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Style & beauty

Can't find any clothes I like in the shops

(31 Posts)
MamaCaz Tue 20-Aug-13 21:35:13

Is anyone else struggling to find basic everyday clothes that they like this year?

In particular, I haven't been able to find any summer tops that I like or that suit me. They nearly all have round necks this year, and round necks just don't suit me. I haven't bought one single top, though it's not for lack of trying!

I also find that shorts are either too short (mutton dressed as lamb) or too long (old women's shorts), and the same applies to summer skirts.

Is it just me?

Stansgran Tue 20-Aug-13 21:39:05

I'm surprised that you can find ANY summer clothes at all. I wanted something to freshen me up for late summer and it was either tired returns in the sales section or fur trimmed.

MamaCaz Tue 20-Aug-13 21:44:24

Stansgran, you're right - that just about sums up today's latest attempt to find something. However, I've been trying all summer without success sad

tanith Tue 20-Aug-13 21:54:19

I was surprised when looking for school uniform cardies that I found a couple of tops and a swimsuit that actually fitted me in Sainsburys clothes dept. Other than that I agree and now we have Winter clothes everywhere it seems Summer clothes are no longer available anyway.

glammanana Tue 20-Aug-13 22:03:06

There is nothing in the shops at all,this year I have not replaced anything as the styles have been dire to say the least.

FlicketyB Tue 20-Aug-13 22:32:50

I have bought both tops and trousers this summer without any problem. I did however want a skirt/dress and that was more difficult to find.

j08 Tue 20-Aug-13 22:43:19

I had a job finding a summer skirt. In the end I got one from a little boat chandler shop in Exmouth. (Nothing boat-ish about the skirt!)

Deedaa Tue 20-Aug-13 23:10:51

Skirts and dresses are a complete dead loss this year!

LizG Tue 20-Aug-13 23:49:12

I used to live in Exmouth JO8 and know just where you mean. Pity Shelley Road has been ruined though. Getting back to clothes I have to buy an outfit for my Godson's wedding in September and don't know where to look - outfits for the overweight and overhigh perhaps.

Galen Tue 20-Aug-13 23:57:34

Phase eight are what I use!

Galen Wed 21-Aug-13 00:00:56

Jingle is that shop still there? I used to use it when we moored our boat off Starcross and used the water taxi from Exemouth to get to it!
Also used the fisher mans cooperative for lobsters, fish etc! And the pub opposite for a drink and occasional meal.

Galen Wed 21-Aug-13 00:03:06

I need a pair of shorts! Can't find any any where. Need a size 18/20 I think, although current m&s size 16 fit!

grannyactivist Wed 21-Aug-13 00:18:22

I spend quite a bit of time in that Exmouth shop when my menfolk are buying boat stuff [yawn], but have to say the clothes are a bit pricey for me. I have been known to wait for husband and sons in the lovely little cafe in the park just up the road from said shop - called Bumble and Bee - they serve delicious home made cakes.

LizG Wed 21-Aug-13 07:08:15

Thanks for that Galen, I shall check them out.

PRINTMISS Wed 21-Aug-13 07:41:23

So, it's not just me - I haven't bought anything new this year, just cannot find something I like. Drooping round necks just do not go with drooping boobs, and I having being trying to find lightweight cotton trousers 31" leg which DO NOT sit on the hips. Not a hope!

FlicketyB Wed 21-Aug-13 08:10:11

One woman's meat is another woman's poison. I spend my life looking for trousers that sit on the hip. I am narrow between waist and thigh and 'sit on the hip' trousers fit me neatly around the waist!

PRINTMISS Wed 21-Aug-13 09:27:03

Oh!, lucky you, FlicketyB. I do not quite understand why so many shops stop at 29" leg. M&S are not bad, but I am not sure I like their styles any more, think I might be one of the many, having read some of the remarks here.

henetha Wed 21-Aug-13 11:07:05

My son works in Exmouth, and I sometimes visiit him there.What a great little town it is with it's marvellous seafront.
Clothes, - I live near a Marks and Spencer Outlet which is very handy.
I bought a couple of new tops there and they are o.k.
I long for a pretty cotton summer dress which doesn't make me look ridiculous, but can't find one ! (could be that ALL dresses make me look ridiculous!!! blush

MamaCaz Wed 21-Aug-13 14:45:15

I think that the problem is that all the high street shops seem to have been stocked exclusively with what's deemed to be 'in' this year, but fashionable or not, what suits one person looks b****y awful on another. This year, I've been unfortunate enough to look b****y awful in everything they are selling!
I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that there is a big change in 'fashion' by next summer.

janthea Wed 21-Aug-13 15:13:21

I've bought some nice tops in M&S, mostly stripey Autograph ones which fit nicely, either with casual trousers or more formal ones for work. I also like their 'cigarette' trousers which you either dress up or down.

Don't often buy dresses, although I have a couple of 'officey' ones for work.

I can also usually find some tops or trousers in Next.

HildaW Wed 21-Aug-13 15:28:24

Fond memories of Exmouth, my Grandma lived there and we hand long summer and Easter breaks there....swimming in the sea no matter what the weather was like. I loved the old shanty town bit but its all posh flats now.... not quite the same.

HildaW Wed 21-Aug-13 15:30:49

P.S. my nice 'Woman' T shirts from M&S that I thought were so good when I bought them, have shrunk - when are they going to crack that....I only ever wash them on a 30 short wash.

Mishap Wed 21-Aug-13 16:19:24

Not sure how the topic of Exmouth came up - I have just dropped in on this thread. I used to live there in a big house called Isca Way on the Exeter Road. My family moved there when I was 17 and I returned from my first term at uni there - bit of a strange thing to do as all my friends were back in Essex.

But I loved it - and Lympstone nearby where we used to visit my GM every summer for our holidays.

On my trips down to Devon on the train recently to visit my dad, and subsequently for his funeral, I have so enjoyed the train ride down the Exe estuary from Exeter to Newton Abbott - you can see Lympstone and Exmouth over the water. This led me to do a bit of research on how the area has developed - I was delighted to see that Lympstone station is still there - we used to travel that route with our swimming costumes and towels and a packet of sandwiches on our way from my GM's to Exmouth for the day. And a splendid cycleway has been built along the estuary.

On the subject of clothes - I seldom buy any now. My DDs supply me with clothes as gifts sometimes; and those that I already have (and have had for decades!) are coming back into fashion!!

Deedaa Wed 21-Aug-13 18:17:35

I bought some rather gorgeous Autograph palazzo pants for £9 in the M&S sale. Not sure when or if I shall wear them, but they're there if I want them.

NfkDumpling Wed 21-Aug-13 22:25:17

To my amazement I'm still holding out on my New Year Resolution not to buy any new clothes this year! (Did have to buy a belt for my jeans and succumbed to a satchel bag - but NO NEW CLOTHES). I'm wearing things I really like but never got around to wearing before. I've not done anything much for the economy but I've saved enough for a good holiday.

I don't know how much longer I can hold out for though - Dresses I would never usually look twice at now look wonderful.