Personal Shopper Experiences in Vancouver

When you’ve lost the retail edge, a personal shopper can get your wardrobe back on track

Personal shoppers and stylists are more common than you think – and many stores offer this service for free! Not just for those with unlimited discretionary income, stylists can help you make the most of your budget, whatever that may be. They work with you to get you exactly what you want, which also bypasses the great danger of buying stuff you don’t need.

Personal shoppers can help you pull a complete outfit together, including accessories and shoes, or work with you to build an entire seasonal wardrobe.
Strike up a chummy relationship with a stylist and you’ll even receive special perks such as exclusive sale events, previews of new seasonal items, pre-sale invitations and, if you’re very nice and very lucky, your personal shopper might even put aside sale items for you.

Click through for five Vancouver stores with personal shoppers waiting to help you and your wardrobe

Aritzia

While lingering through Aritzia’s lustworthy merchandise and mentally creating a fantasy wardrobe has been a favourite pastime of fashionistas around the world, Aritzia has two personal shopper programs to streamline the process, if you ever need to quicken the pace.

A ‘Private Shopping Appointment’ (PSA) will set you up with an Aritzia insider who’ll help keep you on-trend and looking sharp. Looking for the perfect pair of jeans? (Who isn’t?) Then hook yourself up with a ‘Personal Denim Appointment’ (PDA), where you’ll get an expert and honest opinion on fit, fades and the all-important cuff over your Isabel Marant booties.

Both the PSA and PDA are complimentary with no minimum purchase. Scheduling an appointment isn’t necessary, but recommended.

J. Crew

J. Crew’s ‘Very Personal Stylist’ service gives you access to a J. Crew expert either in store or online. Their stylists take you to a new level of shopping, happily offering to work with you throughout the day as well as before and after store hours. Find something that’s an online exclusive? Your in-store or online stylist can order it for you (taking care of the shipping fee, thank you very much!) and even take care of returning it for you if it doesn’t work out.

This is a complimentary, one-on-one service, by appointment.

Holt Renfrew

Vancouver’s Holt Renfrew has four dedicated personal shoppers who work by appointment and can style a complete look, fill an entire wardrobe or assist with a particular purchase. Whether you come in for this service or opt to do it over the phone, you’ll have an expert guiding you through all of Holt’s glorious merchandise.

Topshop and Topman at The Bay Downtown

The team of personal shoppers at Topshop and Topman have been trained by Topshop UK, so you know you’re in good hands. With 33,000 square feet of accessible, high street fashion at affordable prices, you’re going to need a helping hand to make your look more street chic than anime-gone-awry. If you’ve seen a celebrity or sartorial blogger sporting a look you love, chances are you’ll find something very similar here.

Topshop even has dedicated suites for your private shopping sessions which are large enough to accommodate groups if you decide to bring your entourage.

For an appointment, call 604.689.2335 or e-mail topshoppersonalshopping@hbc.com

Sephora

If you find makeup shopping overwhelming or intimidating, Sephora’s got the solution for you. Their complimentary ‘Mini Makeover’ service will give you a 15-minute makeup lesson, just enough time for you to focus on something manageable, like brows, foundation or lips.

Your makeup artist will spend time with you before the makeover to find out your preferences, and afterwards to help tweak choices and look for alternatives if necessary.

Need a bit more help? The ‘Personal Beauty Advisor’ service is a 90-minute consultation that includes a custom makeover and a personal shopping session with a  Senior Artist. This service is offered at select Sephora stores and is complimentary with a $125 minimum purchase.