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.

A V neck or scoop neck camisole style sleeveless top to wear under jackets and cardigans. It's such a basic item, they're always sold out, Wallis used to do a great one, Roman too. I've just spent £65 on a silk one from Lilysilk - I don't really want silk, just a crepey polyester double layer would suffice!

@icywinterwonderland Try TLC sports. Their leggings are amazing. Some are lined, very strong thick material, some used to come with 10 year guarantee (dunno if they still do that). Expensive-ish..(maybe £25-40)..but the leggings and yoga style pants just last forever and look great. They often have sales too and sometimes TKMaxx have their stuff in.

Full length, straight leg black trousers (no wool). I've had to buy some ankle grazers but then I get cold. Thankfully the pandemic has meant WFH so not so much a need anymore, but would like a pair for work and such.

And another one, v-neck cotton jumper in a solid colour (black, navy, camel).

A tidy blouse that fits my HH boobs and doesn't have room for another person at the back. And doesn't cost the earth

A decent bra! 32H, so M&S doesn't cater for me at all. Bravissimo have produce one bra that fits and is vaguely comfortable. I have it in about 5 different colours but would love another style bra. Would also love a comfy crop top to wear at home/in bed. Doesn't exist. Why do bra makers assume that if you're an H cup you must be at least a 36-38 band?

So many things:
a teeshirt that flatters my body and doesn't emphasis my upper tummy rolls (but I fear that's impossible as its my body, not the clothes)
a decent bra, that fits properly and is actually comfortable on my ribs and sternum
shoes that are my very small size and that are comfortable for all my foot problems, but that aren't frumpy.
blazer/jacket that isn't too wide on the shoulder - even petite seems to hang off my shoulders when I try a size big enough for my bust.

V necked cotton cardigans in a range of colours. All you can get is round necked, and I’m bored of those. You can get them in merino or cashmere, which I find itchy, or acrylic, which is just nasty, but not cotton. I’ve been looking for about ten years.

Boood have you seen these from Baukjen?

And for my DD, a school shirt that has darts in it so she doesn't have to wear a shirt 2 sizes too big to fit her bust in!

They have v necked Cotton silk ones in Woolovers. Not itchy at all. Really soft

At the moment, comfortable walking shoes. I have comfy trainers whch aren't waterproof, but why can't walking shoes be made as comfortable? They are all so hard, and rub my feet. I have tried so many pairs on this weekend. I bought some yesterday and wore them around the house and returned them today. I am now wearing some Karrimor ones around the house to see if they are any better.

I find walking boots extremely uncomfortable on my ankles so it has to be shoes.

Usually, it's 'proper' blouses, by which I mean ones that button all the way down to the bottom, aren't frilly and aren't longer at the back. Happily, though, I found some in Next recently that I like

Smart vest tops for layering that don’t show the tops of your bra/boobs.

Jeans especially skinny jeans. I'm 4"11 with short legs and even with alterations I've yet to to find a pair that sits right on me

@RampantIvy, walking shoes and boots are difficult. I sympathise. We used to have a really good outdoor shop and from their ranges I learned that Saloman and Merrill fit me. Which may not help you. Both make shoes and boots.

@RampantIvy- I use ASICS goretex trail runners for hiking. I can’t wear boots either, due to arthritis in my ankle. They are the best walking shoes I’ve ever had- I’m on my second pair. Go one size up though.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads
Any tips on the size 9 shoes? Next is my only go to place...

Thank you for the recommendations. I have been wearing some Karrimor shoes all afternoon and I think they may be OK. Wearing softer, more pliable shoes like Skechers really do make other footwear feel less comfortable.

[quote Botanica]@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads
Any tips on the size 9 shoes? Next is my only go to place...[/quote]
Not much - Clark’s do some styles in a 9, that’s mostly what I wear. Then Birkenstocks, DMs, Converse etc. I’m not very feminine - I mostly need
Safety boots for work!

I’ve just bought some insanely expensive ankle boots from Duo.

@RampantIvy have you tried waterpoof trainers? They are not as watertight as boots but pretty good.

My current ones are actually Skechers - similar to this www.skechers.co.uk/women/shoes/skechers-gowalk-outdoors---river-path/124428.html (my style seems to have vanished). They are a bit heavier than normal trainers but sooo much comfier than boots. I've walked miles in them.

Liker pp, I also wear trail running shoes for walking - Decathlon www.decathlon.co.uk/p/kiprun-trail-tr-women-s-trail-running-shoes-pink-maroon/_/R-p-164319?mc=8616920&c=RED_PINK. I walk and run in these - I'd say they are lighter and more flexible than the Skechers but less waterproof and robust.

I have some GoWalk outdoors, but they are nowhere near as waterproof as they claim to be. My feet were soaking after walking through some long grass. We are rural, and unless it has been really dry, an awful lot of walking is in mud, so I need something that is properly waterproof.

I love plain black v neck long sleeved tops from Primark but they very rarely have my size. I’m 18 to 20 which I thought would be less popular but apparently not so!

@Scarby9 find someone who can sew and get it remade! Don’t let this holy grail go extinct

@RampantIvy

At the moment, comfortable walking shoes. I have comfy trainers whch aren't waterproof, but why can't walking shoes be made as comfortable? They are all so hard, and rub my feet. I have tried so many pairs on this weekend. I bought some yesterday and wore them around the house and returned them today. I am now wearing some Karrimor ones around the house to see if they are any better.

I find walking boots extremely uncomfortable on my ankles so it has to be shoes.

If you don’t mind a bit of travelling, have you tried Mountain Feet in Marsden? Outdoor footwear shop run by a podiatrist.