Cotton Traders - for what age group?

[Trinkopl]

I'm 39 and ended up buying a few tshirts and jumpers from Cotton Traders recently. Just basics in the sale, in colours that I know suit me.

Was commenting to a friend a few years younger than me and she seemed horrified, saying that's clothing for over 50s.

I'm not really into fashion or fancy brands and am quite practical about clothing. CT just seemed like a good choice for wardrobe basics for running errands or working from home.

Are they going to make me look like I'm in my 50s? Have I committed a terrible fashion faux pas?

Late 30s is hard with clothing. I can't really do the PLT and Fashion Nova stuff I was wearing 10 years ago so I just default to simple basic jeans and tshirts.

I've been buying the odd item of casual clothing from CT since my mid 40s but in recent years I've noticed that the quality is less so I don't buy much now.
I mainly buy clothes for walking but not much else as their smarter clothes are too frumpy for me. I'm early 60s.

Laughed at this post! And as an old lady over 50, I even managed to do it without wetting myself!

I still wear the same style since I was 30. And no, not cotton traders. I did once eye up a pair of hiking shoes though. Wear what you want to wear, there are no rules.

There are outlets in all the garden centres around here, Id definitely say it’s for the older customers who have time to potter round garden centres!

What ageist, label snobs some people are! CT have some awful, frumpy clothes and some good, plain, reasonably priced ones. If you see an item you like, it would be ridiculous not to buy it just because some older people buy some clothes from the same place.

Christ, the ageist feckin' snobbery on here.

I’m 65 and the only thing I’ve ever bought from CT is a pair of waterproof walking boots.

I don't know why anyone would buy from them being honest when most high streets have the same clothes you can see, feel and try on.

They aren't really much cheaper than lots of shops ,especially Marks, if you just want a T shirt.

They seem to appeal mainly to readers of magazines in the weekend newspapers or some magazines aimed at older women. (eg woman's weekly.)

Some people on here are such clothes snobs 🤣. There used to be a Cotton Traders in the garden centre near us. I definitely remember trying stuff on when I was much younger (now 45). It's definitely a company aimed at an an older demographic, but that's not to say that all their clothes will make you look old and frumpy. I just had a look at their dresses and there's some quite nice ones. I'd say I'm into clothes, but definitely not into trends. I generally live in Popsy dresses as I know they fit well, are flattering and they make me smile. I'd say you do you Op and don't worry about what other people think.

Popsy dress- is that a brand or style?

It was originally set up by Frannie Cotton, an English rugby player, captain and manager, in the 70s, a legend. Started off selling sports and leisure wear, really good quality and practical stuff. Funny how it's morphed into a older person's shop. I suppose as they have a lot of branches in garden centres leads them that way.

I’m 50 and it’s not my style, my parents are in their 80’s and love it

@GabriellaK

Popsy is an online clothing brand based in Nuneaton.

https://www.popsyclothing.co.uk

It is better for menswear. DH and Bro buy for clothes for hobby or "Better than Workwear" level. Smart enough for the pub.

Rapanui and Earth Wardrobe are usually where I go for cotton basics

Such horror on this thread at the thought of being seen as older. You are just hating your future self.

If you are truly stylish you can find pieces from practically every retailer whatever you perceive the demographic it’s aimed at. As far as I am concerned there are no go areas when it comes to clothing choices. If I like something, I like something and that is that.

I agree with this and I don’t like the ageist comments.
I’m 62, if it’s relevant, and I wouldn’t buy from CT, as it’s a frumpy brand.
However, I do have a blue, cable knit jumper from there, which DM bought for me, and it’s perfectly inoffensive “normcore”.

Close to death ? How ageist are you !

I’m 66 and what you’ve said sums me up! I rarely buy from there but did recently. I have no interest in fashion, clothes are functional only for me. As long it’s clean and decent that’s all I ask. I buy most of my clothes from a supermarket! I do have some nice clothes for when we cruise but nah, jeans and t shirt is fine thanks.

This. I’ve just checked out their website and there are lots of items that look just like Hush for half the price.

I have a normcore shadow self lurking, and I just had a look at their website and was seriously tempted by a very practical coat. (It had me at "all weather, fleece lined") Apparently it's sold 20+ in 24 hours 🙃. And I think it was modelled by either Alex from the one show or a model just like her

...perhaps this is a insider post by a CT marketing dept, to generate traffic...bet they've never had so much interest on a Friday night!

I'm neither close to retirement, bungalows or death (but then, no one really knows, on a philosophical level do they...😶)

It is Alex Jones, she has been working with them a while now, I pointed this out earlier in the thread.

I have been a customer of Cotton Traders for years. I love their wrinkle free tops and cardigans and their dresses. The fit is better for me than other brands and it's quality clothing that doesn't shrink or fall apart after a couple of washes. I used to love BHS but that's gone now. Ignore what other people say. Dress for you and what makes you happy.

You do know that that sounds a bit nasty? Re Cotton Traders, I might buy a T shirt or a half zip fleece for walking the dog but I do find some of the styles frumpy. I think the plain stuff could be okay , it depends what you wear it with. I’m about to downsize to a bungalow in a more convenient location which MN seems to recommend . I try not to focus on the close to death angle. At 74 I wear some clothes that are the same brands as my daughters in their 40s but you do have to go with what’s comfortable for your size and shape. Just look at the clothes without bias against a brand and see if they would suit you.

It’s ok for you to like cotton traders @Allseeingallknowing
and it’s ok for me to not like them.

Im not saying they are badly made clothes or impractical they are just frumpy, not stylish and something I wouldn’t want to own.

Luckily there are lots of shops to choose from to suit the looks we want to go for.

I’m 56, I don’t have any clothes from Cotton Traders, but if they had something I liked then I’d buy it. I don’t really care where my clothes come from, so long as they fit and, in my opinion, look nice on me.