Help! I'm really not enjoying shopping this Spring. Tell me about Joe Browns

[perpetualworrier]

In the winter months I am very happy in slouchy jeans, long sleeved t-shirts, Timberland boots (brown - strictly no pastel colours!)and a casualish brown cashmere coat.

But looking a summer clothes is really getting me down. Everything is either too revealing or too frumpy. Joe Browns mag landed on the mat yesterday and I have to say I like a lot of it. Similar image to Fat Face I would say, but more colourful and about half the price

So my questions are:

-How much does the quality suffer for the lower price?
-How are the sizes? I'm 5'7", slimish (size 10 in Next) with no bust.
-Am I too old? - 38 and usually shop in Next or Monsoon for a special occasion.

i get the joe browns larger ladies range and absolutly love it. i have had several people trying to snaffle my winter hat (lisad123 i am looking at you here!), and my black cargos have survived the winter intact (good length on me as i am slightly shorter than you).

overall i am impressed. am eying up the new stuff and wondering what i can reasonably wear with a bellyband for my expanding bump lol.

I buy it sometimes.
I am your height, 40 and a size 12.

I bought from their catalogue once - and once only - it all got sent back as it was sooooo shoddily made - goes straight in the bin these days

I always think it looks ok ish but lots of stuff seems to be man-made fibres.

I love their jeans and cords but sent the only top I ordered back as the material was fairly poor quality. Saw a thread recently where someone had sent one of the summer dresses back as it was see through and a bit crappy generally.

their winter stuff is better than summer IMO - it was me who had to send back the 'Carefree Summer Dress'
I think a lot of it is fine if you are 20 as you can get away with slightly dodgy fit / quality etc but is pushing it on the more mature lady

Misdee - what/where is the larger ladies range? Pretty please?

never like the look of the Joe Brown catalogue, but I'm probably too old (but love and wear lots of White Stuff and Gap)