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The shop assistants
Some women feel intimidated by bored shop assistants. The shopper shouldn't need to know which arbitrarily sized garment will fit and flatter – that's why the store employs staff. So why are there so many useless and unhelpful staff out there that make us feel unwelcome?
Ever felt that you are an imposter in the store? That unless you buy something, you have no right to try on the clothes? This should not be the case. And sales assisitants should make you feel at home.
For one thing, who knows that you won't win the lotto tomorrow? For another, if your body is clean, your makeup smudgefree and your attitude pleasant, you should be much more welcome than little Miss Moneybags who flings stuff around, climbs into the garments with her "Choos" on and treats the staff like dirt.
Body issues?
Some women may hate shopping because they are scared to take their clothes off in a public place. It's been a long time since I've seen a communal dressing room (thank God), but somehow the spectre of the concept hangs over us.
Some women hate shopping because it means having to confront their body issues. I have at least six friends who rather buy the item(s) without trying them on, take them home and see if they fit, then return the clothes if they don't. You know who you ladies are!
Who wants to see their thighs, bum or tummy, in triplicate, illuminated in one hundred watts of down-lighting?
Image identity issues
Generally, when we buy clothes, we make a statement of intent to the world. "This is me – I'm sophisticated, sexy,youthful and fit". But all too often, the message we convey is: "I'm confused, afraid, disappointed and fat". Should we really be hellbent on looking like bloody Angelina or Jessica Alba?
My tips to counter this problem? Start by looking smart when you go shopping. You'll carry yourself with more authority, which in turn generates more respect. Also, try carrying a prop – a shopping bag or two from a top-flight store. Who is to know if it's your lunch inside?
Sales people will immediately take you more seriously. An old friend of my mother's used to iron her "used" shopping bags from the posh shops and use them to start her Saturday shopping sprees. I know, it's terribly snobby, but it gave her the confidence she needed!
Give it a go. I promise you'll discover that shopping isn't a nightmare afterall! We all want to feel and look gorgeous – and it isn't about your spending power, how young you look or this isn't about finding the latest "It" (well not entirely). Grab a couple of posh shopping bags and soon you'll be holding your head high while marching through the Waterfront or Sandtonm with Roy Orbison's "Pretty Women" blaring through your head!
Always in style.
Jules xxx
Some women feel intimidated by bored shop assistants. The shopper shouldn't need to know which arbitrarily sized garment will fit and flatter – that's why the store employs staff. So why are there so many useless and unhelpful staff out there that make us feel unwelcome?
Ever felt that you are an imposter in the store? That unless you buy something, you have no right to try on the clothes? This should not be the case. And sales assisitants should make you feel at home.
For one thing, who knows that you won't win the lotto tomorrow? For another, if your body is clean, your makeup smudgefree and your attitude pleasant, you should be much more welcome than little Miss Moneybags who flings stuff around, climbs into the garments with her "Choos" on and treats the staff like dirt.
Body issues?
Some women may hate shopping because they are scared to take their clothes off in a public place. It's been a long time since I've seen a communal dressing room (thank God), but somehow the spectre of the concept hangs over us.
Some women hate shopping because it means having to confront their body issues. I have at least six friends who rather buy the item(s) without trying them on, take them home and see if they fit, then return the clothes if they don't. You know who you ladies are!
Who wants to see their thighs, bum or tummy, in triplicate, illuminated in one hundred watts of down-lighting?
Image identity issues
Generally, when we buy clothes, we make a statement of intent to the world. "This is me – I'm sophisticated, sexy,youthful and fit". But all too often, the message we convey is: "I'm confused, afraid, disappointed and fat". Should we really be hellbent on looking like bloody Angelina or Jessica Alba?
My tips to counter this problem? Start by looking smart when you go shopping. You'll carry yourself with more authority, which in turn generates more respect. Also, try carrying a prop – a shopping bag or two from a top-flight store. Who is to know if it's your lunch inside?
Sales people will immediately take you more seriously. An old friend of my mother's used to iron her "used" shopping bags from the posh shops and use them to start her Saturday shopping sprees. I know, it's terribly snobby, but it gave her the confidence she needed!
Give it a go. I promise you'll discover that shopping isn't a nightmare afterall! We all want to feel and look gorgeous – and it isn't about your spending power, how young you look or this isn't about finding the latest "It" (well not entirely). Grab a couple of posh shopping bags and soon you'll be holding your head high while marching through the Waterfront or Sandtonm with Roy Orbison's "Pretty Women" blaring through your head!
Always in style.
Jules xxx
