Can we talk about clothing brands and target demographics?

[CrkdLttrCrkdLttr]

Because I’m thinking about the brands that form the core of my ‘going out to meet other grown ups’ wardrobe, and laughing at the Margaret Howell mail shot I’ve just opened. (Socks and sandals photo.) Beautiful young model, and each garment will be wonderfully well made - but I know no one under fifty who wears MH. That’s fine - but I wish the marketing acknowledged the fact.

When a brand does make an effort to engage with the real buyers of its clothes I’m full of awe and gratitude - Raey at Matches is usually great at this.

Studio Nicholson hovers somewhere in between. Again, everyone I know (in the UK) who wears their clothes is older and richer than me, probably in a creative profession. Not a wispy 20 year old.

I never used to care. But I’m wondering if marketing is the reason 99% of the middle aged and older women on MN exclaim that there are no decent clothes for them. There are - but not every brand tells you so.

I think the models for Raey are hilarious!

All of them, @SybilWrites , even the ones smiling winsomely for the camera?

I rather like them un-ingratiating.

Also like that my best beloved chinos now come in other colours.

I love Raey, love the range of models used as well as their expressions - unlike the models at COS, the Raey ones seem to be able to laugh at themselves. I also love the styling, however, their habit of using oversized clothing is a little ridiculous at times and can make it harder to figure out the true fit. It is also rather disingenuous that in the size & fit details, they note the model is wearing a UK 8 when she clearly isn't. But, that's a small irritation on the scale of things.

Am desperate for these, should they ever be reduced to a more reasonable price, I will pounce.

I find this ridiculous too im currently breastfeeding (and have been a while so don't have a pregnant body anymore) whilst I appreciate our culture is different in the sense the majority breastfeed for shorter lengths of time and therefore want maternity/nursing clothes it's drives me up the wall when companies don't even use real pregnant/postpartum women to model and instead have them ridiculous football shaped 'bumps' on otherwise skinny women.

I could afford one of those dresses as a very special treat unfortunately size "S" is a UK 8, "M" is a UK 10 and "L" is a UK 12.

I can't really add very much in the way of ideas for sources except this, in Penzance, but they do sell online:

thehandworkedshop.com/shop

The blue jackets are lovely as is their linen.

I also happened upon a super place in Brighton on Trafalgar Street Just down from the station. It was upstairs and sold some simple but beautiful and unusual subtly embroidered clothes. I can't find a website and can't recall much more, I'm afraid.

Sunspel are OK in my experience but not as special or as long-lasting as you'd expect from the price compared with say Cos, and for only a bit more money you can get Margaret Howell's quality.

I've recently bought a beautiful quality fine wool skirt from Cos, it's amazing for the money. I was actually there in person to spot it - it does make such a difference, as it looked nothing on the website, and the sizing was, ahem, on the small size.

I can never figure things out with Raey; I like oversize, but theirs is just overoversize+++ I got their shirt last summer and I feel like a knight in a surcoat when I wear it

I notice the angst is for the dresses, which fits with the longing for warm spring days and sun. I've done this imaginary summer dress buying for years, and now have a whole wardrobe of dresses [making myself not look in their direction anymore]

Now, I am on a hunt for a specific type of garment - let's share suggestions:
A soft jacket / interesting deconstructed cardigan / overshirt / vest / cut out jacket. You know, an item of clothing that replaces the formal jacket but can be worn in formal-ish situations, maybe a bit edgy CDG-esque, but also comfortable as it is not strictly speaking a blazer, and can equally be worn casually. YSWIM?

@microbius I'm after a deconstructed cardigan/blazer too. I can imagine what it looks like but I can't find it anywhere. I'm imagining a zip and interesting collar, but less structured, more soft than a blazer - and a bit more edge.

And not to forget shoes. I very much want these for summer formal events/more serious work days:
traceyneuls.com/collections/flats/products/perry-black-leather

Hmm …

Tentatively …

There might be something else there that suits.

@MmePoppySeedDefage , that's a good link. Thanks.
Oh dear... I'm skint.

Deconstructed?

But possibly too distressed?

Too simple?

🤔

Love this. Navy is not my friend but I do really like this. I had something similar in as a dress years ago and loved it

Also the deconstructed cardigan is saw and loved was of similar vein - top quilted leather and bottom thick merino, with a diagonal zip

Am loving this thread. It's reminding me what a joy clothes can be. I want to have fun putting outfits together again

Came on to say jus this @TheMildManneredMilitant
I'm making lists of outfits to try as the weather warms up, and things I want to alter, and it's making me very happy.

Yes, attached are some more inspirations- from a brand that has been in the press for nicking others' designs. One look to me very Issey Miake and some very obviously CDG

and this is similar to what you posted @CrkdLttrCrkdLttr but with a little more interesting zip

I've not much idea what anyone else was doing sartorially in the 90s

Suits in the City, Droopy & Browns elsewhere, partner’s tweedy school cast-offs for gardening. So you had a sort of sartorial twin!

Wait - there’s a Veg Club???

Where???

No as cutting edge as the Johnston's jumper, but Begg, besides lovely wispy cashmere scarves now does beautiful classic cashmere of excellent quality:

https://www.beggxco.com/women/cashmere-knitwear?p=4

A friend has one of their cashmere yacht cardigans - it is so gorgeous.

Sahara London used to be good at having a mix of ages in models but I noticed in their last few catalogues this has stopped.

Shame really especially as I do not feel Sahara is a young brand.

Had a look at the website, @Enko - it seems to be aimed at (generalising) ‘mothers of primary school age children’. Easy clothes for women who don’t feel they’ve regained their pre-childbirth bodies? Don’t know if @User1706 would agree?

It’s maybe at the start of a continuum - the same woman might move on to Plümo once she’s back to working full time and can afford to spend more. I definitely see that as a label appealing to clever, adventurous women from maybe 40 upwards, with a flexible budget - which definitely isn’t reflected on their current website. (I can’t see younger women buying it other than at pre-worn prices.)

Egg is my idea of the final stop on this continuum - I still can’t imagine anyone pre-retirement wearing their stock, especially the astonishingly £££ cashmere - but there are never any mature or elderly women on the website.