Chic at the Shops

Like a lot of people, I've drifted to online shopping, but today I decided to have a flip around the shops. Retailers have been bleating in the media about the public's defection to the new chum, but the retail experience really needs to lift its game.

It took half an hour to find a park, unpleasant. In the end I booked Lola into the car wash, resisting the upsell. Point one online shopping - no stress from deflecting the upsell. First stop Myer and a Leona+ dress, I've got my eye on. Still $80 and not tempting enough. The floor is deserted by customers and shoppies alike. The display is tired. Overall it's not a fun place to be.

Next stop City Chic, the grand dame of curvy fashion. Walking in is fun, the shop is alive with colour. The sales racks heavy with pretty bargains. I try on quite a lot. Great service. Lovely big change rooms. I try to set up the iPad to take some pics but it doesn't work. I need to bring my tripod.

First try-on is this...

The colors are so so pretty. I just love it. But Even on the sale its $90.

Next stop a yellow meringue confection. It fits like a dream, lovely boning in the bodice. If it had straps I'd probably had bought it, the colour, the shape of the shirt is so, so pretty.

I'm also tempted by a black broderie anglaise dress. Lovely boning in the bodice, a perfect, pocketed skirt just over the knee. Tempting...

The sailor dress has a lovely shape. At $40 very tempting, but it would need to be layered and I'm just a little over layering.

I put my own dress back on. A black wrap eshakti dress. It has sleeves. It looks elegant. It's so easy to wear. It's made of cotton. The dresses today are pretty but not wearable enough.

I buy... A black 40s style bolero with puffed sleeves. Cute and will work with the many other strapless City Chic frocks already in my wardrobe.

As I leave I chat with the city chic shoppie. Things aren't going well. I'd feel sad if City Chic closed. But sleeves city chic, sleeves. Put those pretty fabrics to better use!

Last stop Laurent. A French couple are ordering lots of cakes in exquisite accents. The service is lovely. I sink into a comfy couch and enjoy a coffee and delicious cake. This is the pleasure of a trip to the shops people watching and pleasure!

My verdict... For the time poor the traditional shopping experience is a little vexing. The shops that get it right focus on service and atmosphere, making shopping an experience. With online shopping, for the first time in my life I feel I can buy exactly what I want - dresses with sleeves par example - and like other shoppers that's what I will do. So retailers listen to your customers, treat them like guests in your store, and no more media whining.