Clothes shops that disappeared

[breadedbrielarson]

Was just googling "petite maxi skirt" (seems to be a rarity) and Pilot came up as an option. Remember pilot?! Didn't know it was still going. Which then reminded me of similar store Bay Trading which I used to love as a teen. And etam!

Any others you lot remember?

Oh and if you know any good places to get a petite maxi skirt for a wedding do let me know, I'm really struggling here.

Were they at no 42 XiCi?

Anyone remember Press and Bastyan? More of a concession than an actual shop. Clothes fitted beautifully really good quality fabrics. Was around about 15 years ago and I loved their stuff.

Was Press and Bastyan the shop with the fitted shirts with ruffles in front?

Press and Bastyan had branches in London. I got a beautiful dress for a ball there, almost 20 years ago. South Molton Street.

They were on the corner Lonicera next to McDonald's and opposite where Lewis's used to be

Sorry XiCi my comment was a referral to the comedy series The Kumar's at no 42. It was hilarious.

Haha sorry Lonicera, that one went right over my head. Few too many wines!

Birmingham HOF will always be Rackhams to me too. I worked there briefly as a student.

In Stoke on Trent we had Lewis's the Christmas displays were legendary. It's a Debenhams now.

I like how Debenhams in Chester retains some Browns of Chester signage.

What about Normid Homemaker? (North Midlands Co-Op)

There was a Press & Bastyan in Kendal's in Manchester and a shop in Glasgow. On my first visit in Manchester I bought an evening dress, winter coat and cashmere cardigan on a whim. I'd never heard of them, kept browsing and kept shopping. One of my best shopping trips. I was very cross with the Glasgow shop. I was in the changing room and the assistant pulled back the curtain "to see how I was getting on". She soon disappeared when I shouted at her to go away.

Does anyone remember a shoe shop called Shelley's? I desperately wanted to buy my school shoes from there but DM put her foot down at the 6-inch loafers I fancied This was in Birmingham in the late 90s, don't think I've seen one since

Also, The Gadget Shop and their inflatable armchairs in a myriad of colours. I had an orange one at DGPs house; thought I was the dogs!

I also miss: Principles, Miss Selfridge make-up, Kookai, Bay Trading, Barratts for shoes and La Senza for the nostalgic value (did anyone else treat themselves to Little Miss underwear? WTF was that all about!)

So many of the standard high street stores have changed beyond recongnition now though…maybe I'm getting old but they seemed so much…better back in the day Next, Dorothy Perkins and Topshop in particular seem to be really shoddy quality these days.

Perhaps somebody can explain the appeal of The Sweater Shop to me. All the garments from there seemed to be unpleasant baggy sweatshirts in dodgy colours, with 'The Sweater Shop' embroidered on the front in the type of font and colours favoured by early 1990s game shows (Strike it Lucky, Blind Date etc.).

I always wanted to stop people wearing these creations and ask them why they were wearing them. Why? I can't believe that The Sweater Shop carried so much cachet that you'd want to boast about buying stuff from them by having the name emblazoned on your chest.

Of course, one must never overestimate public taste, etc.

I laughed at the reference upthread to celebrities doing ranges for Kay's and Littlewoods. Almost as much as I laughed back then, seeing the celebrities in question making fools of themselves for cash.

Lulu used to pretend to be a sexy businesswoman. Joan Collins was basically pretending to be Alexis Carrington with her range: the text next to the photos said, "Go to work, accomplish, but ALWAYS remember that you're a woman" (in 100% polyester, 22 weeks at 90p)

The funniest one was Anna Friel. God almighty, what was she thinking? It was not long after she left Brookside. She did a Littlewoods range accompanied by excruciating text: "I choose S-T-R-E-T-C-H jeans for a look that's VERY sexy". I hope that she has destroyed all the evidence.

Tammy girl, bay trading, pilot, mark 1, c & a,

I saw a Pilot at the retail outlet near jct 32 of the M62 this afternoon.

That's where I saw it Lonicera.

Actually, another one, Gap.

I know they still exist, but they've gone nasty. I want Gap like they were 10-15 years ago.

Yes i remember shelly's
I got some boots in there once and i thought i was soooooo cool. I kept the carrier bag and used it for months.

Not as a teenager but i used to love a
Coordinating dash tracksuit when i was younger.

Owen Owen became Allders, our local one is now a poxy Primark.

My favourite shop was Rowfers, which sold hippy stuff, handcuffs and make up.

I remember Issue on Patrick Street in Cork, in what became Oasis. I remember really liking Issue, I would have been in my early teens, so sometime in the early nineties.

@nomdeplumereloaded - copperknockers

Episode?
Susan Wolf?

There used to be branches in Manchester and I got suits for graduation and my new job from there.

I remember spending a lot of my pre-teen and teen years in Kylie; sure it was the kids area of Mackays (now M&Co)? They had a wall chart and everything was sized based on your height. Loved measuring myself every time my Mum took me there!

Anyone but me old enough to remember

I still have two dresses from Episode in my wardrobe.

I miss Wade Smith in Liverpool, Naf Naf, Dolcis ( have huge feet ) and above all else the Oilily shop in Church Alley, side of now Primark.

We used to go in there to buy anything to get one of their gorgeous carrier bags which would then use for P.E and would always get clothes from there at Christmas and Easter.

I still love the brand for my 6 yo dd and it's available in children's boutiques and online but nothing beat that shop.

Also George Henry Lee, used to love going to the basement with my mum for ribbons and up to the perfume counters to try as many on as i could.

Loving this thread for a dose of nostalgia

Oh how could I forget Benetton, jumpers, and bags for school, the weird shaped one that had a drawstring, a bit like a duffle bag, every colour under the sun.