If Monty Don was a woman....

[WeirdArchitecture]

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...

@MayIDestroyYou

Years and years ago, when I was living an Edmontine Don life in the country, I used to shop at Droopy & Browns - which no one now will remember. It was the ultimate Cabbages / Cawley mash-up, with an added dash of hauteur. If anyone had told me they would eventually go out of business I'd have wrapped every piece in tissue paper and stored it in a bank vault.

ooh loved Droopy & Browns

[quote GlubGlubGlub]@WeirdArchitecture are you originally from the highlands/Shetland by any chance? I don’t think that most posters will know what a Gansey is!

They do great ones here www.shetlandknitwear.com/[/quote]
I know what a Gansey is and I live in SE England.
Really only commenting to follow this thread, because I’ve been looking for linen clothing too.🙂

Don't know where Monty shops but I love his style; he's my secret crush!

As well as the book club for boys which I set up, I tried to teach my children Latin, using the Minimus books. I said it was because I wanted my state school children to not be disadvantaged
But really it was just wanky

But what were you wearing, shallIswim?

as a girl a would have wanted to gatecrash the boys book club. but I am extra wanky because I spend more than is necessary on Ocado sushi bits and can't grow my own herbs

@shallIswim

As well as the book club for boys which I set up, I tried to teach my children Latin, using the Minimus books. I said it was because I wanted my state school children to not be disadvantaged But really it was just wanky

Oh god I posted to the wrong thread! Was supposed to be in the wanky one!

My contribution to this one is that Monty would wear Toast if he was a woman

(Though you may want to read this thread, too.)

Sadly, anything I have ever purchased from Toast has fitted me awkwardly. Im a small build but not quite petite (5'4) and most of their coats, dresses, skirts and pants drown me. I often look but just have to come away. Accessories are ok!

I have often wondered why such loose styles look so awful on me, when I notice Japanese women seem to really suit them. I am a similar build so can't work it out. Perhaps I need to have more courage....

@WeirdArchitecture I think the difference between what Japanese women wear and Toast is structure.
Japanese clothing of that sort has quite a definite shape and is cut to maintain that shape.
Toast, and linen in general, is cut to drape and flow and not necessarily have a defined shape.
I'm a bit too bosomy for Toast, although their fitted dresses work on me, but I can wear almost anything from the John Lewis brand Kin, which is scandi/Japanese architect style.

[quote Sporranrummager]@WeirdArchitecture I think the difference between what Japanese women wear and Toast is structure.
Japanese clothing of that sort has quite a definite shape and is cut to maintain that shape.
Toast, and linen in general, is cut to drape and flow and not necessarily have a defined shape.
I'm a bit too bosomy for Toast, although their fitted dresses work on me, but I can wear almost anything from the John Lewis brand Kin, which is scandi/Japanese architect style.[/quote]
That's interesting, thanks.

I have a jumpsuit from Marazul (www.marazulclothing.com). I love it so much, I find it hard to wear anything else!

Great thread and some good suggestions.... not that I need more clothes, but I am always ready for the right kind of browsing.

Oh, I. really like this from Marazul but can't find it on the website for sale.

Inspired by this conversation, I’ve just today ordered these two Linen shirts from Joules. Absolute bargain in their sale. I have coveted them for awhile but couldn’t afford them. Here I get both for less that the price of one at full price.

Can’t attach a photo of the other shirt I’ve ordered, anyway it is the same style in plain white.🙄

I just scored a Nicole Fahri linen shirt in TK Maxx and then my sister gave me some nice washed black dungarees that were too big for her, they look really nice with my Swedish clogs. I feel hope i can have a few decent outfits returning. Just need to decide what to do with my "dragged through a hedge backwards" lockdown hair.

@groovergirl sorry, but what in holy hell are these trousers by that label? 🤣

Great thread. During the lockdown last summer I definitely started to cultivate an Edmontina Don / land girl / distressed gentlewoman potter vibe, with my grey hair getting wilder and my knitwear getting grubbier by the day. I have never been able to do groomed and shiny, so I fully embrace men's knitwear, artfully crumpled linen and dirt beneath my fingernails

Thanks to whomever linked to Closet & Botts - a pair of caramel Bensimon plimsolls is winging its way to me now.

I agree that this is not actually a cheap and cheerful way of dressing. Good linen, high-quality cotton, pure wool / cashmere, heavy-duty denim etc are all worth investing in though.

Oh my word. Pink lady needs a nappy change. Thank you so much, love this thread. I find that gardening occurs whilst wearing my most inappropriate clothes, if it’s white, long, delicate or brand new, that’s ŵhen I’m going to move a 2 year old cardoon.. Obviously the solution is to dress like a gardener all the time. I do like Monty even tho I have been known to be slightly sniffy about his techniques, and to mutter ” not rhs trained” at the telly, tho no one would know I was if they saw the state of my patch right now. It’s Monty’s heart shaped trowel I covet most, keep looking but I haven’t yet found quite the right one.
I just wish this thread had happened earlier. I’m going to a wedding in a very thin, dull linen dress. Would have definitely bought a frock from Cabbages and Roses if I had known. So frustrating.

How soon is the wedding?

Oh yes i wear my gardening overalls all the time, I find people don't judge you for scruffiness if they think you've just taken a break from weeding to pop to the village shop for eggs (and I'm more likely to do a quick spot of weeding). It's like wearing a school uniform saves outfit angst in the morning.

The wedding is this weekend, and I have tried so hard that I can do no more. I’m settling.