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Clothes for older ladies

34 replies

tumdedum · 12/09/2025 09:57

Anyone else ever had to help their Mum buy outfits?
My mum is in her eighties, she's always been smart and stylish but now needs comfort: flat shoes and an elasticated waist.
We're looking for something she can wear to an Autumn wedding.
Trousers and a top, trousers must be elastic waist. Top needs to cover arms and be quite long.

She's apple shaped. Size 12-14 top and 14-16 waist.
She wants to spend as little as possible.
Searching Google just brings up outfits from new companies that when I check on trustpilot have very, very bad reviews.

Any help or advice greatly appreciated!

OP posts:
Pepperedpickles · 12/09/2025 12:56

Floisme · 12/09/2025 10:25

Why should a woman who's clearly always enjoyed being smart and stylish be fobbed off with Cotton Traders and Bonmarche when comfortable, loose fitting, elasticated clothes and flat shoes are all over the high street?

How judgey. I’m 44 and I shop at Cotton Traders because the clothes are well made and as someone with bladder and stomach issues I really value comfort and elasticated waists. Yeah I also shop at asos, h and m and all the usuals but mentioned cotton traders because it’s not one people obviously think of and thought it might be helpful.

tumdedum · 12/09/2025 13:28

Thank you so much for all of the replies! Appreciate all of the suggestions, we're not offended by Cotton Traders or Roman at all - I think she has shopped there before for basics.
The Bond Street website is interesting, haven't heard of them before will take a good look.
For the wedding, I think the budget is probably under £100ish to get both trousers and a top.

OP posts:
LoafofSellotape · 12/09/2025 13:32

CarrieMoonbeams · 12/09/2025 10:03

Hi there, yes I did the same for my mum.

Basically kitted her out in a whole wardrobe full of clothes from Damart! Excellent options for lengths of trousers, lots of colours so it was easy to coordinate and she was really happy with everything. Lots of offers on the website too, save a certain % if you spend a certain amount.

Proceed with caution with Damart, I've had a terrible time recently. They also charge for speaking to customer service. They used to be great, not so much now.

CarrieMoonbeams · 12/09/2025 13:54

That's a shame @LoafofSellotape , I didn't know that. It was a few years ago right enough when I bought my mum's clothes from there, it's a pity it's gone a bit downhill.

CharlotteCChapel · 12/09/2025 18:00

Patra silk sell decent separates, the only problem is that the trousers only come in one length.

suburburban · 12/09/2025 19:36

Pepperedpickles · 12/09/2025 12:56

How judgey. I’m 44 and I shop at Cotton Traders because the clothes are well made and as someone with bladder and stomach issues I really value comfort and elasticated waists. Yeah I also shop at asos, h and m and all the usuals but mentioned cotton traders because it’s not one people obviously think of and thought it might be helpful.

Yes I got a nice shirt in there and a cotton cardigan, some of it is ok

suburburban · 12/09/2025 19:38

My mum likes David Nieper and Adini

mamagogo1 · 12/09/2025 19:42

Basic budget trousers as per suggestions paired with a lovely silky tunic would work well

DaveWatts · 12/09/2025 19:53

Hampstead Bazaar has a lot of that sort of thing though might be a bit out of budget. It's where Judi Dench shops, if she likes that sort of flowy layered style.

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