'Old Lady shops'

I think it’s more the fabrics than the brands that are ageing. Manmade fibres, on the whole, can be old ladyish, as can trousers just a little too short, particularly when worn with popsox.

Otherwise, there are brands that fit the post-menopausal shape better than others and IMO it’s better to wear clothes that fit, whatever the label. Elasticated waists are undetectable under a top that covers them, and longer tops often suit older women anyway, as most don’t have the shapely derrières they may once have had.

I would happpily buy in any shop, old lady or not, if they only sold clothes in MY SIZE. I am a continental size 38 or 40, sorry I cannot remember the British equivalent and clothes in those two sizes are now deemed to be for teenagers, so not at all suitable for a woman coming up for 75.

The smallest size I can find in anything remotely suitable is four sizes too big!

I buy everything I wear from Vinted, I’m 70

I’m over 70 and have gone down nearly 5 dress sizes since January last year. I have had to buy all new . Most dresses are from Finery London as they do natural fabrics . Most of my t shirts/tops are from Lands End as they use good cotton and they are excellent . I’ve jeans and trousers from various other shops and my underwear is from M and S . One of the shops I consider “old lady’ is Seasalt but it’s a favourite of lots of people . Each to their own .

I go into all shops none are off limits.I certainly don't buy 'old lady' clothes and neither did my mother. Appropriate, classy and fashionable. I was a teen in 70's and I still dress in jeans/ trackie bottoms and t shirts and trainers. Occassionaly a dress....nice shoes...my mum would be pleased as she used to despair!🤣 I am a retired PE teacher, still active so still dressing in 'my normal clothes' 🤣🤣🤣🤣

Silvertwigs

I buy everything I wear from Vinted, I’m 70

Maybe you’re buying my stuff! I had a sort out recently. My friend told me to try Vinted as she sells loads on there. I have sold a few items in vgc but people don’t want to pay much so you can get bargains.

Yes Damart and Hotter! Probably more, but that's what I can think of at the moment.

Damma. Seriously? My daughter goes to them as there is a play area for children and we have been quite a few times. I go to the same one, Squires, with a friend to buy plants and have a coffee.

Wear what you want.

AuntieE

I would happpily buy in any shop, old lady or not, if they only sold clothes in MY SIZE. I am a continental size 38 or 40, sorry I cannot remember the British equivalent and clothes in those two sizes are now deemed to be for teenagers, so not at all suitable for a woman coming up for 75.

The smallest size I can find in anything remotely suitable is four sizes too big!

Are you sure you mean 38/40, AuntieE? That’s a UK 10/12, which is often labelled as medium, so there should be plenty on offer. I’ve been that size all my adult life, and have never had a problem finding clothes to fit. The sizing has changed over the years though, presumably to flatter the buyer. I was a size 10 when I was an 8 stone teenager, and can still often get into a 10 now that I’m 2 stone heavier.

Never shop there.

I couldn't survive without my thermals Damart M&S & whoever makes them. Vests, leggings gloves & socks.

I tend not to browse clothes shops unless I need something and I do need somethings today so, reluctantly off I go. I don't enjoy it at all, it all seems so much to choose from so am happy to go, grab and get out. Old Lady, Young Lady if it looks pretty - job done!
Yes, I do realise that this is 'man shopping', possibly without the pretty...

In common with many others here, I buy most of my clothes from Vinted. My favourite brand is Joe Browns, although I also like Seasalt and the have some lovely St. Michael, 1990s era, vintage clothes. I buy elasticated waist (flat) trousers from M and S and their leggings, too, as I have lipodoema and am out of proportion and they fit me best. My favourite shoes are vintage Red or Dead or T-bar Kickers. I have recently bought some lovely Joanie shoes on Vinted. I also have some pairs of Hotter shoes. They are not all “old lady” styles and they are very comfortable. The best pair of sandals I have ever worn are Hotter Sol as they are both pretty and comfortable, especially my red pair. Sorry, but I cannot bring myself to buy from Damart or Bon Marché. I have had the occasional gem fr from EWM. My mother, who is in her eighties, likes a company called Carr and Westley; a traditional clothing company with British made clothes. I bought her a top for her birthday and they have sent me advertising since. The clothes are very good quality, aimed at a mature demographic and are photographed on models aged sixty plus, which gives more of an idea of how they look on an older person. They are classic rather than frumpy.
My friend went to Aldeborough a little while ago and said that there was an unspoken uniform of ladies aged fifty-plus in Joules and Seasalt.

When I was a teenager I remember the old lady next door to us talking about shopping in Bonmarche. I used to think that it was an old ladies shop and I was never going to shop there. Now I order from them online. Lots of the shops that I liked are no more and I find it difficult to find clothes that I like these days.

I’ve been quite surprised by the number of folk who think Bonmarche is just for old ladies! As a thirty something, I bought a lot of clothes from there for my everyday/workwear wardrobe. We didn’t have one locally so I used to stock up when I went to my mums. I might add that I think I have always looked smart when out (as opposed to scruffy when I’m in…) and still don’t feel I dress like an old lady in my late sixties.

I feel sad at the supermarket seeing women my age (75) who have sort of given up and wear shapeless beige or whatever - and its not the money - the stuff they wear is reasonable up market at this particular one and they have a large TU that caters at low price for all ages.

I'm not a bright red hair person but secretly applaud those who go for it. ☺️

Two Christmases ago, DH bought me, amongst other gifts, an 'old lady's nightie '.....full length, long sleeved, buttons up to the chin, and made of flannelette. I put it away thinking I would never be seen dead in such a thing.....of course I didn't say that.
Anyway, guess what! When the next cold snap arrived I put it on and simply fell in love with just how comfortable it was. Now I love it and wear it a lot

Wyllow3

I feel sad at the supermarket seeing women my age (75) who have sort of given up and wear shapeless beige or whatever - and its not the money - the stuff they wear is reasonable up market at this particular one and they have a large TU that caters at low price for all ages.

I'm not a bright red hair person but secretly applaud those who go for it. ☺️

My grandmother used to say that if you are ging to spend money on clothes, you might as well choose something you look nice in as something you don't.