Preferring outdoor oriented clothes?

[BuntyVisitsTheMoon]

I've been a bit fed up of the poor quality of regular fashions/clothes for years now, and haven't bought very much in that time apart from PJ's and a pair of boots.

Landed in Ambleside on a trip through the north west recently and found myself becoming unreasonably excited about the shops full of outdoor stuff!
It suits me, and feels appropriate, and although some of it is on the expensive side, feels so much better designed and put together than the typical urban, fashion related offerings elsewhere.

So far I have found a few decent things in the sales - a couple of Patagonia warm tee's, some Fjallraven cargo trousers and some excellent walking shoes.

I am outdoors quite a lot in regular life as don't drive, although I don't see so much of this stuff where I live (Shrewsbury, dresses are popular here!), I am tempted to dress this way for most of the time and just give up on the usual clothes shops.
Also recently located a fabulous wool knit online at Finisterre, much more affordable and better made than offerings at Whistles or John Lewis, etc.

Anyone else like this? Possibly out of place in S&B maybe as some might call it style-less, lol.

I have found my people! We live out in the countryside. In winter I live in Rab winter walking trousers. Icebreaker thermals and a down gilet topped by a Patagonia shell. Salomon walking shoes are waterproof and really comfortable. Occasionally I dress up like a normal person to go to London to see my son.

I think there is less of a pressure in general to 'dress up' now, unless very specific occasions. Presentability still important though - clean, tidy, cared for, etc..
I see less and less people in fashion shops, the like of fat face, etc, are always empty. I don't know how many of the stores are surviving.

Primark on the other hand thrives, possibly due to large town central locations (with little choice around them) and the cost of living crisis.

Most urban areas across the UK don't really have any outdoor focused clothing. Go Outdoors seems to be occupying that niche, currently. In these places I mostly see tracksuits or hoodies/joggers (basically thick jersey) as possibly more durable and comfy than what's on offer at H&M/Primark.

I've also found that my outdoor wear washes well.

Most urban areas across the UK don't really have any outdoor focused clothing.

Don't they? One of the main streets in Manchester has several outdoors shops conveniently near each other. Perhaps there's a greater demand for goretex in the northwest, even in cities.

A large proportion of my wardrobe consists of outdoor merino that I have bought over the years in sales. I never pay full price, I have bought summer things in September and Winter things in Jan/Feb.

I have merino long sleeved tops, t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies, leggings, shirts, trousers, dresses and underwear. It's mainly Icebreaker, with some Smartwool and various other brands. DH wears it too (his own merino, not mine!). The machine washable merino is really robust, so comfortable to wear, lasts for years and doesn't go bobbly.

I do have various 100% wool jumpers, cardigans and dresses that aren't from outdoor shops too, as I feel the cold. But I never shop on the high street and haven't done for many years. I doubt if I'd find anything I want there.

DH and I have done a lot of backpacking and hiking over the years and merino is great for that as it can last for many wears without washing.

To look less outdoorsy, I mix my merino with cotton/linen trousers/skirt/dress, a linen/denim jacket or a wool/cashmere cardigan or jumper, but my basics are all merino. I don't own a single non-merino long sleeved top, tank top or t-shirt.

Alpine Trek is a good place online to find bargain outdoor gear if you wait for end of season sales. I have bought lots from them over the years and never had any issues with delivery or returns, even though they ship from Europe.

About a quarter of High Street Kensington is outdoor shops.

Same in Glasgow, hiking wear has very much been 'in' for a lot of people here for a long time.

One of the Sheffield shopping outlet centres has a massive Go Outdoors, Regatta and Mountain Warehouse all next to each other.

Another recommendation for Outside at Hathersage, I see it mentioned upthread, we always go there when we visit the Peak District. There is also a massive Go Outdoors at the Monks cross shopping centre in York which we discovered when we visited there. I wear a lot of walking/outdoors clothes.

My favourite boots though for walking round town and general walking are Josef Seibel Wynter 02 boots which are comfortable round the ankles, they have a wooly bit at the top back, have a zip as well as laces and are waterproof, they are not full on walking boots but outdoorsy and very comfortable and come in a range of colours

josefseibel.co.uk/products/josef-seibel-wynter-02?srsltid=AfmBOorGG_kUA4Tco3KCYTAlPuZiUDB0nwEUP2HZIL_XQKTdUavej1c7&variant=42975069077747

I wear Craghoppers trousers a lot as they do a longer length and fit me well and I have found that on Prime days and BF days on Amazon they are often around £20-£30 and have been cheaper than the outlet shops.