cardigan jackets, and the lovely French artisan asked me "do you sew?"  Stunned I asked what would make her ask that - she said by the way you are looking at/examining shapes.  Interesting how she picked up and associated that.
I did have a fun experience in Nordstrom's, not in the highest end departments, but the salesperson offering to help me was admiring my jacket and asked if I'd gotten it there and which department.  I had made it.  She was stunned.  

[vtmartha]

I dislike shopping, 'snoop' or otherwise.  The store lighting makes me irritable and I don't feel as though I have the time to do it justice.  The most successful shopping I've done was in the company of a professional.  I was desperately in need of clothes and, in a matter of a few hours, we got the job done.    I agree with Zalin - I would think that the best shopping attire would be something easy to get in and out of.    But, then, I don't have access to high end stores where I live.

[BetsyV]

I despise shopping of almost any kind except groceries and fabric. I tolerate Home Depot/Lowe's. I think I might try it if I see a style that I like but am really unsure of on me, I might try to go to Nordstrom's/Macy's/Bloomingdales and try it.

I do, however, agree that you get better attention when you are better dressed. This is old news. Dress for how you wish to be treated. This goes for every day attire, excepting the parts of those days when you are gardening, mucking out horse stalls, or cleaning apartments or what-have-you. There's no reason you can't be dressed nicely and still easily get in and out of your clothes in the changing room, too. Just clean and neat works 95% of the time.

I don't really care what styles are fashionable or even what colors any more. I have enough of a stash to compensate for years when my colors aren't available, and the best silhouettes on me are rarely in style. Lately the single exception to this is the sheath dress. I could never buy one that fit, so I was happy to take the time to fit a couple of patterns to me and buy a couple of additional patterns in the past year.

A former colleague and (much younger) fellow college alum recently invited me to "shop it to me". Twice weekly I get emails featuring deals on clothes/shoes from certain designers (whom I chose). It's been fun so far, and doesn't require going shopping. The email includes clickable links to the items where they are available. Usually, there are multiple views and a zoom-in feature, full descriptions (fabric content etc), and original and sale prices.

[Zalin]

I think, unfortunately, that while $1 is still $1 presentation does affect treatment. ...

I don't disagree. I just find it discriminatory. Where is the line drawn? Are you treated differently because your clothes are out of style or too short? Is it because you are too old or too fat? Is it because you have one eye? You're bald? I won't even mention ethnicity or religion because that would be a firecracker.

And I agree with the person who said she wears what she wants for her comfort not for the salespeople. Ditto that, and we all have different comfort levels. One person might be more comfortable wearing heals and suits, one might be more comfortable looking like a --what was that word?-- shlumpadinka?

Story? Look away if you're not interested because I'm going to tell it anyway.

Many years ago when I was a poor stay-at-home mom with a hard-working husband, I had been having a rough day changing diapers and cleaning up spit. I had nothing clean to wear, I was feeling bad about myself, and my wonderful husband came home and told me to go buy myself something. You know, young mom's don't do that. They always buy for the kids.

Anyway, I went down to the local boutique and probably looked pretty awful. There was a middle-aged woman shopping who looked fabulous. Her hair was done, her clothes were nice and we were checking out about the same time. We were both asked if we wanted to apply for the store credit card. (In those days, little stores offered their own credit.) We both did and the older lady's approval came back first. The sales associate said the lady was approved for a certain amount. The lady looked pleased, her friend was with her and gave her a "thatta girl!". Then my credit approval came back for three times her amount. That lady's jaw hit the ground. (We've always had good credit.) Even the sales associate looked pleased. I had been very polite and had treated her with respect. She did the same for me.

Moral of the story. Don't assume you know a person's situation just because of the way they are dressed.

To answer the original question: I think it's all attitude. You know that your money is as good as anyone else's. You have as much a right to be there as anyone else. Store's need customers. Go with a smile, be polite. If you are treated with anything less than respect, speak to a manager.

I have worked retail so have been on both sides of the counter. And yes, I waited on someone with one eye once.

[Terri K]

If I didn't enjoy dressing up, I wouldn't have sewn all those years.  I don't even go into to Waechter's Fabric Store without wearing something I love, and I hope I die wearing something I love as well.     With 90% of the people you see, even in nice restaurants and other places wearing schlumpadinka clothing, I often wonder what's happened to all that stuff hanging on the racks season after season, going from retail to clearance price.

You can't tell how fabric moves and feels from the internet or a catalog or a window.   Rarely is anything heavily tailored anymore, and I like to see and appreciate how the various designers use and take chances with different fabrics.   Most fabrics used in high end women's RTW today are not stiff to begin with and are not overly stiffened with old fashioned interfacings and big shoulder pads.    If I were a salesperson seeing someone pull apart a jacket to see what it looks like under the lining, I would wonder what they're up to.   Some stores, especially designer boutiques, are aware of the knock-off trade and copiers.   If you're obsessed with duplicating inside construction, go to a nice consignment store and buy the jacket and take it home to take it apart.   If you can spend $50 on patterns that "just came out" that you may never sew,  and a lot more on fabric,  you can certainly afford to buy a consignment jacket.    Even if you don't want to try something on, lift up the hanger to get an appreciation for the way the fabric moves and is supposed to behave in a certain style.   I don't waste my time in cheap stores, but even Anthropologie is a treasure of details and how fabric is used and behaves.    There are a lot of styles that look "hoochy" on anyone over 30, but it's all about the details.  

And Kohl's Simply Vera line, by Vera Wang has some of the same silhouettes and styles as her high end RTW, just in different fabrics.   Lots of great details there too.   I enjoy accessorizing with her costume jewelry that she does for Kohls.

[sewsanna]

Well, really we are all in agreement (mostly) aren't we? If you are confronted with 2 products in the grocery store with different packaging wouldn't you gravitate to the cuter, cleverer or more colorful item? You might put it back if it was too expensive, but you probably would reach for the best looking product first. I know I would.

I do sort of disagree about snoop shopping in catalogs. I do this. It helps me know about line and seasonal color. And, if you will all keep a secret  , I confess I'm a thrift store junkie. And one of the most amazing things is, you can learn a lot about garment construction by looking at old clothes! I have to travel several miles to find a clothing consignment store, so I don't do that. But, I've learned to tell silk by touch!  And wool.

But back to the original question: I think we all agree that we shouldn't be intimidated, that we should present ourselves well (dress and attitude) and that we ultimately have the power in this transaction.

[movinon]

Perhaps I was unclear.  I am not sprawling about on the floor with a garment pulling it apart to examine its innards trying to see how inside finishing has been completed, or turn things inside out for inspection.  It is easy enough to lift up the hem and peek inside, or to look closely at how a trim or embellishment method has been attached to a collar say.  Or to hold out a garment to see the shape of the front creating a drape in front.  But I think typically a salesperson encounters customers concerned with how the garment looks/looks on them vs. how the look was achieved.  And yes, going to a good consignment store to obtain a fine jacket to see how general construction is done on the inside is of value, a worthwhile idea even if one is merely interested or curious vs. obsessed.  But, around here at least, for some reason those stores don't seem to have spring 2010 fashions on the racks yet (or even fall 09) to see how designers/manufacturers are creating this or that effect, applying this or that method/trim/embellishment to achieve a certain visual or effect, or show lines/shapes and how darting or tucking or whathave you have achieved those results.  I have never been treated inappropriately when "snooping", have just found that if someone asked if I needed some help or if they could answer a question and I replied I was curious as to how this was done or that effect achieved they were not quite sure what to say as I believe it was probably more typical to be asked for a size, color, what/where to wear something etc.

[AnnRowley]

I just got here and have enjoyed reading all your comments - and yes, I love snoop-shopping!

I live in a big city with several department stores and, although I rarely try anything on, I look for details and construction methods. I know by now what suits me and don't really need to check; although I did try on wide leg trousers one year to check that I'd like the look. (None of them fitted me.) I did and made my own...

When I made a new winter coat earlier on I had a really good look at all the high end ones to see what details were 'in' this year.

As for dressing up - I wouldn't dream of going into town under-dressed   I have lots of nice clothes and love wearing them.

But when Armani opened their shop here a few years ago I do remember wondering if I had anything smart enough...

And if anyone asks if they can help I always reply that I'm 'just looking'.

[Robin K]

I generally don't buy RTW but spend a fair amount of time shopping with my sister.  She has expensive taste and shops in high end shops -- while she's in the dressing room I'm busy on the sales floor looking at fabrics and finishes that I can use on my garments.  I usually draft my own patterns and don't sew a lot of commercial patterns but I do know that you can't rely on the techniques used in commercial patters to get a really professional, beautiful finish on a garment.  As for snooty sales people -- just remember that for the most part they are just working women like us, many either working on commission or making a fairly low wage in retail.  If they are dressed to kill it is because they get a significant store discount and have first dibs on sales clothing. 

[ShannonG4d]

I'm reminded of the scene in "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts goes to the boutique that ignored her.....dressed to the nines.  She talks to the clerk and asks if she works on commission.  She then identifies herself as the ignored customer and says "BIG mistake!"

The unfortunate truth is that we are often judged by our appearance.  Since I'm more of a fluffy 18 than a svelte 4, I find that fitted is better.  The more "fitted" designers do not design for fluffy 18s, sadly, and some even have stated that they don't want big girls wearing their clothes.  How shortsighted this is!   Frankly, I think it stems as much from laziness artistically as anything else....but I digress:)  By dressing in the types of clothing I want to wear, I find that the salespeople will listen to what I say, show me what is new, and allow me to examine (gently) the details in which I am interested.  I've seen Eileen Fisher things, and Zoran, and Shirin Guild, and know I can easily mimic the styles with indie patterns....and they are lovely.  But sometimes, I want something that skims and shapes, and I have to look at Armani and Chanel and other designs to see how they do it!  If I walk into the Chanel boutique in my sweats, the clerk would follow me or keep a wary eye.  If I walk in with a nice tailored jacket, black pants, and clean shoes, the clerk will ask if I need help, then leave me alone when I say "I'm looking to see what is new and interesting". It's not fair, and not true, and not right, but it's reality.  And it's not a new practice, either.  We even read in the Bible where churches would seat the well dressed in a prominent place (and that was, thankfully, denounced by the writer!) 

 I can not try on many of the designs (sizes don't come above about a 10), but I can see where the shaping is done, I can feel the depth of the shoulder pads, I can see how the fabric hangs and moves, and learn a lot!  I have to touch fabric to see what it does, and online snooping, while valuable, does not yet have a touch and feel feature:)

I think of snoop shopping as educational field trips:)

[Elona]

I used to hate shopping when I was younger, and I think part of the problem back then was that I wasn't fully clear about who I was or what I looked like, or maybe even what I wanted.  But time has been a help this way, time and travel.  The big break came for me in France:  I found I had a black belt in shopping there!  The styles were so different from what I was used to, and they seem to use a Burda-like sloper which fits me better than the American model, so I felt emboldened to try on all kinds of things I would not have considered wearing before.

Regarding treatment by sales people, I would agree that how you are dressed does matter to some extent, but a great deal of it is attitude.  I have shopped pricey French stores in fairly soignee outfits, and I have shopped while wearing good jeans, Mephisto flats, a cashmere cardigan, with a Coach bag on my shoulder.  In both types of getup, I have received the most courteous and helpful service you can imagine.  The only explanation I have is that I myself am polite but also comfortable with what's going on:  I'm interested in having a good time, in finding becoming and well-made garments, and I do convey the attitude that I can afford it.

All in all, snoop shopping has enlarged my style horizons immensely and given me a much wider idea of what kinds of things I can actually wear.

[sewsanna]

I have shopped pricey French stores in fairly soignee outfits, and I have shopped while wearing good jeans, Mephisto flats, a cashmere cardigan, with a Coach bag on my shoulder.

Well if I shopped wearing a cashmere sweater and a coach bag, and Mephisto flats, I would certainly not consider myself dressed downscale!  And if I showed up at any store I know, I would be regarded as quite affluent.

[Zalin]

I'm reminded of the scene in "Pretty Woman" where Julia Roberts goes to the boutique that ignored her.....dressed to the nines.  She talks to the clerk and asks if she works on commission.  She then identifies herself as the ignored customer and says "BIG mistake!"

Oh, that's right. Funny movie.

I'm just saying that anyone can go into any store wearing anything and expect good service. You shouldn't have to "dress UP" to go to high-end stores in order to snoop shop. On the other hand, if one wants to, then they should.  

Stores are accessible for all of us to snoop shop in. I'm not trying to be argumentative. I just disagreed with the idea that people have to dress a certain way to go into certain stores. That's silly to me.

[lydia]

Two items for replies:  1.)  The "fashion mall" which I described was famous for its "snooty" clerks.  I was dressed to the nines the day I was there, as was my friend.  I do look inside any garment I am interested in and most in my area know that is the first thing I do.

2.)  My town  (city) has two remaining "boutiques".  One I love and one I will NEVER set foot in again as long as I live.  Why??  A few Christmas back I went to boutique #2 and made some major purchases, wrote a whale of a check and walked out with some smashing items.  Next day (Saturday), when I was clerking on the floor of Hancock Fabrics, in walks boutique #2 owner.  Now, mind you, whenever I worked, I always dressed very tailored, earrings, good shoes, nice slacks and black wool or cashmere sweaters.  I digress:  I said....."Aren't you -----?"  She looked down her nose at me, looked me over and reluctantly said "yes".  (She had waited on me the day before.)  How soon we forget! That lady lost a ton of business from me and boutique owner #1 is still  a friend.  I don't think I had mud on my shoes either time!  As an aside.....It is hard to be "dressed to the nines", when one has to wear an apron loaded w/scissors, measuring tape, hand sanitizer, tissues and other goodies any big box store makes use, but I always wore good clothing.

As far as dressing for a dr. appt. - forget it!!!  I had an appointment with a supposed "best in his field" spine surgeon in the autumn of 2008.  First time was cancelled, second one worked - for a while.  I sat on a miserable chair waiting for 2.5 hours, when he saw me for about five minutes he talked to and looked at DH the whole time.  I could have been wearing my nightie and he wouldn't have ever noticed!!!  He is on the list of never to see again. 

[Elona]

I have shopped pricey French stores in fairly soignee outfits, and I have shopped while wearing good jeans, Mephisto flats, a cashmere cardigan, with a Coach bag on my shoulder.

Well if I shopped wearing a cashmere sweater and a coach bag, and Mephisto flats, I would certainly not consider myself dressed downscale!...

In a nice French shop, that's down-dressed.

[Jacs]

Like Ann I have enjoyed reading your discussion on the subject of "snoop shopping".  Unfortunately we do not have any "high end" shops near me - so I use the internet and fashion mags.  Sadly not seeing a garment in the 'flesh so to speak does mean that fabric and fine details are missed. 

[lydia]

Back to all this.....A year or so ago a friend and I visited the infamous "fashion mall" with the express wish to again visit the Chanel boutique at Saks.  My friend is a couture seamstress who is also a world traveler with fabric from France, England, Scotland, etc.  I digress.....by the time we exited Saks, she discovered she had lost an earring.  Nothing to do but go back and see if we could find it.  Mind you we are in the Chanel boutique.  I am bent over looking under showcases and she is looking everywhere.  Finally, a sales person asked if we needed help - we explained the problem and he helped us.  Long story short - the earring was on her kitchen floor. But, we had an interesting time trying to look at the construction of the jackets and skirts.  There were a few racks of markdowns, (Armani and the likes) outside the boutique and there we were able to "peek" at construction techniques.  Fun day and that time I did find a pair of wool gab. slacks at Talbot's.  Still aren't hemmed, but as I always say "that's another story".  I love designer and couture garments, but my lifestyle just doesn't call for this.  I live in a rural area with access to the big city, but except for a few trips to the symphony and maybe some great dining out, I live a pretty casual lifestyle.   
 

[mardel]

I've loved reading this thread.  I used to dress "up" more, although I would have claimed I was not particularly dressed and used to shop and snoop shop a great deal, although one wouldn't really know it from my recent life where I rarely get out of the house and my pathetically frumpy wardrobe.   I can honestly say that snoop shopping was a great education and I have learned a great deal from looking at good and very expensive clothing.  Since at the moment I do most of my shopping, snoop and otherwise, on the internet and in magazines/catalogs, I can say that it is good for style/trend ideas but does not compare in the least to in person shopping and looking at cut, construction and fabric.

Still, as I am coming back to dressing for me, for the way I want to dress, which most in my community might call "dressed" I find that the internet and the magazines do help update the eye, and I am happy for their influence.  When I get the opportunity to snoop shop again, I will grab it with both hands.

[JIL]

I think you have to look as if you might wear the clothes that they are selling.

If sales assistants ask if they can help me I frequently explain that I’m only at stage one and looking at the new styles and colours. Their normal response is to briefly describe the ranges still to come in and the key colours that make up their ranges. Often they add that they have additional sizes in the stockroom. I’m usually then left to browse. I’m always looking inside garments if I like the fabric as I want to know its composition and washing instructions (no polyester that is dry clean only for me)!

My London shopping usually takes place after a business meeting whilst carrying a bag of documents and I rarely get approached (I’m not sure if this is good or bad). If I am looking for something particular, I will usually dress in clothes that would make it easy to try on the item. I have been known to bring appropriate shoes to try on a dress or a skirt as I’m almost always wearing inelegant walking shoes to cope with tube stations, uneven pavements and long walks.

Harrods staff are always very pleasant, even in the sales. I shop with a friend in Knightsbridge, Bond Street and Oxford Street about twice per year and we’re rarely approached unless we have a question. My first suggestion would be to take a friend to make the stores less intimidating.

Juliet

[sophie]

I am always treated like royalty when I shop at Nordstrom, regardless of my appearance. It's really a key message in their employee training: NEVER JUDGE A CUSTOMER'S APPEARANCE! They show long videos on this topic alone in their training. Nice place to grab lunch too. NAYY   

[Myrna]

Harrods staff are always very pleasant, even in the sales. I shop with a friend in Knightsbridge, Bond Street and Oxford Street about twice per year and we’re rarely approached unless we have a question. My first suggestion would be to take a friend to make the stores less intimidating.

LOL - I am obviously small town, country bumpkin. We just don't have these kinds of shopping opportunities where I live. Perhaps if I drove to Vancouver (BC, Canada) but there's really no point since I don't live that kind of lifestyle and am not likely too. I'm already considered "dressed" by local standards. I get what you mean Mardel. Even our highest end store, although not as high as these European ones, has plenty of eye candy. Yesterday, I spent about an hour looking at zippers in a second hand store on everything from cheap to designer. I've been fixating on my tabs and how they look. I can now relax. I'm doing better than most RTW even high end.

- Myrna

[PatTM]

I love, love, love to shop.  My Mom worked for years at Rich's in Atlanta.  I'm sure some of you know of the store.  This was when Rich's was privately owned and was the premier store in the region.   Some of my best times were had spending the day shopping in Lenox Square while she worked.  Just looking!  And I love to do that today.    I agree with Zalin in principle, but I believe in doing (in this case wearing) what is going to get me the best response and that means dressing the part.  This is true in shopping and also in a professional life.  It is all about respect- respect for yourself as well as others.   If you appear to respect yourself others well respect you in turn. 

I have encountered snooty salepeople, but they are in the minority.   They intimidated me at one time, but I have gained a sense of confidence over the years that I think is recognized and dilutes the snooty behavior. 

I buy some clothes, but more and more I sew what I wear.  I look for details, fabric types, and styles.  You can look all you want online, but nothing compares to checking pieces out in person. 

And Sharms- I love that description-  schlumpadinka!  Great!