Clothes like these old ladies are wearing!

[WeirdArchitecture]

I was just reminded on another thread about attitudes to ageing that I had recently seen a documentary about centenarians in Okinawa, Japan.

I have this photo, sadly not a very detailed one, from the film and I love what these two ladies are wearing. I'm oddly drawn to how older people dress, especially in Japan for some reason, the fabrics look natural, the shapes are slightly loose, comfortable but not massive or trend focused.

As someone who loathes jersey and stretchy stuff, I would love a modestly patterned dress like the lady on the left, as well as those wonderfully patterned pyjama style togs the lady on the right wears.

Any tips where or how to source such lovely things with decent prints and fabrics?

If anyone is interested, the doc is called 'centenarians - a new age without limits' on youtube.

Well @IvorCutler was correct, it is grandma's Harajuki

If only we had something like that here, they seem to take so much joy in stuff, in comparison we are so serious and austere!

@IvorCutler

I wasn’t saying grandma was a negative op! I loved the way she dressed. She was my grandma, simple as that.

I've often thought it's strange how we consider looser shapes to be 'old' or hiding something. I like stuff that way because it's comfy, and if nice fabrics/patter and design there's the luxury of enjoying it too.

I was never happy, however slim, in tight, stretchy clothing. I put myself through skinny jeans for years until the penny dropped and I realised I really didn't like tight clothes.
I wonder when it began? The 1960's?
Prior to this there were some strict rules for women's clothing that I am glad are gone, but I would love the looser stuff (like the floaty, silks of the 20's) to return! I'm kind of crazy about antique fashions due to how well made they were with amazing fabrics.

I like loose things too, OP - tunics and shift tops.

The fabric shops in Tokyo are to die for. There’s a massive culture of making things - not just clothes, all sorts of crafts. Would love to go back but don’t know if I ever will now

I am the same @WeirdArchitecture, I feel most comfortable in looser, natural fabrics. Especially in the summer. I’m a fan of cos etc.

My grandma was born in 1929 and much of what I saw her in was bought in the early 70s I think- and still worn up until the early 00s when she died.

Patterns from Merchant and Mills, plus their lovely fabric, then get a local seamstress to run something up.

I love Japanese style.
I met a Japanese designer once who told me that in western fashion they make clothes to fit a body - in Japan they thought about the space between the body and the clothes - I thought that was beautiful.
I went into a florist a couple weeks ago and was wearing a loose Madras check cotton dress, an oversized cotton cardi and carrying a tote bag - the very stylish Japanese florist said I looked wonderful 😁.
Hopefully, when the pandemic is over, I would love to travel to Japan.

Have you tried Muji OP? Their clothes tend to be quite plain but the shapes should be right.

@Baxil

Garments like that are a doddle to run up on a sewing machine, OP.

Yes. There are a lot of patterns like this. Look up #hinterlanddress on Instagram if you can sew. It's what I wear a lot of the time.

I love the jinbei, if I've got that correct, so cute! I've now ordered one off amazon. 100 cotton. Fingers crossed. I have images of lounging gracefully. Thanks OP!

Lounging gracefully

Thanks everyone, I would like to say that I wish I had learned to sew - but I did learn, again and again and could not master it. :( Weirdly I am quite good at using thread and embroidery in textile art, but that's kind of abstract.

The image of the ladies reminds me of very nice PJ's. Maybe buy some decent PJ's and crop the leg.

These links might be worth a look. Found the first looking for Anokhi. Lots of block printed cottons.
www.chandnichowk.co.uk/Fashion_Index_Page_Fair_Trade.html
The V&A stocks some Kiraku garments - elegant Japanese clothing.
kirakuclothing.com/
www.east.co.uk/

I would agree with others on the find-a-dressmaker route. Those Japanese patterns would be easy for someone to copy.

Print House London www.printhouse.com and Kantha Decor www.kanthadecor.com are both places where I have bought hand-blocked and ikat cotton. NB This kind of material tends to be a bit less colourfast, so you have to be careful with laundering at first, but it’s lovely.

@Widmerpool

I would agree with others on the find-a-dressmaker route. Those Japanese patterns would be easy for someone to copy.

Print House London www.printhouse.com and Kantha Decor www.kanthadecor.com are both places where I have bought hand-blocked and ikat cotton. NB This kind of material tends to be a bit less colourfast, so you have to be careful with laundering at first, but it’s lovely.

Arrrgh sorry, am a dimwit, I meant CLOTH HOUSE www.clothhouse.com

God, and then in my horror my keyboard switched into Ukrainian and I couldn’t remember how to get it back

Oh yes, Kantha Decor sell beautiful prints; I’ve been very happy with my purchases from them. They’ve got a sale on at the moment....

I know you said you don’t sew but if you can find some who does I second the Nani Iro book of patterns.
This is the pocket dress from the book.
I have also made trousers and my next make will be a blouse.

I just got these culottes from Thought:

www.wearethought.com/romeshka-organic-cotton-jersey-printed-culottes-in-navy/

With this top:

www.wearethought.com/romeshka-organic-cotton-jersey-printed-tasselled-blouse-in-navy/

Together they give a similar effect and are really soft and comfy!

Not sure why I can't seem to link but there's some nice stuff on Monki

I have similar pants & dresses. I’ve bought pretty patterned pyjama pants, 3/4 length is best. And I’ve recently bought several midi-length dresses, which because I’m short are a really good length for me. All lovely cotton or cotton mix fabrics. I have a bit of a boho style.

@AdaColeman

Uniqlo do a range of oversized tee shirts which you could pair with their three-quarter shorts, or seersucker easy trousers, or gaucho pants, for that simple pull up/slip on comfortable sort of look.

You’ve just described my lockdown wardrobe

OP I can confirm that Uniqlo’s oversized tees (I got Marimekko prints) and 3/4 wide leg shorts (called Relaco) are very comfy and look nice and cheery, to me anyway!

Thanks @mrssmiling for the link to Kiraku - the clothes look lovely. They have a sale section and I've ordered some items. Will report back after they arrive.

Check out the brand Masai. My mum is still very stylish and in her 50s and wears this brand.

House of Flint and The People Shop, always.

I know Lagenlook is a bit Marmite, but I bought some of these trousers in a couple of colours last year and I love them, they’re so comfy! To my mind they would suit this style.

www.laundryb.com/the-mombasa-pleated-linen-cocoon-pant-dove/