Trafford Centre or Liverpool One

[ReluctantFishLady]

It's been so long since I have been in a bricks and mortar clothes shop or actually bought something that's not from Ebay or a charity shop. I've therefore very little idea whats current right now, or available that might be suitable for a 40 something SAHM.

Shopping in my home town is pretty much non existent now, but both the Trafford Centre and Liverpool One are close enough.

Please wise and stylish Mumsnetters please suggest which one you prefer and which particular shops I should target. TIA!

It depends what sort of clothing you want I think.

I prefer Liverpool for shopping for me, as they have a Cos and Toast and a John Lewis and other places which are a bit more grown up but not really expensive. I'm a 40 YO fat mum if that helps, but I do try and be stylish!

I also prefer that it's 'open air' as it were.

Having said that - parking is free at the Trafford Centre and it's all handily under one roof, including the food court, and there's always plenty of seating available, so that's one thing to consider!

Well i live around the corner from the TC and found shopping in Liverpool one fun.

I just tend to nip to the TC and I never browse. It's very big

in L1 I enjoyed john lewis (i always do better in a john lewis not on home turf) plus a wander through and other stories though we have one in Manchester City centre but I never go there.

TC has a good m&s and next and h&m.

Manchester centre.. take advantage of the metro link park and ride to avoid hefty parking charges though.

I know it wasn’t an option, but I personally prefer it over Trafford Centre and Liverpool One.

Had not considered this actually. Simply because I don't know Manchester city centre and don't even know where the shopping area is.

You could park at the Trafford Centre, jump on the metro link and get off at exchange square. I’d have to double check it’s that line to be honest, I’ve only done it that way once. Depending on what kind of shops you’re after will depend on where best to head for.

Apologies, TC to Manchester needs a change at Cornbrook. Very straight forward though.

TC probably has more stuff.

What shops would be best to target? Thanks for all parking advice but I'm really wanting some suggestions for what shops to visit.

I don't work and have very few formal events. Just wanting some practical day to day clothes that also look reasonably interesting/stylish. Nothing too cheap but not crazy expensive. Have a Next/M&S/H&M/New Look and Primark locally and tend not to find these particularly interesting.

zara? Although to be honest I find most high streets to be samey.. I just find Manchester has all of them rather than my nearest high street.

I do like Stradivarius at the Trafford Centre.

There's one at L1 now too...

Cos and Arket have gone from Liverpool ☹️ and I don't think there's a Toast.
John Lewis is good though.
I like Manchester for a bit more variety and Uniqlo in particular.