To not understand the 'per una' thing on mumsnet?

[Tortu]

What? Why the snide comments? I was in M and S today and think Per una has some lovely stuff. Ok, it's a bit middle of the road and I don't actually own any, but I'm about to move into the M and S demographic (bit old for Topshop, too short for Zara, too cheap for Jaegar) and, perhaps, need to have it explained to me why I can't wear it.

I LOVE M and S and think it's pretty much the best shop ever (ahhh, if Waitrose sold clothes). I cried, yes, actually cried when I came back from two years in a deprived part of Africa and first entered the food section.

This

Did an alligator get at it??

When it first came out Per Una had some really nice things, for about a year.
It's gone seriously wrong since then.

I own a floor length black cotton skirt from there that it cut surprisingly well which I purchased when the brand first came out.
It's heavy cotton, good quality and lined... nothing like the shite they peddle nowadays.

No no no Peasant.......NO linen trousers from ANYWHERE....repeat after me..

I walk around Per una and think that's not me. It's all too frumpy and I'm 50! I wish I had more money as I reckon it's time for me to dress my age but I don't know where to shop.

I do quite like some of their limited collection stuff. And have a couple of Autograph long sleeve Tshirts for layering. Fuck, am I getting old :(

at war zones and hoovering up collections.

It's for women who think it's racy to close their cardigan with a giant safety pin swathed in a polyester bloom.

some M&S stuff is OK. Per Una is totally shite and unwearable. HTH

LOimire Collection nowt to turn nose up at.

moonydog, what is that?

Okay, now there I have a bone to pick: linen trousers are cut flatteringly (for me ), can be dressed up or down, and are comfortable.

Seriously, why not? I'm not wearing skirts with tights to work for the rest of the summer. I'm not wearing capri pants every day. Why not???

God knows.
Keyboard gone funny or is it me?
I am not pissed. Honest.

Meant to be Limited.
Obv.

Agree with adamschic Don't know where to shop!
I do sometimes shop at Per Una. (but I do dread clothes shopping full stop)
I do wear linen trousers.
Sounds like I need some serious help
Where should I be shopping?
PS. I am 40(ish)
PPS. And not slim
PPPS. And did I mention I'm not good at shopping...

My 74 year old MIL wears Per Una. Does that answer your question?

I do buy in M&S but not Per Una.

Obv!!! (stops googling L'Oimire in hope of discovering new range)

Some of the limited and autograph collections are ok for work. I have
some plain shift dresses which are well cut and reasonable priced. jeans are good as medium is the ideal leg length for me but the rest is just tragic. I blame it on Twiggy once they started using her in the advertising, to me, per una started to appeal to the 60+ demographic and I don't want to dress like my mil, mind you even she said it all look boring in there the other day so maybe they are losing that audience as well. I still like top shop, some fat face stuff but am finding it increasingly difficult to find anything I really like without paying an absolute fortune.

Jetmonkey- as one who has worn PU and linen trousers, I do like White Company, some Kew, Noa Noa, Whistles if feeling flush etc.

jet how about Monsoon, Great Plains, Fenn Wright and Manson, Whistles, Reiss? Even Next do better stuff than PU

Oh. and Boden, although I swaer this year I have returned more items than they sent me in the first place!

thanks Jonnyfan - finger on google button straight away

I purchased a per una skirt a few year back and it literally fell apart as I was wearing it - I was at work and had to go home and change as the stitching was coming undone on two panels of the skirt Never again

ahhh, if Waitrose sold clothes

they do

Yeah I've gone off Boden stuff recently too (overpriced for what it is)
Couldn't find anything in Next I liked this season.
Thanks Funnys, lots to try now!

horrendous clothes, so are boden (for women) and next. all of them you can tell a mile off all frumpy trying to look hip and of course comfortable