topic Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores in Fashion

When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Greeneyedlady21 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:05:19 GMT

Do you notice how the employees dress, do you care at all?

I don't shop in high end stores. I have noticed since I worked in an off price store many moons ago that their particular dress code has really changed. I have seen jeans and sneakers often.

I would assume that sales associates really dress up these days only in very high end stores. It's a physically taxing job, they're not paid what they should be paid.

I don't care what people wear while working in stores, as long as it's not so unprofessional as to be glaringly inappropriate (ex ripped jeans, cleavage hanging out). And they should be able to wear sneakers for comfort. Who is looking at their feet? I empathize because I have worked in retail jobs in the past.

Was just discussing this with a friend recently, so I am curious about other opinions. About clothing worn by employees-not about people working or not working or the economy or any of those issues.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Shanus — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:13:26 GMT

@Greeneyedlady21 I think in Target, WalMart, etc., the dress code may be different than in higher end stores. I think the store's clothing prices dictate what the employees wear so the shopper feels more comfortable.

When I go to Ann Taylor, Talbots or Nordstrom, the employees are more dressed in clothing appropriate for that stores pricing levels. I'd never expect a Nordstrom employee to be in sneakers and jeans, but it's acceptable in TJ Maxx, etc.

It really doesn't influence what I purchase either way.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

kaydee50 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:26:02 GMT

When I shopped in stores, I never noticed what an employee was wearing. I was just happy I found a person to help me--LOL!!!

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

50Mickey — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:36:54 GMT

I think most stores along with offices have eased up on dress codes. I never see employees in dresses and heels. Most women are in pants. So many stores now have older employees working and it is more about comfort. Like you said retail is hard work with lots of hours on your feet standing on hard surfaces. It's hard to find people to do retail work now so I doubt that the stores want to turn people off with a strict dress code. Don't care at all how the employees dress. But then I rarely clothes shop anymore.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

PamfromCT — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:38:45 GMT

Unless someone is dressed inappropriately, I don’t care how a salesperson is dressed.

Of course, my personal decision is to shop by websites or catalogs. I used to enjoy shopping, but I have quite a surplus of all manner of “stuff” to meet my needs as a retired person avoiding unnecessary social contact. I guess the exception would be footwear, so hard to estimate from descriptions.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

ALRATIBA — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:39:41 GMT

It was years ago … I don’t remember which store it was, but the entire staff was dressed in black.

Otherwise, I can’t recall ever paying attention to how sales personnel are dressed.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

shoptilyadropagain — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:46:31 GMT

I normally don't pay close attention but close enough that I've noticed a less polished look in department stores (Penneys, Macy's) than I did 20 years ago.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

On It — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:49:35 GMT

@ALRATIBA wrote:
It was years ago … I don’t remember which store it was, but the entire staff was dressed in black.

Otherwise, I can’t recall ever paying attention to how sales personnel are dressed.

That was a common requirement for a unified, professional look that didn't cost employees a lot of money. Bargain black pants and tops look sophisticated and can blend with higher end clothing in more upscale stores.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

depglass — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 12:51:28 GMT

The last store I was in was Kohl's, one I never have shopped before. No sales associates whatsover in the morning, I had to go back to the only cashier to find out where my dept. was.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Sweetbay magnolia — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 13:09:19 GMT

I do, yes. I don't think I would decide not to buy based on it, but a little pride in appearance and representing a store makes a difference I think, in attitude, so I do consider it important.

One can be comfortable and still well put together. Having recognizable employees helps - either logo shirts, or name badges, or people otherwise looking like they are there for the customer makes a difference to me.

O/T: I have worked many years of retail, and I always enjoyed looking good for the public, as well as sending the right message to my customers. No, never got rich doing it, but the people interaction could be quite enjoyable.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Dusty1 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:05:28 GMT

I have noticed that employees of most places are really just wearing whatever any more. I'm not that picky, but I have been surprised at how lax places have become just to keep someone working there.

From jeans, tennis shoes & tshirts to eating a bag of Doritos while working the cash register.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Pook — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 14:10:53 GMT

I don't care what any sales person is wearing! I'm buying the clothing - not a sales person's look!!!

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

software — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:48:05 GMT

I haven't been in a department store in a long while. I'm mostly Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc.

When Walmart ditched their dress code, it was distracting to me at first but I believe in comfort so whatever works for them I'm all for it

Now I do notice a hair stylist's hair. She's not going to touch me if her hair is a hot mess.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

ECBG — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 15:55:39 GMT

Having been in retail and working for several different stores since retiring from teaching, I can tell you the companies give employee discounts so the associates look appropriate and similar to the floor.

"One brand" (Chicos, Soft Surroundings" for example), stores don't want you to wear "logo" clothing (an obvious Ralph Lauren piece) if they don't carry that brand.

Comfort dress shoes stepped to the front of the shoe market in 2010 when I was the stylist for Dillards.

Aerosoles was very, very popular. Dillards had a pretty comfort brand in leather I loved.

A beautiful brand called "Sofft" came in and we loved it.

Of course, now there are many more brands. I was awarded $300.00 in the shoe department for performance and got a pair of Sofft but couldn't deal with the heel.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Trinity11 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:22:53 GMT

For a brief while employees at Macy's and Bloomingdale's had a dress code where wearing black was mandatory. I think they dropped it.

It's always nice dealing with a friendly sales associate. I had a young woman who sold me my Fall wardrobe a few years ago in Bloomie's. She had sleeves of tats, a nose ring and she was dressed in Goth attire. She was probably the best wardrobe planner, I have ever met. Every single item she pulled for me fit perfectly and she understood exactly what I was looking for. I still visit her in store and I called her recently for a pair of pants that she overnighted me free of charge. Never judge a book by its cover. Just because someone dresses differently does not mean, they won't be an excellent sales person.👠👗👚🥿👗👡👢

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Iwantcoffee — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:27:45 GMT

I do not notice how employees dress when shopping for fashion. I mostly go to the local T J Maxx for fashion. I would be in sad shape without it. I focus on the product and not people in the store.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

wagirl — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:43:17 GMT

went to a local mall for the first time since before COVID, just a couple weeks ago---went to Nordstrom's and I did notice the rather casual way the people dressed--usually pretty fashion forward and on trend , but kind of .......... really casual. Not that I dress to the nines either--- really didn't bother me. When I worked, I had to wear black tops and khaki bottoms every day.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Mistreatedbycs — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:43:57 GMT

I don't look to see what they are wearing I'm just trying to find one.

This past Tuesday, at Macy's. one guy in makeup, one vendor rep for perfumes, one lady in returns and one lady at the far side in Juniors/Ladies. That's it for the entire floor.

Makeup won't check you out and the rest had lines so I went downstairs and there was one man in Men's for the entire downstairs.

I don't care what they wear as as long as I can find someone to pay.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

Bri369 — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 16:58:16 GMT

I don't care what they wear. As long as they're not pushy and following me around is really all I care about.

I never have a problem with Nordstrom, Bloomies or Von Maur. They're always fully staffed.

Re: When You're Shopping For Fashion In Stores

DiAnne — Fri, 01 Oct 2021 19:02:02 GMT

I prefer to shop online because I have access to the entire warehouse rather what is available in that local store. How a sales person is dressed does make me decide if I am going to take any advice from them regarding fashion.