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?

TK Maxx - I have to be in the mood but have go a few nice things for the children but I've never found something I like in my size which I find frustrating.

Next - is mine. I'm always told it's great but I can't find stuff for me or the DC and it's expensive - plus stuff we've been given from there doesn't last.

M&S for bras, pants and night ware - I still look even though they've had nothing for years for me.

IKEA.

It's not that cheap, trying to find what you actually need is near impossible and when you do it turns out to be utterly disappointing once assembled.

White Company.

A friend loves everything in there, but it just leaves me cold. It's all so dull and eye wateringly expensive.

Next is mine, nothing in there fits and what is left of their petite range is dowdy.

I have discovered market town department style shops - i always seem to find nice bright petite clothes in there & in the sale . I may be the youngest person in there by a few decades - but the clothes are a better fit for me, cheaper and just nicer than Next & shudders at T K Max (far too stressful in there).

Just about everywhere! Why does Every shop have to follow the "fashion"? Ugh.

Morrison's - food is mediocre, staff need the sack they are always downright bloody rude

M&S. I like some of their food and their big Granny knickers now I am pregnant but that’s all. I wouldn’t dream of buying clothes for DC or myself from there. So old fashioned.

Oh and Next is shite. The women’s clothing is frumpy and the baby/kids clothing always comes up small.

Pretty much most shops! I too still identify as a zara and mango shopper but haven't actually bought anything there for a while. I think zara is still pretty good for tailored jackets for work, as well as jeans and some basic t shirts/knitwear. Anything else is dreadful, fits badly, weird proportions, long floaty sleeves, ruffles etc etc!

I have recently bought a few bits online from Warehouse and am pleasantly surprised, the same with Esprit (total blast from the past but actually quite nice!)

To somewhat highjack the thread, where else do people like to shop???

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.

Ah yes, Uniqlo is another one where all the basic knitwear should be really "me", but actually it's all see-through and far too long anyway. They do come up very slightly shorter than other shops, but still not short enough for me.

Anthropologie - I love looking at all the pretty things online, but when I visit the shop I can never see how they're going to fit into my life. And it's so expensive.

John Lewis - it just seems so sterile and the service is appalling. I always come out with that Sunday night depressed feeling.

Vintage shops - they just smell like dead people's clothes, and they seem to be stuffed full of 1980s shell suits and polyester jumpers

@Sidge I'm short and curvy and have loads of tops from Collectif! Seriously, have a look at some of the vintage-style brands. Even if you're not into vintage style, they actually make quite a number of plain tops. It's because they're designed to go with high-waisted skirts, so they're a good length for short ladies!

This is not the same as actual vintage, which, as someone said above, usually has an odd smell.

Definitely Zara. I go in there all the time, it feels like the sort of place I should love, but I only own one thing from there.
I don’t get Seasalt at all, looks like the sort of thing you can buy in the clothes concessions at the garden centre.

I hate the smell of Lush, gives me a headache
I quite like TK Max, but I have to be in the mood for it.

Primark - hate it so much
Joules - too many florals
White Stuff - so expensive
The Body Shop - too pricey

I’m tall and willowy. I love Cos, Arket, H&M premium, All saints, and Baukjen. I would say that my style is on a scale of Scandi classic to slightly edgy, depending on whether it’s day or evening.

I feel as though I should therefore like Zara, because it’s safe high fashion, and I can wear most of their clothes, but I find the stuff cheaply made, badly fitting, and the stores are like jumble sales (and the staff really snooty). Shame because I loved it when I lived in Spain.

Also, I just never find anything I like in Mint Velvet, even though I should like it, because I love dark colours esp greys, but everything’s a bit ‘waterfall cardigan’ for my liking.

I’m baffled by & other stories, I just don’t get their style at all, but I do have some nice stuff from there.

I do t even look at Boden (apart from bikinis), Joules, Fat Face, Sea Salt etc - fat too mumsy and I’m in denial that I’m their target age market

Seasalt, Fat Face and White Stuff clothes just make me feel like a giant toddler. I hate looking at myself in the mirror and realising that a 3 year old could wear what I'm wearing - a patterned tunic and comfy leggings, or a smocky dress and chunky shoes.

Awful.

I've found everything I've ever bought from Mint Velvet to be really oddly cut. Sort of narrow across the shoulders and tight in the arms, and too short.

Their leggings are second to none though, and a really good price.

@70isaLimitNotaTarget
I've just turned 30 and have been shopping in MAC since I was 18 and have always been ignored so it's not personal or to do with age. I think the staff in there are awful. Actually puts me off going in there cus they are so ignorant!

I like Primark, H&M, Topshop and Zara. Occasionally New Look or Matalan. I'm a cheapskate There are some weird things in Zara I agree but I like their knitware and work trousers. I like Boux for bras (good for bigger sizes).

Can never find anything I like in River Island, Next, Ms Selfridge, Oasis (even though the dresses look pretty in the window) or Mango.

Also can't stand Boden, Monsoon, FatFace, White Stuff etc. but I'm not sure I'm their target demographic.

I agree with pp about BodyShop being overpriced, haven't been there in ages. There are a couple of products I like in Lush but that's it (the lip scrub and the Big salt shampoo).

Joules - kids stuff ok, women’s is dreadful
Cos
Seasalt - drab as hell

FatFace - want to like their stuff but it always seems to be in shades of brown and orange and sack shaped.

Next - like the look of their clothes but it never fits me. I'm hour glass shaped and their stuff always seems to be made for people with no boobs or hips.

SeaSalt - nice fabrics but what is it with shapeless clothes?

MintVelvet - who buys their stuff? Again sack shaped clothes in weird fabrics.

M&S - dear lord who buys clothes there now? I particularly loathe everything in PerUna - weird geometric or floral patterns everywhere. Used to M&S plain t-shirts, plain cardies & jumpers, plain tops, 33 inch leg jeans and decent quality work skirts but now their standard workwear is cheap and nasty and their more interesting stuff is vile.

Next is so boring and is polyester central
Joules is not for grown ups but I like the kids coats
French Connection - how is it still in business?
Seasalt - I don't want to look like a toddler.
Mint Velvet it's expensive but poor quality.
Whistles - never got anything there.

Hush! Fabulous styling on the webpage but the reality is over priced m&s circa 1996

It would b