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What would you ask clothes and shoe designers to STOP bloody designing and trying to flog us?

204 replies

HouseOfBamboo · 31/07/2011 11:49

On my list:

  1. Tops/dresses with necklines which show your bra straps. As most women wear bras and most bra straps aren't designed for public display, this would seem to be a basic design flaw.

  2. Skirts / trousers / jeans with pockets in stupid unflattering places. We don't need the extra bulkage thanks.

  3. Yet ANOTHER bloody gladiator sandal. Just because I hate them.

What would be on your list?

OP posts:
polyhymnia · 31/07/2011 16:56

Agree with so many of the excellent suggestions posted - specially: sleeveless dresses and ones with massive armholes that show your bra/ flab (if you have it); shoes with paper-thin soles; and all Per Una.

Would also like to add super-garish patterns and plus size clothes that are 'special' (ie frumpy and rubbish), as opposed to stylish clothes just sized up. And particularly clothes for larger women that have no definition/ shape and look like tents. Don't know if they are meant to disguise, or manufacturers just think big women don't deserve any better. Either way, they make the wearer look much, much bigger (think ship in full sail).

Also want to add clothes that are the 'right' size but too short either at hem and/or in the body for those of us who are tall. But have noticed plenty of complaints here from people who are petite, so suppose that's why manufacturers settle for an in-between (5'5''?)that doesn't actually fit the short or the tall.

fluffles · 31/07/2011 17:01

"boy shorts just make your bum look huge"

see 99.9% of the time i don't care what my bum looks like in just my pants - i care about what it looks like with trousers on top and boy shorts are the only things that don't give me vpl. so i'll be keeping boy shorts please Grin

LadyClariceCannockMonty · 31/07/2011 17:13

SmallClanger, I'm 5ft 10 ? tall but not freakishly so I hope ? and trousers that are 'excessively long' on you are too short for me. I think polyhymnia must be right; they must make clothes for a mythical woman of proportions that simply don't exist IRL.

ComeIntoTheGardenMaud · 31/07/2011 17:23

::Applauds SevenAgainstThebes::

My most general complaint is that, if you fall in the no man's land between TopShop and Jacques Vert, nobody really caters for you.

TheSmallClanger · 31/07/2011 17:28

LadyClarice, you are probably right.

The fashion struggles of the taller and shorter among us are actually very similar. My tall friends say the same thing about Long Tall Sally as I do about Jacques Vert.

Another one: designers, please stop assuming that petite women are all over 50, and all love/suit boxy jackets in pastel colours.

MrsCampbellBlack · 31/07/2011 17:37

60 Alpine! Good lord - I put all my cashmere Wink on handwash cycle with woolite and it comes out fine.

And I like broderie anglaise, maxi dresses, sleeveless tops, cowl necks - I am the anti-woman of this thread.

And despite being a dd - I like padded bras to prevent nipple show through.

And I like denim skirts and I loathe skirts/trousers that sit on the waist.

BulletWithAName · 31/07/2011 17:41

I like padded push up bras because I like to look like Pamela Anderson Wink

DorothyGherkins · 31/07/2011 17:47

I wish they would stop making stuff in that sort of elastane/viscose mix that when you wash looks like a shrivelled up balloon. It takes ages to iron for it to look acceptable, but as the material cools down after ironing, it goes all creased again. Also I have yet to buy anything made in China that actually fits anywhere, dont what sort of measurements they use, but its never in proportion. So anything I pick off the rail made from elastane or viscose or made in China goes back on the rail without a second glance now.

GillyMac93 · 31/07/2011 17:58

Jersey dresses that cling to every lump and bump and make me look awful . Im 5 , 7 and long jeans are still not quite long enough so what size are really tall women meant to buy !!Totally agree about shirts with no boob room , why should i have to buy a bigger size !grrr!!!

Bunbaker · 31/07/2011 18:03

"Dear designers, I have a waist. Your shapeless clothes make me look like mama cass. Please stop making your waistbands on trousers and skirts the same dimensions as the hips. Women are not cylindrical."

That is my biggest bugbear. Also:
3/4 length sleeves - on blouses and T-shirts - the sleeves ride up if you try and put a cardigan on. And 3/4 length sleeves on cardigans and jumpers are utterly pointless. If I am cold enough to require a cardie on I want something that covers my wrists.

Low cut tops. I am not well endowed and the shops are full of low cut tops. All they do is make me look even more flat chested and feel self conscious.

Low rise jeans. They are so blooming uncomfortable. They cut into my widest part and always feel like they are slipping down. I hate having to hitch my jeans up all the time.

Those ridiculous very high heeled boots with cut outs to look like sandals - why?

I don't have bingo wings and can wear sleeveless tops. I can also wear maxi dresses (and have been complimented when I wear mine)

On my wish list is:
Some school trousers for my tall and skinny daughter. Adjustable waistbands make her look like she is wearing rompers.

A decent range in casual skirts that don't look like tablecloths.

Standard dress sizes everywhere. So a size 10 in M & S is the same as a size 10 in Next. And also M & S please standardize your sizes within your store. I have clothes ranging from a size 8 to a size 12 all from M & S.

EuphemiaMcGonagall · 31/07/2011 18:42

Shoes are my bugbear. How come DH can buy shoes for under £20 which are better quality and will last longer than what ladies' retailers are asking £50+ for?

Niecie · 31/07/2011 18:43

I hate 3/4 length sleeves too as well as tight fitting one and sleeveless things and cap sleeves. 3/4 sleeves always make things look like they don't fit!

I have a bit of a problem with sleeves generally it seems. Blush

AandK · 31/07/2011 18:55

gregssausageroll

You had me with this. I haven't shopped at topshop or riverisland since having my ds nearly 10years ago for this reason and now even H&M have gone the same way in the last few years.

And I hate those shop who do bigger sizes clothes but don't bother with their underwear?? Er hello if a woman needs a size 18 top its probably becasue she has bangers to fit in it!!!

DawnTiggaFashionGoddess · 31/07/2011 19:04

As a fashion design student I'm having real ishoos trying to get my tutors to realise most of this. My 'capsule collection' will be designed for real women who have real jobs and lives. And NO I won't use models who are too thin or with an unhealthy attitude to food.

Isn'tThatPopularAtCollegeEitherTiggaxx

thederkinsdame · 31/07/2011 19:37

Well, Tigga, if you start a range of clothes for real women, I think you will have a huge market (on MN at least Wink!)

Ooteeny · 31/07/2011 19:39

Jeggings!!

JanetPlanet · 31/07/2011 19:52

Urban outfitters, poor quality at high prices, last time I was in there every dress on one of the rails was faulty, yet priced at £80!!
Agree with the tops designed to show bra straps and pockets in unflattering places.
With kids clothes hate anything with appliqué cartoon characters on or tops that say things like 'handsome like daddy'.
Also, Next is a style vacuum.

brighthair · 31/07/2011 19:56

with armholes - why do they make the sleeveless ones so you can see your bra, but the ones with sleeves to cut all circulation off?!

pretty day and going out dresses I can get a full bra under. Strapless bras don't exist in my bra size

MynameisnotEarl · 31/07/2011 20:04

Flip-flops. Most of us don't have beautiful feet and it would be nice to be able to buy casual summer footwear that doesn't expose all the lumps, bumps and bunions.

Same applies to strappy sandals.

SevenAgainstThebes · 31/07/2011 20:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Emo76 · 31/07/2011 20:20

V necks which are too low and show bra at front

Stripper heels (Kurt Geiger almost exclusively sell)

BulletWithAName · 31/07/2011 20:22

Thing is, "real women" come in an enormous range of different shapes, and sizes, and tastes, and budgets.

This.

Stripper heels (Kurt Geiger almost exclusively sell)

I love KG shoes! In fact, I like stripper heels in general. If it ain't 5 inches or over, I won't be wearing them Grin

SharperSeven · 31/07/2011 20:39

Sleeveless dresses- nice 3/4 sleeve please
skimpy swimsuits
mumsy swimsuits
sweaty polyester
flat shoes
bright swirly patterns
cropped cardigans

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 31/07/2011 20:40

I love three-quarter length sleeves, especially on jackets. I have never yet met a jacket which hasn't made me want to chop a few inches off its arms and HATE the feel of jacket sleeves rubbing against my wrists. Besides, I have v pretty wrists! :)

GwendolineMaryLacey · 31/07/2011 20:45

Tops with elastic at the bottom, at the waist, under the tit. FFS have they any idea how awful they look on everyone, especially people of my size. I am forever seeing a top, thinking it's nice and then finding fucking elastic on it somewhere.

Gypsy sleeves and no sleeves on everything.

Fat range for tall people only and petit range for slim people. I am fat and short. Sort it out!