Clothes shopping getting harder

Very useful thread. Thanks coco12.

I love Seasalt tunics but only buy them in the sale and always on line. Buy M&S and Tu online. But go into Peacocks as I have a local one. Shoes ,boots and trainers from Hotter also on line.

Marydoll

I'm off for a look! Is this it?

www.shoplavenderblue.co.uk

Yup.

For anyone who wears Skechers, Tu have some in their sale, I’ve just bought two pairs.

I'm off for a look! Is this it?

www.shoplavenderblue.co.uk

That sale sign is calling me, Joseann!

Well, it would be rude not to make a purchase when you visit, wouldn't it! I bought a dress - in the sale 50% off.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202308/medium-929520-winchcombe-photos-6.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202308/medium-873081-winchcombe-photos-2.jpg

LynW. It's a pretty little town called Winchcombe.

If you want something upmarket, not high street but not super Designer prices, I’d look at Sahara, Poetry or Cos.

Joseanne. Are you able to tell us which Cotswold town you are in? We were in the Cotswolds last weekend. And, most importantly, did you find anything you liked and did you actually buy anything! Just interested! Happy shopping.

Unbelievable! Success! Yesterday I arrived in a village, (maybe small town?), in the Cotswolds, and there are three independent dress shops! I'm plying my DH with lots of cups of coffee and newspapers at the moment, so I can slip out of the door at 10 am when these boutiques open. (Ostensibly to look for a quiche and some cheese!).

I’m another one pleased with Roman. They are the cheaper end of the market and I do sometimes like a more upmarket company with better quality fabrics and more originality, but I’ve not had any problems with Roman despite some poor reviews and some Gransnetters’ experiences. The Roman goods come quickly and are usually on a hanger. Have had some nice, easily wearable, good fitting tops this summer. Returns really easy - they do deduct £3 from the refund - but money was refunded within 2 days. Tried Weird Fish recently- quite impressed and had two nice dresses well made in a quality material. They are more expensive but waited for a sale and got what I had my eye on!

Casdon yes, Laurie (Vanity and Me) often shows Lilysilk stuff.

lizzypopbottle

There are some YouTube vloggers who talk about clothes, shoes, jewellery and make up and also try their clothes 'hauls' on for the camera. (They don't undress!). The one I follow (hit Subscribe, it's perfectly free!) is Laurie and her channel is 'Vanity and Me'. She's based in Essex, sixty years old, 5' 2" and generally showcases high street stores but also some of the more up market brands e.g. Roman.

I like Helenmaryjo on YouTube, she’s also in her sixties. She’s a size 18, which I’m not, but she shows all brands, including the supermarkets, M&S etc., and last night she was trying on some really gorgeous blouses from a company I hadn’t heard of before, Lilysilk. I’m very tempted to splurge.

PinkCosmos

Aldom

People on here are recommending Roman so I looked at the reviews for this company. 91% of reviews are poor. This was Trust pilot.
So I'd suggest being careful and reading reviews yourselves before deciding to order online.

I suppose it depends what you like. I ordered a few tops from Roman online a while ago. they looked lovely on the model. When they came, whilst the fit was OK, the fabric was awful. Very thin, cheap looking and polyestery.

This is the problem with online shopping, you don't get to feel the fabric. I always check the fabric in the description but is no substitute for feeling the fabric.

Yes, I agree re Roman - I’m surprised someone described it as a ‘more upmarket brand’. I bought a longline padded gilet from Roman during lockdown, which has been fine, but their dresses and tops don’t appeal to me on the whole.
I’ve looked at Vinted now, and I see there are quite a few brands that might suit - Fatface, Weird Fish, White Stuff, Gudrun Sjoden, etc - at very reasonable prices.

Aldom

People on here are recommending Roman so I looked at the reviews for this company. 91% of reviews are poor. This was Trust pilot.
So I'd suggest being careful and reading reviews yourselves before deciding to order online.

I suppose it depends what you like. I ordered a few tops from Roman online a while ago. they looked lovely on the model. When they came, whilst the fit was OK, the fabric was awful. Very thin, cheap looking and polyestery.

This is the problem with online shopping, you don't get to feel the fabric. I always check the fabric in the description but is no substitute for feeling the fabric.

I consider myself to be a 'touchy-feely'shopper in so far as I like to feel the fabric of a garment, look at the finish and how well made it is, or not as is often the case.

During the winter when I tend to wear leggings I do like to wear a shirt over a tee shirt. Last year I found these difficult to find so had to resort to online shopping. I found the perfect shirts in Uniclo - they even have a super fitting guide where you can select your own measurements and select how you want the garment to look - loose fitting or a closer fit etc.

I ordered three different colours and was delighted with them.

Making a repeat order online following an in-store purchase works ok However, I have had disappointing experiences with some other online stores resulting in several purchases having to be returned.

There are some YouTube vloggers who talk about clothes, shoes, jewellery and make up and also try their clothes 'hauls' on for the camera. (They don't undress!). The one I follow (hit Subscribe, it's perfectly free!) is Laurie and her channel is 'Vanity and Me'. She's based in Essex, sixty years old, 5' 2" and generally showcases high street stores but also some of the more up market brands e.g. Roman.

The other good thing about independent boutique type shops is that, if you get to know the friendly owner, they can often source the type of clothes that suit you best, or order in a different size/colour. Also, they are more open to giving a small discount on the tag price. Yesterday I got 40% off 2 items in the sale and the price rounded down on each.

Like Aldom I can recommend Bella di Notte. They have lovely good quality casual clothes, excellent customer service & free delivery and returns. Prices are reasonable too.

I agree Coco12 I’m also a Next and M and S stalwart, but really disappointed this year. The t shirts don’t seem to wash well and I’ve not seen any nice tops at a reasonable price. If I see something I fancy it’s usually a ridiculous price that I’m not prepared to pay. I have actually bought a couple of nice tops from Sainsbury’s.

TheMaggiejane1

For everyday stuff I use an online shop called Highstreet Outlet Uk. They sell end of line and overstock items from most of the High Street shops at about half price. I’ve had some great bargains from them and they are lovely to deal with. For ‘going out’ dresses I love Scamp and Dude but only once items have gone into the sale.

The high Street one looks fab, great tip thank you 😊

I have used roman a few times before, pretty successfully, think I've returned items too which was fine. I didnt have any problems with them to be fair.
I have another one the way so will report back!

If you have a good garden centre close ours has a lovely selection of dresses and separates, dressy and casual. Also a few outlets such as FatFace and Weird Fish

Try 'Vinted' online. They have new with tags, new without tags and very good condition used items etc.