Wouldn’t it be nice......

poppyred if you look at the JL questionnaire that I posted a link to, it actually asks you what your preferences and dislikes are.
It then shows you things that fit your requirements. It saves you trailing round the shops, or if you want to go and try things on you can go straight to the items they’ve highlighted.
If loose fitting pinafores with patch pockets are your style have a look at Gudrun Sjoden. Not my thing but it might be yours.

AdeleJay Yes, I'm the same - lots of things too big. And as for 'catering for 50+' my money is as good as anyone elses. Trouble is they have a wrong idea of what 50+ is, both in physique and in mind.

Thanks janeainsworth - I’ve done that before and haven’t found anything suitable, Gudrun Sjoden not my style. Hope you weren’t being flippant about ‘ loose fitting pinafores with patch pockets’ - you sounded a bit condescending.

poppyred I don’t know why you think I was being flippant or condescending.
You said you wanted to buy pinafore dresses with deep patch pockets and I was merely making a suggestion as to where you might find them.

luluaugust I agree about BonMarche for t-shirts. I have quite a few from other places but they cling in the wrong place. I think I'll go and buy some more now that it has come into my mind.

MAIN NEW ENGLAND sell good quality cotton t shirts that wash well & don't need ironing after !!
Available from DEBENHAMS

Also BON MARCHE have good tops too.

Can't stand frills and appliques on anything - M&S Per Una is a prime offender in this category as are shoes that should be comfy and stylish but decorated with cut out flowers!

I heard an M&S exec some years ago talking about their fall in profits and saying that Per Una was aimed at the 50+ woman and found myself yelling at the radio " not me it isn't!"

I got a couple of plain white cotton T's in M&S. Also a couple from ASOS via my daughter's account. But yes I agree to get stuff without huge garish patterns is difficult. I'm 5ft nothing and hate big and sometimes little patterns.

I like Primark too. Cheap an cheerful.

I have n't been able to buy a dress this summer. I would like a shirt- waist type with a proper belt, and the length just be low the knee. I cannot find anything.
I think that this year is the worst for Mark's clothes, no wonder that they are losing money. I used to like their Portfolio range,it was meant for the older women but was also quite fashionable. They got rid of that and kept that awful range for older women i.e. crimpelene trousers with an elasticzed waist. I could go on !

I thought that Portfolio was awful! Dreadful middle aged designs I thought. But then I liked Per Una in its appliqued hey day.

Personally, I want nice shift dresses / pinafores that are not too figure hugging, round neck and knee length with nice deep patch pockets

If loose fitting pinafores with patch pockets are your style have a look at Gudrun Sjoden.

It sounds as if janeainsworth was suggesting exactly what you said you wanted poppyred!

I can't see how that could be thought of as flippant or condescending

Poppyred have you looked at Toast?

well, goodness me - I have an advert for Toast appearing on the page now!

Seems all the retailers have gone overboard this year (imo) for these fluted sleeves. I hate 'em. You can't wear anything over them if it has sleeves, for one thing. Plus they look rather Pollyanna. Not at all suited to an older age group.

I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned Boden. I get all my trousers there and the odd top and skirt. They are quite expensive, but their clearance department is wonderful and they have sales with really big reductions a couple of times a year. One year I bought a linen top, some linen trousers and the dress that I wore to our daughter's wedding in one of their sales for less than £60 for all 3 items. Their patterns are great and a bit different and they use lots of really heavyweight cotton. In defence of M&S, their elbow length t-shirts are wonderful and wash like rags. I do find it hard to find anything plain there though, most things have bits of lace or frills and look fussy. They have stopped giving away necklaces that you don't want with their tops though! I agree that Sainsbury's Tu clothes are great on the whole and good value. I check them every time I go in for a food shop.

I don’t know if anyone else has mentioned it, but I have found Seasalt to be excellent for good quality clothing, nice fabrics and styles, albeit not cheap - but I usually shop in their online sales. Some items are a bit old fashioned, but they also do lots of plain fabrics - maybe worth a look.