High street fashion is so awful at the moment?

[Moonlightfrog]

Just been into town. Went to Primark, M&S and Next. I am after a winter dress, but primark had no dresses at all, Next only had 2 casual type dresses (both denim shirt type dress), M&S was all brown and beige and over priced.
I don’t have a huge amount of money to spend on clothes, I have gained a little weight (thanks menopause) and my trousers are a little uncomfortable so I wanted a dress that I could layer and wear with tights and boots as it gets cooler, possibly needle cord in a plain colour. I was hoping to grab something in town whilst shopping with dd but the clothes in the shops are just disappointing.

Are there any good online shops with high street prices?

Before anyone suggests vinted, I have been looking but can’t really find what I am looking for…..I’m not even sure I know what I am looking for.

The clothes in the shop were clearly AIMED at people double my age. Whereas the stuff online is aimed at my age group. I don't think it is unfair to say someone in their 30's would have different styles to those in there 70s!

But who let the wrong age people in? Was there no security on the door?

I find this sometimes, I see things in a shop window and I think, oh they look nice, different styles, lets have a look in there, so I wander in, accompanied by long suffering OH who hates shopping and is carrying all the bags, a couple of silver surfers out to spend our silver pounds,,,,,, only to find a load of teenagers in there with crop tops and shorts up their bum and suddenly realise that Im trespassing, security were on their lunch break and I managed to get in unseen.

The cheek of me.

Old people = charity shop
Charity shop = old people

lol

I was pleasantly surprised with Roman (aka Roman originals). Had a look online today and there’s some nice winter dresses in corduroy

https://www.zalando.co.uk/womens-clothing-dresses/?upper_material=cord

https://www.mandco.com/search?f=t&category=dresses&query=corduroy&sortby=ourfavourites

Not a bad price for 98% cotton, £35

Im finding that alot of "trends" look like recycled clothing from about ten years ago that probably didnt sell back then.

The biggest problem for me is t shirts, dresses, nighties, pyjamas… with REALLY HIGH NECKLINES. They make me look enormous/busty AND there is just a sensory thing where if I feel something touching my neck/throat I feel sick. I need scoop neck and v neck but NOT so low cut I can’t leave the house for fear of indecency/daren’t lean forwards in public. It’s really hard to tell when you look at tops online (especially when they’re being worn by super slim models who are also quite a bit younger than me!) so I often end up ordering them and either having to (sigh) send them back or worse, can’t face it and they sit unworn in my wardrobe making me feel ashamed for the next few years.

Oh but yes I meant to say Uniqlo! They are often cotton/natural fibres, very comfortable, breathable and high quality/last for years. Very simple colours and cuts so they’re up to date but not ‘fashionable’ in a fast fashion sense.

Next and H&M have been awful for a long time now.

Tu cotton £8 nighties - wash and wear so well and have many designs, I have 2 for bed and two gaudy ones to do housework in (which I pair with old leggings).

TU Tip: click the 'Dresses under £25' button.

I've been recommended Vinted, but I find it impossible to navigate. There is too much there, so much stuff that looks incredibly creased and I just can't imagine it being worn. I'm beginning to think I'm doomed to wearing the clothes I've already got until I die (hopefully not for another 10 years at least!)

Lands End & Woolovers have cord dresses.

I like Vinted but all the good things sell pretty fast. I buy and sell on there a lot. Listed ten items last night, sold 8 within 5 minutes. There is a lot of rubbish in there but the more you look on there the more vinted shows you the kind of things you like (based in your searches). I have had a few bargains and not had any bad experiences buying or selling.

The high neck thing annoys me too. I have broad shoulders and large upper arms in comparison to the rest of me, so a high neck makes me look bigger and I find them uncomfortable.

So far TU and Roman are looking good, I would love to find somewhere that did dresses in short/petite. Next used to be my go too due to their petite range but they have really gone down hill and all their stuff looks awful.

The only places I can buy what I actually need and like are asos and Vinted. Used to love a good mooch about the shops but everything is so expensive for what it is and samey.

Yes I’m the same like I’m being strangled

Hi, I shop a lot on Vinted and I felt exactly like you do a year ago. Everything that came up on the home page looked awful. I then started searching for specific items and brands, and liking the things I like. This trained my algo so it moved away from Primark/Shein and into my size, demographics and taste. Very quickly the suggestions got much better and brand specific.

It’s not perfect - I don’t love every facet of it and I have had a few negative experiences - but I got some amazing clothes in the last year that I wear all the time, for a fraction of their original price. It’s given me a real opportunity to think about what I want from my clothes, what style suits me etc. I’m also environmentally conscious, and I like that I’m reducing landfill by buying second hand.

There are other platforms out there - eBay, vestiaire collective, depop - so even if Vinted is not your thing, try one of them - you might be pleasantly surprised.

I was struck by the dullness of the colours in the high street shops too, OP. I've bought some things from Wicked Dragon, they came very quickly and seem nice quality, I haven't worn them yet. And lovely vibrant colours!