The fabulous Betty Halbreich has been a fixture at New York’s Bergdorf Goodman since the ’70s. When Betty arrived at Bergdorf Goodman, she had no specific plans for her career. It was a turning point in her life, and she was ready to embark on a new journey.
Betty’s good listening skills and attention to customers made her an asset to the store but they didn’t know where to put her. She was certainly talented. At that time, Bergdorf Goodman didn’t have personal shoppers. Other luxury stores did. So that’s where Betty put her skills to use: as a consultant to women looking for extra attention, friendship, and knowledge about how to look their best.
Over the years Betty has worked with countless celebrities, socialites, tv shows, and others who have relied on her expertise. If you ask Betty, she’ll tell you she is a therapist. That’s true but she’s so much more. That’s why people from all over flock to see her.
So what keeps a woman in her 90’s so full of life, disciplined, energetic, and interesting? Betty has talked in interviews about having dignity with what you do. Betty dresses with self-esteem. She looks like she cares about herself and has respect. You don’t have to have a lot of money to dress with respect. Betty says she buys good clothing pieces that stand the test of time.
Betty Halbreich says: “Take time in dressing. Walk a bit, breath in some air. Live and have fun and smile.” Betty remembers “Years ago, women wore gloves and dressed when they shopped.” It never hurts to look your best when you go out in public. Have you ever washed and polished your car, and then when you drive it, it seems like it runs better? That’s how dressing nice makes you feel. It’s as if you can accomplish more.
I remember when I was much younger, my mother would take me to Lord & Taylor to shop. We would get dressed up, shop, and then have lunch there. The dessert tray would come around and for a child, it was such an amazing experience. It was sad when Lord & Taylor closed their stores. But I realized that it had become a completely different store. And people rarely dress up to shop anymore. It’s a different era.
Anyway, back to Betty Halbreich. There’s a reason she’s kept on working for so many years into her 90’s. She enjoys her profession, meets lots of wonderful people, and carries herself with dignity. She walks to work, well-groomed, well dressed, and happy to take on the day. When she’s not working, she loves to cook and buys fresh ingredients from the farmer’s market.
What if we all could find a purpose, a reason to get up every day and engage in the world? Maybe we would live much longer and enjoy ourselves in the process. Oh, and did I mention humor? Betty has that too. Don’t take life too seriously and enjoy.
I wish people cared more about how they dress. I hate going to a nice restaurant and seeing a backward baseball cap and flip flops.
Betty Halbreich says she knows your size when you walk in the door and she knows if something will look good on you just by putting one arm in a garment. I would be so intimidated but I would do whatever she says. She’s amazing.