Brands we have loved and lost?

I miss Gamages in Holborn. Every Christmas my mother would take my sister and I to see Father Christmas, there. Used to get a good present, not rubbish. Nostalgia, as this store went in the early 70s.

Have I missed something? Is M&S not going to be selling clothes anymore? I agree with posters who say that they have strayed too far from their good quality, reasonably priced classics and basics. Admittedly some of their clothes are pretty awful. But I really would miss underwear, tights, socks and their cashmere jumpers.

My DH pines for Panyan pickle!
Aqua Manda - they relaunched a few years ago in Debenhams, around Christmas.
M&S quality clothes - many then were made in the UK
Sweater Shop - we used to go to huge reject sales in Leicester in the 90s
Clothkits - I made super quilted jackets for DD with little animals to fit in the pockets. They had great knitwear too.

Oh Aqua Manda. I used to buy a sachet of their bath stuff with my Saturday job wages. At 14, I thought I was so sophisticated!

Another vote for Clothkits. In particular that it was possible to match tights and sweaters.

Oh definitely BHS!
I have to agree with lots here that M&S have lost it a bit. I really hope they find it again - I’d hate to see them disappear. I bought a couple of pairs of jeans (with tencel) from their classic collection just before it disappeared. They are the comfiest! Now of course I can’t find any that fit as well. If I’d known, I’d have stocked up! I have a large-ish collection of their cashmere which I love.

Used to love the smell of Charlie perfume until I was pregnant in 1975. Couldn’t bear the smell of it after that !!!!

Me too. I loved all those stores...

Oh yes, I miss C&A, Richards and BHS. I still have some garments from those shops that have lasted so well. Nothing like them now except Bon Marche, but things don't last as well from them. (jumpers get bobbly quickly). I did have a spend in C&A in Bruges a few years back, but not sure it's still there.

I miss the old recipe of Daddies sauce. It is not like it used to be.

Carluccio’s has just re-opened in Chichester, but on sign of EWM opening again.

How lovely to be reminded of Clothkits! I made lots of things for both DD and myself plus many pretty knitted dresses for her with co-ordinating tights.

C & A for hats!
Woolworths for all sorts,
and the perfume I miss is Eau de Gucci.

Sorry to mention the December word - C - but it always meant Maple Brazils. Simply cannot obtain them anywhere this year!

Opal mints, they became Pacers and then disappeared
Spangles especially old english
Barley sugar sticks
Proper dolly mixtures
aztec bars

The mention of Aqua Manda brings back happy memories. When I was sixteen, I used to get ready for Saturday nights with an Aqua Manda bath. Then my boyfriend would come round for naughty behaviour, whilst my sister and brother-in-law were out and their kids were asleep upstairs!

Oh, he was so handsome and he had a beard. Turned out to be a ratbag, though. Not worth the outlay in Aqua Manda.

Oh and BHS for knitwear, tops and bags
Woolworths
Principles
And also Richard shops

Agree with Chelsea Girl. Remember being so slim I could fit in Tammy Girl(for teens). And of course Woolworths, those wonderful pic-a-mix days with my pocket money.

Just remembered: "Fillery's Chocolate Covered Toffee" in a 1/2 pound slab and wrapped in wax paper. My how good - but watch your teeth.

Clothkits are still available online I think and some are in a craft shop in Liskeard.
I really miss Fendi perfume. It is sometimes on eBay at astonishing prices. I also miss Drene shampoo which we used to have as children. It had a lovely smell. I wish I could just smell it.
It would take me straight back to the fifties, sitting in the bath, my mother pouring water over my hair, with me making a fuss even though I had a flannel over my face.

Oh, Drene shampoo. Was it in a sort of sachet that you rubbed directly on your hair rubysong?

Oh yes! Clothkits! Made lots of matching outfits for my eldest two (now 49 and 46) and I am definitely not a good needlewoman. My youngest granddaughter still has one of the little toys meant for the pockets.

Yes Drene shampoo. My mum always washed our hair with it. It was in a ‘wavy’ shaped bottle if I remember correctly.

I think we got Drene in bottles but I think it could be had in sachets. My mother thought it kept us safe from the dreaded nits.

Next do most of their swimsuits in standard and long body (on line)

I miss Essence Rare by Houbigant, wore it on my wedding day as I’d saved the last squirt.
Also miss PanYan pickle, it had a lovely sharp tang ! Yum!