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Elderly parents
Original poster

Clothes shops for elderly mother

39 replies

cantkeepawayforever · 27/08/2023 18:27

Compared with many on here, this is an extremely trivial question.

However, my mother (mid 80s, frail, mild dementia) would like some new clothes. She wears - has always worn, for as long as I can remember - blouses, mid-calf skirts and high neck jumpers or long open cardigans. Plain colours - blue, maroon, rust, bottle green etc. Blouses should be cotton, buttoned to the neck, can be slightly floral or checked.. Skirts kilted, pleated plaid, or cotton chambray for the summer. Jumpers and cardigans - fine knit, lambswool. Picture Edinburgh Woollen Mill about 20 years ago, or the late Queen in her last photo, but in a more practical colour.

I am drawing a blank in finding clothes shops or brands for her. M&S has almost no skirts. Edinburgh Woollen Mill has gone all polyester swirly. No local House of Fraser. In person would be best as she is very very tiny and bent now, so sizes are uncertain.

Anyone found any excellent stores for the elderly lady who has dressed like an elderly lady for the last 50 years??

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AffIt · 29/08/2023 18:30

cantkeepawayforever · 28/08/2023 15:04

When you say ‘true to size’, do you mean ‘true to modern size’ or ‘true to sizes from say the 1980s’?

I am very conscious of the changes - dd makes clothes from paper pattern, both modern and vintage, and is getting used to the fact that her size 10 (M&S) to 12 (more youth brands) measurements are usually 16s in vintage patterns. My mother’s current clothes are ‘old’ size 12s, now very loose, and I am guessing now she will need 6-8s or smaller in modern sizing.

Very good point - yes, true to modern sizing, so you're right, your mother probably would be at most an 8-10.

yikesanotherbooboo · 28/08/2023 22:39

Seasalt
FatFace
David Nieper
Cotton Traders
Woolovers
Lands End

Original poster
cantkeepawayforever · 28/08/2023 22:34

It has occurred to me!

OP posts:
Wbeezer · 28/08/2023 22:18

Get your DD to make some nice lined A-line wool skirts!.
I actually had a lined wool pencil skirt made for school by a local dressmaker when I had particular ideas about fashion ( it was the 80s). I afforded it on my clothing allowance.

Borntobeamum · 28/08/2023 20:37

My mum was a huge fan of Matalan!
Mind you, she cut the labels out so nobody knew where they were from, and despite my dad passing away, she didn’t want him to know what size she took.

Bless her - I miss her so much 😓

Original poster
cantkeepawayforever · 28/08/2023 15:04

When you say ‘true to size’, do you mean ‘true to modern size’ or ‘true to sizes from say the 1980s’?

I am very conscious of the changes - dd makes clothes from paper pattern, both modern and vintage, and is getting used to the fact that her size 10 (M&S) to 12 (more youth brands) measurements are usually 16s in vintage patterns. My mother’s current clothes are ‘old’ size 12s, now very loose, and I am guessing now she will need 6-8s or smaller in modern sizing.

OP posts:
AffIt · 28/08/2023 13:53

Must also recommend House of Bruar - bit pricey, but customer service is excellent and they do a nice mix of very, very old-school and slightly more modern. Sizes (particularly in woollen wear / tweed) are very true to size, which will help with online ordering.

MereDintofPandiculation · 27/08/2023 21:03

Cotswold Country Casuals do Liberty print blouses like those shown, and generally “country” clothes, but it is expensive. Patra is cheaper and is basically silk, cotton, bamboo.

The Classic Boutique looks the right sort of style

I googled “pleated tweed skirt” and came up with a couple from riding wear outfitters so worth looking for a shop catering for the horsey market?

Chewbecca · 27/08/2023 20:56

My elderly relative struggles to find clothes in her style. We regularly sit down and do an online order but she’s usually disappointed, which I get, she needs to test the feel and fit. We finally found a solution in a large nearby garden centre - turns out they have a small area of clothing that’s all EWM style, including Honor Milburn which is her particular fave. (But she does like polyester).
Good luck!

Wbeezer · 27/08/2023 20:51

I've just seen a pleated wool skirt on the Campbell's of Beauly (by appointment to her Maj) website but it's £150!
There are still old fashioned outfitters to be found in small Scottish towns, Fife Country Clothing has a few ladies shirts.

EmotionalBlackmail · 27/08/2023 20:29

Country Collection, David Nieper do this mind of thing.

Woolovers is great for natural fibres.

Are you anywhere near a more traditional independent dept store? I remember seeing clothes like that in the one in Penrith. But that's a while ago so could well have changed by now.

BadlydoneHelen · 27/08/2023 20:04

Try David Nieper

Original poster
cantkeepawayforever · 27/08/2023 20:02

She would adore the Liberty blouses in a subdued print. I’d have to hide the price.,,,,

OP posts:
Original poster
cantkeepawayforever · 27/08/2023 19:59

Thank you so much! Lots to look through. I don’t think she’s bought any clothes for years - maybe even a decade - and has never had a large wardrobe, and so I’m ok with buying a small number of ‘good’ items at this point.

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BlurMeUp · 27/08/2023 19:21

My mum likes country collection (linked by a PP)

www.countrycollection.co.uk/ladies/ladies-skirts

Also Celtic & Co eg www.celticandco.com/womens/clothing/kilts/linen-button-through-midi-skirt?colourid=1065

fluffiphlox · 27/08/2023 19:18

I seem to be on the House of Bruar mailing list. I’m in my 60s and their stuff always makes me think of Her Late Majesty 😀

MotherofPearl · 27/08/2023 19:14

HoB have cotton liberty print blouses your DM might like?

I have the catalogue so have taken a photo to give you an idea. I'm sure if you ring them up they'd send you the catalogue.

Clothes shops for elderly mother
MotherofPearl · 27/08/2023 19:08

I second House of Bruar. I see you'd rather do in-person but perhaps you can order a few sizes online and return what doesn't fit? Lots of lovely pure wool items (I'm half your mother's age and love their plain knitwear).

Millipedia · 27/08/2023 19:08

My mother (early nineties) finds a good selection of cotton dresses on the Adini website. Have also found pure cotton cardies in Uniqlo for her.

DisforDarkChocolate · 27/08/2023 19:04

I like WeAreThought but they are very hit and miss quality wise.

MarshyMcMarshFace · 27/08/2023 19:00

Woolovers . Do other natural fibres and not just woollies. My Mum lives in the cashmere and merino knitted polo jumper in a range of pretty / neutral colours that they change regularly ttps://www.woolovers.com/womens/tops-and-shirts/ladies-cashmere-and-merino-knitted-polo-shirt-blue-17295

Thought might be worth a look - good cardigans, My mum (v late 80s, tall) has this skirt https://www.wearethought.com/collections/womens-sustainable-skirts/products/ullima-organic-cotton-chambray-skirt-chambray-blue and a few tops.

Pricey but Gudrun Sjoden are beautiful quality and have some lovely pieces that my 90 yo aunt wears https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/essentials-tops?page=2

https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/tunics?page=2

Essentials: tops

Ethically sourced, colourfully created & individually crafted. Explore our unique Scandinavian range of clothes, accessories & home furnishings here.

https://www.gudrunsjoden.com/en-gb/clothes/essentials-tops?page=2

helpfulperson · 27/08/2023 18:58

Damart is good and has paper catalogues which she might like. Which brands are you looking at at the EWM. Honor Milburn is nice.

HannahinHampshire · 27/08/2023 18:52

My late Mum was a huge fan of Bonmarche. She was tiny in her latter years and the clothes always fitted her well and she looked nice🙂. Mum liked trousers and Bonmarche ‘petite’ fitted her well. House of Bruar - yes, if you can afford it!

SwingingGentlyUnderTheMoon · 27/08/2023 18:51

This kind of thing? No idea what the sizing is like, though.

https://www.countrycollection.co.uk/

Wbeezer · 27/08/2023 18:46

Woolovers are good for knitwear.