Dressed to the 9s

There is a large garden centre near to where my daughter lives in North Yorkshire.
Every time we drive past the car park is at near to full capacity which is lovely to see.
It has an Edinburgh Woollen Mill concession plus other small outlets and a large cafe, making an enjoyable outing.

How the customers inside are dressed, I have no idea

Our GC sometimes has groups of well-dressed people in the cafe. Generally, it’s either people on a coach trip outing or those who’ve attended a funeral at a fairly near-by crematorium, black ties and all.

Our town has different ‘clientele’ on different days of the week. Mondays seem to be the day for the less fortunate in society to meet up, maybe after the pharmacies have been closed over the weekend, I’m not sure, and Wednesdays is the day for traditional twin-set-and-pearls ladies and gents in tweeds and jackets, basically, the county folk.

Other days have harassed-looking grandparents like us, toting babies and toddlers around!

Why should this matter? How do you know they were designer labels? They may have bought them from a charity shop like my friend does. They maybe dress like that all the time, even to go to the shops like my friend. It doesn't make me feel pressured to dress like her though.
Dress in what you like. I do.

kircubbin, I met my sister at the garden centre midway between iur houses. We decided to enjiy a coffe catch up before plant shopping. The table next to us had 8 older women, as you describe, dressed to the 9’s, full makeup and styled hair. Yes a good garden centre with cafe food cooked well in the premises, a good butcher, baker and veg section plus quality ready meals.
We realised this kind of outing is loved by older people like ourselves. I’m not about to dress up though - jeans for me

Why not go for it? Opportunities to get dressed up are few and far between these days. If I'm popping out on my own, I can often look like a rag bag at a garden centre but make an effort if I'm meeting friends. It also depends on the friends, some are more glamorous than others and would never be leave the house without looking perfect. I think looking good lifts the spirits and can make any event a little more special.

I agree with fancythat - I am always casually dressed, unless it’s a special occasion, parties etc. I wear the same clothes to the grocery store, as I wear at home 😂

Probably true .

My guess is that you were in a posh area, and the food was well made home cooked?