What exactly is Mint Velvet?!?

[Pistachiois50pmore]

So even though there is a Mint Velvet in Muswell Hill quite near where I live, I didn't realise it was an actual shop. Always thought it was one of those random local "boutiques".

Just realised it's a chain but who's it for? The clothes look slouchy but too silky and velvety for work but too slobby for evening. Is it like Toast with less of an edge? Rip-off Ghost? I know that means it's probably not aimed at me but I can't get a handle on who or when you would wear the clothes.

I'm mid 30s, usually shop at &Other Stories/Cos/Whistles and had literally never heard of it before I went on maternity leave.

Drab and shapeless just about sums it up!

Grey synthetic fabrics liberally sprinkled with glitter and studs.

Karen Millen's trashy relation.

jinglytinglypasta no, Karen Millen is uber fitted and bright while Mint Velvet is primarily grey frilly sacks with studs.

It's always described on here as Per Una but washed and faded.

It was fine when it first launched but as with most labels, it's lost its way of late.

The last MV-dissing thread we had, someone described their frocks as 'like the Turin Shroud'.

So true!!

I recently bought this coat

I love it, but I'm tall and I like grey - not sure if they do much else I fancy!

I like MV as grey really suits me - and I like the design of lots of their clothes. What looks slouchy and shapeless on the hanger often works really well and is very flattering when you put it on. That said, I do think they are very overpriced on most of their clothing. When you look at a lot of their tops and fabric and quality of stitching isn't very good quality. So it tends to be somewhere that I will look at lots of things and buy very carefully - mostly in the sale where the marked-down price is a fairer reflection of the fabric and workmanship!

Ditto Gray & Willow and HoF Label Lab.

Oh and the random studs and diamante applique work is fucking annoying!

I was going to say grey

"SmilingGivesYouWrinkles

My mum buys loads from Mint Velvet. She is 75."

It's greige.

Grey floppy clothes for middle-aged women.

I used to like MV but have really gone off them. It's like a more expensive Per Una.

I cant bear any of the blingy stuff or prints they do - but their simpler tops, without layers or floaty bits really suit the tall and slim.

As I said upthread, all of my work tops are Mint Velvet.

I have recently bought this top in both colours for work and it's lovely and non floppy! You need to size down though.

I occasionally stop and look at it, but then walk away again because it's a particular tone of grey and cream that doesn't do anything for me, the tops all look too short for me and for the price, I expect clothes that wouldn't start to spark if I walked too fast in them.

47 and more the Fatface/Seasalt demographic than Monsoon/ MV. I need natural fibres!

And how very dare I be middle aged

I had an amazing black dress from there. Dry clean only. It was so flattering and one of those dresses that could be dressed up or down. It was fab. Until DH put it in the washing machine and ruined it completely.

My tall and rather cool 15 year old loves a top from there (slouchy grey and white ombré top) and has received many compliments from her friends. Depends on the item I guess.

I like it. But I like grey and I am also, horror of horrors (it seems), middle aged.

It's like most shops, I like some things and not others. I don't like sparkle, I like quite plain muted clothing so it suits me perfectly.

Hardly Karen Millens trashy relation - what tosh. I wear their slim cut (grey) jeans regularly and they last and last from dog walks to conference rooms. Regularly offer hefty sales esp through John Lewis.

I have a gorgeous buttersoft snakeskin leather cross body/clutch bag from there (grey, obvs) that is very versatile and useful. All the actual clothes makes me look a bit gloomy.

I am 55, curvy but very short, narrow framed and have skinny little arms and legs. I bought a couple of MV pieces a few years ago and was thrilled with them but every year is the same - muted blue grey tops and dark jeggings and leggings that do not wash well, they seem to shred and warp very quickly. Consequently my opinion is they are dull, over priced and poor quality. I prefer Phase Eight(great colours and shapes but quality is also dropping), Amazon, White Company. Primark and local boutiques.

I'm struggling with Phase Eight's quality as well - and all of their tops are so fucking short! It is becoming really difficult to try and find the middle ground places - that don't charge a second mortgage for a piece of clothing, but that use nice fabrics, cut things well, stitch them properly.

I'm 37 but I am dumpy and need decent and reasonably heavy fabrics with designs that skim rather than cling. I did get a nice top out of Jaeger in the sale last year but there seems to be a huge gap now in the workmanship stakes. I really resent paying £50 - £80 for a top which has loose threads and wonky seams.

I'm early 30s. The clothes aren't for me but I do like the shoes - I got a pair of camel heels for half price, about £40, last year. Very comfy and look great with skinny jeans.

Some very strange ideas about middle aged women on here. What on earth would I want with floppy clothes? My body is quite floppy enough on it's own, thank you.

I think their shoes are lovely. I'm coveting an oatmeal tunic top from there at the mo, but am out of cash this month. And it's now in the sale. Bugger!

Surely the point is though you're not expected to wear a whole outfit from one shop, but instead choose the occasional piece if it takes your eye - a nice jumper from MV or Jaeger, or where ever -and wear it with your usual New Look skinnies ect.