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

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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!...

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.

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!

I tried Stitch Fix for a while, an online personal shopping company. I bought a few items which I have worn again and again. Now though I have turned to Boho fashion, kimono tops that tie to suit your shape, long skirts with shirring at the waist, wear high or low (I'm 5ft 7ins and 16/18), wrap dresses, coatigans, cropped trousers etc.

I didn't know M&S did extra short trousers. I always buy short but still have to shorten them. I have numerous pairs on hangers waiting to be shortened which I haven't got round to!
My favourite trousers have recently become too big as I lost a lot of weight so I ended up keep rolling the waistband over. Now I've turned the waist band over inside and stitched in place and they fit much better.
I need to investigate their smaller sizes and look for extra short - when I'm allowed out as currently confined to the house with Covid. Perhaps I should use the enforced confinement to shorten some of the trousers I already have - if they still fit!

I feel your pain. Sahara - layers or lovely dresses and tights or leggings - masai - similar. Seasalt. Good luck!

Online shopping is a disaster - unless you have a brand that you wear repeatedly, then you know your size and how it will fit. That goes for dresses, sweaters, tops, pants, etc.

That also goes for shoes! Some brands narrower or wider or the arch is not right for you. When you find a perfect fit, buy a 2nd color!

We don’t always have time to try on in the stores… returning things are a chore; sending back online purchases a nuisance.
I make an effort to try on in the store to eliminate that.

Aside from that - I have always said - if everyone had a three way mirror at home we’d probably amp up the walking/exercises and eat a little less.
Looking good!
USA Gundy

Try SOSIMPLY.com for trousers they are available in all widths, lengths and styles.

My gripe is ugly bras - I can’t wear wired cups and have to have front fastening because my shoulders are too painful to do up round the back. Doing up in the front and pulling to the back ruins the supporting band. Being well-endowed I can only get boring black/white/beige Glamorise and their ‘Magic lift’ doesn’t do the job very well

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?

Gin you can look at M&S online and check whether a local branch has what you want. If not, I order free click and collect to that branch, and then try things on then and there.

M&S also do slim leg jersey trousers which I find very comfortable. They are ankle grazers so would be normal length on someone very short. I find slim leg better than straight or wide. Like most women as we get older, my waist and stomach are bigger, but my rear is smaller and my legs have always been thin. Slim leg trousers means you don't have all the extra material in the wrong place as you do with wider trousers.

I also find that sleeves are too long and lots of dresses sweep the floor these days. I think these clothes are designed for the taller, young people.

There are thousands of older women with money to buy clothes so shops are missing an opportunity to make money by not making clothes to fit us.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I will go to the big Marks in MK and exhaust myself trying trousers on. I did not know they did an extra short. I find that it is difficult to find my size 14/16, easy to get on line but not in store presumably because there are not many shorties like me around!

At 5 ft I am not sure wide legged styles will suit but I will give them a try. I had to wear wide ones when I broke my foot and looked very dumpy.

rosie1959

T596907 product no
Not good at links but these trousers from M&S are very forgiving and look smart despite being Jersey but they are too heavy weight for summer
I usually wear a 16 but can get away with a 14 so they are not baggy on the bum and legs
I also have some of the jersey printed tapered trousers very jazzy but comfortable

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-straight-leg-trousers/p/clp60461069?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

BlueBelle

Siope but all in winter colours

True for those - I think the 12 year long winter has convinced m summer clothes are pointless.

They do, in fact, have loads of other wide leg trousers available in short/petite, but not extra short, in linen mix, crepe, and cotton, in various summery shades - I have cream, and pale blue linen mix pairs, but I did have to turn the blue pair up.

I find it difficult to get longer jumpers / sweaters. So many come just below my waist and I like them to get at least to the top of my legs. Tunics are too long.

T596907 product no
Not good at links but these trousers from M&S are very forgiving and look smart despite being Jersey but they are too heavy weight for summer
I usually wear a 16 but can get away with a 14 so they are not baggy on the bum and legs
I also have some of the jersey printed tapered trousers very jazzy but comfortable

Siope

M&S have some nice wide leg jersey trousers, in both short and extra short. Extra short is right for a 5ft person in flat shoes.

www.marksandspencer.com/jersey-wide-leg-trousers-with-stretch/p/clp60506499?intid=mobile_app_pdp_share

seasalt also do something similar

www.seasaltcornwall.com/lazy-bone-wide-leg-loungwear-trousers?glCountry=GB&glCurrency=GBP&color=19510&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw6cKiBhD5ARIsAKXUdyYRkT9qiEnIZu2iJrNFxNWnSISRAiyC_OWQLGGfkvZcxvZMOK75p2oaAh3jEALw_wcB

I must admit though I don't think you can beat Sainsburys TU range, they seem to have something for everyone and it is such good value.

Siope but all in winter colours