Anyone else go clothes shopping and think WTF at 95% of the stuff?

[Glassmatt]

I’ve never been someone who follows fashion, not in the sense I wear garish ‘alternative’ clothes, more in the sense I’m quite boring in what I like and I wear what suits me and what I feel comfortable in.

I’m also a bludy stupid apple shape which is hellish to clothe, so even if I see something I like, chances are it’s going to look not great.

My issue is, I feel like I hardly like any clothes. It’s a bit like online dating, no no no no no maybe no! It feels like an utter chore to find the nugget of gold in a store of items - for example, I might think that looks nice then I’ll turn it round and it has a big gold band attached to the neck line, or I’ll see a nice jumper from the front, pick it up then down the arms it will have several little bows on and I think what’s the point in that! Or a nice pair of jeans that have a massive buckle attached or studs down the back.

I get everyone has different tastes and they have to accommodate everyone but it seems that finding normal clothes is harder work than it should be and it makes shopping an utter chore.

I think I’ll set my own shop up called the boring stuff!

T shirts are the bane of my life. Just plain low cost ones. I used to get them at primark but now theirs are all short length and ridiculous on someone who is apple shaped and almost 50. Bring back long tops! I must be the only person who doesn’t get on with vinted too. I’ve given up after several episodes of receiving faded, missized tat.

You check the photos have a size picture. I only buy from shops where I know all the connotations of their size. So COS I wear size 38 or a medium.

Only buy stuff where I've seen it in the shop or online for sale.

I've had several items altered. It isn't expensive. You can usually find an alteration shop easily. I've also changed the style of something. Eg. I had a cashmere winter coat bought in 2003 which looked so dated. So I had the shoulders changed and the profile made slimmer. Cost £80 but the coat was MaxMara so absolutely worth keeping it and just changing it.

@VikingLady, I’m no celebrity but having a reliable alterations service within reach is a non-negotiable element of wherever I live.

Even as someone who’s happy with a deliberately oversized, even faux-shabby dressing style I still want things to fit the way I want. Knowing I can have things tailored means I can shop more freely - I’m just under 5’3 and would be completely uninterested in shopping from, or limiting myself to, petite ranges, even if they accommodated my broad shoulders and long arms. So I buy what I want and take anything that needs it to be altered.

It’s definitely not cheap - but I enjoy my visits there, and factor the cost into general wardrobe costs. I doubt anyone looking at me would say She obviously gets her clothes altered - it’s purely for my personal satisfaction.