Page 6 | I just don't like the current clothes fashion

Jourdain11 · 2022-08-04T23:24:19+00:00

I've been on a few clothes-shopping expeditions lately - trying to replenish my Covid-depleted wardrobe - and I've come away virtually empty-handed because I cannot find *any* clothes I like or which look good on me. I don't know whether my perception is weird, but the current fashion seems to be for women to wear clothing shaped like sacks! Some women look amazing in it, but unfortunately I am not one of them. Am I being weird about this, or does anyone else wish they could find clothing with some semblance of shape? Even dresses seem to be either shapeless or like something out of Little House on the Prairie! I'm not very 'girly', but nor do I wish to dress in a duvet cover with holes for the arms and neck 🤔

Mississipi71 · 05/08/2022 10:26

Well I am an inverted triangle shape..apparently. This means I have broad shoulders. I am advised to wear a line dresses, pleated skirts or any other frumpy type skirt or baggy trousers to balance my body. I have given up and wear what I want to. It is my menopausal body fat that I find a struggle - as to many other women - to cover up. Agree with PPs about the decline in both choice and quality in Next. They used to be your go to products. Now, it's all a depressing choice. Going back to my belly, I avoid trousers and skirts, which have those silly little zips. You just know, even if you've bought in your size, they get tight as soon as you pull them over the thigh.

witheringrowan · 05/08/2022 10:27

@blobby10 If you serious want to start sewing, I recommend a book like Tilly & the Buttons Love at First Stitch, Serena Sews or one of the Sewing Bee ones - you get lots of patterns, and the books take you through different skills and techniques, and slowly build up the difficulty.

Seriou · 05/08/2022 10:28

I’m seeing women in baggy yellow dungarees everywhere. Looks like a Fisherman’s convention.

torquewench · 05/08/2022 10:30

I haven't been able to find anything affordable that I absolutely love/must have for circa 20 years. Everything seems to be aimed at teenagers or over 70s. Fabric quality for high street shops these days is shocking too. I'm not paying £90 for a polyester top no matter how nice it looks on a website.

WisteriaHysteria22 · 05/08/2022 10:32

The shops are weird, I am so, so sick of online shopping but I’ve been into a v large shopping city twice in the past 4 months and have come away virtually empty handed!

I went at the end of April l, 27th to be precise wanting summer and holiday things and they didn’t seem to have much in yet, went a few weeks ago and all the nice summer stuff was picked over and in the sale?!?

I’m finding it hard post children as well as I think my personal taste is quite smart/more tailored but it just doesn’t work with dragging a pre-schooler around!

I have a couple of styling Instagram accs I follow and have just gone back to buying things from there, such a pain tho, I just want to be able to go into the shops and try stuff on!

Mississipi71 · 05/08/2022 10:35

I think charity shops are great for choice. They seem to be having more brand new stuff now, as well.

torquewench · 05/08/2022 10:39

schnubbins · 05/08/2022 07:17

I was shopping here in Munich last week and it struck me while walking around that mostly everyone looked badly dressed even the young and lithe. The only well dressed women were over the age of 70 .It was the first time I have ever thought that in all my years of living here.

Same here. I went into the city centre in my lunch hour yesterday. Everyone - big or small - was either in leggings or trackies, drab, shapeless and unflattering, looking like they'd just rolled out of bed and gone straight to town. There was a boatload of visiting tourists (they were speaking French) and you could spot them a mile off, colourful, smart, coordinated clothes, tidy hair and nice bags/accessories. They looked so well groomed compared to the locals.

WisteriaHysteria22 · 05/08/2022 10:53

@torquewench yep, don’t even get me started on fabric quality v price!!! Where being done an absolute number on!!!

newrubylane · 05/08/2022 11:10

TheOGCCL · 05/08/2022 07:57

I think there are ways to nod to trends/fashion without going all out. A slimmer silhouette in the form of skinny jeans and trousers has been in for years and we’ve got so used to it, like low interest rates. And actually that silhouette has become a classic, it was in so long. But it was only a matter of time before the teenage girls and twenty somethings wanted to stop wearing the same clothes as their mothers and it was about time for a 90s revival (= baggy), itself a revival of the 70s. You are now more likely to see the mother in a floral midi dress with trainers and cross body bag and the daughter in low rise baggy trousers and crop top.

It’s accompanied by a more body positive movement where younger people often aren’t imo so worried about dressing for others. No bras, no worry about rolls of fat being exposed, no concern particularly for seeking out flattering clothing. Although too much visceral fat is bad for your health, I like the concept generally, its quite feminist in its origins and it makes me less concerned about the potential of social media to make people feel inadequate.

Its a bad time for baggier clothes to be in, however, because they take more fabric to produce, whilst at the same time production costs have gone up. So the garments end up being both baggy and poor quality. On the other hand there is less need to worry about fit with baggy clothes, a hand maiden style dress is very accommodating for different sizes. I tried a tshirt on the other day I could have bought in any of three sizes.

Since we know everything is oversized, one trick is to size down. Then, unless you are already a 4, you can take a smaller size and have a slightly looser feel without being swamped in fabric. The M&S website is full of reviews from people 40 up who say the item is too big (just size down). But more than that, I’ve given up getting bogged down with what size something says it is. It’s all over the place and it’s more do I like how this looks and feels. The other trick is to make sure your baggy pieces are combined with something more fitted, so a slim vest with a baggier over shirt, and making sure your slimmest points, your wrists, your ankles, your waist potentially, are not swamped in fabric and give some counter balance. I also agree with a pp that new shapes and styles always take a bit of getting used to. But my skinnies are starting to feel rather dated as my eye adjusts. Starting with one thing slightly outside your comfort zone and building from there is a good idea.

I recommend Esprit (online only in the UK) as a fairly middle of the road brand with nods to fashion. And M&S have upped their game as long as you pick carefully.

As an actual size 6 person, it's not so easy to size down. Bloody hate how oversized everything is, I look like a stick woman. Also, why is there so much nasty cheap satin everywhere in weird colours?

FlindersKeepers · 05/08/2022 11:11

Shirt dresses from Sezane have been my savior this year, fitted waists but no bulk in the skirt.

Original poster

Jourdain11 · 05/08/2022 11:16

Another actual size 6 person, and it is indeed depressing how huuuuuuuge everything is.

I've basically worn one shirt dress and a pair of culottes with a fitted top to work every day. People will think I have no other clothes (and they'd be right!).

OP posts:

Sweetlikechocolate6 · 05/08/2022 11:16

I really like Dunnes (Irish department store) they shop to the U.K. and it can take a week but they sell proper clothes and underwear . They also sell some trendy stuff too but their basics are very good

rightonthyme · 05/08/2022 11:22

For once in my life I'm the fashionable one (always wearing Little House dresses/puff sleeves/shirred waists etc) - it feels very odd. I can COMPLETELY understand why people hate it though! I just like to waft about.

Amrapaali · 05/08/2022 11:56

InChocolateWeTrust · 05/08/2022 07:59

Amrapaali

Its costs.

Big busy patterned fabric dresses hide how simple or poor the cut/shape is, it's a way to make a dress cheaply. You also can get away with poor fit because its loose, so it doesn't matter if there's inconsistency of sizing. The beaded edges, lace trims or other design features get axed. Cropped teeshirts immediately save yards of fabric.

We have to accept that things need to rise substantially in price. We cannot all own tons of clothing.

I find if I shop at more expensive brands I can still get what I need. I just buy far less.

Gosh that is really depressing @InChocolateWeTrust

I never thought design is influenced by penny-pinching manufacturers. It all makes sense now...

Still depressing. Can't shop for a cheap and cheerful pick-me-up now

BrightYellowDaffodil · 05/08/2022 12:02

What on Earth do people find in charity shops to buy?

All the shops near me (and there are many, as our high street is on its knees) seem to contain stuff that’s incredibly out of date or frumpy (plenty of “office wear” that no-one wants any more), bobbly/well-worn Primark stuff being sold at daft prices and “vintage” stuff, this being anything that looks like it was found in a dressing up box and/or from the 80s and 90s.

Anything decent clearly never makes it to the rails so the chances of going in and finding anything you’d actually want to wear seem quite slim!

Maireas · 05/08/2022 12:30

@BrightYellowDaffodil - I was thinking exactly the same - I've been to a few recently, all just old clothes from Primark or Next and the like. Nothing I'd want to buy.

easyday · 05/08/2022 12:31

I don't bother with anything one would consider fashion, even though I do follow it. I take my cue from Jackie Collins, who said black base with leopard print blazer was her day to day outfit. I'm 60 and have settled on my uniform too: black base layer (either long column dress, or sleeveless top and straight black trousers) with either an oversized shirt or cardigan or blazer depending on season. Very occasionally I'll wear white linen trousers with a floral linen top.
I do like linen but you have to be slim to get away with the loose tops otherwise they just make you look bigger.
I went shopping recently with my 17 year old looking for some summer dresses. There were some lovely feminine ones in pretty patterns - her main complaint was the front was usually a low V shape and her crop top (she doesn't wear a bra) would show. We found one at Monsoon and compromised on a patterned skirt.
But I agree - M&S, Next, H&M and Zara have nothing that appeals, but I'd say that has been the case for a few years now. Athleisurewear has a lot to account for!

VeganGordie · 05/08/2022 12:32

theres a lot of different clothing trends floating around at the minute i have to say

blobby10 · 05/08/2022 12:53

@witheringrowan thank you so much for that information - I did make a couple of things years ago but it was more by luck than judgement that they worked out! I would love to know how to sew properly

squashandrun · 05/08/2022 12:57

Agreed. I also feel like the turnover for trends is becoming shorter and shorter, so I'm sticking to "classic" looks from now on, wardrobe staples and then splurging a bit more on accessories to jazz things up.

AnnieSnap · 05/08/2022 13:00

Maireas · 05/08/2022 07:02

Also - jumpsuits rarely look good and are not practical!

Ooh, I love a jumpsuit. Here’s some of mine. I get that not everyone will think I look good, but I’m really happy with the look 🙂

I just don't like the current clothes fashion

BarbaraofSeville · 05/08/2022 13:01

easyday · 05/08/2022 12:31

I don't bother with anything one would consider fashion, even though I do follow it. I take my cue from Jackie Collins, who said black base with leopard print blazer was her day to day outfit. I'm 60 and have settled on my uniform too: black base layer (either long column dress, or sleeveless top and straight black trousers) with either an oversized shirt or cardigan or blazer depending on season. Very occasionally I'll wear white linen trousers with a floral linen top.
I do like linen but you have to be slim to get away with the loose tops otherwise they just make you look bigger.
I went shopping recently with my 17 year old looking for some summer dresses. There were some lovely feminine ones in pretty patterns - her main complaint was the front was usually a low V shape and her crop top (she doesn't wear a bra) would show. We found one at Monsoon and compromised on a patterned skirt.
But I agree - M&S, Next, H&M and Zara have nothing that appeals, but I'd say that has been the case for a few years now. Athleisurewear has a lot to account for!

Where do you get your blazers from please? This is something I want to start doing for work, sort of inspired by Angela Merkel, though not as many as she has. It looks so easy to wear.

I'm imagining my blazer being quite relaxed, not big shoulder pads, double breasted or big pocket flaps. Not leopard print though

I'd also probably like one that's quite light for summer, and a warmer one for winter.

Eunorition · 05/08/2022 13:05

High street collections and deliberately curated for older people who are disinterested in fashion - because anyone who's keen on it will be shopping online. That's why the racks look like they cater for the elderly or the perpetually dull.

You'll find a much larger selection online. Unfortunately bricks and mortar stores don't stock even half the true collection.

Also most British high street stores are deliberately very dull and mumsy in style. Next, M&S and all that, then the ultra mum brands like White Stuff, you're just not going to find decent stuff there.

Look at younger, stylish brands. They don't court the middle of the road market and have much better cuts and fabrics.

thetombliboo · 05/08/2022 13:19

@AnnieSnap confidence and a smile. The best things a woman can wear. You look great ☺️

AnnieSnap · 05/08/2022 13:23

Maireas · 05/08/2022 09:18

Why are there items with tags on? Why haven't they been returned? Seems suspicious to me.

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I think it’s often because someone has bought items that have sat in their wardrobe unworn (actually depressingly common) and eventually they list it for sale. I have sold several items on eBay on that basis.