Post 70 Fashion: why does nothing in the shops fit me?

I have found some decent things from Seasalt, especially get the 7/8th length which for me is full length and needs no turning up. They wash well and have been pleased with them - if not the price!

M&S don't seem to stock extra short trousers in stores, only on-line. I like Roman, Sahara (usually in the sale) and Snag - they do lovely leggings with pockets for once. Kettlewell do lots of block colour tops in different shapes.
I am 5'3" and size 18.

Yes, I can most certainly relate to this, compounded by the fact that manufacturers still don't conform to the same parameters as regards size definition. I have items in my wardrobe ranging from nominal size 10 to 16, depending on the label, all of which fit me. So any thought of on-line purchase becomes a gamble until you have worked out what that particular manufacturer's size chart means in practical terms. The same applies to shoe sizes, although to a much lesser extent, where there is at least some conformity. So finding stuff that fits often remains pot luck, unless, as I say, you are familiar with the sizing of a particular label. The hunt goes on!...

I find Robell trousers are comfortable, look good( so my daughter tells me) ! They come in 2 lengths - lots of colours too. Also they do a fleece lined trouser- quite warm in winter. They are stretchy and pull on. Ideal for me anyway. Tops - I get from Fatface, Seasalt, Wrap, the White Company, Celtic, Cotswold and co, ( good for necklaces too) David Nieper- good luck

Totally agree. At times I feel the population must consist of nothing but 6' tall straught up and down size 8 females. Fir years I always wore M & S medium length trousers, now short is too long. I am 5' 6" . I have tried Bon Marche and their leg lengths are a bit more accommodating. Needed a dress last year and found Seasalt midi fitted really well. Not cheap, at least for me, but I was happy having found a dress I liked. When out and about I see loads of young females who I would say are carrying quite a bit extra weight and they wear latest fashions. Difference may be older folk are a bit more reticent to just wear something no matter how they look whilst young folk just seek to be wearing the latest in the shops.

If you make an account with Next and pay for the yearly delivery service. You can order anything you want, the sell petite as well as tall range. It's delivered to your house and returned are collected from your home , just pay for what you keep.

WoolOvers UK are a great brand for us mature aged women. I'm in Australia but I've been buying clothes from this company for years.
They regularly have sales, I tend to buy when prices have been marked down The styles are fairly classic so I buy out of season.
The comments section are worth reading before you buy because people write about sizing, which is helpful.
Good luck Gin!

M&S don't seem to stock extra short trousers in stores, only on-line.
Not so, because I did find the extra short size in one of their biggest stores. I bought them but took them back not because they didn't fit - they did - but I needed a different colour. Perhaps, if demand for extra short increases, they will be rolled out to all their stores - the ones that are still open.

I have a similar dilemma, 71 and rather rotund. I've just bought a couple of items online from rockthosecurves . Items are modelled by lovely older lady who isn't stick thin and isn't tall. The clothes aren't stuffy and old fashioned. Definitely worth a look.

I agree with all the makes mentioned here and will look up the ones I haven't heard of. I buy from the House of Briar by catalogue and have never had a problem yet.
Must try rockthosecurves, I have got plenty of them!

I just got some v nice summer trousers from Seasalt (Sea Rocket, linen, full length, wide leg). V comfortable and (to me anyway) look nice, not frumpy.
I have several of their ‘sailor’ tops, too - pure cotton, elbow length sleeves. They wash and last very well.

Their current collection has so many cropped trousers though - I am v likely BU but I really don’t like them - IMO they don’t even look at all flattering on their 5 foot 10 size 8 models.

I know how you feel. I'm also in my 60s and I absolutely hate having to buy bras which are uncomfortable and expensive. Well, last week I went into Primark and bought several bras at £2.50-£3.50 each, underwired (which I've worn for years). I couldn't believe how comfortable they were except for one thing. They are all 'plunge' which, as Primark is a young persons shop, is not surprising. I can wear them under a shirt top but under a t-shirt I eventually am aware I have four boobs. Not attractive, although my boobs are in their proper place and not resting on my stomach.

effalump
Irrespective if it’s a plunge bra or not, you shouldn’t have the 4 boob look.
Go up a cup size, or 2.

My trousers for summer are M&S linen mix ones and the tops are a mixture of Seasalt and Joe Browns. They're a bit pricey for me so I usually buy them 2nd hand on eBay. I've also got two very striking Joe Brown maxi dresses, which may not be to everybody's taste but I've come to the conclusion that I'm not going to be here for ever and if I don't wear these things when am I going to?

I’ve got to say I love Sainsbury’s clothes I’m a 16 and used to be an 8 🤣them were the days. I know Sainsbury’s are true to size wash well and never lose shape.I buy some things from Bon marche have got stuff from joules etc too but they like many others are not true to size i can buy too different tops etc from them one will fit great other not. If you don’t have one near look online

Bon Marche trousers start at length 25"and they have a good variety of widths. Though their tops tend to be on the long side.

annodomini

It's not so much trousers that have annoyed me this week. I spent a good half hour (it felt like more) searching M&S for a cardigan - a casual one that I could wear any time and anywhere. The ones I fancied all had hoods. What is it about these hoods? How many of us ever put the hood up if we have somehow acquired a hoodie? I have two nice sweaters which are great for wearing all winter and under coats, but don't know what to do with their attached hoods - over or under my coat's collar? Some shopping centres are banning the wearing of hoods where they are presumably meant to be worn - over the head. Please, where can I buy a zip-up cardie without a hood?

@annodomini
Maybe take your hoodies to a tailor/ mending-service and ask them to take the hood of. I sew so I know this is super easy for a person owning good scissors and a sewingmachine 😊 It's just an idea of course!

I buy most of my clothes from charity shops, but not trousers, I like to buy them new. I always get them from Land's End, they have really good offers, and I know that their size 20 fits me perfectly. I like them because they do denim trousers with elasticated waists, which look like jeans. (No way I could wear jeans any more, can't bear anything without 'give'.) I get a few things from Seasalt in their sale, and sometimes a dress from Lily Ella (specialises in over-50s fashion design ......used to be involved with Penny Plain which went bust...) In charity shops I look out for Orvis, because I know their stuff is good quality. My pet peeve is pretty dresses which are sleeveless or have tiny cap sleeves! I need to cover my upper arms, nobody wants to see saggy old lady skin.

What do they assume because you need bigger tops that you have long arms to match?

annodomini
The hood goes outside the coat.

Hi luluaugust, just to say it is House of Bruar. Always stop on our travels up to North of Scotland and down again ...great place to look, shop and of course have a coffee etc. Just leave enough time to have a really good browse!!

Each time I look on M&S site the models are 5’10” and size 8. The garment never looks quite the same on 5’1” size 12/14 me!

Help please - I am size 20/22 and have a lot of weight on stomach which is difficult to hide in many tops and trousers. I’m 69 and still love fashion - especially a more ‘boho’ look. I’d love to hear your suggestions please

I find that Seasalt trousers that are meant to be 7/8th or something suit me well as on me they are full length and the wide cotton ones look quite smart and have good pockets. Regarding T shirts , tops etc I tend to look at the ones purporting to be for men. I want long ones as at 5ft 5-1/2 inch I dont want a cut off thing at the waist. So they are usually the length I like in the mens size. I dont give a toss what the fashion is. I want good quality and like pure cotton, silk or very fine wool. those tend to be pricy so wait for sale times and then sometimes buy 2 as otherwise they one you like that suits you is taken out of the next range. I watch out for good quality stuff in charity shops too. Champagne taste but beer money is my way. But I was just thinking, right now am sat wearing a very good pair of quality cotton trousers that wash very well and have had them for 4 years £5 f(rom a charity shop ) a good T shirt which I know is over 12 years old as I remember which house I was living in when I bought it and have my jumper in case I need it, which was my husbands. Am perfectly decent in it all , comfortoble, colours match or go together and once I am dressed dont think about them at all. Thats me done!! I find seasalt is a bit of a mix, some stuff pricy but very good and some of their necklines are terrible and poor darts in them but other things great. So think if you find a make that suits you it is worth seeing what they have. I am too big a size to find anything in crew and I am with you about boring underwear in colour, but have found deep maroony pink, green, pale blue in bras. I dont have much success in decent pants. If you want red or something all you see are horrible scratchy lacy things with wires ugh!! If you see some decent pants with a good choice of colour let me know please!! Good hunting folks

Hi granny’s 😊 anyone else have this problem? I need a new swimsuit or tankini. Used to have small boobs but they got bigger for some reason 🙄 hormones?? Who knows 😂 BUT it’s so annoying as swimsuits fit lower half but not top half. Tankin tops occasionally fit boobs then too big around tummy area! Anyone know a secret something I don’t?