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Where do you shop

(39 Posts)
apricot Sat 04-Jan-14 20:37:40

for clothes? I buy most mine in charity shops but when I need something a bit smarter I don't know where to look.
Marks and Spencer are hopeless but I want the sort of classic things they used to sell. Warm, with sleeves and no plunging necklines. I'm late-sixties, quite young in tastes, average size.
Any suggestions? I'm tired of trousers and jumpers.

BlueBelle Mon 06-Jan-14 10:41:02

I buy a lot in Charity shops they re still cheap here £2.50-£3.00 for a top or jeans Bonmarche, New look, Matalan, F&F, Asda

Half the ones mentioned above I've never heard of
Monsoon and River Island way too expensive for me

BAnanas Mon 06-Jan-14 14:16:00

Just bought a nice sort of tunic top in East reduced from £75, down, down, down £52, £39 and finally the £26 pounds that I paid today. Of course it wasn't worth the original £75. I have bought quite a few items from East over the past couple of years, but never at the original retail price, Clothes there have to be at least 30% off or I just wont bother looking at them.

annodomini Mon 06-Jan-14 14:59:04

janerowena, thanks for mentioning woolovers. I am very impressed with the variety - and price - of products in their online catalogue and have ordered a tunic jumper.

J52 Mon 06-Jan-14 15:15:40

Woolovers are great. Did Xmas shopping with them. All products came by return, such lovely quality merino and cashmere. X

nannyfran Mon 06-Jan-14 15:25:34

I've also discovered Woolovers having had problems finding woolen jumpers that don't cost a fortune and are good quality. I had 2 from them for Christmas and they were lovely. Debenhams on line have had a good sale. I like their Manteray and Maine New England tops.

Mamie Mon 06-Jan-14 15:38:53

Nowhere in France!
In the UK I go to M and S, BHS, Laura Ashley (sales). My DD treats me to stuff from Fenwicks, East and Joules. I also get her fabulous cast-off shoes and bags.

Goose Mon 06-Jan-14 16:12:08

Primark! love their stuff….

Bez Mon 06-Jan-14 16:27:57

I too hate needing to go specifically for clothes - I prefer to see something when I am out and get it - this of course does not always work. I have the Treggings from Marks which I find good and warm - discovered last winter that close fitting sleeves and trousers were so much warmer than loose. I have never yet plucked up enough courage to buy on line any clothes - I am pleasantly surprised at how many of you seem to be successful at it. Will make it a resolution to have a go this year!
Noticed the last time I was in Marks that they had a few dresses with long sleeves - maybe they have started to listen.
I bought clothes from Gap and Bass etc. when recently in USA - what I have noticed is that many more things from USA are able to go into the tumble dryer - more and more UK stuff is not tumble drier friendly and I find that a pain in wet weather.

janerowena Mon 06-Jan-14 16:33:06

Try it anyway, Bez. I think they are just covering themselves, I tumbledry everything in the winter or on days when it can't be hung out. I buy cotton t-shirts a size larger tocover any shrinkage issues, and when I have a new garment I dry it for slightly less time on half heat the first time and gradually work my way up. Even the cashmere stuff gets a blast for 40 mins to get rid of the worst of the wet, then it gets hung up.

Ariadne Mon 06-Jan-14 16:44:58

I do that, jane! If in doubt, I give something Hal an hour on "synthetics" and see what happens.

goldengirl Mon 06-Jan-14 17:14:22

Ebay! I like Boden and know my size. I loathe clothes shopping generally EXCEPT that I've just found Monsoon and love the style and colours and for Christmas I was a given a voucher. So I will certainly be going in there. My GC and DD often wear Next clothes which are nice and if you pick carefully are not too expensive but for me there's not enough colour - and to be more colourful is my New Year's Resolution grin

Tegan Mon 06-Jan-14 17:16:50

Oh joy grin. I buy clothes from just about everywhere, my favourites being Maine, Phase Eight, Laura Ashley [although not so much of theirs recently] and M&S [ditto]. But went into town a few days ago to buy a woollen tunic type thing to go with leggings and boots. Knew exactly what I wanted and couldn't find one anywhere. Went to the BHF Charity shop next to the gym [the one where I got my pretend Phase Eight top from] and bought 3 [may buy another one tomorrow but it was a bluey colour that I don't usually wear so I passed on that one]. One of them is EXACTLY what I was looking for; short sleeves so I can wear it over a polo neck; long enough to cover my bottom and grey cable knit with a cowl neckline. Can't believe it; £3.50 it cost smile. And my son bought me a black polo neck jumper for my birthday as I'd said I lived in them and my newest one was getting shabby. The Woollovers ones are ok but the wool makes me itch; this one's cotton and by Zara [they've got some nice stuff on their website].

apricot Mon 06-Jan-14 20:22:16

Lots of suggestions here, thanks. Actually bought a nice dark blue dress today in White Stuff''s sale. Charity shops spoil us for paying full-price, I only go into most stores during the sales.
Wish I could wear black but the cats say No.