To miss shopping in the 90's and early noughties

[witchofzog]

I used to love shopping but now there are very few shops I actually like. I miss Jeffrey Rogers, Bay Trading Co, MK One, Pilot etc. Not high end clothing granted but there were always things I liked.

These days a lot of stores are online but I can't be bothered with what would probably be constant sending things back as a lot of things look great on the hanger but crap on me. Primark is ok but hell to shop in when I can go as it is so busy and don't get me started on the mirrors. New Look is ok as is H & M too but really that's about it. I actually prefer charity shops and car boots now but today I just feel really nostalgic for the high street of yesteryear.

Does anyone else feel the same?

I do. Some of my finest moments were in Bay Trading clothing!
I think I miss actually fitting in clothes more. And the days of just finding a pair of jeans and ‘a nice top’ to go out in.

1000000%. Online shopping has its place, esp for stuff you wouldn't have found before, and the high street has its place. I don't want to order clothes online from the last few suppliers when I can't see and try them on first; I don't want to lose the experience of browsing in a bookshop; I want to be able to see and test furniture and kitchens and bathrooms, not just look at pictures and guess because the only showroom is now 200 miles away in a cheap warehouse; I don't want my DD to miss out on the fun of shopping with her friends that I had sometimes as a teenager...

We're going to end up with about 2 websites that provide everything

Spread your business around so that you're buying both online and on the high street, that's my view!

I always think this. I don't know if it's just because I was young, a better figure and had more student loan disposable income to spend, but I used to love shopping and get really excited going into shops and trying on clothes. Now I just either pick up a load of stuff from H and M without even bothering to try on, or order online from ASOS.

When I had my first jobs in the mid-eighties I used to feel very grown up and sophisticated in shoulder-padded blouses from Richard Shops.

I miss Bay Trading Co too. And Pilot come to think of it. And just the quality of clothes in general. I still have a pair of trousers I bought from Next in 1998. Still looking good. Can't even buy jeans in Next any more without them wearing out within a year!

And also going to Oxford Street or Lakeside for a special 'shopping spree', especially if I got something from a shop that used paper bags with string handles!

Yes! Lacy static inducing tops and velvet chokers from Internacionale and school disco outfits from Tammy Girl 😍

Ah yes Etam and Tammy Girl for the clothes, Woolworths for sweets and then to Athena for a poster. Happy days .

And "our price" for a "now" album!

I think I miss actually fitting in clothes more yep!

I do miss it & the shops mentioned. Every boxing day my friends & I would traipse up & down Oxford Street spending all our xmas money on velvet hats, floral dresses & small backpacks.

I think my mum had the entire Richards collection, matching jewellery and all.

I truly believe the 90s were amazing for yoofs. All the little fashion & music tribes, blur vs oasis, dance vs garage. 😢😢

Yes! I also miss Bay Trading and Pilot. Also Faith and Ravel for shoes...I think I had about 60 pairs of Faith shoes at one point 😁🙄. Still have some in the wardrobe. Most are pretty hideous pointy toed monstrosities but they have lasted!

Etam, Bay Trading, c&a and loved Adams for kids clothes.

YANBU

i remember it being a big event to go to the nearest city shopping.

And the excitement of going on holiday and there being shops like Zara that hadn't arrived in the UK.

Dolcis

Sweater Shop jumpers!

Benetton jumpers !!

Ooh, yes. I often buy 90s vintage things on eBay - just wish I still had my 90s figure! The late 80s were good too - I was very disappointed when all the Chelsea Girls turned into River Islands. I remember going into River Island for the first time - it was done out with lots of old packing cases and rustic shelving, and stacked to the gills with Charlotte Halton floral blouses ...

Oh Lord, Pilot! I hadn't thought about that shop in years. One of my favourite outfits in about 1997 was a dark pink top with Chinese symbols and a neon Buddha on it, worn with khaki combat trousers All purchased from Pilot and worn with great pride to the school disco. I think I also had two crispy strands of hair framing my face and the rest up in a crocodile clip.

Those were the days.

Nowater34, I had loads of the jewellery from Richard's too! Lots of bright blue or red plastic geometric earrings with matching chunky necklaces. Also lots of chunky pearl necklaces and earrings due to the Princess Diana influence.

Yes, yes and yes! I've always been plus sized with over-sized boobs. Back then I at least managed to find some nice, wrap tops or pretty v-necks in nice material. Now everything seems to be made out of cheap flimsy gauzy scratchy material that often dies a death after a few washes. On top of this, the nice styles for my body shop seem to no longer exist. as a plus sized woman, do they really think I simply want to wear a bigger version of what size 8 women wear? When I went to town shopping aged 15 I had so much choice...now, very little and I find myself paying a LOT more something decent.

Bay trading..... happy days.

Principles was my other work clothes haunt. I think they still exist in Debenhams.

Was just moaning myself other day about having to shop online. Albeit for a maternity outfit for a wedding. I like to be able to take a pile of stuff to a changing room and try it all on before I buy!! High streets dying a death for sure!

Oh and Kookai! Bloody LOVED that shop.