Live webchat with Mary Portas on Monday 10 May (1-2pm). PLUS, if you're over 40, a chance to take part in her next C4 series

[HelenMumsnet]

Retail guru and television presenter Mary Portas will be joining us for a live webchat on Monday 10 May from 1-2pm to discuss shopping, style and her brand new fashion crusade for women over 40.

As a mother of two, Mary juggles a television career and writing a weekly shop review column in the Telegraph with running Yellowdoor, her successful retail-branding and communications agency.

Mary's about to start filming a new Channel 4 TV series that will follow her quest to fill the gap in the fashion market for fabulous, forty-plus women.

She particularly wants to know:

• Do you think your fashion needs are served by high-street retailers?
  
  
• When you shop for fashion, is it as fun and easy an experience as it was when you were younger or do you find it a trial?
  
  
• Is there a brand on the high street that gives you what you want?
  
  
• What are the brands that are failing you?
  
  
• Would you rather see a picture of a woman your own age marketing the brands you buy or are you happy to see youthful, perfect faces?
  
  Mary knows shops and shopping better than anyone and she'll be ready to answer all of your shopping quandaries, from where to find the best service to where to shop for the best one-offs.
  
  Television cameras will be following Mary as she takes part in the live webchat. Your comments may be used in the television show but we won't identify you.
  
  As part of the television series, Mary is also looking for opinionated women who will be part of her focus group, advising her on anything from where to buy the best-fitting dress to road-testing whole fashion collections.
  
  This will involve a number of days filming in London over the next six months and will cover travel expenses for these days.
  
  If you're interested in being involved please email [email protected] with your name, your MN nickname, your contact details and why you think you should be part of the show.
  
  Thanks, MNHQ

[CybilLiberty]

I love Mary too, but I wanna know....

why more shops dont sell fabulous BASICS, everything is trend trend trend. Now I'm up for a bit of trend as much as the next gal but all the shops are the same..

Would LOVE to be in a group discussing clothes though....but not sure I'm up to it clothes wise!

[squeaver]

oh Cyb, you MUST do it. We can all dress you before you go on t'telly. Look how well we did with Justine.

And I STRONGLY agree re basics

[noddyholder]

No question just wanted to say saw some pics of your house and it is very much in the same style as mine You have impeccable taste .Esp like the kitchen

[SuSylvester]

creep.
i was thinking ust in bed when you read fashion people saying " oh i am 87 and i still shop at top shop"
this serves no pupose other than to say to me " you are shit, you go into top shop and think its so bad you catually laugh, its crap overpriced man made tat and YOU are crap as you dont like it"

thats all

[noddyholder]

No not creep at all but did like her kitchen but hate those shows!Top Shop has had its day

[SuSylvester]

i must agree am not a fawning fan.

[noddyholder]

I think the fashion for all these 'transformation' type shows is breeding a nation of over styled/accessorised middle aged women with NO INDIVIDUALITY who somehow look uncomfortable and older

[Birdly]

I think the shops really need to standardise their sizing.

I am between sizes in EVERYTHING - jeans, tops, shoes, bras... the lot! I'm between lengths, too, so if I want to try on a pair of jeans I have to take 4 pairs with me (2 sizes, 2 lengths). And as sizes vary from shop to shop, it feels like I almost have to put the best part of a day aside just to try/buy one thing. And, quite frankly, I mostly just can't be bothered.

I'm someone who used to love shopping, but the whole business is made to be such hard work for us sometimes. Time is too short these days, and some of the stuff on the high street is of such poor quality that you can still end up with a duffer even after endless trying on. Pah!

I want to look OK enough not to scare children and animals, I've got a bit (only a bit, mind!) of money to spend and sometimes it seems like there's just nowhere for me to spend it.

No wonder the country's in the state it is, etc, etc, etc!!

[SuSylvester]

agree noddy - think driving gloves

[noddyholder]

and the rise of the strategically positioned scarf/brooch

[SuSylvester]

and putting owmen in blardy prosthetic style undeerwear - fgs NO to corsets

[noddyholder]

Not all women are supposed to look that way nor do they care.It is like all things in life variety makes it interesting.i have friends who are amazing cooks for example but I don't need to try and be that I juat enjoy their hospitality. I am mad on fashion/art/interiors but am just as happy in any old house with good company and some of my mated ptsl at me and my 'objets'I hate the way we are all being standardised emotionally amd physically.Vive la difference(although can see that is no help for a show!)

[noddyholder]

yes and no Ye get me!

[SuSylvester]

oh noddy = you look nice in htat picture with the award

[noddyholder]

Thats not me I'm in the pink sparkly

[SuSylvester]

julieanne moore always looks nice

[noddyholder]

Yes she is stunning.

[dawntigga]

Excuse me while I just gush!

Mary Portas I heart you! I LOVED what you did rescuing the boutiques - they were without exception all MUCH better after your make over!

Your questions:

• Do you think your fashion needs are served by high-street retailers?
  
  No, it's why I make my own - blow the high street! I also customise what I can find on the high street, but I'm a porker (my description no-one elses), so finding clothes not so easy! Also, it's all to easy to throw away - this is where I get a bit woo! - I want something that will last and can be updated by a fun add on. Not only so I can save some cash (who doesn't need to save cash?) but also because of the effect on the environment disposable fashion has!
  All the high street have retreated to safe and what works - that doesn't work for me as I want some sleeves!
  
  
• When you shop for fashion, is it as fun and easy an experience as it was when you were younger or do you find it a trial?
  
  Oh god no! I've been everything from goth to mod in my time and nothing is even remotely as fun as when I was young clothes wise.
  
  
• Is there a brand on the high street that gives you what you want?
  
  No, hence the making of my own stuff
  
  
• What are the brands that are failing you?
  
  They are, to a man, hellishly expensive - the majority of people in this country esp now can't afford designer - or so boring and uniform that you don't bother! Boden - when they do my size are bit too woo. Next are to generic etc.
  
  
• Would you rather see a picture of a woman your own age marketing the brands you buy or are you happy to see youthful, perfect faces?
  
  I want to see normal people in normal sizes on adverts! And I want the industry to stop calling the models bloody plus size - they AREN'T plus size they are normal, it's the industry that's got it screwed up!
  
  My question!
  
  As somebody who's looking to launch a clothing line strictly online, what's the one piece of advice you wish more people took notice of and is there anyway you and Simon Doonan could get together and make a series.
  
  HonestlyIfYouDoIWouldProbablyJustWetMyselfWithExcitementTiggaxx
  
  PS LOVED your review of Penhaligon?s I'm not a stalker honest!

[cyb]

nodders you are veh wise

[dawntigga]

Meant to say nodders - spot on!

VeryTiredAsBeenUpSince0500PleaseForgiveMeTiggaxx

[noddyholder]

I am liking wise feel like an owl with my big round eyes

[mamas12]

I totally get what was said about time.
I used to do exactly the same thing, go home try it on with everything, look in the mirror etc.

Also I don't like the fact that we are fed a certain 'uniform' in every shop almost.
In a lot of shops we are presented with a coordinated 'look' with interchangable peices but really end up all looking the same.

I would like to see more interchangeable separates where we can all look good but different.

I would love to take part in this.

[mamas12]

oh and btw I'd definitaly like to see age appropiate modelling.
I just can't relate to a 14 yr old wearing stuff and I'm sure she doesn't either, she's just doing it for the money and fame of course.

[GoingPostal]

What I find difficult is being short (5'2" - 5'3") and a size 12. So-called "petite" doesn't really work as I am not minute. (also it's only boring places like Next and M&S that have petite ranges.)

Nothing ever fits - jeans big enough to fit my arse are too long with massive waists, tops have straps that are too long, or the backs and necks always sag. Shops that offered some sort of alteration service, or even a sort of raw pieces pick n mix which you choose to be assembled for you would be brilliant (and impractical and expensive, I know).

I also find it hard to bridge the gap between jeans-and-tops-daytime-mum-of-3yo-casual and very smart. ie finding decent tops to go with jeans that aren't New Look / Top Shop young person acrylic shite but aren't OTT for going out to a bar or restaurant. Or dresses that don't make me look like mutton dressed as lamb without straying into overdressed / formal territory. Sorry these are quite specific points.

In terms of brands that serve me, White Stuff and GAP are my stand bys for the daytime mum stuff. French Connection is usually my failsafe for a decent and appropriate dress. Most other places fail and I leave depressed and empty handed. Even getting a white T-shirt that is not see through, doesn't get skewed seams in the wash and has sleeves to cover bingo wings for under £20 seems to be impossible.

Advertising - would love to see more normal shaped and shorter people wearing clothes, and wearing them properly - obviously things have to photograph well, but when everything is pinned behind a model's back it gives a completely false impression that it will fit Age of model doesn't really bother me.