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Sali Hughes on high street fashion for women over 35

637 replies

elotrolado · 17/05/2017 12:35

Just read this - so true.

www.the-pool.com/fashion/fashion-honestly/2017/20/sali-hughes-on-the-british-high-street-dressing-women-over-35

I too long for those 'flattering frocks, neat at the shoulders, sleeves and neck, but with enough fabric around the middle to invisibly accommodate a bottle of red and more than 19 calories ...'

OP posts:
EnidButton · 17/05/2017 12:38

Agree with every word of it. The shops are rammed fully of, off the shoulder, no back, cropped, masses of frills, huge print, monstrosities at the moment. I have money to spend and it's like they don't want it.

knowler · 17/05/2017 12:41

I love this. Sometimes I feel like my money's burning a hole in my pocket - there's just nothing that appeals. I'm only 39 ffs!!

elotrolado · 17/05/2017 12:44

Exactly. This article showcases everything that's wrong with the high street right now. Why are simple, elegant designs in flattering cuts and decent fabrics such a tall order?

OP posts:
eurochick · 17/05/2017 12:47

I started a thread on this earlier in the week. I came back from the shops empty handed. I want comfortable, flattering well-cut clothes, not flowery shit with weird holes cut in an unflattering way.

Lottapianos · 17/05/2017 12:51

Great article, especially about fecking cold shoulder tops Hmm, utterly bonkers sizing and general weirdness instead of comfortable, functional, flattering clothes. There's so much utter shit in the shops, its staggering

TempsPerdu · 17/05/2017 12:52

Great article. I'm 36 and totally agree, even though I'm lucky enough to be fairly slim, and could in theory wear all those cold-shoulder tops etc... only I really don't want to! What I do what are decently made, understated but stylish clothes in non-synthetic fabrics. I'm even prepared to pay a bit more for the privilege. However, such things just don't seem to exist at the moment! It's also a total nightmare trying to find colours that suit me - the high street seems to be all sludgy depressing shades in winter, or headache-inducing acid brights in summer! Haven't bought any clothes I really love for ages.

Lonelynessie · 17/05/2017 12:53

I agree except I'm 29, but it all still applies. I've got gigantic boobs but a tiny waist (hourglass shape) and relatively flat tummy, but anything in the shops now just makes me look like a massive, shapeless block!

I don't want clothes that hang off me, but I also don't want skin tight dresses that reveal every lump or bump. I've lost count of the amount of time I've found the 'perfect' top or dress, then pick it up only to find it's fucking backless, or with some stupid 'cut-out' detail that no-one bloody asked for.

PovertyJetset · 17/05/2017 12:58

So true!!! High street listen please!!

tomatoplantproject · 17/05/2017 13:08

Oh my god I so agree.

On my rare days when I can hit the shops I end up mooching past rails and rails of clothes that are just wrong.

Like t-shirts where the cotton is too thin, or tops which are not quite long enough, or its all too synthetic. I wouldn't mind if I could buy it all online but places like Hush are too unreliable in terms of quality or I feel like I'm being completely ripped off. I used to be able to rely on Hobbs, but the last few years their target market is now 2 decades older. Whistles is too expensive for the polyester crap they produce and Jigsaw prices don't match the quality of their clothes. I come out of Oasis, River Island, Zara, Topshop and their ilk depressed at the rails of nylon. I'm in London so should be overwhelmed by choice - I went to my parents county town to see the clothing choices there recently and that was even more depressing - sea salt, joules, fat face, etc - its like they expect the whole county to just be dressed in mid length linen and gilets.

I'm not asking for much. I want to be comfortable and half stylish. I'm a busy working mum and want clothes I can rely on day in day out.

Gah! Rant over.

Cakescakescakes · 17/05/2017 13:14

Amen Sali!

TheEmojiFormerlyKnownAsPrince · 17/05/2017 13:16

Cos is your friend. The quality of their clothes is unreal. Nowhere come close.

Maudlinmaud · 17/05/2017 13:20

I too am fed up with this. I want affordable fashion that is wearable, stylish and practical. Not a fan of any trends this season.

margaritasbythesea · 17/05/2017 13:24

Yep. That's me too. I am finding it increasingly difficult to dress myself. My last three big shopping trips resulted in no purchases and I no longer order online either because I have no idea what size will turn up or what hideous design feature was hidden from me on the webpage.

I ordered a whistles dress last. Striped, tshirt style, knee length, sleeves. It looked perfect online. It looked perfect on. Until I turned round and realised it was almost completely see through from the back.

I have given up.

OCSockOrphanage · 17/05/2017 13:25

If you get behind the Times' paywall, their fashion page today is on just this!

MinesaPinot · 17/05/2017 13:27

I agree with every word. Being a "curvy" 14/16 (long body and carrying all the weight round my hips, bum and belly - nice), I have terrible trouble trying to find t-shirts and tops that are long enough, but don't cling unbecomingly.

I'm seconding Cos as they are brilliant for my body shape. Went in there yesterday and loved nearly everything I saw - oh for a champagne budget instead of a lemonade one...

Tummelthecat · 17/05/2017 13:30

Sali Hughes is a genius, and is saying exactly what I have been saying for years. At the point where I have a disposable income to spend on clothes, there appears to be nothing to buy that doesn't make me look like a cross dressing milkmaid. And the fabrics are appalling.

paap1975 · 17/05/2017 13:33

She has put it so well. I just can't find anything suitable these days!

Roomba · 17/05/2017 13:33

I totally agree with the article. I'm 40 and can find nothing I like on the high street at the moment. I don't want backless, shoulder less, ripped or too short clothes. As for the fabrics that are being used at the moment - urgh. Who wants to wear sweaty, clingy polyester? Not me.

boldlygoingsomewhere · 17/05/2017 13:35

Totally agree with her. I've been trying to buy a few pieces for summer and have really struggled. If a shop could nail good quality basics which flatter my middle - not exposing it, cutting me off in the middle and giving me an unflattering muffin top or highlighting my c-section shelf- I would be very happy!

misskelly · 17/05/2017 13:35

Totally agree with this article but it's not just us older ones that are struggling to find anything decent just now. Went shopping with my 14yo Dd who laughed all the way around New Look. Even she couldn't believe how hideous everything was and we came out empty handed.

Maudlinmaud · 17/05/2017 13:38

I will just add we have a couple of fab boutiques which I do frequent but for casual everyday wear I rely heavily on the high street and she is soooooo right. I really would love to see shops taking notice of this article.

NurseButtercup · 17/05/2017 13:45

Just commented on this on another thread. I definitely agree! Well written and thankyou Sali Hughes for pointing this out. I'm sooo glad I'm not alone in my despair Hmm

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SingingSands · 17/05/2017 13:46

Yes Sali Hughes! YES!
I'm sick of the high street. Fed up of every shopping trip becoming a hunt for the holy grail. I want to dress like the 38yr old woman I am, not try to impersonate my 13yr old daughter and her friends.
We have the money to spend, we want to spend it on quality fashion pieces, wake up retailers!

Demesne · 17/05/2017 13:48

I have a number of social events coming up and I need tops and dresses. And it's impossible!

Cold shoulder? NO shoulder? Backless? Gypsy ruffles, 90s teen embroidery and god knows what else.

Thing is I don't see any younger women wearing this shit either, so basically no one's buying it and it'll all end up in landfill.

TempsPerdu · 17/05/2017 13:50

I love Cos and & Other Stories, but at a petite 5ft 3 a lot of their stuff swamps me - I can get tops there, but never trousers or dresses. So wish they'd start a petite range! Sadly all the shops that do stock petite sizes are also the worst offenders for serving up polyester tat.

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