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Original poster

Where should I shop for clothes?

104 replies

Lonelymum · 04/02/2005 20:04

Having come straight from the what are you a snob about thread, I start this with trepidation, but please, genuine question, only genuine answers wanted:

Where do you suggest I shop for clothes? I am at heart a very boring M&S girl but I loathe the fact that no matter what I buy in M&S, I eventually see someone else wearing the same thing. Usually, as I am a size 10/12, they are bigger than me and look awful in it and thus put me off wearing my clothes again. Also, I have a dread of being in a situation where I will meet someone wearing the same thing as me. Even the Per Una clothes can be seen everywhere. Last year, I bought a top and wasn't actually wearing it at the time but I saw no fewer than three people wearing it (in different colours) in the playground in the space of two minutes.

I like Monsoon clothes but find them a bit expensive and they don't always fit me well.

Next I find mainly unsuitable for me as a SAHM.

I would buy in Tesco but again I feel the clothes are too popular and will be seen on every overweight slob I encounter whilst shopping (sorry, still in rude mood from snob thread).

I have been known to buy from La Redoute catalogue, but prefer to try things on first.

Where else could I try? (Don't like ultra trendy stuff, logos, paying through the nose for something that could be bought cheaper, eg expensive jeans, though did use to buy Levi 501s before the shop assistants became young enough to be my children and sneered at me for not being able to fit in to a size 8)

OP posts:
leglebegle · 04/02/2005 20:51

Misdee - that is so true. It is how you feel. I have lost a stone since november and feel fantastic and I'm still at size 14-16. My best friend is an 8 and kills herself over food. Its in your head. And I dont' think I would give a toss if I saw someone 'bigger' wearing the same top as me to be honest, I would only care how I felt about myself. On good days, Julia Roberts, on bad, Janice from Corrie.

Snugs · 04/02/2005 20:51

"But if you saw someone sized 22 wearing your favourite top would you feel the same about it again?"

I'm an 8/10 and I would simply admire them for their excellent taste.

Sorry Lonelymum, but even I thought 'ouch' at your post.

vict17 · 04/02/2005 20:52

Lets call a truce then Lonelymum I think I feel worse when someone thinner than me looks better in the same outfit!

misdee · 04/02/2005 20:53

i lost over 2stone after having dd2, due to stress, and it'll be likely the same will happen again after this one is born (i have gained 3lb, babies weight estimated at 36 weeks is over 5lb ), but i only ever got down to a size 16.

Original poster
Lonelymum · 04/02/2005 20:53

Oh well, it is just me then. Now don't any of you harbour any sizist thoughts about me! Did I hear anyone whisper "skinny bitch" then?

OP posts:
vict17 · 04/02/2005 20:53

leglebegle - congrats on losing a stone! Was it very hard work?!

misdee · 04/02/2005 20:54

whispers 'skinny bitch' at lonelymum.

Original poster
Lonelymum · 04/02/2005 20:54
Grin
OP posts:
leglebegle · 04/02/2005 20:56

NO! weightwatchers. highly recommend it. have been doing it since beginning of november, so about 12 weeks. i've lost a pound a week and am keeping going till i get to goal. have very scary scouse leader though. says things like "what went wrong this week legle" I say "I had relatives Cathy" "well did you f eat them legle?" but abuse is obviously working for me!!!!!!!!!!!

treacletart · 04/02/2005 20:57

If I were your size again (and I'd love to be!) I'd put together outfits with a mix of good high street basics spiced up with vintage (ssshhh don't say 2nd hand ) pieces. It will cost you much less and you'll never bump into the same outfit. All you need is a little imagination.

misdee · 04/02/2005 20:58

and if i was a size 10/12 i'd be checking out some smaller shops for their unique (not designer) pieces, i'd go all out hippy chick lol.

beansontoast · 04/02/2005 20:58

l b, she sounds brilliant

Libb · 04/02/2005 21:00

I guess I just don't like the reference to overweight slobs wearing the same as a 10/12 person - why not? The clothes in my size are there and I am not a slob by any means.

Lonelymum, in answer to your question there are some lovely independant boutiques (such as Mayhem) that do a great range of styles such as classic v-necks with a twist (perfect if you want to stand out in a discreet way!) - I am not sure of what your style is but I tend to veer towards surfer/hippy type gubbins. Hope you find your ideal shop!

(some time has passed since I started this thread so apologies in advance for crossed wires!)

vict17 · 04/02/2005 21:00

leglebegle!!!

leglebegle · 04/02/2005 21:00

she's amazing. she won some award from the founder of weightwatchers over every leader in the country. she says for having the biggest success rate, we say for being the scariest...

treacletart · 04/02/2005 21:02

By the way, forget about things not looking as good on larger people, the green striped silk Per Una shirt I nearly bought last October in M&S is now gracing the exploding Gremlin in the adult education adverts... phew!

Original poster
Lonelymum · 04/02/2005 21:03

Thanks a lot. Does vintage mean second hand clothes shops and is that the same as charity shops?

You are all painting an image in my mind of Trinny Woodall. Is that what you are picturing too?

OP posts:
vict17 · 04/02/2005 21:04

Most high street shops have cottoned on to the vintage look I think

treacletart · 04/02/2005 21:05

Absolutely! go trawl the charity shops its much more fun than M&S

misdee · 04/02/2005 21:06

charity shop shopping is fun.

treacletart · 04/02/2005 21:07

I'm sure that Top Shop just replicate old 60s 70s 80s pieces their designers find in Oxfam etc

Libb · 04/02/2005 21:08

blimey, didn't mean to start a too-doo! Lonelymum, I think I was just startled by the bluntness of your first post. I know you didn't mean to offend and I am not offended.

I tend to be over prickly about my weight gain when I shouldn't! I have bosooms some women would kill for! but I look awful in an detailed Per Una shirt . . . hence the well made v-necks etc!

Original poster
Lonelymum · 04/02/2005 21:11

Yes I have to say, it did occur to me that the only time I see someone wearing the same as me and don't think the outfit looks awful is when the woman in question has bigger boobs than me. But I didn't want to dig myself a deeper pit so I kept quiet.

OP posts:
Branster · 04/02/2005 22:24

MNG do some great casual clothes IMO but they're not in every town, so if you ever take a trip to a bigger city it's worths having a look in.
H&M do some nice, plain but nicely fitted clothes, although last time I was there about four weeks ago, I found quite a lot of things were a bit expensive, but maybe because I expected them to be cheaper. Also, don't be put off by big department stores like House of Fraser. They sell a variety of styles and if you save up for the sales you're sure to find something a bit unusual and of good quality.

Branster · 04/02/2005 22:27

probably the best places for more unique clothes are independent boutiques in posh areas. Although I find most of the stuff in there OTT and obscenely expensive, sometimes I can afford to buy just one item (i.e. a nice shirt, top, skirt etc) which i know nobody would have. But i only buy from there in the sales and would not spend more than £20-30.