Clothes shopping

I hate shopping in general and can’t remember when I actually was on a mission to buy clothes. Last week I was in a local shopping centre to visit my bank and picked up 2 jumpers from an outlet-type shop. I’d seen them as I’d walked past and at £4 each, I think they were a bargain.

I like Mint Velvet and have several of their blouses and jumpers. It annoys me when there’s something in a lovely fabric but covered in flounces and frills, also their dresses are sooo long. Such a shame.

J52

I like Mint Velvet and have several of their blouses and jumpers. It annoys me when there’s something in a lovely fabric but covered in flounces and frills, also their dresses are sooo long. Such a shame.

I find their short dresses come to my knees which is good for the winter with thick tights.

I buy midi length summer dresses which are maxi on me, perfect for summer styles.

I wear much the same clothes as I have always worn, age does not come into it. I am 81. No problems getting clothes on or off.

Trousers from Landsend - jeans or cords, everything else for wherever I see something I like. I have recently bought from Tu, River Island, Next and a stall at an Exhibition.

But every shop has such a range of styles. However my clothes shopping is always very focussed and I know what i want and I look until I find it, sometimes in the first shop I walk into, as in recent purchases in Next and Tu, sometimes after a whole winter of looking for a specific garment - found in River Island, or impulse buy at an exhibition.

My DD introduced me to an outlet Mint Velvet store in Somerset after Christmas. I liked what I saw and bought a few items.

I still like M&S, and also shop at Bon Marche, and occasionally Next and Matalan. I also like some catalogues, Cotton Traders and Damart.
Tesco and Sainsbury sometimes have things I like and are not expensive.
Edinburgh Wollen Mill closed down here but still have a branch in Torquay so I go there sometimes.
There aren't that many shops which cater for old ladies like me.

I tend to clothes-shop online, but only from companies where I know the quality and more or less the sizing. I get too fed up with looking for clothes in shops, when they so rarely have the colour or size I want.

I mostly use SeaSalt and M&S, occasionally Poetry (expensive!)
However I have vowed to buy no new clothes, especially not summer ones, this year. We’ll see how that goes!

I am a great fan of pre loved and buy most of my used clothes online and have bought some gorgeous outfits. I have my summer wardrobe all in place with some lovely dresses tops and trousers all used and in excellent condition.

RosieandherMaw

Seasalt, White Stuff, M&S,the occasional independent “boutique” but being honest, a lot online

Ditto and TKMaxx.

I’m 61….M&S, Me & Em, John Lewis, Uniqlo, White Stuff, Jigsaw, Boden….

M&S,Seasalt,Tu,George and Peacocks. Shoes and boots Hotter . Slippers George,Tu or Peacocks .

Since I retired and don’t need smart workwear, I live in Uniqlo t shirts and
Jeans, Bam bamboo joggers, yoga pants and sweatshirts, Cos for the occasional piece. Poetry and Sahara for the odd summer dress or trousers.

I've got several Seasalt tops from a charity shop, M&S seems to be getting worse and worse, and very expensive. I've been buying a lot of Joe Brown's from eBay, and a few new pieces in their sales. I did well a couple of weeks ago, with two of their tops reduced by 70%. A couple of days after I bought them the reduction had gone back down to 30% so I was glad I'd jumped in. Jeans are about the only thing I buy from a shop because I like to try them on.

I was in London this weekend with my 2 daughters. They took me shopping at the O2, very expensive, not the sorts of shops I tend to go to. They took me into a place called Guess, told me it was one of THE places to buy clothes. I made the mistake of saying I liked a jumper, immediately they had id down for a proper look. Granted there was a sale on, it was reduced from £110 to £37, but still more than I would pay for a jumper. Then I saw it in another colour, and somehow ended up buying both, as the assistant said if you buy 2 or more items there`s an extra 20% off, so they were £29.60 each. I think I`ll stick to Amazon in future, lol!

I was shopping in Tesco yesterday for usual groceries

Ended up with a skirt, matching top and 2 jumpers (one reduced to £10).
I mentioned to the lady at checkout that the changing rooms were no longer available, she told me they closed just after covid, obviously it's been a while since I bought clothes in Tesco. Must say I was more than happy with my purchases

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Reported

What has age got to do with it?

Essentially I shop anywhere I see the kind of bright cheerful clothes I like wearing. Lands End, Next, Tu, River Island, H & M, Culture Vulture. I have even been known to shop in M&S, dullsville.

I do not wear black. It makes me look as if I am attending my own funeral, and it always has.

I am in my 80s.

It all depends on what you want really. I was looking for a comfy pair of trousers to travel in ( transatlantic flight) I got a a great pair of winter de legged linen mix wide legs that served the purpose and actually looked rather good.
It seems most of my wardrobe is made up thus

I hate going in shops and buy everything online. I get clothes from Simply Be, Bon Marche, Fashion World and Vinted

My most recent purchases were two tops from White Stuff, two dresses: one from Sosander and the other a Biba dress from Fraser’s and a casual jacket from H and M.

I agree with the OP. I am fortunate in that I have a waistline and prefer slightly fitted clothes. But everything is so long and baggy which looks ridiculous on me. I really struggle to find clothes I look good in. I usually end up with Seasalt etc and but it’s a bit predictable. The quality of Fatface is poor. And everything is so flouncy.

GrannyGravy13

I love clothes, my go to shops (online & high street) are Mint Velvet, Boden, White Company, Hobbs, Joules, M & S along with L K Bennett for a dressy occasion.

I hope I never tire of clothes, footwear and accessory shopping.

Thanks to RosieandherMaw I had a brief dalliance with Sahara, but as I am short and petite, (apart from my boobs) I unfortunately found their clothes swamped me.

I’m short and petite and have a few lovely tops from Sahara. You do have to choose very carefully as some of their stuff would swamp a smaller person.
I’ve been buying from them for years, there’s a shop near me. It’s their prices I don’t like but I do like their very trendy colourful jewellery.

I completely relate to what you’re saying. I’m in my early 60s and have also found it harder lately to find clothes that feel age-appropriate but still stylish. Next used to be my go-to as well, but lately their collections just don’t seem to suit my taste or shape anymore.

Like others have mentioned, I still find the odd gem in M&S or White Stuff, but I’ve recently started browsing more online because local options just aren’t cutting it. One brand I discovered not too long ago is Rooh London. They have a lovely blend of timeless and relaxed pieces that don’t try too hard to be trendy, which I appreciate. I recently treated myself to a thin robe from their site, ideal for layering around the house or popping over basics for a casual yet put-together look. It’s light, flattering, and just feels a bit more special than the usual high street finds.

It’s definitely a bit of trial and error, but I’ve found that mixing in a few newer pieces with older favourites can help keep things fresh without feeling like you’re having to reinvent your whole wardrobe.

Seasalt, White Stuff, M&S, Joules, tried Woolovers but weren't happy with quality although their catalogue looks good. I used to buy from John Lewis but they seem to have lost their way a bit with regard to classic clothes, more designer now. If you want a really good quality sweater, House of Braur.