Hobbs. I think it is what Boden aspires to but can no longer do.

[moondog]

And there is a 20% discount via Red magazine so time to git me some winter boots.

As you were.

agree it is designed for senior (older ) women in very conservative organisations.

there were some really nice dresses in the window as i drove past a hobbs yesterday.
its often pretty stuffy/older woman-y but they do have v good quality at least, which you might expect for those prices.
joseph/jigsaw/that other one i cant remember now are also in same vein, no?

BossyKate - ah but I am NOT middle class, you see! At 38 though, I suppose I am middle aged - it's all catching up with me. I just don't feel that means I need to wear something like this.

And I did say I had "tried" to like Hobbs - but failed. It's not helped by the fact that it also seems designed for tall people and I am even less tall than I am middle class.

Didn't mean to be disparaging about older mothers or the middle classes: just about Hobbs!

I meant the cardigan, rather than the whole outfit in that link.

I guess it might fall into a similar category and it is quite £££ but Phase Eight does have some lovely stuff for us 'senior citizens'.

janeite, i'm sorry if i offended you. i honestly can't envisage a "janeite" as anything other than mc. must try harder .

i quite like that outfit you linked to...

lol think phase eight is exactly same category

Not offended at all

Just had a look at the shoes:

love these

There is a 20% off Phase Eight voucher inside this month's Good Housekeeping [old fogey emoticon]

When I go to secondhand clothes wholesalers, I see a fair lot of Whistles, Jigsaw, Hobbs and Boden stuff. Especially Boden and often it is unworn - so presumably people have ordered it, never worn it and discarded it. However, the Whistles, Jigsaw and Hobbes stuff has usually been worn well by the original owners.

Well, I am old and middle class, so I bought the black patent boots that Beety linked to somewhere down the thread!

And of course, I had to have a patent bag to go with them!

soapy - am so jelaous- I need them!

YOu lot are so unimaginative.

You pick and choose form all sorts of places.

I have afantastic galaxy type dres form Hobbs that I bring out and is very very flaering,

boots and shoes and great and trendy

add a bit of Zara or Henes and you can look classey and trendy

I'm sure Hobbs used to be more edgy. When I was in my 20s the Hobbs in Hampstead and the one in Covent Garden (I think) were fantastic. What happened?

can't stand Hobbs and I AM in my 50s! Too frumpy and very boring- all that colour co-ordinating can go too far and the colours are always brash.

Sorry, but I like Boden- has become my staple for some stuff- trousers- as they fit and have replaced Next for me, as Next is no longer mid-market as it was 30 years back.

Personal fave is Jigsaw- like the slightly bohemian edge to it- some Kew, and White Stuff.

Can't stand Fat Face- those changing rooms are enough to make me flee!

I have just bought Hobbs Christobelle trousers. Waiting now to see if the jacket goes in the Christmas sale.

I agree that it is difficult for a woman, like me, of a certain age to know where to shop.

Boden seems too informal to wear to work and, anyway, the stuff doesn't seem as good quality as it did a few years ago. Hobbs, on the other hand, seems too dowdy even for an old biddy like me. Monsoon has gone off the boil - it used to be my favourite but I realise I haven't actually bought anything there for about 3 years - but I'm now in the early stages of a love affair with Phase 8 and Fat Face. Have also re-discovered Principles and Wallis for everyday stuff.

I think you have to be picky with Jigsaw- I used to love their tops and knits but they have changed designers lately and it is different.

Agree there is lots is frilly stuff but they also do classic bits with a twist- nice trousers and skirts etc- usually too expensive, but I treat myself to the odd thing now and then.

Went in jigsaw today - big store in Bath and they'd got some nice knitwear.

However there was a lot of shapeless stuff - sort of marni-esque i guess. Fine if you're a tiny waif but just not terribly flattering.

Haven't bought anything in phase 8 but keep seeing nice things in there.

Malory - link here.

Hobbs links don't work very well. Look for Christobelle, I also have the purple top shown on the bottom.