Back in June I wrote about my excellent Summer 2008 experience with the Style Advisor service from Topshop. I was so pleased with the service that I booked in again for this summer. I am now very happy to report that this year’s Style Advisor experience was even better than the last…

Some of the greatest hits from this year's Style Advisor mission

Here’s how it works, shoppers

For those who haven’t been, Style Advisor is a free personal shopping service offered by Topshop.

When you book in for SA, you get a two-hour appointment in which the first ten or so minutes are spent chatting with your Advisor and giving her an idea of what you want.

The next thirty minutes are spent browsing while your Advisor scampers off for a unbelievably productive thirty-minute power-shop, presumably using an intricate network of tunnels and/or holes in the space-time continuum.

And finally, the best bit: the rest of your session is spent trying on outfit after outfit, each selected just for you.

Here’s why I love it

Casting aside for a moment the facts that a) I don’t really enjoy shopping, and b) I don’t naturally have a flair for fashion (two problems SA solves and then some), I love this service because it offers exceptional value.

As an alternative to spending more money or buying more clothing, SA shows you how to be clever about what you buy, helping you look and feel gorgeous for a lot less than you’d expect.

I also love this service because it is just that – a service. It’s totally free, compliments of Topshop, and the Advisors don’t work on commission. If you choose not to buy anything, that’s ok.

And here’s how I did

My Advisor was the lovely Gemma, a tiny Glaswegian with an almost supernaturally sharp eye for colour. Gemma was plenty of fun but also the consummate professional – she took note of everything on my wish-list, nudged me into trying a few new things (hello, magenta heels!) and got genuinely excited with me when something was just perfect.

She was also dead honest, which I really liked. When something I tried on looked a little ho-hum, Gemma was straight with me, offering a kindly, “It’s not really special, is it?” in her Glasgie accent. And isn’t that what you want from a shopping sidekick?

In the end, after a longlist, a shortlist, and a few last-minute substitutions, the items in my bag included a bright, fifties-inspired day dress, a blue body-con bandage dress and a gorgeous autumn jumper. Everything I bought fits beautifully and makes me feel good. And you know what? I can’t wait to wear it all.

If you haven’t yet taken advantage of the Style Advisor service, give it a try and tell us what you think. Whatever your shopping list or budget, there’s value and style to be had.

Spent: £320

Saved: you can’t put a price on that!