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Original poster

If Monty Don was a woman....

383 replies

WeirdArchitecture · 26/06/2021 17:11

Where would he shop?

I really want some lovely cotton or linen stuff, in my mind I see a loose fitting linen jumpsuit with scrappy straps and a side zip. It wouldn't be 'fashion' or ridiculously wide or show a silly amount of side boob. Simple and not humongous.

I search everywhere and can never find what im after, I can't be fussed with trends, but want some more choice. I used to like toast but they fit me horribly and the colour palettes don't suit me.

Are there any shops I don't know about that can do me a Monty style wardrobe? Natural fabrics that could see me gardening or walking by the lake, etc...

OP posts:
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32
EleanorMc67 · 29/08/2026 12:24

Floisme · 22/08/2026 10:37

Signing in and needing some Monty inspiration.

Cabbages and Roses gone.

Toast still appeals onscreen but the fabrics are thinner and I don't trust the sizing any more (although I've just bought a second hand skirt with a pleasing Margaret Howell vibe).

And the blessed Margaret herself is right out of my league now. I didn't even dare check her sales.

I'm wearing more and more vintage but I need contemporary things too - I don't want to look like I'm off to Goodwood.

The Goodwood thing is always a bit of a danger with vintage. Not that I don't admire people who go the whole hog with their favourite era! I love people-watching at vintage fairs - especially when I visited London lots for work & to see friends, & would go to Frock Me! & Hammersmith. The clothes & accessories had me on a complete high for days!

EleanorMc67 · 29/08/2026 12:32

Floisme · 27/11/2022 14:57

I can't stretch to a big spend like that but I'm focusing on smaller details at the moment. I'm obsessed with vintage men's paisley scarves which are often wool/silk and typically cost a tenner or less. And last week I found some lovely wool (I think) fair isle socks on a craft market - everyone's getting them for Christmas so watch out.

I love those scarves too - I have bought a few for my partner in the past, & he looks very dapper in them with his gorgeous greenish-ochre Daks tweed coat that I found for £80 in a charity shop!

He also has a silk-mix burgundy paisley dressing gown in the same fabric that was a find at a vintage fair - still unworn & in its box.

I like to spread the vintage love!!!

Floisme · 29/08/2026 12:52

thedevilinablackdress · 29/08/2026 08:17

I agree about the sizing inconsistency making it harder to get a good fit on 2nd hand items@Floisme, especially with the prices as they are. For new I find the 'whats my size' tool a lot of websites use pretty good though. E.g on Community Clothing where it directed me to different sizes in a pair of trousers vs. a pair of shorts, and Toast use the same one I think.

Thanks, I've found that sizing tool useful for new purchases. I hadn't realised Toast used it too but then I never had to think too deeply about their sizing until recently!

Floisme · 29/08/2026 12:57

EleanorMc67 · 29/08/2026 12:09

I do - though I'm sure there are others on here! I know Floisme loves her vintage, & others too.

My very first purchase on eBay, in 2004, was actually on behalf of a friend who was going to a Studio 54 party - & I found her a one-shouldered draped slinky black jersey 70s dress with diamante edging. It was fabulous!!!

Do post what you are after, though I've no idea whether I can help or not. But the search might be fun!! 😁

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I do love vintage @Itsnouse but, unlike Eleanor, I'm not good at looking for other people so any contribution from me would mostly be stuff I'd like for myself! But, if you start a thread, I'll look out for it.

Floisme · 29/08/2026 13:05

EleanorMc67 · 29/08/2026 12:24

The Goodwood thing is always a bit of a danger with vintage. Not that I don't admire people who go the whole hog with their favourite era! I love people-watching at vintage fairs - especially when I visited London lots for work & to see friends, & would go to Frock Me! & Hammersmith. The clothes & accessories had me on a complete high for days!

Show quote history

I would love to go to a Frock Me fair. I never seem to time my London trips to align with it.

The disappearance of old school vintage shops makes me quite sad. There was a time when you'd never have found me at home on a Saturday afternoon as that was vintage hunting day. Now even the regular fairs don't seem to call here any more. But I do use Vinted for vintage - it's chaotic but unexpectedly good fun and I can still find good prices there.

Itsnouse · 29/08/2026 16:47

New thread is up @Floisme and @EleanorMc67

Postdatedpandemic · 12/09/2026 20:47

Itsnouse · 29/08/2026 16:47

New thread is up @Floisme and @EleanorMc67

How could you do this and not add a link to "Monty Don - the retirement years" ?

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