Warning- RANT clothes for a 70 year old!!!!

I imagine that you would end up looking ‘old’ if you bought from a shop specifically for ‘older’ women. As others have said, look at different shops - in town or online - and, within reason, if you like the look of something, try it. I often buy second hand, though I know this is not for everyone. I frequent charity shops, and look on eBay and Vinted online.

I buy my clothes from Seasalt, Fatface, M and S and occasionally Phase eight. I hope I don't look frumpy but to be honest I think they are 'old lady' shops or at least older lady shops. I can't see either of my dils or my granddaughters shopping where I shop except for perhaps M & S. We might wear similar jeans, tops etc but there are differences.

Going back to my post asking if BonMarche is the old ladies shop, I agree with others that there are some good items in BonMarche. I buy very little there but recently bought this skirt, which I think is light and summery for my holiday. I know a lot Gransnetters buy their jeans there although I buy mine from M+S. I buy from a few different sellers but like Phase Eight, Roman Originals, White Stuff, and occasionally M+S or Next. Also the very occasional buy from BonMarche.

Oh and Fat Face and occasionally Sea Salt, which seems to be a Gransnetter favourite.

To be honest in my local, large shopping town there are no specifically “older ladies” type shops, though there used to be some years ago where you could buy pleated crimplene skirts and rather matronly “frocks”.
I’m 82 and because I like their style I buy mostly from White Stuff. M&S have become pretty drab although that used to be my store of choice. Fine for underwear though. I can’t say I’ve ever bought clothes online but I might just check out some of the brands mentioned.

anna7

I buy my clothes from Seasalt, Fatface, M and S and occasionally Phase eight. I hope I don't look frumpy but to be honest I think they are 'old lady' shops or at least older lady shops. I can't see either of my dils or my granddaughters shopping where I shop except for perhaps M & S. We might wear similar jeans, tops etc but there are differences.

My adult daughter and GC buy a fair bit from Fatface, though the GC prefer H and M.

DDiLloves Fat Face and introduced me to it.

If I were looking for 'safe' clothes, clothes that never go out of fashion because they have never been in fashion, I would look at Cotton Traders, Damart, M&S and Woolovers. The latter I did buy from for a couple of years, but they went 'off' very quickly.

Kim19

Land's End used to be my favourite supplier. No longer. Quality has disappeared for me.

Kim19 I tried to buy more cotton jumpers as the old ones I have are fine but I need more (other makes don't last as well) - they just don't do them any more.

I've still got Bon Marché jeans, they went on the charity shop pile the other day then got retrieved.
Am I too old for jeans?
If I have to ask then probably yes.

Woolovers! Aaaaargh!

I'll say nothing.

Ditto. They were ok years ago, when they first started up. Not any more.
No Calli you are not too old for jeans! There is no such thing as too old!

Today I am wearing a cotton jumper (Laura Ashley) that I was wearing 30+ years ago. And my eldest daughter's jeans.

Land's End T-shirt and Seasalt rollneck from their sales complete the layers. Since Ts and rollnecks seem to be made more close fitting than they used to be I just buy larger sizes.

I don't see that being in my 68th year has anything to do with it.

Re recent posts.... I have two pairs of Land's End jeans that fit fine too and they are definitely good quality. They are a few years old.

Never too old for jeans. I’m now seventy and wear jeans almost every day. I think some of my denim jeans are called jeggings. They’re not too tight but do fit around the leg. I’ve got a variety of colours from M+S. My other jeans are straight leg. I don’t do those incredibly tight ones, can’t remember what they’re called.

Callistemon wrote Kim19 I tried to buy more cotton jumpers as the old ones I have are fine but I need more (other makes don't last as well) - they just don't do them any more.

A friend told me she now buys her fine cotton jumpers from M&S Menswear. They have nicer colours and they seem to fit the same. I had a look in my local M&S yesterday and I think she’s not the only one buying as they only had one or two in their men’s small size!

I’ve resorted to buying men’s jumpers too. Good fit, perfect if you don’t want something too short, and nice colours nowadays. I bought a couple about five or six years ago online from Joseph Turner (made in England) and they’re still going strong. I don’t want anything too long, but I find many women’s jumpers are really short. If buying online I spend a lot of time looking at lengths. I think catalogues often use very petite models, judging by how long some things are on them despite the description of the length.

I have bought jeans, a T shirt, a sweat shirt and a couple of night dresses from Lands End this year and have seen no decline in quality.

Same here, GSM. I hate too-short jumpers, I like to keep my kidneys warm!

Just received a catalogue from Woolovers. The majority of the women's clothes are photographed on a grey haired model and it includes Tshirts with lace inserts.

I just do not recognise it for the company it was less than 5 years ago. It is now on a par with Damart (stylewise that is not a compliment).

That’s the grey pound in full operation Monica.

I remember placing an order with Woolovers years ago and speaking to the lady who started the company, a real kitchen table business. She called me to say how grateful she was for the order, and I was pleased with whatever it was. I also received a catalogue today - as usual I looked through it and it went into the recycling. Such a sad decline. At least they use a grey haired model as MOnica says,

If that is what the grey pound buys maddyone, it is the best reason yet, to keep colouring my hair!

Haha, me too Monica.

I am mid sixties, I use the same shops as my DD and DiL’s, as did my dear late mum up till her death at 84.

I’ve got Woolovers jumpers and cardigans from years ago. They have changed and now sell things outside their usual range and include shoes from Moshulu. I am not sure why.
Woolovers was once all about good quality knitwear. I’ve not had new items recently so can’t comment on quality.

SueDonim

Callistemon wrote Kim19 I tried to buy more cotton jumpers as the old ones I have are fine but I need more (other makes don't last as well) - they just don't do them any more.

A friend told me she now buys her fine cotton jumpers from M&S Menswear. They have nicer colours and they seem to fit the same. I had a look in my local M&S yesterday and I think she’s not the only one buying as they only had one or two in their men’s small size!

I'll take a look.
Anything I've bought for DH from M&S has been far better quality than the women's range and they do offer popular ranges instead of discontinuing them every season.