SELLING A GOWN TO A WOMAN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21147, 3 October 1930, Page 15

SELLING A GOWN TO A WOMAN.

“ In my opinion it is a work of art to bo able to sell a woman a dress,” said Jlr Percy Best, managing director of Messrs Shoolbreds, Tottenham Court road, W., in addressing students of the Drapers’ Chamber of Trade Summer School at Cambridge. I heartily agree with him (says a correspondent). I say this after testing his statement to the full, for yesterday afternoon I. spent i hour in the gown department of a West End store watching women assistants guiding the choice of their customers. A well-proportioned matron had asked to be shown a summer gown of juvenile style, which she insisted on trying on. Obviously it was unsuitable, of which fact the assistant was aware. • When the customer said, “This seems a good fit, but do you think that the colour is right? ” the girl seized her chance to avert the woman’s inclinations. She looked gravely at the garment and its wearer for a moment and then said; “It is a good fit, as you say, madam, but with your colouring I do not think you would find it entirely satisfactory. That shade would suit someone with a very pale complexion and not such bright hair as yours. It rather lessens the lights in your hair.” ■With this subtle compliment and inference the woman was disarmed and allowed the girl to show her something more compatible with her figure and age In a few minutes she went happily away.