Clothes shops - help please!

[EddSimcox]

I have to take my mum to buy something for her 80th birthday. She has dementia so she has no idea where she used to shop, but I'm guessing a department store near where she used to live.

I'm in London, so I'm going to try John Lewis, but does anyone know anywhere else that will sell smart clothes for a short, overweight, 80 year old? Thanks!

Marks and spencer ?

Department stores like John Lewis, Debenhams , House of Fraser, Dickens and Jones for brands like Eastex and Precis or their own label petite.

Thanks. Eastex and Precis, very helpful. Will google. Anyone else know any other brands to look out for? I should mention that I'm a completely hopeless shopper even for myself so I'm really very clueless indeed!

Book a personal shopper at one of the department stores - John Lewis definitely offers this, and it's usually free. If you explain what you are after (size, style etc) they can pre-select a few suitable outfits while DM relaxes with a cup of tea.

Bon Marche

I recently did this with my slightly older mother. One thing that I had not factored in was how long it takes an older person to physically put on or take off clothes. Choose shops with large, comfortable fitting rooms with seats in the cubicles.

I very much second Cointreau's suggestion of a personal shopper at a department store. Let someone else do the running around while your mother has a rest.

I think at 80, my mum was pretty mobile but she was still gravitating towards clothes with as few fastenings as possible e.g. pull on trousers and long sleeved T shirts and then she'd add scarves and jewellery for a bit of interest. M&S was her go-to but she also liked Poetry (loose fitting, wafty, natural fabrics). They're mostly online / mail order but may have the odd stockist if you're in a big city.

Thanks! I've booked a personal shopper. Phew. I hope it works!

I'd better take her to m&s too. Last time we went shopping I bought her some nice stuff but she doesn't wear it because it's not 'her' I think. Pull on trousers/ jeans and t shirts is more like it. And thick jumpers!