I am craving simple clothes. Anyone else?

[dogsandcoffee]

Whenever I’m shopping I feel like it’s so hard to find good basic clothes. Menswear seems so much simpler! I go in a shop and everything is crazy patterned or flouncy.

I want a well cut white t shirt, and stuff that all goes together so that I don’t have a headache at picking an outfit.

Am I alone in this?

I looked at community clothing for jeans but the women's were stretch denim for almost as much as the men's 100% cotton selvedge. Didn't impress me that the men got better quality jeans! I didn't want stretch as they fall down so you have to wash them every couple of weeks to shrink them back. Men's started at a 28 and I can just about get away with a 26.

They've had women's selvedge denim at the same price as their other jeans - I tried some but unfortunately they didn't have my size in stock.

I like the Amazon basics range for tops, simple, well cut, 'normal' sizing and comfortable. Not purchased any trousers so don't know if they are any good.

@Floisme

They've had women's selvedge denim at the same price as their other jeans - I tried some but unfortunately they didn't have my size in stock.

They didn't have any when I looked, only stretch non selvedge for almost as much as men's selvedge. I bought 100% cotton jeans elsewhere .

@dotdotdotdash

No, you're not! I've ordered fabric samples and I'm going to make myself a dress and some t-shirts as I can't find what I want.

Yes this is what I do too, and judging from my social circle etc increasing numbers of people are getting into making their own clothes since the 'high street' became so limited.

Even the historically good brands are using cheap fabrics and lazy techniques and if you aren't a straight up and down model its getting very difficult to find flattering cuts and decent tailoring.

A thread I started this morning on this very subject!
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4530375-Flounces-frills-and-tiers-lead-to-my-tears

I can’t be doing with all the frilly flouncy Mormon-esque dresses that have been about for the past couple of years. They look so bad on me but you can’t seem to buy anything else.

You're not alone. I would like dresses, tunics and tops that are nipped in at the waist instead of being designed like a big bloody potato sack with weird frills. Will check out some of the shops suggested here!

My problem with all of this is I like feminine clothes, and most of the links to good quality or well designed clothing are mostly masculine or utilitarian....or oversized.
Nothing wrong with that, and I will admit that i've no time for masculine/feminine as descriptors of one's identity anyway as we are all a blend of both, BUT I can't find more traditionally feminine dresses, skirts of any other garment that isn't thin, unlined, shit material or badly hemmed anywhere, no matter how much I am willing to spend.

I can only find stiff boxes.

Yes I agree, but only find myself buying very simple clothes - so they are out there somewhere.
I got some gorgeous linen tshirts from Crew Clothing last year. And plain chinos from Boden. And I've just seen a few lovely plain linen-looking dresses in Phase Eight. Jigsaw can be good for plain tshirts. Hobbs can be good for simple shapes too.
I avoid all trends and just wear the same stuff year after year.

Superdry is surprisingly good for basics. I also find the quality to be good.

It's definitely getting harder to find nice things in decent fabrics, without frills, flounces and high necklines.

I still rate M&S for jeans. Arket for plain t-shirts. Just ordered a plain, boring but hopefully useful denim skirt from Fatface.

I use amazon and usually go for loungewear

It’s driving me insane I just want shirts, tops, t shirts that are not square, you know some actual shape to clothes, square clothes are made purely because they are cheap and quick to manufacture.

Yes some darts or shaping would be wonderful

I went shopping yesterday for a simple dress for a wedding, fitted style, in cream with lace panels at the sides, oh and short cap sleeves. I’ve got a jacket, a cream Tuxedo style.
Well all I could find were flouncy, frilly, creations in dull frumpy colours, awful dull drab colours or really bold geometric designs.
In decided to rethink the whole thing and thought do I need another dress I’ll only wear once. I’ve decided to still wear the jacket but team it with a nice top and trousers I found in M&S. The trousers are Ankle Grazers but I’m short so the length will be perfect for me.

Was also going to suggest Rapanui, good quality and fit, good choice of colours and wear well.

I especially like the nepp ones which are a decent weight and have speckles of other colours.
rapanuiclothing.com/product/women-s-organic-cotton-nepp-t-shirt/

I’m with you!

I scour shops online for plain, decent quality items. Fashion at the moment is hell for me. I love dresses, but it’s so hard to find simple, well fitting ones if you don’t have £££££.

I managed to get a couple of dresses from Ralph Lauren that I like in the sales, but it looks like horrible, floral dresses are STILL around this summer .

Everything has ruffles, frills, polka dots, high frilly necks, stupid flappy butterfly sleeves. Urghhhh.

I think this is because simple, classic clothes don’t date much so how can we be bombarded with new fast fashion must haves? The frills and patterns are things that do date and being distinctive, people are often unwilling to wear them again and again as it’s so obvious. So more stuff is bought.

The older I get the more I appreciate how hard my more simple, basic items work in my wardrobe. It’s actually ridiculous how the cost per wear ends up being so low as I reach for them again and again, whereas more ‘fashionable’ or distinctive items have a high cost per wear as they are simply harder work. I wear my best basics until they literally fall apart.

I don’t envy anyone trying to build a wardrobe right now. Higher prices for lower quality and a lot of rubbish around.

Toast can be good for this. You just need to be super selective as some of the styles are very out there but there are normally a few gems each season.

H&M is good for the basics and I like their kids range.

I've recently discovered the wonder that is men's clothing. Hoodies, fleece jumpers, coats and t shirts made for men always fit me so much better. Also, why are the hoods on women's clothing NEVER big enough to actually cover your head? I've got a coat from Cotton Traders with a pathetic hood that doesn't even come halfway over the top of my head. Women often have their hair up or have a fringe that needs protecting from the rain. Give us big hoods!

Next have come up with the goods this season, go into one of their shops and you'll find loads of plain classic items.

Simple clothes perfection:

Old Town.

@Ohmnomnom

H&M is good for the basics and I like their kids range.

I've recently discovered the wonder that is men's clothing. Hoodies, fleece jumpers, coats and t shirts made for men always fit me so much better. Also, why are the hoods on women's clothing NEVER big enough to actually cover your head? I've got a coat from Cotton Traders with a pathetic hood that doesn't even come halfway over the top of my head. Women often have their hair up or have a fringe that needs protecting from the rain. Give us big hoods!

Is cotton traders any good?

What's the quality like.

I prefer classic clothing now