With debenhams gone, where do I buy clothes?

[AntiHop]

I'm 43, size 16, short. I buy pretty much all my clothes in Debenhams. I work in a fairly casual workplace, we can wear anything apart from jeans or other very casual trousers.

Debenhams were great for semi smart black trousers with elasticated waists and pockets, flattering tops for my kind of size (like bubble hem or floaty tops). They had the best jeggins with real pockets that I live in at the weekends.

If Wallis lives on, at least I've got them.

Any other ideas please?

It's a worry isn't it. No suggestions I'm afraid. Dorothy Perkins is my go- to shop.
No idea now.
And bras- really no idea where to go now!

Is it mean of me to actually be a little excited for you?

I'm considerably older than you, haven't stepped into a Debenhams in decades and don't think I've been aware of Wallis since maybe the 80s. There honestly are more contemporary places you might consider!

Uniqlo for a start. Certainly not the most glamorous shop, but glamorous people can generally find good value basics there. Infinite variety of sizes, natural fibres if you have the patience to look.

Community clothing - simple, ethically produced casual clothes at decent prices.

Cos - if you ignore some of their wilder flights of imagination, they produce some really excellent, hardwearing everyday tops that always end up massively reduced in the sales.

You really should take a look - you'll be amazed at how clothes shopping has moved on!

Saw this, thought of you, OP. I don't actually know Everlane, (maybe they're the US equivalent of Wallis?) but they appear to stock plenty of sizes, shown on a variety of models. Again, simple, casual work type clothes at approachable prices. U.K. site, US sizing.

@PoulePouletteEternellement

Is it mean of me to actually be a little excited for you?

I'm considerably older than you, haven't stepped into a Debenhams in decades and don't think I've been aware of Wallis since maybe the 80s. There honestly are more contemporary places you might consider!

Uniqlo for a start. Certainly not the most glamorous shop, but glamorous people can generally find good value basics there. Infinite variety of sizes, natural fibres if you have the patience to look.

Community clothing - simple, ethically produced casual clothes at decent prices.

Cos - if you ignore some of their wilder flights of imagination, they produce some really excellent, hardwearing everyday tops that always end up massively reduced in the sales.

You really should take a look - you'll be amazed at how clothes shopping has moved on!

I've got to say, I don't think Uniqlo is great if you are shortish or plumpish. I used to visit one of it's flagship stores fairly regularly as I worked nearby, and my son liked their jumpers, but I have never once found anything I liked for me. A lot of unpleasant fabrics, and dull colours and fairly unflattering. I think there are fewer and fewer retail outlets for clothes now - if Debenhams, Wallis, DP and Top Shop go, then that leaves the more expensive brands like Mint Velvet, Arket and Seasalt; White Stuff ( which you might find works as a substitute for Manteray) and then Next, Zara M&S ( probably also on it's way out). I think there is a gap for mid-range women's clothes shops, I know I am struggling to find anything I want to wear.

I just had a look at Uniqlo website and their jeans only seem to come in 32” leg length. Debenhams had plenty of size 20 short legged jeans for me to try on to find the perfect fit. Never found anywhere else like it although primark is the closest I’ve found.

Funnily enough I too was distinctly unimpressed when I visited an actual physical Uniqlo shop. But since Lockdown forced me to find good value, un-showy staying-at-home clothes I've been pleasantly surprised by their website. And have been able to find suitable things for short, plump relatives. (I was taller and thinner myself at the start of the year ...)

There are obviously plenty of lovely things to be found at higher prices elsewhere if the OP is able or willing to spend more. Arket is great for work clothes, but I always feel one needs to be around 5"10 to feel comfortable in their dresses and trousers. The tops are mostly ok for shorter people.

Uniqlo trousers are designed so they can be shortened. If you shop in store they'll do it for you (or they will normally, not sure about covid restrictions).

I love Uniqlo. I'm very short and very fat and their jeans work for me!
I also like mint velvet, a bit of Oliver bonas and some white stuff.

I agree OP as a short plump 58 year old I always searched for Mantaray, Phase 8, John Rocha etc. I do like White Stuff and Weird Fish but they are pricier I think. I ordered from Mint Velvet this year but it all went back as wrong cut for me entirely. I suspect I won't buy many clothes going forward which is good really I suppose.

Monsoon for leggings etc. They have some lovely bits when they reign it in from all the floral shit.

I’d also try Uniqlo, M&S leggings, Arket for basics and also Cos for great knitwear and natural fabrics.
H&M website is worth a trawl as they have some surprisingly good quality pieces and a huge variety of styles.

I'm glad someone has mentioned H&M.
I get loads from there.
Also John Lewis (if you are near one) has loads of concessions I've had a few Damsel In A Dress tops from there.

Fat Face
White Stuff
Mistral
Seasalt
John Lewis
Monsoon

I'm so not surprised Debenhams is closing. I have a Debenham credit card but no longer live near one. You can't use the vouchers online (they have some sort of point system thing now due to covid but only for vouchers received since lockdoen) but about two years ago went to one of their flagship stores with £60 of vouchers and could not find a single thing to buy.
I have no helpful suggestions for you as I don't live near any department store so get most things online (and I'm almost 6ft so different body type)!

I'm a similar age and size to you OP.

I get a lot of work trousers from the next petite range. Also had some jeans from there. Tops and dresses from H&M and Sainsbury's Tu. I also get bits from M&S and Uniqlo.

I used to love Oasis for dresses. It's sad to see all these shops go. I hate shopping for clothes online

Sainsburys is very good for short fitting jeans.
M&s or next for work trousers.
God knows for nice tops-I really struggle with this and just live in jumpers all winter and t-shirts and linen shirts in the summer.
Not that Debenhams had any either.

I feel your pain also short and round with very short legs. Lots of mantaray tips in my house. Even more sadly I buy Bon Marche jeans as they do a 25 inch leg guess I’m going to be paying more for jeans and paying for alterations

I buy a lot of Manterey clothes and got excited reading this thread about new alternatives. Just checked out Uniqlo - everything looks plain and shapeless. Am i missing something?

I'm short and round and buy most if my clothes from Sainsbury's. I add in the odd bits from H&M and Primark.

I'm still wearing my Topshop Jamie jeans from years ago. Nothing seems to be long lasting anymore. I'm gutted that all these high street staples are going. Debenhams isn't cutting edge fashion, but sometimes customers don't want that - they just want a reasonably priced top to wear to work!
A lot of Cos is fuck ugly - it looks like cult wear. Zara is hit and miss in terms of quality and fit (esp if you are not slim) Mint Velvet is pricey and not always well made. Next used to be amazing but not so much now - too much polyester.
I'm concerned too - I think we'll just have to hunt out bits and pieces from individual shops rather than going to one place and finding things from lots of concessions under one roof.

I agree with OP and don't think the pp's suggestions of Cos or Uniqlo are helpful at all. I've tried both and didn't like them.

M&S & H&M I reckon. I really want to love Cos but all the stuff looks mad on me.

I think if you want the prints etc from Mantaray, white stuff or seasalt are the way to go.
Uniqlo does brighter collaborations (there's one at the moment with Marimekko) but is better for basic workwear.

If you like looking around a physical store that has lots of options for brands then try John Lewis. They also do a personal shopper service which is free and you can tell them your budget so you won't get pushed to spend more than you want.

If you are happy online and don't mind ordering multiple sizes etc then look at : ASOS and Boden and marks and Spencer's. All do excellent work wear at a range of price points ( and Boden always has a discount you can find online) for your basics like work trousers, tops etc. But if you want other stuff that might be more 'fun' do look online at hush, mint velvet, &other stories, H&M, mango,
Next also has loads of brands but I find the website clunky so only order something that I already know I want ( so I bought fatface dungarees there that were out of stock in fatface)

I've sent back everything I've ever tried from Uniqlo sadly.

I am 5'1 and age 62 and shop all over but haven't bought clothes from Debenhams since 2003 ( I know when because I was on jury service in a big town) though I think our toaster was from them online. I only buy clothes online as I don't live near shops.

I like a lot of the stripey Joules tops. Similar shape and they work well for me, but then I do prefer more fitted clothes.
Tu at Sainsbury's is also worth a look.