C&A

It was named after Clemens and August Brenninkmeijer in 1841 in the Netherlands as a textile company, taking its name from their initials ... :-)

My sister buys me tops from C&A, she lives in Germany so it is alive and well elsewhere.

I used to love C&A. I think one of their ranges was Clockhouse. I worked there as a Saturday girl in the '60s. I have seen them abroad, Seville and (I think) Madrid. They are just the same as they were here.

nora55 You were lucky to have one in your town.
Our nearest was two train rides away. I remember in '60s ( I'd be 14-16) if mum said we were going to C&A it meant a day out for mum and I plus lunch. Something to get excited about in those days

Yes, there's one in every town in Germany. They don't have a very good reputation for quality, though. If I pop in when I'm in the nearest town, I can usually find something for myself or one of the family, though.

When I was a student in the late 60's, I bought a pink PVC mac (very short!) from C&A in Oxford St. When my boyfriend (now DH) saw me in it, he said I looked like a giant condom. It really put me off wearing it.

Thanks Nana and grampy - I never knew that!

And Clockhouse - yes all the rage

I loved C & A, got my trandy maxi coat there. I still have a quality wool sixth sense jacket. Use it occasionally. Wish I could still shop there. Whenever in Europe I always try and visit one.

I've still got a clockhouse floral blouse with bell sleeves in the case kept in the loft bought many years ago when we used to go to C&As every Saturday when we where off work,every time I come across it I get it out with the idea to send it to the charity shop but every time I place it back in the case I just can't get rid of it for sentimental reasons.There are a few bits and bobs up in the loft which I can't throw away mostly size 10 so no chance of ever fitting me again in this lifetime.

We have seen c & a in a number of european countries. As has been said there are many branches in Germany. When i see them i recall shopping there in years gone by, and wonder why they closed in the uk yet remain open everywhere else. Our closest is probably in cite europe close to calais. Clothes in europe tend to. be more e xpensive so perhaps that might be a reason.

There's a C&A in Toulouse, our nearest big town/city. Husband buys his shirts and casual trousers there.

I worked at Oxford St C&A when I left school I loved it . With our staff discount for the first time in my life I could afford to buy quite a few outfits and it was surprising how the perfect outfit somehow managed to be reduced because of some defect or other ?

Isn't it strange - yesterday we were sorting out the best of the O.H. suits (all three of them) for a special occasion later this year, and there it was the best of the bunch, a C&A suit. Don't remember when he bought it, years ago, but it still looks good, although he doesn't wear suits that much, so no reason why it shouldn't. Just such a strange coincidence.

Glamanana bell sleeves are back in.

C&A is alive and well in large towns in France. Continues to be much the same as it was in UK.

I lied with my grandma from age 13 till I got married at 20, and I used to love our trips to C&A in Manchester, but our shopping was done in their rather dark bargain basement. The last time I was in one of their stores was in Weston-Super- Mare in 1999, I think the stores all closed not long after that, I do miss them.

Sorry, I "lived"!

glammanana, would you consider donating your blouse to a museum? I had a lot of clothes from the 70s and didn't want to throw them away so I tried the museum in Aberdeen. They didn't want them all, but took quite a few for their collection.

There is a C&A in Palma (Majorca).

And in Madeira!

I popped in to C&A last month when in Holland picked up a couple of tops just like old times. Now I am back home they have washed well.

I think it's only in the UK that C&A shops closed. They are in most of the countries in Europe. They have them in most cities in Portugal. My son has just been visiting and had a great time buying clothes in C&A.

I recently bought a really nice lighweight waterproof jacket in one of the 5 C&As here in Brussels.
I seldom shop anywhere else now as I find the clothes fit me well(think short red topped Apple).
I don't iron and seem to be able to get lots of things which do not need ironed in C&A.

I bought my bridal outfit from C & A in Portsmouth in 1967. A lined fitted above the knee dress in a delicate sweet pea print, with a matching georgette coat...it cost £4 from the clearance rail, size 10, & I felt quite beautiful.