Shopping for clothes over the last couple of years is an utter chore

[soupfiend]

Barely anything in stock
An item that is 'new in' in Matalan apparently, has a 14, a 20 and a 22 on the racks - thats it. Also having come home, it doesnt come in a size 8 even though the thing is massive (tried on the 14)
Items all mixed up, on the wrong hangers, often impossible to find the price label as its tucked right down inside the item
Reams and reams and reams of fucking cargo trousers - yes I want to add bulk to one of the most bulky parts of my body, yes please.
Ditto paperbag and now 'parachute' trousers. Flattering on NO ONE
Reams and reams and reams of polyester, even worse when its bragging about recycled polyester
Waists so high they come up to your chin
Legs so long bearing in mind the average height of the UK woman is about 5'4 I believe
Most of it is utter dross
And the prices!

Pissed off

I only order online as I need the longer length which has never been in store, though I probably need to go where OP shops as I need size 14 with long legs and high waist.

I agree OP

Nothing fits and the dresses have no zips nowadays

Necks too deep

The shops that now don't have changing rooms are frustrating. I buy tops only as would need to try everything else on.

Yes I do that frequently IF they are in stock. Ive never known so many things be out of stock all the time though. Just returned yet another item today because you never know what its going to look like and fit like because you cant try it on because its not there!

@suburburban no zips, ah I've got stuck for a minute or two in a dress in a changing room before now. But that wasn't as difficult as the crop top style sports bra I got into in sports direct. Once I got it on I looked like a toothpaste tube squeezed near the top! Then couldn't get my elbow out, or arm out or anything. Luckily there was no one else in the changing rooms, DH was nearby and had to come in to help me grapple with it. It was that or go up to the cash desk and ask the teenage bloke assistant!!!!🥴

Oh god and the deep necks. I have quite high bras. Dont want a deep neck

Yes, with the zips the dresses seemed to fit better

Button fronts that gape is another bugbear

I often see something I like in a shop, see it fits, like the frantic etc. but think I'm not / can't be paying that and save a search on Ebsy of Vinted.

It usually turns up. 😊

• fabric even!

I know a lot of people hate polyester but I absolutely loathe viscose/lyocell/tencell/bamboo/whatever. The stuff bring me out in a piggin' sweat! Unfortunately the stuff is everywhere. Want something linen? It'll have to be with bloody viscose.

In every shop I have to check the label which has very small writing and is normally right buy the security tag so I look very suspect!!!

It's where you're shopping that's the problem. You won't get great quality of choice in matalan.

I buy my clothes from Amazon from sellers.
I tend to buy cotton and linen materials
Have bought some lovely pieces

Well as I already said Im not only shopping there, and it just so happened that the items I wanted in there, but werent there, were all cotton and linen, not polyester

Im talking generally

Not knowing what size to buy in anything is depressing.

My budget isn’t huge at the moment, and I went to Primark and tried on the following:

Size large pair of trousers - they fit me perfectly, and were even a bit baggy.

Size small t shirt - fits really well, and with plenty of room to spare.

Size 16 denim shorts - couldn’t get these past my knees.

And why is everything so beige and neutral at the moment? Where the hell has the colour gone?!

Everything is so insipid and boxy cut, and midriff exposing. and the jeans and trousers are far too long.

And I’m sick of the 90’s trend!