Changeroom confessions

You know when you go to a warehouse sale for some designer clothing line and there are women dressing behind a sheet together? Everyone’s rushing about, half nude, trying to find the perfect designer jeans at 70% off.

I’m having an anxiety attack just reading that. Sale. People. Getting nude in front of strangers.

I’ve never been that person. My sister is. She’ll get changed at market stalls behind a flimsy curtain for the sake of a vintage gem. I’d prefer to take the risk, buy it and take it home. And eBay it, if it fails to fit my needs.

I don’t like changerooms without mirrors either. You know the ones where you have to walk out into the store to the large mirror, conveniently near the counter so the sales assistant can oooh and aaaah the clothing on you?

I used to be that sales assistant, one time loooong, long ago. It wasn’t a hip store, just a clothing shop for older people {well people about my age now, but it seemed old back then}. I was always honest and said nice things, and kept quiet when things didn’t look right. Back then parachute pants and tencel jeans were all the rage. People went crazy for the purple parachute suits.

On Saturday I popped over to the shops with my Ma and Lacey for a little look-see. I grabbed a few dresses and popped into the changeroom to try them on. I tried on the first dress and thought I looked nice, but it wasn’t quite my style. I’ve recently lost a little bit of weight and it’s a pleasant surprise to see myself in the mirror, slimmer than the last time I tried things on. I popped my head out of the cubicle to get my Ma’s attention. She was behind a rack, so I stepped out and called a little louder.

“Do you like this?” I asked.

Before Ma could answer the shop assistant quipped, “Nope!”

“Really?” I asked.

“Yep. Not good.”

Ma nodded in agreement.

“OK then!” I laughed.

That reaction certainly wasn’t in the sales assistant guide last time I checked {back in the olden days}. I stood in the changeroom and looked myself over in the dress and wondered if I really looked that bad. A few moments later I realised that I quite liked her honesty, and I liked her. It was a refreshing change.

I tried on another and it was received more fondly, but I didn’t buy it. Instead I left with a basic black top to add to my wardrobe.

Do you prefer the truth and nothing but the truth, or a sugar-coated version?

44 thoughts on “Changeroom confessions”

  1. I am one of those honest sales assistants. I prefer that customers come back to me because they know I want them to look good as much as they want to look good

  2. I would like it. As long as they're discreet about it i.e. not speaking really loudly, and as long as they offered some help as in asking me what I was after and referring to some things they had, I would really enjoy the help.
    If I've learned anything in life it's that we see ourselves completely different to others.

  3. For sure I want the truth – I don't want someone to tell me some piece of clothing looks good on me when it doesn't. K (nearly 20) is slowly learning that it is OK to say that something doesn't suit me. I never wanted to tell her that things didn't suit her because I didn't want to upset her (she can be a little fragile at times) but then realised that letting her go out in outfits that just didn't suit her shape wasn't doing her any favours. So now I have found ways to diplomatically tell her that what she is wanting to buy doesn't suit her and she should really reconsider – sometimes she listens and sometimes she doesn't and quite often when she doesn't whatever she buys sits in her cupboard until she donates it to people at work !!!

    Have a great Anzac Day – love, hugs and positive energy !
    Me

  4. Honesty is so much nicer. That way you don't make an expensive mistake (and never return to the store ever again). AND you can know if they compliment you, it is probably the real deal. 🙂

  5. I HATE change rooms – the lighting is always bad, the mirrors show me things I really didn't want to see and I usually end up going home feeling depressed.

    I remember the last time I shopped for a bikini. Stressful enough but an over eager shop assistant added to the whole 'ugh' experience. Trying to find some bottoms that actually COVERED my butt seemed all but impossible. I eventually found one but it took some real stamina! And a lot of brutal honesty – and that's tough!

  6. I just honestly hate every aspect of shopping.

    I don't like the superficiality of some retail assistants, I hate it when they call me 'babe' or 'hun' or 'darling'. But I also don't think I'd like to be told that something doesn't look good, that's what good friends are for 🙂

    I need time when I am shopping, & I don't have it any more because if I have been shopping since Max has been born, he has had to come with (my fam. are in South Australia) & the experience is just so unenjoyable.

    He will always have a meltdown, & I just wonder why on Earth I could have been so stupid as to attempt shopping with a 16 month old?! haha!

    Online shopping, thank GOD for it!

    Your sister sounds like mine 🙂

  7. Your sister sounds like me! As far as I'm concerned we all have the same bits and pieces so who gives a hoot!
    I've worked retail for the last 10 years; six of those have been spent in apparel retail, most of that time being at Victoria's Secret. Talk about being half nude in a fitting room!
    I've found that women appreciate sugar coated honesty. Any time a client asked me how something looked on them I'd be honest, but if it looked bad I'd create a “feedback sandwich” throwing the negative after something positive and the suggestion for a different style/color/cut. Some women would be offended some would appreciate the honesty but I've always believe that where I appreciate the honesty of a sales associate when I'm the one in the fitting room half naked!

  8. Honesty with a spoonful of sugar. Instead of 'wow, you REALLY don't look good in that dress' maybe 'that dress doesn't do you justice'.

  9. Its what I think sometimes, sales assistants aren't the same anymore, they ignore you, chew gum, talk to their friends instead of you…. but in this case I would be glad of an honest opinion as you think something looks great but maybe doesn't to others.

    This also reminds me when I went to my first and only time for a bra fitting after everything I was getting changed and I could hear the lady discussing me in front of everything… basically she was saying I have a small area but big boobs.. I didn't want to come back out :(.

  10. Definitely truth.. I think just a simple “I don't think it suits you” is enough.. I think a lot of boutique'y store attendants will sorta recommend something else if they don't think something looks right on you..

    I hate when people lie to try to make a sale.. I think we all know when something's not quite right.. 'hence why we seek reassurance/confirmation' (or maybe that's just me?)

    My rule is always, if you're not quite sure, don't buy it coz you'll probably never wear it anyways… if you're still thinking about it two days later, go try it on again and see if your opinion's changed..

  11. Definitely the truth and nothing but the truth. I have a hard time trusting sales people, especially when they seem a bit too sweet.

  12. I actually prefer the sales assistant not to talk to me at all unless I ask for their help. I am more likely to buy if left alone unless the sales assistant helps entertain my preschooler while I quickly whip items on and off, then they are worth their wait in gold.

    I would respect someone who was honest and not just trying to get a sale.

  13. hehe like the name 😛

    I say “Nope… try this one, it's a foral print and it has a bit of lace but the shape will suit your body better.” I'd never just say “Nope” and leave someone questioning their choice alone in the changeroom. It's their job to guide you through the sale.

  14. I prefer the truth from the people that I know. I don't believe a salesperson could ever really tell you that you look crap in something because they would find it physically impossible to do so. I also prefer to mind my own business and not have anyone approach me. I know what I'm after and that is all!

  15. Truth. Absolute truth. But not just 'nope, doesn't look good' – tell me why it doesn't suit me so I can pick something better.

  16. Just been having a conversation with my 8yo daughter about how you can be honest without offending your friends. We both like the idea of saying something nice like thats a great colour, but then offering some ideas for how it could be done differently.

  17. Truth! I don't want to be told I looked gorgeous if I just don't.
    However, I'm quite sure about what I can wear and what not. If I'm not sure if I look fine I simply don't buy the dress/ pants/ jacket/ … – I hate when the sales assistant tries to “help me with my choice”, I just hate it. Fortunately, I buy most of my clothes at shops like H&M where no one is bugging me :D.

  18. I quite like it when I get compliments from sales assistants – after so many years of been criticized about my appearance, I've learnt to spot the genuine ones.
    Love your work, gorgeous lady!

  19. Can't stand those change rooms with mirrors on the outside and I wouldn't ever bother going to those run-around-half-naked sales. Not for me thanks!
    I love an honest sales person and am much more likely to buy something…. much less likely to buy something if I get fake over the top compliments on things that are obviosuly not great!

  20. Argh the Trent nathan factory sales were like that back in the old days. I waited for the cubicles. many women just stripped and put the gear on- there were men there too!!!!!!!
    Mostly I just wanted the fabrics and accesories! no trying on involved.

    I guess now it depends on my mood. I don't like being talked into purchases, but worse i don't like being demoralised about my overweightedness or choices of items. I prefer the opinions of my friends who know where and for what purpose I am dressing. Most assistants focus on their own product line and want to sell a whole package not just one offs too.

    It is so long since I have bought anything in this little town(coz i didn't fit into anything, ) but the other day I snagged a long cardigan and was happy that the sales assistant told me the limited quantities and did give me an honest opinion, seconded by my male 9 year old! In small towns it is really hard for the assistants to lie to you as you know them and they know you.

  21. Personally, I don't want any comment at all from the sales people. I know what suits me and if I follow somebody else's opinion, I regret it if I don't like the garment anymore after a while. Better to have only oneself to blame ! Anyway, “purple parachute suits” ? Can't even picture them in my mind, thank God ! Great post, by the way !

  22. I would totally go back to that shop with that sales person.

    I never fully trust them as I think they will say anything to get a sale.

    I am a bit like you in that I hate change rooms and I always take it home to try on.

  23. I love honesty. That being said, going shopping for clothes for myself is not exactly my forte. It would proberly rub me up the wrong way and turn the whole shopping experience into even more of a nightmare. And I'd leave with nothing.

  24. I work in City Chic and we are supposed to bullshit the customers and sell sell sell.. I dont. Im honest mainly for the fact that I cannot be fake to save myself! So i tell customers if the clothes make them look bigger than they are.. Or help them choose something more flattering and I have heaps of customers come back JUST for the fact that I have helped them find someting else in the past and been honest. I wouldn't want to walk out the door thinking I looked great and looking terrible because someone was great at being fake. Also.. Is that a CC skater dress in your pic? I approve if it is haha

  25. I prefer the truth and nothing but the truth and I rarely trust any sale's person's opinion on anything – especially in USA (when visiting) as there they'll say anything to make a sale, at least in most cases. I'm a blunt Finnish person and I don't sugar-coat anything (but I've learned to warn my American acquintances/friends about this beforehand), which is why I also prefer a straight-forward approach from others.

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