What is your basic item of clothing that is almost impossible to buy?

[peaceanddove]

For me it has to be a flattering t-shirt. The absolute unicorn of clothing items, in my book. Caught so many glimpses of one over the years, only to find the neckline was wrong, or it was too boxy, or the sleeves cut too high, or the fabric too thin etc.

But today, I not only glimpsed a unicorn t-shirt, but I actually managed to trap it, try it on and it is actually really flattering. Honestly. So, I bought it in every colour they had, and bought 2 in black.

I feel totally elated and strangely drained. I never thought I would live to see this day.

Black polo neck with a decent, non-skimpy neck and in decent material.

Off to look at Oliver Bonas...

Non-stretch, light blue, high waisted and straight jeans - that don't cost the earth, would be lovely. What I used to wear in the 80's

A chunky button up black cardigan, can't seem to find a petite sized one at all.

White t-shirts that aren’t see-through!!

@Thecurtainsofdestiny

Flat pumps. My feet are too wide and instep too high for them ever to work it seems.

Annoyingly it took decades and several disappointing pairs of them for me to realise this.

What do you mean by pumps? Like ballet flats?

@nancy75

Yes like this:

images.app.goo.gl/zFcSJfbeW3WuTuQP9

A decent pair of cheap soft slippers and not obscenely priced womens shoes over size 8.

A bikini. It was no problem until about 15 years ago; buying a bikini was as easy as falling off a log. Since then ... nothing.

@IcyWinterWonderland

A good quality pair of black leggings. All of the ones I buy always get holes in after a few washes or they are just really see through.

A good sized handbag with a zip which is reasonably priced. I can't stand those handbags with no zip as I am paranoid about getting pickpocketed.

Size 9 wide fit women's shoes which are good quality. I found some in primark and new look but the quality was just dire.

I can help with this. Look at the ones from Commando. They're amazing.

I am built like a gibbon. Long legs, long arms. Sounds great, yeah? Bloody nightmare to dress.

My holy grails are long sleeves that make it all the way to the wrist, and cord trousers that don't flap an inch above my ankles.

Always fun and games finding jeans that fit. I have to spend a fortune.

I also have a very narrow back so bras are fun and games as well. Back measurement of a teenaged girl, boobs of an adult woman.

A comfortable, well-fitting bra for my small back and large bust that doesn't look like a straight jacket

Jeans without stretch in them and with a leg length for my 5’10” frame. I want the same quality that DH gets from his Levi’s but the women’s ones have stretch. So I just buy cheap stretchy ones from Tescos or M&S and curse when they die after a couple of years. My ones from the 90s without stretch haven’t died but I have to breathe in all day to wear them now!

Vest tops/camis that are not low cut. I always needed them for under dresses when working (primary teacher; had to be decent, especially as I was bending down a lot!) and I still would like some as my décolleté is getting a bit, erm, senior looking. They're always designer to be lower than any other neckline!

Well I would have said a wax jacket but finally found one in the sale last week.

So low rise jeans or cords, rise no more than 8 inches. Don't mind what cut but think skinny suits low rise best. Please.

A comfortable bra for hiking and running that doesn’t flatten my boobs.

A leather belt of the correct width, neutral ,buckle. I have a brown leather one I bought nearly 30 years ago in a small shop in Glossop and it is the best belt I have ever owned.

I agree with black or navy work trousers. You wouldn't think it would be that hard! A straight leg pair of trousers. No silly legs, no stupid waist, no stupid crease, pockets and that's about it!

@Thecurtainsofdestiny have a look at flip flop Allegra - my feet sound like yours (Very side, very high instep) the flip flops actually fit without leaving the big red welt on the top of my foot www.fitflop.com/uk/en/shop/allegro-bow-metallic-leather-ballet-pumps-p-DX9#011

They come in loads of colours & the leather is very soft

@Imissmoominmama
www.pourmoi.co.uk/products/energy-reach-underwired-lightly-padded-sports-bra/

Best one I’ve owned ever. No uniboob problem either.

A wrap or wrap effect black long-sleeved jersey top. My last one is pretty much dead from holes and was from Principles, so very old.

Also I yearn for a replacement for my perfect boots. Black suede ankle boots with a chunky sole and heels made out of a sort of rubber. Incredibly comfortable as they basically bounced! The rubber split after about 15 years of wear. I bought them in the 90s and still mourn them.

A replacement for my elderly Dune loafers which are incredibly solid and well made leather, rock solid plastic soles which have never needed resoling, support my plantar fasciitis and are still going strong after a good twenty years (TBF I don't wear them on long walks, just round the kitchen and out to the corner shop), but are not elegant and are visibly showing their age.

A 'nice top' with a v or scoop neck. Not clingy, not jersey, no peplum, shirring, cold shoulder, off the shoulder, frills or weird cut-outs.

I just want something simple and flattering in black or a dark colour/pattern that I can wear with jeans for a night out or lunch. Preferably hip-length. You used to be able to buy them. Last couple of years - vanished.

I would like scoop necked good quality cashmere jumpers in a range of lovely subtle colours. Crew neck is too high for me, can’t bear things near my neck and v neck doesn’t suit me. Rarely find nice colours in cashmere apart from at Brora for millions of £

Longline cami vests with adjustable straps that are plus size. I have 4 from primark I’ve had for years that are literally tearing holes in the fabric it is so thin and worn but I cannot find them anymore in Primark or any other shops. The adjustable straps are so important as my shoulder to armpit is so shallow vests never fit and fall off.