Sali Hughes on high street fashion for women over 35

[elotrolado]

Just read this - so true.

www.the-pool.com/fashion/fashion-honestly/2017/20/sali-hughes-on-the-british-high-street-dressing-women-over-35

I too long for those 'flattering frocks, neat at the shoulders, sleeves and neck, but with enough fabric around the middle to invisibly accommodate a bottle of red and more than 19 calories ...'

[banivani]

I was in Cos today and bought these trousers www.cosstores.com/se/Women/Trousers/Trousers_with_folded_waist/46887-67553798.1#c-22755 and my children think they're weird 🙄

[ludders01]

So glad I'm not the only one facing the same problem. Got a very rare opportunity to spend a whole day in Bristol last week only to come home with two long sleeved tops, one Next, one Zara. What I actually went for were some basic sweatshirt dresses in nice bright colours that suit my skin tone, blond hair, blue eyes and that come to my knee and not my thighs. I also wanted some short sleeve tops or tshirts that had something about them that I could put on for the school run etc. Found that colours were drab, tops were cut off to just under bra line, everything was cold shoulder and the one that annoys me most is the lack of cotton material. I hate sweaty synthetic nasty pieces of clothing, aargh it makes me mad! After working hard I had money to spend but no place to spend it! Great article Sali Hughes from a fellow 42 year old!

[BitOutOfPractice]

Well they wouldn't suit me bani

[puglife15]

I search high st shop websites for "linen" or "organic cotton" and that's a good way to weed out the man made yuck stuff. I've had some good things from H&M, Zara and Uniqlo in the past few years. But it can take a LOT of searching, waiting, asking staff to search stockrooms etc.

[Aleh]

Agreed I find myself waiting for the sales as it's the only way to justify buying things I'm not that happy with but need. I find h and m best for now as I'm on a budget. Cos is owned by h and m btw! If they dont have your size in store its usually available online. House of fraser is the next port of call!

[Floisme]

I know Toast isn't to everyone's taste but they've got a 'pre-sale' on (although my trousers aren't in it). So do Wrap London.

[banivani]

Practice I decided to go for it. They're cotton, well made and comfortable. ;) I'm expanding my horizons! I bloody have to because the basic items I want to buy are nowhere to be found. :(

[BitOutOfPractice]

Good for you! I hope they give you years of wearing pleasure!

[Floisme]

I like those trousers and, after a decade of skinnies, I think it's great that there's a choice of style at last. Maybe that's why I feel a bit more upbeat about shopping than some of you.

[banivani]

Flo, that's a shockingly optimistic and positive approach and I'm very disappointed in you. ;)

I agree with everyone that what's offered in the shops is a very poor selection indeed, but I also agree with the PP who said that maybe it's our own fault because despite saying I want to pay more for quality it isn't easy getting the cash from me at all. We're used to fast fashion prices. I mean, these trousers are going to be bloody worn to death now after me paying full COS price for them!

[Floisme]

Sorry bani I shall have a word with myself
I just keep remembering how 10 years ago (or thereabouts) I couldn't find trousers or jeans I could bend down in without showing my arse.

Some of them had sticky out pockets on the side, right smack at the fattest point of my thighs.

When I think of them, I just can't get that worked up about some tops with funny sleeves.

I'm far more concerned about poor quality.

[banivani]

But... but... RUFFLES. :(((((

[Floisme]

Nah, still not feeling the rage. I'm managing to find stuff without ruffles whereas all trousers/jeans were insanely low waisted for a while.

In fact I will go further. I think a gently flared sleeve, provided it finishes well clear of the wrist, can look quite nice What's more, it doesn't require the said arm to be young or thin. It's the fact that the sleeve will almost certainly be polyester that pisses me off far more.

However I'm not a fan of summer clothes anyway so my expectations are always low. If it carries on into the autumn, you may see me starting to get grumpy.

[banivani]

Sadly Sweden is so homogenous that all shops really do have the same,so I'm finding nothing. Same colours, same styles. All jeans now are ripped and faded, there is nothing dark and plain for example.

[bookbook]

I don't know if its been mentioned up thread, but have just , for the first time, been into Seasalt ( new shop opened near me) - Came out with 4 things, could have bought more .
Slightly casual, but lovely thick cotton jersey - a skirt, a jersey dress and two different tunics
I quizzed the lady behind the counter on the tunic she was wearing about wash and wear. worn and washed at least 10 time, looked just like on the hangar. So fingers crossed I have found somewhere to go.
They had a lot to like for me.

[Floisme]

Yeah I'd always dismissed Seasalt as not being my kind of look but I don't think their catalogue or website does them justice. In real life, I've seen quite a few things I like. They look good quality and use a lot of natural fabrics, including organic cotton. And they seem to have an ethical compass too. I'll definitely take a closer look.

[Therealslimshady1]

Seasalt look really frumpy on me!

Not sure why, the cut makes me look shapeless I think

[Floisme]

I guess I'd thought the same but I tried on a couple of things and was pleasantly surprised. I wouldn't wear it head to toe - any more than I would most brands - but I'll look out for individual pieces. I think the way the high street is now, it's better not to rule anywhere out.

[PickAChew]

While the cut usually works on my, slimshady - I'm quite narrow in the body relative to clothes size and the shoulders on their clothes sit right on me, while many places have them too bloody wide.

As for washing, I had one top which was a nightmare and the second time I burnt myself trying to iron it, I chucked it on the charity shop pile because it was starting to pill, anyhow. They've completely discontinued that one. I have a couple of their sailor tops which will probably last forever. They wash much nicer than my Boden breton, which is full of holes.

[bookbook]

Good to hear about the sailor tops - Pick thats one of the things I bought.
I am tall and very hour glass- with slightly bigger hips, and the size was true, and skimmed me well. I don't know about frumpy I did try stuff on that just didn't suit with some of the designs.
But I am a sucker for stripes, and the feel of the material made me smile -

[Alicekeach]

I have some Seasalt striped tops that are ten years old and still going strong.

[BikeRunSki]

Seasalt makes me look like a giant toddler.

They used to do children's clothes, which were fabulous, and looked exactly like their adult stuff but smaller.

[bookbook]

Seasalt makes me look like a giant toddler.
Well , I'm over 60 , so maybe going back to childhood!

[Therealslimshady1]

On the back of this thread, I ordered some Seasalt tops (need new tees)

They were all boxy and unflattering, straight up and down

Lovely fabric and well made, but not suited to someone with a waist and hips...

Dammit

Does anyone know where to buy tees that are a bit more fitted? I know it is not the fashion at the mo....

[BringMeTea]

These any good to anyone? I bought a charity collab tee recently which is lovely quality cotton. And ethics people! And very affordable stuff.

rapanuiclothing.com/product/organic-cotton-top-3-pack/