[nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends

Fri Nov 11 05:56:11 UTC 2011

I generally give advice to my girlfriend only :). Somehow it's quite easy for me to decide whether I like how something feels on her or not. In the end she always ends up choosing though, but she keeps asking for my opinion. That's probably why I've developed some kind of personal taste, which will probably not work for anyone other than her… I would definitely not know how to give advice to some other friend or just a random person...
On Oct 28, 2011, at 7:54 PM, Arielle Silverman wrote:

> Hi all,
> I'm curious whether anyone who has been blind since birth/childhood
> has figured out how to give people good feedback on clothes they try
> on, etc. and if so what techniques do you use? I too enjoy shopping
> with friends and family and I would love to be able to help them pick
> out stuff but I don't really get a sense of what looks good or not
> based on a description, I think because I have never actually seen
> colors etc. Do you guys get a sense for whether something fits right
> by feeling it on someone who's wearing it?
> Best,
> Arielle
> 
> On 10/26/11, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:
>> Ah, I wish we had a Belks up here. We shop at Macy's most often and a little
>> at bloomingdales.
>> When I was down south to see relatives, I liked Belks and Dillards; good
>> selection and well laid out.
>> 
>> Ashley
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Lea williams
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 26, 2011 9:48 PM
>> To: Debbie Wunder ; National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends
>> 
>> Hey I shop a lot with the help of the workers. I went a couple of
>> weeks ago to get some shoes and an outfit. I first went to the shoe
>> shop and just walked in and asked for help after walking through the
>> store to hunt someone down. NP. I knew that i wanted sneakers or tenis
>> shoes, whatever you call them and got a pair. But if your not sure,
>> just tell them what stile of clothes you would wear with them, dressy,
>> casual, fancey etc. You can also ask what color close the shoes would
>> best work with. I got a pair of heels and I told them I primarily wear
>> dark blue dressy geans and black slacks or dark kackey and they were
>> able to tell me what color would go best with the colors. They took me
>> to an ile to let me loose alone in my size while the lady went and
>> found a helper for me. The worker came and I told her kind of what I
>> was looking for and she picked out things that was around that would
>> have worked and i chose from there.
>> I have found telling them and asking a lot of things helps the both of
>> you. If your not sure or understanding what they are saying, then ask
>> loads of questions. It is your money your spending and if you buy it,
>> it is you who takes it home not them.
>> After this i went to Belks and had the lady there help me find an
>> outfit. That one was a bit more tricky because she took me to the back
>> and was trying to get me to pick from two tops that were hanging up on
>> the wal. I did not like them and just started to wonder off and
>> saying, "so whats over here or there"? We then discoverd that the
>> store was filled with loads of clothes that were not on the wall.
>> Waow!
>> I did find a nice outfit, something that was on sale and cost less
>> than the things on the wall by the way.
>> Something you could do is to find out what your colors are, google. I
>> Google a lot of things. You can put in Google,
>> What style and color of clothes works best for me?
>> and you can find bloggs that says, if your dark haired with whatever
>> skin, wear this and that. they usually say spring, wenter, summer or
>> fall colors, but the give good information. Then when your shopping,
>> you have more of an idea of what colors to pick.
>> If your not shure if something will fit, Ask them what do they think,
>> will it fit you or not? I do this all the time , Sometimes a small is
>> really a medium etc...
>> They will help, and if they have small children or kids at home or
>> even have raised them, they do a great job because they do it with
>> their own children and it is second nature for them.
>> If your still not sure, take  a few sizes and hold on till you have a
>> few things and then go try them on. The worst is to get home and not
>> like what you buy because it's to tight or loose.
>> And like I said, google, google google.
>> Not just
>> What is in season?
>> But also
>> How to choose shoes for an outfit?
>> Or Will a blue shirt go with kackey pants?
>> or
>> What color tops to wear with dark/lite/etc bottoms?
>> What kind of tops to wear with (fill in the blank) pants/skirts...
>> Be kind of spisific but not spisific. If you know your body shape, google
>> What style of clothes looks best for my body shape?
>> Man if i had money to spend on clothes and not bills, I would go
>> shopping more often.
>> You could also do this with hair styles etc...
>> 
>> If your worried that they might be to busy to shop with you, call them
>> and tell them your blind and interested in shopping there and when
>> would be the best time of the day to come in. Some places will say mid
>> day because they have more workers, and some will say earlier or later
>> because their is less custermers. It is the prefrence of the store. If
>> you find someone you really like shopping with, get their name and ask
>> them when they normally work. I do this and then the next time I went
>> I asked for them. this is a wonderful thing for them and they get high
>> marks from there bosses for being requested.
>> I would too ask if there might be someone close to your age who could
>> help you shop for clothes because their style would be better than
>> someone or is either a lot older or younger than you. I had an older
>> women helping me and she did not try to pick out anything to old
>> fashion , but what i got was so much better than what she was trying
>> to get me to by.
>> a lot of it does come from expirience and confidence though. Know what
>> to ask and not being easily timpted to get whatever they hand you is
>> good and try to ask yourself and be aunist with yourself if you really
>> like the stuff. I know if i am nervous, I am more likely to buy
>> something I do not like because I am more influenced than when I fill
>> cunfirtable.
>> 
>> HTH
>> 
>> On 10/26/11, Debbie Wunder <debbiewunder at earthlink.net> wrote:
>>> Hi Ashley, I find that if I am shopping alone, and not with a friend or
>>> one
>>> of my daughters, if I go to the counter and ask for assistance, mostly
>>> people are very willing to help. It of course depends on the store, I have
>>> had good luck at JC Pennys or Dillards, also some smaller ladies shops. If
>>> you develope a relationship with a store manager, they seem to enjoy
>>> helping.
>>> 
>>> It is important to me to have some one that I value thei opinion. The one
>>> thing that I have found that my youngest daughter is quick to tell me is
>>> that some things do not feel cute, and some feel cute that are not.
>>> Sometimes I here from my daught,No, mom. smile
>>> 
>>> Debbie
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net>
>>> To: <shogle at students.kennesaw.edu>; "National Association of Blind
>>> Students
>>> mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 9:58 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> Sam,
>>>> Thanks. And that's the technique I was thinking of! As we know, shoes are
>>>> laid out on racks, in rows. I figured I could go up to one, for instance
>>>> the sandles if that interests me, and feel them. Then get a sales
>>>> associate to help me pick the size, color, etc from there. Actually, they
>>>> are supposed to help anyone; they will measure your feet to find out the
>>>> right size.
>>>> 
>>>> We've gotten assistance for shoe fitting before, but family has done the
>>>> browsing. Glad to know another blind person does this. I have a little
>>>> vision, so may be able to see the colors and that will aid me in going to
>>>> the right shoe row.
>>>> My shoes are wearing out. I want some new blue easy spirit shoes to go
>>>> with slacks. And I need new sandles for next summer. So I definitely can
>>>> do some shoe shopping. IMO, since shoe department staff are expected to
>>>> measure feet and pick out shoes from the stock room my impression is they
>>>> have more sales staff on hand. I notice when shopping with my mother that
>>>> its easy to get help in the shoe department typically, but if you have a
>>>> question in the clothes department, you'll be waiting a long time!
>>>> Sighted
>>>> 
>>>> people need help finding a size or a particular brand sometimes; after
>>>> all
>>>> 
>>>> department stores are huge! But since the coporation wants to keep all
>>>> the
>>>> 
>>>> money, they are stingy about hiring adaquate sales staff to assist
>>>> customers. Another  good thing about shoe departments or shoe stores is
>>>> I've noticed their customer service is overall better. If you need to
>>>> order shoes, they take care of that well. Clothes stores aren't the
>>>> greatest; they may take your order, but fail to notify you when its in or
>>>> enter the rong thing in.
>>>> 
>>>> I wonder if new balance shoes or Niki are more popular.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> Ashley
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Sam Hogle
>>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 10:39 PM
>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends
>>>> 
>>>> Hi Ashley. I've gone shoe shopping before, and to me, they are some of
>>>> the easiest items to pick out. When I go shoe shopping, I find out where
>>>> the shoes are, and go down the line feeling each one. Some may find that
>>>> weird, but if they were to say anything, I would respond with at least
>>>> I'm doing it independently. Anyway, if I find any that I'm interested
>>>> in, I then ask someone to describe those to me. The description would be
>>>> stuff like brand name or color. Then, based on what I like and what I
>>>> know from others about what the trend is, I make my selection. Hope this
>>>> helps.
>>>> Sam
>>>> On 10/25/2011 9:59 PM, Ashley Bramlett wrote:
>>>>> Thanks Chris.
>>>>> Maybe others will chime in later. I heard that personal shoppers is
>>>>> one technique. I wonder how that works though. Do they select clothes
>>>>> based on skin tone and size? I wonder if some stores will measure you
>>>>> for size. I would expect you'd need an appointment which is fine, but
>>>>> I wouldn't want to pay for a service just to pick out clothes.
>>>>> Also what about shoes. Usually if I'm with family, they browse and try
>>>>> and pick for me. Is it okay to browse by touching the shoes? Maybe get
>>>>> a shoe salesperson to bring me to the right type of shoe and then I
>>>>> see what is there? Sighted people just look around and say oh that
>>>>> shoe looks good. But I wonder a better, independent way even if its
>>>>> with sales staff.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message----- From: Chris Nusbaum
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2011 7:03 PM
>>>>> To: National Association of Blind Students mailing list
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi Ashley,
>>>>> 
>>>>> I can't help you very much with techniques for shopping for
>>>>> clothes, perfume and jewelry, as most of these questions would be
>>>>> better answered by ladies, which I'm not. But I can give you one
>>>>> resource for finding out the fassion trends. There's a lady
>>>>> named Lynn Cooper who started an initiative called the Mirrors
>>>>> Project, to make fassion more accessible to people with
>>>>> disabilities. She comes on ACB Reports, which can be heard on
>>>>> acbradio.org, twice every season to give her Fassion Report,
>>>>> describing
>>>>> that season's fassion trends for both men and women. This is a
>>>>> good resource to find a detailed description of all the trends
>>>>> spesifically tailored for blind people. Lynn's Web site is
>>>>> www.lynncooper.us and you can find the 2011 ACB Reports shows on
>>>>> www.acb.org.
>>>>> 
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:47:40 -0400
>>>>> Subject: [nabs-l] techniques for shopping and trends
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>> 
>>>>> What are techniques for clothes shopping? 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?셫 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?셲 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;?셝 rather pick my own
>>>>> things and pick out something independent from my mother?셲
>>>>> taste though, sometime.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Also, I?셫 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?셳 see the pictures?
>>>>> 
>>>>> Thanks.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Ashley
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info
>>>>> for nabs-l:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/dotkid.nusbau
>>>>> m%40gmail.com
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> nabs-l:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/hogle.sam%40gmail.com
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> nabs-l:
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/debbiewunder%40earthlink.net
>>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>> nabs-l:
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/leanicole1988%40gmail.com
>>> 
>> 
>> 
>> --
>> Lea Williams
>> 
>> Phone;
>> 704-732-4470
>> Skipe;
>> Lea.williams738
>> Facebook
>> http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100001775297080
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/bookwormahb%40earthlink.net
>> 
>> 
>> _______________________________________________
>> nabs-l mailing list
>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> nabs-l:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/arielle71%40gmail.com
>> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> nabs-l mailing list
> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for nabs-l:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/ignasicambra%40gmail.com