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Clothes shopping getting harder

(104 Posts)
coco12 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:01:03

Went into town today to buy a top for a get together I'm attending. Thought I'd easily find something. My usual haunts of Next and M&S had nothing! Lots of t shirts but where have nice tops gone? Remember when you could go to Wallis and be guaranteed a nice top to go out in. High Street is getting bereft of choice.
Where does everyone shop these days? 🤔

BlueBelle Tue 08-Aug-23 20:16:33

Unfortunately and I mean very, very unfortunately only place to buy is online We have a M and S, new look and peacocks that’s all we have on our high street even less for men
I don’t like shopping online I really need to try things on for size, looks everything
My main shopping place is the charity shop for the very reason

Jaxjacky Tue 08-Aug-23 20:18:30

Online, all the time for new necessities, not that I’ve had to shop for an event, if I did I’d rewear something old, or try a charity shop.
Sorry, not much help, but I’m trying not to shop, recycling.

Iam64 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:24:54

John Lewis is the last department store standing. I have one 30 mins away but increasingly find little that suits my style or purse

Hetty58 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:31:19

I prefer to shop online - or try the local charity shops. I'm sure that I have enough, though, in my wardrobes, to see me out!

coco12 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:36:29

Who do you use online? There's Roman.. Seasalt looks OK but not tried them

Casdon Tue 08-Aug-23 20:38:14

If you like plain colours, there’s some lovely stuff in the new collection in White Company. It depends where you live, but there is a branch in most cities. I could spend a fortune, but I’m going to limit myself to replacements.

Kate1949 Tue 08-Aug-23 20:39:45

I use Freemans. You can order whatever you like. If you don't like it they will collect it from your porch or convenient place.

coco12 Tue 08-Aug-23 21:02:38

Just been looking at White Stuff. They have nice things but wondering if their tops are short in the body? I need the coverage! 😄 Will look at freeman's now, thank you!

vegansrock Tue 08-Aug-23 21:08:12

My go to for basics is Uniqlo. Fortunately I live near some actual shops, but they do more sales online.

Patsy70 Tue 08-Aug-23 21:08:18

I suggest you frequent your local charity shops. We have a two week turnover, whereby anything that has been in our shop for two weeks is sent on to another shop. There are daily donations of quality ‘pre loved’ clothes, some which haven’t been worn and still have original labels. I like Seasalt, White Stuff, Phase Eight, Fat Face, Brakeburn.

Debbi58 Tue 08-Aug-23 21:26:57

I bought a lovely outfit today , we have a Next Clearance nearby. I bought a lovely blouse reduced to a fiver and some black trousers also reduced to a fiver, bargain

nadateturbe Tue 08-Aug-23 21:41:33

We have some local stores that sell brands like Betty Barclay, Barbara Lebek, Gerry Weber, Olsen. Most of my dressy tops are Betty Barclay.

Joseann Tue 08-Aug-23 22:14:53

Another vote for The White Company. They've currently got some nice knitted tees for the coming months. Also Reiss, we have one in town.

coco12 Tue 08-Aug-23 22:15:28

Great ideas. Thanks everyone

LovesBach Tue 08-Aug-23 22:16:24

Most of the medium priced quality clothing companies have disappeared over the past decade; Windsmoor, Precis, Principles, Country Casuals, Joules. Choice is limited to designer labels with laughable price tags, or the cheapest end of the market selling almost disposable clothing. I have items bought years ago, or through ebay - trying to find even a simple top in decent fabric is almost impossible.

Redrobin51 Tue 08-Aug-23 22:17:02

I've just had a lovely blouse from Roman Originals and a great dress. They do some lovely tops. Delivery is free and it is only £3 if you have to send items back regardless of how many. Good luck in getting something suitable.

MerylStreep Tue 08-Aug-23 22:23:10

Debenhams are still online.

Casdon Tue 08-Aug-23 22:39:20

MerylStreep

Debenhams are still online.

That’s a good point, so are Wallis which coco12 mentioned in her original post.

Scribbles Tue 08-Aug-23 23:16:56

Try Seasalt, Roman or Hobbs. All three have branches where I live but if they're not near you, OP, they are all online.

Foxygloves Tue 08-Aug-23 23:28:46

I have found a couple of independent “boutique “ type shops in St Neots, Woburn Sands and Castle Ashby which stock more individual items. Not cheap but different. I think it is worth seeking these out as an alternative to the online retailers. Ask around where you live.

coco12 Tue 08-Aug-23 23:34:29

Foxygloves

I have found a couple of independent “boutique “ type shops in St Neots, Woburn Sands and Castle Ashby which stock more individual items. Not cheap but different. I think it is worth seeking these out as an alternative to the online retailers. Ask around where you live.

Think you're right, it's nice to have something unique.

Marydoll Wed 09-Aug-23 00:35:09

I have lots of White Stuff clothing, true to size ( and I am rather round! 🤣).
It is my favourite retailer, but I only buy in sales or from the
Otrium outlet

Marydoll Wed 09-Aug-23 00:37:24

Otrium also stock Seasalt and Monsoon. It can sometimes be a bit of a hit or a miss.

Joseann Wed 09-Aug-23 06:53:18

coco12

Foxygloves

I have found a couple of independent “boutique “ type shops in St Neots, Woburn Sands and Castle Ashby which stock more individual items. Not cheap but different. I think it is worth seeking these out as an alternative to the online retailers. Ask around where you live.

Think you're right, it's nice to have something unique.

The good thing about these shops is that they often have pieces from Italy, Germany, Spain etc. Basler, Desigual, Bellentani. The fabrics and the styles are often superior, and I'm not talking about Gucci or Prada proces either.