I don't understand fashion right now.

[Faffandahalf]

Fucks sake. I'm 36. And I'm hot. Not gorgeous hot just bloody humid hot.

Trying to find decent summer clothes for work and home oh and holidays is proving a challenge. That's an understatement.

What the hell is going on with fashion at the moment. I've been on all the high street websites and all I'm seeing is shitloads of fugly cropped, off shoulder, cold shoulder, no sleeve, ripped sleeve, ripped jeans, ripped hems, embroidered grandma florals, corset tops, fluro colours etc etc bullshit.

Where are real actual clothes for grown women??

It's summer for like 2.5 seconds. I don't want to spend loads of money but seriously someone point me somewhere I can find something nice to wear (please dont say fat face, white stuff, boden etc.)

I know what you mean! It's like the 80s cane back, with all these ghastly frills, and stripes, and rips!

Denim dresses at Gap are nice this year. Apart from that, I agree with you - everything is shit this year. I have bought nearly every work summer dress on the high street and sent it back, from Boden to Hush to Gap to Whistles to Jigsaw. And the Outnet.

I've decided to buy less stuff and more expensive as I can't find anything decent on the high street. I've had success in local one-off boutiques where the owner helps suggest stuff, mainly with random Danish labels.

I can't understand fashion this summer and can't be bothered to try - I just want to look nice and not feel hot/sweaty. Hence nice local shops where the owner points you in the right direction.

Sorry, not much help, but I feel your pain.

Oh god I forgot the frills and the huge bonkers sleeves.
I can just see me swanning about getting my drapey sleeve hems in the kids' cereal bowls.

And high necklines! I'd kill for a decent v.

You need to start looking in boutiques rather than the high street. I wear a mixture of both, but honestly it is the way to go.

All
I want is a lovely drapey white top in a decent fabric with sleeves.

Not sheer, not oversized, no weird sleeves, no rips, no embroidery.

Oh I completely agree! Even worse if that girls clothes are the same. Don't really want my 5yo in crop or cold shoulder tops... although she'd look better than me in them. Also embroidered jeans?! I hated them first time round never mind now when I'm in my 40s.

I have resorted to skinny jeans and white tshirts (M&S) and last year's crop chinos (Fat Face - sorry!).

Any suggestions for online boutiques that won't cost the earth?

Ah sorry, don't know any online ones, but will follow with interest. My town is full of them and hair dressers, but we don't have a decent restaurant
Have you looked at tk maxx online, I always manage to find something.

Hush-uk.co.uk, Winser London, H&M at a pinch. Enjoy

Another way to try, is to google what you would like to wear. You get lots of misses, but you only need one hit. I had great results recently looking for khaki or green ladies shorts, found a smart pair in Dorothy Perkins and a sporty pair too. Easy. Only order things where return postage is paid and try things in. Your own home to your heart's content.

I love the bonkers sleeves that are available just now - finally, sleeves are in fashion again! (vitiligo on hands & fore-arms)

For me it's:
H&M and Unilqo - for wide leg cotton trousers
H&M or M&S Autograph - for linen or cotton shirts
TK Maxx - for linen jumpers
Vintage shops / charity shops / weigh and pay sales - for second hand silk shirts and linen jackets
Clarks - for brogues (my feet burn so no sandals for me)

All natural fibres, cool (as in not sweaty) and both work and leisure appropriate. No bare shoulders. Silly sleeves optional.

I'm done now until autumn when, I am reliably informed by Vogue, tailoring is on it's way.

No need to be rude about grandmas - the ones I know aren't ruffle fans either.

I like this boutique. It is pricey, but I find their items are good quality and last well.

I'm finding the same - it is as if all natural fibres are out of fashion and the shops want me draped in polyester, which is bloody sticky in this weather. And the few cotton tops I have found are either missing their shoulders have weird lace edging around them.

Urggh, I know. I wanted a couple of summer dresses for work. Lightweight fabric. Fairly plain in colour. Knee length or thereabouts. No sleeves or short ones. Chest & shoulders covered. Not tight and stretchy but not shapeless either.

Everything I've found that looks like it might fit the bill from the front view has half the back cut away. I don't want to expose either my bra or the absence of one at work, tyvm.

And on that subject, what's with all the blouses and tops that look ok on the rack then go completely transparent when light hits them?

I keep thinking of learning basic dressmaking. My mum used to make me shift dresses and sleeveless tops for summer and she says they are very easy to do.

I am 45 and really like cold shoulder tops

Am loving the fashion at the moment, it is all so fun yet wearable, esp. Love the trainers-with-everything look.

Have you tried Seasalt and Boden for more "normal" clothes or is that not your thing?

Everything's awful. Awful colours, awful fabrics, stupid sleeves - even in the expensive shops. I've found my best recent buys in charity shops.

I use Ebay for summer clothes - how long does it last after all
Lots of choice from all the shops without trailing round. One or 2 disasters but that happens when you buy in a shop (and pay full price)

My new year style resolution was to go back to buying second hand. As you can see from my list upthread, I've not entirely kept to it but most of my favourite buys this year have been been vintage/dress agency or charity shop. I'm not keen on Ebay (although I'm circling Vestiare) as I like to see, try on and sniff first.

I was going to suggest Dorothy Perkins too. The concessions are good, Billie and Blossom dresses and Izabel of London. I go into most high street shops and wonder how women even get into the odd shaped clothes they sell.

I completely agree! Thank God for charity shops though. I just got a lovely Per Una sundress for £4.99 !

I can't believe the cold shoulder thing is STILL going! That was a fashion that shouldn't has lasted more than a month.
Now they're using all the bits cut out to make the holely shoulders to make the bonkers fluted sleeves which start and finish at precisely the wrong bit of your arm

MsRisotto I just paid a crazy figure for a v neck top because i have wanted a going out top that is v-neck for so long, when i sae it, i swooped like there is a shortage of clothing.

Ps yes I am so bored of cold shoulder

Mangled jeans and big fluffy slippers. Wtaf?? And ruffly sleeves that look like they should come with a pair of maracas.