[nabs] shopping methods and fashion

[Ashley Bramlett]

Are you a female? good jewelry question. Not sure where to place pins for 
good viewing. Usually I can do necklaces and bracelets alright though. I 
know what part of the body they go on.

-----Original Message----- 
From: Desiree Oudinot
Sent: Monday, October 24, 2011 4:45 PM
To: Discussion list for NABS,National Alliance of Blind Students.
Subject: Re: [nabs] shopping methods and fashion

Hi,
I personally would not use a shopping assistant for buying clothes.
They want to make a sale, and are often busy and preoccupied, so, even
if they have the best intentions, they might be more focused on you
buying something than how it truly looks on you. Also, people have
vastly different opinions on what is trendy or fashionable and what
isn't. What they think looks great on you, or what looks nice on them,
a friend or family member who knows you much better may gently point
out that it really doesn't. Then you would have to return the item,
and besides having to go through the whole hassling process again,
what if you get the same clerk? That would be embarrassing.
I guess for people who don't have anyone else, a shopping assistant is
the best way to go. Surely, though, for most of us, we have at least
one trusted person who can be honest if need be, has a sense of what
colors compliment us, and so on. I'm lucky in that my mom has a good
fashion sense. My sister does as well, so when it comes to shopping
for clothes I know I can count on them.
I don't wear a lot of jewelry, and when I do, it's usually a ring or
necklace that has been bought for me by someone, so it holds
sentimental value. This does bring me to a problem I've always
struggled with, however. How do you fasten a clasp of a necklace or
bracelet? There's no clear way to feel the two parts of the clasp that
hook together, it's much too small. obviously we can't see it either.
A rehab teacher once tried to show me how to do it, but I couldn't
figure it out. She spoke of magnetic clips, for lack of a better term,
that could be attached to the piece of jewelry and used to hook it
together. I would be worried about how these look, however, and
whether they would exactly match the chain of the necklace or other
piece of jewelry. If not, it would stick out like a sore thumb, and
not look stylish at all.
As for perfumes, this is one area where I may trust a clerk in the
store to help me. usually, we have used a perfume that we like, and
continue to buy it in the future. Also, if a friend or family member
is wearing a perfume we like the scent of, it's no problem to ask them
what it is, then go into a store prepared and knowing what we want. In
this way it's really no different than going into a grocery store and
asking for what we want.
I hope I've answered your questions. Write back and let me know what you 
think.

On 10/24/11, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
> Hi all,
>
> What are techniques for clothes shopping? Do you use sales staff, take a
> friend or something else?
> What do you need to know when going to shop? Of course, the size and brand
> you wear are important. What else?
> I know how to shop for regular items like groceries; you just ask a clerk 
> in
> the store. But clothes are different. You need the right thing and often
> need to try things on. I’m sure picking out something like jeans, sweat
> pants, or a casual shirt is easier than picking out something more dressy.
> Personally, I grew up using JCPenney and Hects before they were bought. We
> also use Macy’s too.
> Also, how do you pick perfume out? What about jewelry? We cannot see it in
> the case.
> I know some stores have personal shoppers. Do they charge for their 
> service?
> If you used one, how did it go? How long do you have with them? Some blind
> people always shop with family so they can get feedback on how they look.
> I;’d rather pick my own things and pick out something independent from my
> mother’s taste though, sometime.
> Also, I’m not into fashion much, but its good to be aware of trends and 
> the
> latest stuff so we can pick them if we want. How do you find out about 
> that
> stuff? Are reading magazines such as Seventeen a good idea even though we
> can’t see the pictures?
> Thanks.
> Ashley
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