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

Style and Beauty is subjective though. Some of the current fashions are not for me. At 64 I am no longer wearing crop tips for example. I am not disdainful, but style is about what suits you isn't it. My Seasalt navy linen trousers that I bought a couple of years ago suit me, and are, according to some fashionistas, the height of fashion right now.

I don't like Seasalt, Boden or Toast. I'm a bad Mumsnetter.

Same. It's funny.

My late mum once told me that she was envious I was comfortable enough to wear what I like even if my OH didn't like it.

Best moment was one wedding anniversary and we were going out for a meal. I put very light make up on which is a once a year thing. His comment - what's wrong with your face? 😂

I mean... I'd say Seasalt was probably for your age. Does your DH by any chance still think you're the hottest thing since sliced bread and forget you're not 21 😂

I don't think it's frumpy so much as it's a particular style aesthetic that is more traditional, slower fashion, not pile-it-high-and-sell-it-cheap. That's inevitably (but not exclusively) going to appeal to more mature shoppers regardless of their age.

Think of their cotton dungarees, you could very easily imagine someone younger, with brightly coloured hair, piercings and tattoos wearing them. It's all in how you style the pieces you buy.

As with all clothes retailers, I pick and choose a few items because no one shop absolutely captures the look I like designed for a figure like mine.

Nice that he's interested but is he really expert to judge?

Was that comment really necessary?
Your post is dripping with sneery disdain.

I'm 30 and I have a few things from Seasalt, I like the fabrics and the quality is really good.

There's stuff I wouldn't wear but that's the same with any shop so if you like it then keep it.

It's pretty much the only place on the High Street where you can buy clothes in natural fibres. Decent quality and wash well. No, not cutting edge fashion, but nicely fitted and well made.

I looked at Seasalt. It is all bland, washed down colour, and yes, no shape to the clothes, just fabric in washed colours hanging down on the models. I admire your husband, thinking you are young looking and wants to see you in something more flamboyant. Hold this man very tight, dear.

Catspyjamas17 · Today 09:02

I think what is more ageing is being uber glam with big hair, loads of makeup, tight clothes and massive heels.

Cats, I totally agree.

'Frumpy' is very much in the eye of the beholder. I've often heard it used of superbly stylish clothes which happen not to be sexy - men particularly tend to mean 'not sexy' when they use this word. It really winds me up!

My taste is for what might be pretentiously called 'arty' or (even more yukkily) 'bohemian' clothes: long, simple flowing things, loose and simply-cut in beautiful fabrics which I don't mind paying a bit more for. I like bold crafted jewellery too, which is set off by simple clothing. Because these things are not IN fashion, they are never OUT of fashion either. But because they're not tight, 'body-con', short etc I'm sure 95% of people think they're frumpy.

To be fair on the 'sexy' issue - I realise I never fancy men in what they probably perceive as sexy clothing: tight trousers/jeans, tight t-shirts etc. So I'm being consistent there! Style over fashionable/sexy any day of the week for me!

Anyway, regardless of that - Seasalt are absolutely horrid to work for and pay their HQ staff miserably. They have a bad reputation locally.

That’s a real shame. I thought they were an ethical company. I really like some of their clothes and have been buying from them since my mid-thirties.

This is the best post on this thread. I couldn't agree with you more.

If it fits wear it.
That is your starting point.
Is he stil regretting the closing of Dunns the middle aged man's shop?

I’m the same age as you, and concerned about looking as nice as possible, and while I do find the majority of Seasalt stuff rather boring and washed-out, colour wise, I actually found a plain linen dress there this year that suits me. As in, it flatters my shape and colouring and will be useful for the context I need a dress for: days in the office.

That’s all you need. Forget the brand image stuff, it doesn’t matter.

Exactly.

One of my most stylish friends is in her 70s. She doesn't wear play suits or mini skirts but she looks fabulous. You don't have to look frumpy at any age.

I'm sure if it was your style and you wore the dress with fab accessories you'd look great.

Don't let your husband put you down. It's not a good look in a life partner.

It fills the space vacated by Laura Ashley for me. I loved Laura Ashley in my 20s/30s. I'm now in my 60s.

I've not had time to read through all the comments yet, he's actually a nice person lol. He knows about seasalt because I was on the website last night, some seem to have a little obsession about that point.
He does see me as a babe even in my jammies 😂
Hopefully it will be nice on and do me a turn here and there.
I'm so out the way of shopping for clothes, I'll probably not get much if anything on Sunday when shopping x

I’m 51 and I wouldn’t wear it!

But I do think their target market is ‘older’, so 40 plus. Nothing wrong with that.

🤣

Here you go, @RosesAndHellebores:

https://batsheva.com/en-gb/collections/batsheva-x-laura-ashley

I'm 44 and am currently wearing a Seasalt dress and cardigan!

I love both as they're lovely and light - perfect for warmer weather.

We have a Seasalt store in our very middle aged very conservative town and it is usually older women in it - maybe 55 plus? I keep on going in thinking there will be something I like but their style is not really me. The waistlines seem to hit at a bad level for me or there is that awkward flounce of material right at the tummy level. Don't take your H shopping @WoofWoofBeachLife . There is nothing worse than men hanging about using up valuable space in shops.

Maybe this will change your mind OP :)

I’m 30 and I work in the fashion industry, after reading your post I went on Seasalts website to nosey and there’s a pair of green relaxed slouchy trousers that would be the perfect addition to my wardrobe and I’m highly considering.

My clothes are a mix of designer treats, charity shop bargains, independent brands, vintage finds, and I tend to follow each individual item that attach too much attention to brand identity, as it’s really how you pair things together and your overall look.

Try the dress on, see how you feel!

It's like Crew clothing - the clothing never varies from year to year.

I’ve got some sea salt tops. I’m 32, make of that what you will 😂