Current season despair

[eurochick]

So. On Sunday I ventured to the shops for the first time in a few weeks with a bit of my bonus burning a hole in my wallet.

I came home with....some shoes and some moisturiser. I went to Oasis, Zara, Reiss, Whistles, French Connection, Ted Baker - all my usual haunts - and I couldn't find a single garment I wanted to buy. All the shops are filled with nasty 80s style pastel coloured shyte. The 80s was bad enough the first time around. Now I can see how an 18 yr old Hoxton art student could look good in this stuff, but a 36 year old lawyer?

I've just given a load of stuff to the clothes bank and could do with restocking. I generally favour well-made simple clothes with a nod to current fashion. But there didn't seem to be any way to do that with this seasons offerings. Everything looked like it had fallen off Madonna in her Desperately Seeking Susan era. Incidentally, I noticed no one was buying. Maybe that is because the summer stuff is in and the weather was miserable. Or maybe because others are having the same reaction as me!

Any hints and tips? I am 5'6, 10-12 and in reasonable shape.

Try Massimo Dutti online, here, some great basics and better made than Zara (it's sister brand)..

something like this outfit or this

Good thought, thanks. MD was actually on my list for Sunday shopping but I had given up in despair before I got there. On my recent visits every garment in the entire shop seemed to sport an elbow patch, but the current season looks better.

I know. I can't bear it. I am 40 so was a teenager in the 80s and lived in the sort of clothes that are in the shops-well, actually mine were a hell of a lot worse. Am the same height and size as you. If you find anything decent, please post a link!

Well at least I have someone to commiserate with now! I will keep you posted if I find any decent shops!

eurochick - are you me? I feel exactly the same way, same age, same shape and would rather have quality with a nod to fashion rather than screaming & shouting about it.

Have done all the current fashions in my younger days even the tights and shorts thing but I want something more suitable (and less man made if possible).

Have money also burning a hole and HofF vouchers but unless I hit the clarins and chanel counters nothing will be bought!

I hear ya. I skipped to Westfield Stratford the other day, for a rare 90 minutes child-free shopping, but couldn't find a single thing to buy. The same problems as you ladies: I've worn it all before, but when I was two stone slimmer; it's all horrid, slimy polyester; and the big, boxy tops and tight, skinny bottoms are exactly the wrong proportions for a curvy, 12-14 hourglass.

I came away with some nappies, hair dye, and a very exciting four-pack of propelling pencils.

Matches have some gorgeous stuff on their website at the moment and beautifully styled too.

Granted, there are lots of nice dresses about ATM. But I've got loads of dresses. I wanted the fabled 'nice top' to go with jeans, to act as my staple 'going out' item. No dice. At least, not in my budget (under £30).

I'm 26,and I hate it all too.
Do let me know if you find anywhere that isn't selling 80's reject clothes...

Warehouse and DP worth a look for pretty tops.

Whistles have got some pretty broderie tops which look nice with jeans but their sizing is huge at the moment.

Matches is £££ but does have some more reasonably priced stuff too and I like it for styling ideas.

Same here - didn't like it in the 80s, certainly don't like it all the second time around.

I'd love some nice tops for jeans - longish but quite fitted, a bit of stretch in the fabric.

And what's with all of the patterned leggings - horizontal patterns of all things!!!!!!!!!!!!

ARGH yes, those horizontal patterned leggings that look good on no one apart from a 6' Norweigan lass standing halfway up a mountain. WTF are they about?

At least I have found some kindred spirits on this thread, if not much in the way of wearable clothes so far (but will check out the suggestions made, so thank you for those).

I have to say, this is not what the High St needs when the economy is in a lull. By the lack of spending evident on Sunday, I think many shops could be in for a rocky ride.

That's what I want-longish but fitted tops with a bit of a stretch! Big boxy tops with my big boobs look like shit!

Am also looking for such tops - please let me know if you find any. Boxy tops and 32Es are not a good combo.

Joining the club.

So many women wanting the same thing. Why does no-one sell it?????????

I went shopping yesterday - one thing I wanted was a dress to wear to a wedding. Easy; in fact I found three all under £25 so I bought them all! I could have scooped armfuls of them up.

But I also want some heavyweight jersey tops to wear to work in summer. They need to be more formal/substantial than a t-shirt but not high fashion either - just something cool to wear to work maybe with slim cropped trousers or a fitted skirt. Boden have some but I wanted to see some in person. M&S do that sort of thing but they're too 'old' and frumpy for me (short sleeves always that little bit too long!). Could I find any anywhere? Nope, all sheer or synthetic-y (you try wearing polyester in a classroom in summer heat! Yuck!)

And can I just complain about workwear sleeves, or lack of, to be precise (no, those tiny cap sleeves don't count either)? Every time I find something that would be totally wearable and gorgeous otherwise, they have to ruin it by not adding sleeves. I understand it's cheaper to make, but I won't buy it, if i always have to wear the top or dress with a jacket. Surely bare shoulders and armpits are not appropriate in most offices?

oh hazlenutt - I get you on the sleeves issue.

Oh How I long for a nice non polyester dress with sleeves to wear in the summer!

Or anything with sleeves for the summer

or anything made with natural fibres.

Our office is like a sauna and I need sleeves as I am not confident about big brusier arms (prob not that bad but my arms and my tummy are my 'thing')

i have exactly the same issue. i got a give away £20 voucher thing for new puke. there was nothing in there i liked, but ended up buying a t-shirt with a unicorn on the front. wtf? i think i might be having a mid-life crisis. I am almost 36!

Im 27 and struggling too - and so were two personal shoppers yesterday who tried in vain to help me.

I went to the fabric shop and purchased some nice jersey to attempt to make my own clothes instead. :)

This season is remarkably low on inspiring stuff.

Maybe it will turn around when the sun shines.

I am a 41 year old ex lawyer, now stylist (and blogger), and I love the quality and the cut of Cos. Jigsaw had some lovely, but rather pricey, classic pieces when I was in there this morning. H&M has a really simple silk shirt for £30 and White Company, whilst fairly samey at times, has good basic pieces (esp if you have a curvier bust). Lola Rose scarves are great for a bit of print and muted colours and the scarves in White Stuff are lovely too, at the moment. The Zara jersey blazer at £49.99 is a good buy and their tote in a bright colour (coral, electric blue, yellow) is great for a pop of colour. With 25% off Jones in W&H this month that could be the shoes sorted. And I don't think that you can beat Stella & Dot for jewellery right now.

Have been to major shopping centre bought nothing

Have been to major city centre - came home with a new iron!

Surfed and surfed - came to conclusion that despite promising myself a fashionable / more groomed style this summer (40 later this year) it wasn't going to happen - the stuff is vile, I can't wear it and don't want to. I even heard assistant in John Lewis ladieswear at 3pm saying they were £64 down that day! Is anybody buying anything on the high street?

I am sticking with middle aged and frumpy, this morning went 'wild' in Fat Face and M&S in my local market town in desperation..................

Gapants you made me laugh.... Where are you going to wear your unicorn tshirt?

Clothes shopping this season is just depressing