Individual sizing a thing of the past?

[Topaz67]

Is it me or is everything now Small (8-10), Medium (12-14), Large? etc even Next seem to be doing it. It must be cheaper to manufacture but I’m a 10-12 and also 5’2”” so constantly searching for Petite or short.

Dresses are thin fabric, long and floaty (nice for tall people and if you have the heating on ). I wore Peter Pan collars and jumper dresses the first time round. I’m over 50 and feel on the fashion scrap heap. Unlined dresses will either cling or ride up.

I’m not looking forward to going out to events as I’ve nothing suitable in my wardrobe, no fashion shops on the high street and online things are out of stock.

@Topaz67, if you are over 50 and can find nothing to wear (and I agree with you) then the time has come to become ultra-selective about what you buy and wear, and to toss High Street fashion onto the scrapheap. There are few people who look great in this "season's" fashion, and even fewer are over 50. So your challenge is to shift to concentrate on a) the shapes that flatter your body -- pursue this ruthlessly b) put aside the 'it's a cheap x; I'll throw it in the trolley': instead, for a short period, only replace basics and decide what you do and don't reach for regularly.... colours and shapes. Save your spends for a month or two or three. And at that point, decide what you miss that you threw out as too shabby and buy a better quality replacement.

In the UK winter, no one needs thin floaty floral dresses. But a well cut corduroy shirt dress in your favourite colour with long sleeves so you could layer a thermal top underneath is likely to be endlessly versatile, for work or the supermarket and slouchy enough to be comfortable at home. Boots and tights... use (cheap) accessories to update the look.

The art of dressing like this (IMO, which you are free to ignore of course) is to choose very plain clothes and dress them up or down for events and occasions.

Never send accessories to the charity shop either. No one is ever going to outgrow a beautiful scarf or gloves or a flattering hat.