As self-styled experts on snappy dressing, Belina Alexander and Gail Little claim there is no one they can't help. Women's Editor Sarah Foster puts this theory to the test.
MY first encounter with Gail and Belinda is one I'm ever so slightly dreading. I have agreed to be their guinea pig and worry what this might entail. Their opening gambit isn't heartening.
"We must do something about your hair," says Gail emphatically, though to be fair, she says nice things about my face. "I'll book you an appointment at Hooker & Young. We'll do a top to toe."
The next thing I know, I'm on my way to start my rehab. I'm met by the charming Marcus King, who runs the busy Wynard salon, and when I'm seated at the mirror, he asks some questions about my hair. "When was the last time you had it cut?" he queries casually. I have to admit I don't remember. It's clear that Marcus, whose hair is perfect, finds this quite strange to say the least, but I am spared a ticking off. In fact he's courtesy itself, maintaining friendly conversation as he breezes between clients. I soon relax about my hair when he acknowledges my status (I am a minimum effort girl), and says the style that he has planned will be quite easy to maintain. I leave the salon with a do that seems quite big but rather glamorous, and head to Yarm's exclusive High Street for my date with Gail and Belinda.
They're hard at work inside Jules B, where they have just put on a fashion show, and as I follow in their wake, they start to choose potential outfits. The first is gold and quite confusing - there is a matching vest and wrap which I'm not sure quite how to wear - but they are soon pulled into place. I'm not convinced by the effect; this isn't something I would choose, as I prefer more fitted things, but Gail and Belinda both assure me I look great.
And then a problem comes to light: it seems that out of the whole shop, there's precious little in my size. This comes as no particular shock - as I'm petite, I often struggle to find clothes - but when the jeans would take in half my leg again, I can't help feeling slightly drowned. Despite this obstacle, however, my personal shoppers do their best, and I am put in shirt and jeans with cowboy boots to hide the slack, and then a Diane von Furstenberg dress, which I do like because it fits. With my three outfits now picked out, I get to model for the camera, which, while it isn't normal practice, does make the whole thing seem more fun.
So would I hire my personal shoppers? I did appreciate their input and therefore might for an occasion - but next time maybe I'd insist on heading straight for the petites.
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