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 even heard it from medical professionals.

A couple of years ago, a male dentist in his 50s or early 60s called me into his room and said: I nearly didn't spot you - I was looking for a little old lady, not someone in jeans and boots. I was so thrown by his comment that all I could think to mutter was "I don't do 'little old lady'." I should have asked him what he thought 'little old ladies' look like.

Would he have commented on how a younger woman was dressed? Would he have commented on how a man in his 70s was dressed?

I hope he's an excellent dentist, doesn't sound like he has much else going for him.

Last year there was an entire thread about older women adopting slacks and beige and polyester and comfortable shoes and pop socks and American Tan tights and blue rinses. I haven't seen an older woman with a blue rinse since the 70s. It was really quite unpleasant.

I haven't bought anything for myself from Cotton Traders for years. I used to buy their stretch denim jeans 30 years ago. I recently bought some summer rugby trousers for a nearly 40 year old son and the cut and quality was fine.

As others have said, if I saw something I liked it would not bother me what brand it was (unless it was Shein).

He wasn't and he's since left the practice.

I think what I find most depressing @pigmygoatsinjumpers is that I bet your dentist genuinely thought he was saying something nice.

Yes, he probably thought he was paying me a compliment.

I've never bought from them but after a quick look at the website there's stuff I'd happily wear and I'm not 50 yet. Since I was 40 I've targeted natural fabrics and this seems to offer that.

I really don't care about the target age of a brand. If I like the stuff that's what matters.

Yes! Ive been wanting a bungalow since I was in my twenties. They are often detached and have huge gardens (my grandparents one basically had a small field as a back garden!).
Its like a flat with no neighbours!😄

I can see why CT might be popular with older shoppers if they do those catalogues in magazines though. My parents dont understand how to shop on the internet at all and so my mother only buys clothes from magazines.
I probably wouldnt shop there but only because I could get the same sort of basics from Primark which would be much cheaper.

It does make me wonder how 'old lady' clothes will change in the future though. I cant see me ever wanting a sensible floral blouse!

I am in my 70's and my sibling is older, we both net shop. My late Mum never had a computer or smart phone but when she came and stayed with me she would bring a list of websites she wanted to look at/shop at. I have been wanting a bungalow since my 30's when we holidayed in one in the lake district and I had that "A-ha" moment when I realised that apart from loos, bathrooms and the kitchen, you could use the rooms for whatever you wanted....small lounge and french windows in the bedroom? no problem!

I am just about to take myself outside to be shot

I think I bought my first bits from there in my mid 30s

Haven't bought from there in years though

Walking shoes and polos which were excellent quality and I worse them for years and years

A lot of us think we look younger than we do!

That is a very mean comment directed at me. I am under no illusions about how I look. I just think most of the clothes on CT are for the nursing home generation.

yup. I had a patient facing job in the NHS where we wore civvies and their polo shirts, with BHS trousers were my work staples for years.

if you are in your 70's, you ARE the nursing home generation, only kept out of one by good health and/or family support! I am in my 70's so am allowed to say this!!

No the nursing home generation is usually the same age as my mother. Late 80s, but usually 90s. Most of my friends who are the same age as me are looking after grandchildren, going on walking holidays, Swimming etc.
Our go to shops at usually Seasalt, Whitestuff, Fatface, and ocassionally Boden. Sorry to all the young Boden users out there.

That’s a rather mean comment!

There are plenty of nursing homes that have one of their catalogues hanging about. In fact anyone that produces a catalogue is for another older age group by default.

Is this a good time to say I have also purchased some Hotter shoes 😂
Mostly because its so hard to find a 5.5 wide fit anywhere.

Yes, I have hotter shoes. I am a wide size 8.

The ageism on here, as usual, is astounding.

Me too!

Hotter are just great. I've got to the stage where I buy a suitable shoe at the start of season (ag their blue nubuck three strap sandal for summer) and just wear it all the time. Really comfortable.

Hotters are not wide enough for me because I have got short wide feet. I buy hikers and trainers from Cosyfeet and I DO NOT CARE WHO KNOWS IT

Sosander also sends out catalogues - I doubt their target group is nursing homes and the elderly.

They send out brochures not catalogues. There is a difference. The brochures are just to highlight some of their looks. A catalogue is more or less a list of everything so you don’t have to shop online.

I'm in my 50s and have some stuff from there. I don't really consider whether clothes are too old or young for me, if I like it I buy it. Happily wear mini-skirts and other 'young' clothes, but equally happy in dresses.