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?

"And whilst I’m on the subject, fat folk want the same clothes that thin folk want"

I would also add that tall women like the same clothes as petite women. I get really frustrated at walking into a shop (any shop) to find that the piece of clothing I really like is only available in petite.

Monsoon. I've been trying to like Monsoon for decades now, influenced by one fantastic embroidered dress I once had and loved. The slightly hippy Boho look ought to be me... and yet I never find anything I like - - that I can afford--
When I had kids I even repeated the entire cycle with their kids department.
Currently rocking the hippy look with three new rainbow jumpers from Primark

Yep Monsoon! Felt I should like it never have. Some of the baby stuff was nice though but quite overpriced.

Yes to Monsoon. It is so expensive as well.

This thread has made me realise why I'm not happy with my wardrobe but don't know how to improve it. I'm in my early forties and have no where to shop.

I used to use H&M but the quality in there is now so shocking. It is the same quality as Primark but triple, quadruple the price. Also it is either frumpy as hell or just plain weird.

Zara frustrates me. They so nearly have it right, good colours and patterns, but then you try something on and it has the strangest cut and shape. I had vouchers for there and had to give them to DH (who incidently does well in there).

LaRedoute used to be my go to. Simple, elegant. Now it is overpriced, poor quality, small sizing and mostly boring.

Zara and Mango are gone to the dogs.
Next is hopeless.

Fat face
Boden
White stuff
Zara
French connection

It's the same few shops coming up again and again. I'm surprised that M & S doesn't get mentioned more.

I think M and S not mentioned as people don't go in there based on the window display or proper knowledge! I think that was the point of the OP. We think we will like something in Zara but we often don't!

Prior not proper

@LoniceraJaponica
I don’t see M&S as a shop I ought to like for clothes. But agree it is dreadful!

I ❤️ M&S for tights and undies and food.

The same for me LadyRochford
I do manage to occasionally find the odd piece of clothing there that really works for me. I bought this fabulous cotton jumper in the spring which I haven't worn very much yet due to the wonderful summer that we have had, but I am wearing it today as it is cold and grey.

Monsoon oasis Zara &other stories accessorize ../ all a pile of overpriced shit

I like plain coloured clothes that I can dress up with scarves and jewellery.
So fat face, seasalt and white stuff are just too fussy patterns.
I have discovered Cos which I do like, but have never been into a shop, just on line for now and in the sale.
I love Zara but can't fit into anything (too fat) so just buy bags, scarves and shoes.
Mint velvet were good but have become way too expensive and fancy patterns.
H&M too small
Dotty P's crap material
Next boring.
Bjauken ( or whatever it's called) looks fabulous but I'd look like a reject from Play Away...waaaaaay to bright and clashing.
Boden I used to love...happy to pay £65 for a nice frock...but £85-90 for the same frock 5 years later of crap quality is taking the 'P'
I am 50....I go to 'nice trendy' seaside towns for my holidays and don't want to look like a sheep like every other mum

Pic Leronica? Would like to like M&S again, if only as I regard it as a bit of a British institution, kind of like the NHS.

Also DD got me into UrbanOutfitters, but I dress it down in fear of being mutton. Flat shoes. Big coats help etc.

Lonicera even .

The link takes you to a picture. It works on my phone and my laptop

All Saints. I used to LOVE it (about six years ago!) but it's awful now and I can never find anything that I like. My look is a bit goth, which I thought was their thing, but nope.

Most of my clothes come from Hush ( I can't resist leopard print, stars and thunder bolts) and Zara - I'm a small, curvy 14/16 and have loads of Zara stuff, although I have also had my fair share of 'OMG WHAT ON EARTH DO I LOOK LIKE' moments while trying their stuff on too. That's if I can even get it over my head.

Peacocks! It's so shite ! But it's our only women's clothes shop in town and I always think oh maybe I'll find something - nope - always shit!

Downstairs, we have an M&Co. It’s the only chain store in our little town- the other clothes shops are all independents. I honestly can’t see how it keeps going, as the clothes seem to be cut for square people... and it’s really quite expensive for the naff quality.

I splashed out on a proper, waterproof, decent length, decent width round boobage Seasalt coat last Winter.
Whilst I can confirm it is completely waterproof (tested in torrential storm), cut well and warm, some of the workmanship is bloody atrocious. Pockets had the thinnest lining fabric only - no actual body of fabric to them. Cold hands and was afraid the stitching would give way - which it did in one of them after wearing for 2 weeks only.
Stitching gave way in front of hood lining after about a month. The back hem contains a large pin which occasionally spikes me, but I can’t remove unless I unpick the hem.
Very poor for £120 (and despite the jolly Cornish advertising, obvs made in China). Customer Service kept promising a partial refund as were out of stock of that size, but never delivered - I gave up in the end. Bah.

Found the link Lonicera sorry. Looks nice, and I can imagine you not wearing it much yet due to the weather (!).

Agree MmeGuillotine that All Saints has lost its way. Thinking about it, I haven’t bought anything from there for a couple of years, yet I always think of it as a ‘go to’ when I want something. It used to be all arty fashion college designs, edgy and a bit gothy / steam punk but it’s not much different to Cos or even flipping Phase Eight this days!

Loving this thread