A few years ago I saw some MSC's that asked for a full length picture. They said some customers required a certain look. Have you heard of any of these? I'm losing weight and getting back to how I looked in my 40's. I'm 66. I know there must be shops out there that are looking for a certain look.

The shops that I've seen that require a certain look are more about attire and grooming than body size. These are for high end jewelry, expensive cars, luxury brands of handbags, shoes, etc where it would look odd to have someone come in dressed in Target clothes and a $17.95 hair cut. (Don't snarl at me! I wear Target clothes all the time!)

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2019 06:37PM by Sandy Shopper.

@Sandy Shopper wrote:

The shops that I've seen that require a certain look are more about attire and grooming than body size. These are for high end jewelry, expensive cars, luxury brands of handbags, shoes, etc where it would look odd to have someone come in dressed in Target clothes and a $17.95 hair cut. (Don't snarl at me! I wear Target clothes all the time!)

That is what I'm looking for. What companies have these shops?

You have designer clothes and a luxury car, John?

@JASFLALMT wrote:

You have designer clothes and a luxury car, John?

You don't have to have them. You only have to play the part.

You can't walk into a high end clothing shop wearing cheap clothes and expect to be taken seriously. And you can't drive up to a luxury car dealership in a clunker.

I am doing a Kia dealership shop Friday that pays $150...pays more than the BMW, VW, and Audi shops I have done over the past year. It is about 30 miles away so I am glad it's paying so well.

When I was doing my high end Beverly Hills retail, I sent a picture in profile which company required.
Mercantile also has jobs that require full picture in front of an apt. bldg done for a T.V. client...don't know why, seemed weird, but was a requirement. When I did my upscale retail I always looked nice, bringing my expensive handbag and wearing nice clothes, even good fitting jeans, nice blouse work, everyone wears jeans here in So. CA. Not sure you really get picked for your looks, but it gives them an idea, like my Bar Prevention job, they have a picture of me, in case they need to run the camera for any reason, they know the shopper...also have to give description of my looks and what I was wearing.
p.s. a good handbag and shoes gets you everywhere...name brands count.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2019 08:28PM by Irene_L.A..

A local restaurant shop, the guidelines say, "Must have an income of $50,000" I have friends who eat there and they don't make anywhere near $50,000 a year. Some guidelines make no sense.

While I agree that some guidelines make no sense, I don't agree that it's okay to show up in cheap clothes for a luxury jewelry or fashion brand shop. I also don't agree that you can show up in a beat up old car for a luxury car dealership.

In regards to guidelines not making sense, I think it's more often along the lines of aging out shoppers. I remember that Spencer's wanted a younger demographic for their mystery shoppers, as if no one over 40 would ever shop there. Now that's pretty silly, because that's a great store for older people to purchase gag gifts for friends who are hard to shop for. There were some other shops where the age demographic made no sense, like a sports bar shop I did that wanted shoppers under the age of 50. The MSC finally waived that for me since my husband at the time was under 50 and he was going with me. Interestingly, when we went, at least half of the people there looked to be over 50. There was a grilled cheese sandwich shop I wanted to do also, but I was too old.

But again, it's the client's specifications and the MSC has to find shoppers who fit the required demographics. Oh well, c'est la vie!

I have had to send in full body for the high end luxury retail.

My casual look is almost perfect for my merch assignments. There were a few days when I wore what I could, which was less than what was wanted. Fortunately, I can wear decent shoes again, and there are only 3-4 planned merch days for the rest of the year. I may or may not wear the nice jackets to those jobs. It might be more practical to wear the heavier sweaters. Weather and early job start/end times will determine how many days I will need.

John, my merch jobs request closed shoes; no rips, tears, or stains; and otherwise business casual. Usually, I wear black pants, top, and black shoes. Occasionally, I have worn jeans and walking shoes due to foot issues and time limitations (no time for laundry). shoppers who wear khakis and polo shirts for that one company could wear that to these merch jobs. These are not glamorous, and sometimes sweaters have been snagged. You might want want to look like your version of Irene.


I am not interested in putting on the ritz for brands and places. When I occasionally want their products, I I will order something online or (if lucky) find it at consignment prices. The stores I frequent are casual friendly. Can you say, Dillard's and Macy's? For dietary reasons, I am avoiding restaurants indefinitely. I have no reason to dress for other people, places, or most jobs. I dress for me now. It is very liberating.

My work plan for next year is to do any recurring or interesting sounding merches that will have me/my back will consent to do and wait for bonuses generally. This will involve little work. It is likely that in some months I will not work at all. My casual look will be perfect for me.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2019 11:19PM by Shop-et-al.

You can find some smart-looking clothing at Dillard's and Macy's. You don't have to be wearing Gucci to pull off a polished look. It's more about well-fitting clothes and high-end accessories that pull off "the look".

For most of my merchandising, I wear jeans with long-sleeved blouses. Last couple of days I had my head in freezer doors all day resetting the freezers at a chain of health food stores. For other merchandising jobs I have to wear slacks (no jeans unless it's black denim that is not faded) and a nice blouse, but I am not getting dirty doing those jobs.

I am wearing a gray sweatshirt and gray sweatpants with red fuzzy socks right now. It took me a couple of hours to get warm after doing the reset today, even after turning my seat warmer on. Completely dressed for me. My husband jokingly calls it my sexy clothes, LOL.

I dress from Macy's most of the time, love their INC line and yes, they have current styles and cute clothes.and with their sales, doesn't really cost much, just have to know your best look and have clothes fit your bod.

I like Macy's JM collection. It fits me well and looks great. Yes, well-fitting clothes that coordinate and aren't worn looking are key. That and a few expensive pieces of jewelry, shoes, or other accessories...yes.

Irene and JASFLALMT, you will always out-style me. It's okay. Right now I am wearing men's Ralph Lauren Polo (real and $10 from consignment). I am not a snob, but this sweater is black and a tall/specialty size. It does not show crud and it covers my hips when I am working in the cold, 2 AM-ish hours. I can move freely in this sweater, which I cannot do in a more feminine or other car coat. I know that i qualify for a 'schlumpy' from Martha Stewart. But i am comfy and warm. Comfy, schlumpy, and warm. That's me! It kind of has a ring to it,,,

@Irene_L.A. wrote:

I dress from Macy's most of the time, love their INC line and yes, they have current styles and cute clothes.and with their sales, doesn't really cost much, just have to know your best look and have clothes fit your bod.

@JASFLALMT wrote:

I like Macy's JM collection. It fits me well and looks great. Yes, well-fitting clothes that coordinate and aren't worn looking are key. That and a few expensive pieces of jewelry, shoes, or other accessories...yes.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/30/2019 11:53PM by Shop-et-al.

Shop-et-al...comfort counts, and I love Ralph Lauren, lucky you......I bet your a cute schlumper and right now so am I;;;;;

I'm glad I don't have to dress up for my $150 Kia shop on Friday

John, Check out International Service Check and Albatross. I don't do luxury car shops and delete those emails. I have been sent many of those. They did reimburse for parking as I live in a metropolitan area. In my opinion, shoes and hair matter. Glad to hear you are getting fit!

I just did a platform shop where I wore a polo, khakis, and boat shoes- presentable but not dressed to impress. By the time we were finished he had tried to hook me up with the wealth management department and the brokerage partner, and gave me a tote bag full of the usual stuff, plus yo-yos, chalk, frisbees and a football for the grandkiddie. I didn't tell the guy I was loaded (I'm not). I didn't respond to his attempts to ferret out how affluent I might be. We just sat there and talked money and he drew whatever conclusions he wanted to.

You can have "a certain look" but you gotta behave that way too.