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.

Well I don't think any clothes company sends out a full inventory of their complete stock like an Argos or Toolstation catalogue. What a strange distinction. Also, you know there are people in their 90s who are quite capable of internet shopping - or even going to a shop. Shock horror - my friend's mother at 95 bought a lace dress by Oasis at Fenwicks for a wedding. And yes, it was perfectly appropriate.

I buy most of my clothes from Vinted or Ebay as I like particular brands - especially Joe Browns, Seasalt and vintage St. Michael jumpers or cardigans. I buy my trousers from M & S. I wear mostly vintage Red Or Dead , shoes or Kickers T-bar shoes. However, sometimes I buy things from shops that some people here have sneered at as being for older people but I have liked the item, it fits well and is comfortable. I have occasionally had some very nice clothes from EWM and Hotter shoes that are both stylish and comfortable. I have just bought a top from a mail order company called Carr and Westley for my mother's 84th birthday. This company is very much aimed at an older demographic but the clothes are not cheap and they are very good quality. There are a few items that I would wear myself. I am in my early sixties. Buy and wear what you like, @Trinkopl.

Well, I certainly hope I will be buying nice clothes online in my 90s but a lot of people in their 90s do not at the moment. That is why clothing companies aimed at this age group print catalogues that you can order from by post, so yes, suppliers do try and put most of their stuff in it. Cotton Traders take orders by post. In the case of Sosander, it is to highlight their looks, their words not mine. They do not take orders by post.

Fair enough. But other places considered "for the aged" on here also send out "brochures" like Seasalt, Fatface etc. I realise it's a bit disconcerting as you get older to realise that you're no longer the target audience of retailers aiming mostly at teenagers, but there is much more choice now with the online explosion and small brands which advertise their businesses on Instagram. However, a T-shirt is a T-shirt wherever you got it from, the difference is in cut and quality of material, but no one is going to be looking at your label.

My parents in law always had the Cotton Traders catalogue and they were in their 80s.

I agree with you. The clothes are serviceable and dumped on you by the family member who has to do the mundane things for you. who think there's no point you having anything more fancy as it will get nicked/lost in the laundry.

I wouldn't consider Fatface and Seasalt to be "for the aged" but I suppose it depends on your definition of aged.

I just think Seasalt is overpriced frumpville.

I associate Seasalt with teachers in their 50s although I was one of them and I wouldn't have worn their stuff 😅

Get yourself down to M&S, stay out of the Per Una bit, and you’ll be fine.

CT is great for basics for any age.

. Their other stuff is for over 50s.

I really like Seasalt but again for basics and their knitwear

you can mix and match with other brands

I’m in my 50 but my dd will buy the odd,piece and my dm likes it too. The quality is good and a lot is made of natural fibres.

The attitudes on here are totally bonkers. OP says she bought a couple of t-shirts and jumpers.

How on EARTH is a plain, single-coloured t-shirt, from Cotton Traders just the worst thing ever, while a very similar plain, single-coloured t-shirt from Zara or Uniqlo is a fashion must-have? It's just a fecking blue t-shirt.

Behave.

I’m 56 and today bought items from Me&Em, Zara, M&S, River Island and &Other Stories.

Jog on with your ageism.

(and I would buy basic long sleeve tees and the like from CT if I needed, the price was good and the quality matched by needs).

I'm 48, I've vaguely heard of them but not aware of them. I've just looked them up - there are three near me, but all in garden centres. That alone makes me think it's aimed at my mum and dad, as they buy a lot of clothes/shoes in garden centres, I've never looked at clothes in garden centres. Not to say they wouldn't be absolutely fine for everyday clothes. My casual stuff I buy from places like H&M

If it's just a plain cotton t-shirt surely they're pretty standard and you wouldn't know by looking at it, that it's from cotton traders?

I'm so so sick of looking at nice dresses at the moment and seeing they all have these stupid frilly tiered layers to them. Cannot wait for that trend to be over. Maybe I should also look at some more "classic"/functional brands.

I haven't bought any clothing for ages as I seem to hate all of it. It's either cheap sweaty fabric, or big slogans, or tiered frilly layers everywhere I look. [grumpy]

Oh 😂 I'm a size 2 and have bought shoes from Pavers !

A lot of CT is clothes for walking and gardening but not the serious goretex hiking stuff that costs a lot. they sell a lot of fleecy waterproof stuff which is probably ok for dog walking

I bought some sandals from Pavers. They weren't cheap and I was annoyed to find they weren't leather.

Yes I should have checked but just assumed for that price they would be.

How do you balance with size 2 feet? 😂

Says someone with size 8

I like their walking gear. It's hard wearing and a good price. Not sure I'd wear some of their dresses but the outdoor gear is fine if you don't want to pay Craghoppers prices.

I'm 65.

I know their PR agency. They have purposely been targeting a younger audience c. 40+. I purchased some of the Alex Jones collection, it's really nice!

I'm 60 so how can I be ageist?

All their models are over 40 so that is who their clothes are aimed at.
Alex Jones is 48 ki

Tbf i am 5ft tall so basically the height of a 9 year old so.manage 😀

‘Their other stuff is for over 50’s’ - the concept that over 50’s are a design demographic is ageist.

One can be of an age and be ageist.