Shops you feel you " ought" to like but in reality never do.

[Enko]

First this is obviously lighthearted....

I went to local town today with dd2 (age 18) and we were wandering up from 1 area to the next passing a shop that recently had relocated (called the silver sheep) I remarked to dd2 that I always felt like I should like that shop but when I went in could never find anything. She said she was like that with Seasalt Loves the windows and walk in but always leaves feeling disappointed.

Made us talk of how this is that you look at a shop window. Clearly find it attractive and "you" but then when you are inside find it is very much not you..

Any of you have shops like that?

Warehouse. I know my boobs are too big to shop there. But I still go in. I think it's because I bought one dress there when I was 14 and I want to pretend I'm still young

Gap - never really took to it both fatter or thinner me

Seasalt- looks frumpy to me !

Evans - sizes start at 14, loads of black trouser choices and 'Work' tops - great! Except clothes fall to bits in front of your eyes!

Next, Monsoon, debenhams, asos own brand, phase eight, mint velvet, fat face, oliver bonas, All Saints, Coast, Gap (adults), Karen millen, The Kooples... so many!

I don't get the John Lewis love either. We have only recently had access to one here in Wales so maybe it's because I don't have the shared history/nostalgia

Cos, TK Maxx. Helpfully DD has a meltdown whenever I darken the door of the latter.

Uniqlo always makes me feel like I'll get an armful of indispensable and well-made basics, but if I try to buy anything I swiftly realise it's cheaply made and weirdly proportioned.

I only ever buy from the Body Shop online; maybe that's what everyone does? Although I also only ever order from there when they have at least 40% off in sale because it's so overpriced.

Can I just say that this idea that shops make clothes for tall people with no tits is, IME, not true? I'm 5' 10" and a size 8-ish with tiny tits and everything is either too short in the leg/arm or, if it's long enough in that department, you could fit my tits and torso into it three times over.

They make clothes assuming that people get fatter, and bigger-breasted, as they get taller, not for tall lanky types like me.

Zara and Topshop, and over the last few months River Island has been shite. I'm 22 and all my friends shop almost solely in these places but I never find anything I like.

Jigsaw and Hobbs. Dull

White company. Dull

Next - badly made.

I love H and M and Boden.

Immediately thought of Zara.

I've tried but can't buy anything.

@DarlingNikita I have the opposite problem. I'm tall with massive boobs and I've never been able to find a shirt that I can button up without it gaping. I'm a 14-16 usually, more like a 16 since having DD, and have to buy size 20 in shirts for work. Also dresses with no stretch over the chest I guess it sucks being at either end of the scale.

Topshop - too young, everything is cropped

COS - I never actually see people wearing those kinds of clothes

GAP - frumpy/bad fit on me

Uniqlo - very good for a few niche things (eg thermals), but the colours are off and the styles boring/unflattering much of the time

There's a gap in the market for affordable, decent quality stylish clothing for people over the age of 25 imo.

Phase 8 - I think I'm probably their target demographic (mid-fifties) and their windows often look nice, but I never ever find anything wearable in there.

Zara, new look, primark and tk maxx. I feel dirty going in a there

Asos own label - poor fit and quality

I don't even know where I'd shop if I had a big budget to be honest - I no longer have any favourite brands that I know I like and that will suit me

Anthropology , o walk past and feel excited, but then go on, and nothing.

I do love Cos though, but am not at all androgynous looking so it really looks odd on me. So disappointing.

Most places to be honest.

I’m short and curvy, have gone from a 6-8 to a 10-12 since my hysterectomy and rarely find clothes that fit properly.

Joules, Boden, Fat Face are all boring boring boring (and overpriced).

Top Shop is for young tall skinny women.

New Look has a few decent bits but it’s not exactly good quality. I do like their shoes though.

Primary is good for cheap clothes that you might wear for one season. I like their jeans.

Next was great 20 years ago, now it’s shite.

M&S is shocking. You used to be able to get a few nice bits in there, especially knitwear and trousers but now it’s purely targeting the over 70s.

I hate clothes shopping.

Zara. I love it concept but the sizes are awful and it always looks like a sleek boutique mixed with a jumble sale whenever I'm in there.

I used to love Topshop but the racks are always filled with clothes only in a size 6.

Zara!
Agree with pp about everything having ruffles and holes.
I look like a clown in most of their pieces

Mango.

I love Zara and a large proportion is from there, so I feel like Mango should work for me too... but it doesn’t.

Zara - too much like a jumble sale every time I go in. Can't bear the place.

I just don't get Primark.

I trudge off there a few times a year to stock up on basics (underwear and nightwear for the kids, seasonal pj's for myself and new dressing gowns in winter etc) and it's always the same story

1. the shop is always horrendous - no matter what store I go to and what time of day
2. at least one thing I buy will have a hole in it when I get home - no matter how much I check what I buy
3. the quality of everything I buy is shit and I end up having to re-purchase

I have finally learnt and now go to M&S and pay a bit more but the quality is so much better for underwear and PJs. Next is also fab for PJs.. They aren't cheap but they do last.

The problem with Joules, Fat Face and Sea Salt is the frumpy, boxy cut.

Actually, with Joules it’s often the fabric too...

Next pjs shrink in the wash. I have long legs and don't want pjs flapping around my calves.