Observations from the Online Shopping Helper

03/26/2011 By
Shopping Helper

Here to help and always smiling!

It’s been just over two months since I started the Shopping Helper interactive chats and displays on Perfectly Shaped World, and a bit over a month since I expanded the service to cover all of the Lass Group Mall stores.

Since last weekend, the chat displays can be viewed on any of the store sites (except the blog-based sites like Plus Size 411 – still working on that).

Visitor response has been extremely positive.

Interesting Non-Mathematical Factoids:
1 – The most popular hour for Shopping Helper requests is 7:00 PM Pacific; second most popular is noon.

2 – About 80% of Shopping Helper requests come from Windows users; 2/3 of those use some form of MSIE, most of the rest use Firefox. A small handful use Safari. A tiny handful use Chrome. One uses Opera.

One fellow joked that he wasn’t sure he was talking to a human.
“Are you sure?” he quipped.

3 – Speaking of moods, about 97% of visitors are in a good mood, or if they start out in a bad mood, they’re in a good mood before they leave. About 2% are resigned to being in a bad mood – I respect that. Less than 1% are downright rude.

4 – In two months of chats, only one person has been unbearably vulgar and resorted to foul language and vulgarity. About 10 seconds later, I mastered the art of the Ban command.

5 – Nearly 60% of people forget to put in an email address when sending a message request (which is the default action any time I’m offline). This means I can’t send a response to them. Yesterday I figured out how to require an email address before a message will be accepted.

There are downsides: One early-morning visitor sent a second message five minutes after her first email, upset that she hadn’t already received a response to her first message. Her second message didn’t have an email address either.

6 – About 85% of visitors want to see a display of items they’re looking for. Most will look, shop and leave without much more interaction. About 15% of them want their displays saved for later. A few want advice, like what color shoes will go with a dress.

And some just want someone to chat with while they shop – and those can be the most fun of all!

I’m enjoying being the Shopping Helper. I’ve met wonderful people, helped quite a few of them get through shopping visits with fewer hassles and delays, and had nice chats with some fascinating individuals.

Have you had experience with “normal” live chat support? I’d love to hear your opinions and feedback!

Filed Under: Personal Shopper

Snappy Military Look Captures Plus Size Attention

03/25/2011 By

Utility Floral Embroidered Parka

Utility Floral Embroidered Parka

Who says plus size fashions are all grandma and frumpy and so-last-century? Not so! Just ask La Grande Dame who brings us this on-point parka by Anna Scholz.

This stylish parka combines the military khaki color and metal hardware of a classic utility piece with flattering, feminine shaping and embroidered floral motifs. The parachute-style fabric is rugged but elegant and light.

Stunning floral embroidery in tones of gray, cream, yellow and beige covers the back of the jacket as well as the right front chest and down the right arm. It zips down the front and has an overlapping snap placket.

Filed Under: Outerwear Tagged With: military, parka, plus size coats, plus size outerwear

Grab your Trench Coat – Winter’s Not Done Yet

03/24/2011 By

Gallery Hooded Trench Coat

Gallery Hooded Trench Coat

As we Californians prepare for yet another stormy barrage, we’re reminded that milder weather is not honor-bound to show up just because the calendar says it’s Spring.

I’m eyeing the front closet and wishing I’d picked up this Gallery hooded trench coat now being featured on the PSW main site’s page and as the featured product in our Outerwear section.

A detachable hood adds functionality to a single-breasted belted trench. Front vertical-entry pockets are topped with horizontal faux button flaps.

A major plus: Trench coats don’t go out of style from season to season, so you’re acquiring a long-term wardrobe investment.

Filed Under: Outerwear Tagged With: outerwear, plus size coats

Snappy Trouser Cuffs Add 24-7 Chic

03/14/2011 By

Coraline Cuffed Trousers

Trouser cuffs take Wardrobe Class by knock-out

Smartly tailored gabardine cuffed trousers are a clear winner as a snappy must-wear addition to your professional wardrobe.

Though menswear inspired fabrication is used, these cuffed wide leg trousers are cut to flatter a feminine silhouette. Wear them with a button down shirt and ladylike heels for 24-hour chic.

Take a break from the boardroom and give it a casual spin by pairing these cuffed trousers with a relaxed sweater and slouchy tote to finish.

Filed Under: Career, Pants Tagged With: career separates, Kiyonna, trousers

Five Reasons to Fire your Stylist

03/07/2011 By

"like that but in a lighter shade of salmonella, please"

Warning: Contents may contain humor or attempts at humor.

  1. That blank stare when you mention “color season,” followed by a mad scramble for her calendar app.
  2. Her idea of “body type” is George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Hugh Jackman or Matthew McConaughey.
  3. She’s pretty sure pashmina is best when served with a wild rice curry.
  4. There’s a really good chance she picked up that set of Spring Season color chips at a hardware store.
  5. You overhear her ordering your new blouse in “not pink… a bit lighter shade of salmonella.”

 

Filed Under: Humor Tagged With: humor, stylists

Go Bold Chic or Go Home

03/07/2011 By

Flavian Colorblock Dress

Flavian Colorblock Dress

Bold Chic needs to be a fashion category. Dresses and tops that don’t shrink into the background or try to blend into the wallpaper. The wardrobe version of a firm handshake.

Flavian Color Block Dress and Cardigan by Marina Rinaldi
This two-piece color block dress and cardigan combo is the definition of chic. This outfit is perfect for a big presentation at work, and for impressing your dates.

The knitted color block fabric hugs your curves but doesn’t cling, offering a smooth, powerful look. Both the sweater and dress are 50% Acrylic, 25% Wool, 15% Alpaca and 10% Nylon for a comfy, cool fit.

Filed Under: Dresses, Fashion+ Tagged With: bold chic, cardigan, colorblock, dress, Flavian

Sticks and Stones and Slimming Panels

03/06/2011 By

250920082783

“Nah, this can’t be right,” I thought, as I thumbed through several current plus size catalogs then moved to a few not-plus-size ones.

Can it?

I picked a dozen plus size dresses at random and found:

comfort fit, slims your tummy, figure-flattering, slimming panels, smooth fit, stretch comfort, slimming contrast, tummy concealing, flatter your curves, accentuates curves, flattering shape, curve-hugging

Then I picked a dozen not-plus-size dresses at random:

sleek and sexy, long and lean, updated classic, bandage fit, gently ruched, structured style, sexy look, chic print, sophisticated style, playful style, impeccable lines, feminine look, fresh silhouette

Wait a minute. I want MY plus size clothes to be long and lean, sleek and sexy. (Well, personally I’d probably pass on bandage fit.)

So, tell me, is it just my imagination?

Filed Under: Body Image, Size Acceptance Tagged With: plus size catalog, society

Why Chilly March is Perfect Swimwear Weather

03/03/2011 By

Elegant Dot Lingerie Swimdress

Elegant Dot Lingerie Swimdress


March weather may not bring swimwear to mind but savvy shoppers like you know you’ll get great prices by buying in the off-season.

Suit up in classic beach style with a Flattering Elegant Dot Lingerie Swimdress by Longitude®.

A timeless beach dress featuring the iconic polka dot print with flirtatious lingerie straps will make you feel ultra feminine.

It comes with a demure, soft scoop neckline plus princess seams to visually slim the torso.

Want to see the upcoming season’s swimwear in all its glory? Click on any Shopping Helper button and ask to have a swimwear display tailor-made for you.

Filed Under: Featuring, Swimwear Tagged With: Longitude, swimdress

Calvin Klein Hooded Satin Coat (Plus)

02/27/2011 By

Calvin Klein Hooded Satin Coat

Curved quilting gives feminine shape to a fitted satin coat topped with a removable hood. Color(s): black, dune, eggplant.

What caught my eye about this coat wasn’t just its rich color (I am wild about eggplant) — but take a look at the way the quilting size changes at the waist, creating a slenderizing effect.

Plus it’s Calvin Klein, which puts it high on my Lovin’ It list. If this wild weather continues, I may need one of each color.

Filed Under: Featuring, Outerwear Tagged With: Calvin Klein, coat, eggplant, hood, winter

Inspiration Around Every Corner

02/25/2011 By

Jessica

So I was chatting online with an acquaintance a few weeks ago, and she said “but I still haven’t found that dress.” I reached back into my fuzzy memory – what dress was she talking about? “You know. I told you. One for that dinner.” Oh, yeah. THAT dinner.

“So what kind of dress are you looking for?” I paused, envisioning her Italian heritage revealing itself in waving hands I couldn’t see.

“Well, you know. Sort of like this, and a bit like this, then one of those waists, and those sleeves.” I nodded. Served her right. “Ok,” I IM’d back. “Here’s something that’d be perf -” I stopped, realizing she couldn’t see my air drawings any better than I could see hers.

Why, I mulled to myself, can’t I get her to look at some ideas I had that’d be perfect for her color season and body type? (Autumn. Hourglass, dangit.) Sure, I could copy URLs and links to her. But how would I know for sure she was seeing what I wanted her to look at?

DOH! … and the interactive Shopping Helper was born.

Filed Under: Fashion+, Lass Group, Personal Shopper Tagged With: chat, Lass Group, shopping helper
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