My DH suggesting I'm "getting old" because I've ordered from Seasalt

[WoofWoofBeachLife]

I saw a lovely wee dress last night on Seasalt, I have some money saved for a clothes makeover and decided to go for it. My DH said last night it was nice but isn't Seasalt for older women 😆 I'm 51 in July and I don't think it looks like an OAP website. Now I'm thinking, shit should I send it back?
I just want a few quality pieces I can add to, I've not bought myself anything in a long long time due to illness. We are going shopping to a shopping centre on Sunday and I'm reluctant to browse with him hovering now x

That's what I'm looking for, just a few things for pottering about in. Going to food shop cor example. X

She's loaded so not an issue but maybe she thinks all casual clothes are dowdy.

I think a lot of this is about an overall look too, if you've got good hair, funky shoes, and a good figure- to be frank you can look pretty good in a bin liner- whereas some of us who are a bit more challenged figure wise do indeed tend to dress to highlight the better points and minimise the not so good. I've got great boobs and nice legs (below the knees) but a far too ample middle and am only 5ft 4. - and the same applies whether you are 21 or 61- some people don't give a shit but many of us want to look presentable -but without a model girl looks or figure these days . Personally with brands like sea salt and fat face and joules- I like certain pieces, rather than all the brand- same applies to M&S - so I don't think you can slag whole brands off as'awful' although I must admit im struggling with those Batshiva things- im not fond of Zara either as nothing fits me, not big enough or way too long.

My H is late 50s and has good taste- he doesn't buy lots but likes All Saints tops , some Zara for men and good jeans and he always likes what I buy.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with practical, if it's boring to you so be it. I'm not looking to be classy and elegant at Aldi and Sainsburys 😂

I am questioning my taste now. Does anyone like this? I love it but yes, of course it's polyester which makes me itch. Also expensive. Should I buy this for a work event? Bright colours suit me.

Florencia Dress - Fuschia - Recycled polyester - Sézane (sezane.com)

Oh Shingles is so grim.

Even now, nearly three years later, I have an almost constant gnawing pain on the top of my thigh where the rash was it's worst.

If it gets touched in any way..Eg if someone's dog scrabbles at my leg,{so many bloody dogs jump up} it can set off the pain so badly.

Definitely keep your loose clothing.

xx

@Falafelfiend my honest opinion is nice -- if you are tall and slim-

Good post I agree with what you say. It's one dress, I will be in Marks and Spencer on Sunday for "practical" bras 😄
My boobs haven't seen lace or silk in a few months. DH still fancies me the same though. Xx

it's weird, because even business clothes end up looking dowdy if worn in the wrong context.

Even Kate Middleton wears casual clothes in front of cameras sometimes. Actually, she's the perfect Seasalt target 😂

@WoofWoofBeachLife I had to google 'Allodynia'..and it sounds like what I have where the site of the rash was.

The merest pressure can set it off..I thought it was known as 'Post herpetic neuralgia'
Out of interest, have you had any meds that actually help for it? {Topical creams &c}

Who does? Xx

@originalglazedsingle I like some of Kates style x

Yes, and virtually all made in China .

I wear joules and fat face in my 30s… considering sea salt… outdoorsy and practical is what I go for. Gravitate towards Cotswolds and the like too.

If you waft about an office or indoor building of a day then Mint Velvet or Whistles <insert middle class yummy mummy type place> is fine.

But if you are outside working or more physical job, then it really doesn’t work; the fabric rips within weeks and it’s not fit for purpose.

Don’t get me wrong, I have wafty clothes for some social occasions where it’s necessary. But doesn’t work day to day and that doesn’t make me a frump… it means I have a different lifestyle.

I think it’s a bit too much of generalisation from him. He could just say that you look older in this dress.
I don’t think that Seasalt is only for older women but it does lack flashy oversized clothes like wide jeans and lace decorated crop tops which you wear often in young age ( quietly suffering for the sake of fitting in)

I agree.

Let the fashion crowd do their thing and then have a real life sensible board.

Cos always gives me Handmaiden vibes.

Cos always reminds me of the 'designer' clothes book I got free with my sewing machine. All impractical oversizing.

@WoofWoofBeachLife ha, me too- thing is I will go somewhere like say Next and go 'ooh this is all totally hideous'. - ooh hello- this is quite nice- (fingers the fabric) -
it's about individual bits- not the brand.

Clothes I've got that people always say 'love that, where did you get it' are as diverse as H&M to Monsoon or indeed the aforementioned Joules.

I initially had Amitriptyline because I had post hepatic neuralgia on my face and head. I still get it occasionally. In 2017 I was given Duloxetine from my Rheumatologist and that helped. I wouldn't recommend that though. Sometimes I put freeze gel or ibuprofen gel on it. I know im probably not supposed to though. For the neuralgia on my face and head, I basically cover my head with a hooded blanket, sometimes a hot water bottle on my head lol. Any slight breeze or breath can set it off. I really sympathise with you, it's difficult to explain the symptoms. I'm off Duloxetine now since the end of last year and I've found out just how much it helped me. I can't have it now though xx

@AntiStuff

it's clothing for women who don't want to be noticed.…. women of all ages who are not particularly interested in clothes, trends or fashion, but want to look presentable and feel comfortable. They quite possibly enjoy gardening and outdoor swimming.

Made me feel a bit sad to read this… I love clothes and fashion, but I am a carer and work outside too… seasalt and similar brands are resilient and wash well. Other brands may be trendier but the fabric is too flimsy or holds stains. What’s they point in paying twice the price for something that gets half the wear?!

I think it’s a bit sad when women over say 45 don’t transition away from New Look and Primark fast fashion styles and appear mutton dressed as lamb. Like they are holding on to youth and not embracing who they actually are at that point in time. The sensible footwear usually comes in due to arthritis and osteoporosis both of which increase due to menopause, well done you if avoided issues… really it is a necessity.

Just scrolled through that Batsheva link. There's a woman hoovering a beach, tells me all I need to know 🦇 💩

Can he give us some fashion tips please. If Seasalt etc are out what can we wear? ☺️

@Robinni wafty clothes 🤣
I totally agree with your last post. If practical clothes with my lifestyle make me boring and invisible I'm unfazed by that. Some of the comments have made me a wee bit sad and 😳
I surrounded by dogs all day, sand and mud are a second skin. I can't afford to have a wardrobe over haul and have several outfits for different days. Xx

I'll ask him, he will probably say go naked or something Dad jokey 😂 xxx

@Robinni I'm not sure why it's made you feel sad, but I'm sorry you feel like that, I'm just a random person on a talkboard.

As for this,

I think it’s a bit sad when women over say 45 don’t transition away from New Look and Primark fast fashion styles and appear mutton dressed as lamb. Like they are holding on to youth and not embracing who they actually are at that point in time. The sensible footwear usually comes in due to arthritis and osteoporosis both of which increase due to menopause, well done you if avoided issues… really it is a necessity.

You sound pretty judgemental, the expression 'mutton dressed as lamb' is vile. I have never shopped in Primark, and probably not in New Look since the 90s. I abhor fast fashion. I embrace who I am at 49 just fine thank you very much 😂I just don't believe it's necessary to wear a pair of dull cotton chinos and a linen smock to do that.

Also, for the record, I live in birkenstocks in the summer, and DMs or trainers the rest of the time thanks to arthritis in both knees and an energetic dog to walk. Ordered these just this morning,
https://www.birkenstock.com/gb/milano-chunky/milanochunkypap-exquisit-naturalleather-0-eva-w_11563.html#page=2