'Old Lady shops'

winterwhite

We’re probably saying that there’s a dearth of non-frumpy clothes for women over 70.

I think there is. I struggle to find much I like unless it is ridiculously expensive. And then it can be too formal. I never really know what look I’m aiming for. I guess it’s smart casual. However with the sort of life I lead which involves a lot of outdoor activities and grandchildren there’s not really much need to look smart. I feel a bit lost when it comes to my own particular style.

I think it's rather unkind to posters or friends who shop at these places.

They are on the whole cheap and do the job.

We can't all manage Seasalt, Sahara,Jigsaw and so on.

We’re probably saying that there’s a dearth of non-frumpy clothes for women over 70.

I will never be old enough for Damart or Chums!

I used to search for old lady shops for my mother in law. Skirts weren't too bad because M&S usually had some flowery ones, but short sleeved blouses that buttoned up the front were a nightmare to find. I once went to Marks to buy her some knickers. I asked an assistant if they had any white cotton old lady knickers. "That's what I wear!" was the offended answer!

Must say I look on Hotter as a real old lady shop, but having said that, I bought a pair of ankle boots from them - they are supremely comfortable - I have worn them loads and TBH I don’t think they look old-lady-ish at all.
The style is Murmur, if anyone wants to know.

I’ve been buying my jeans from Bonmarché for years.
I can grab a pair off the shelf and know they will fit.
How can anyone tell where they one from?

I definitely don't like Damart stuff and I can' t think why they keep sending me mailings as I don't recall ever buying from them. Like many of you have said, you buy from wherever you see something you like. We are lucky there is so much choice now and we don't have to be stereotyped as women were in the past. We can wear exactly what we like - it made me think about the past though. How many of you will remember wearing liberty bodices as children? I certainly do and hated them with their fiddly.rubber buttons. I also hated those navy blue knickers we had to wear ( complete with pockets) and say thank goodness those days are over!!

I wear clothes and shoes from all different places. Depending on what I’m doing or where I’m going I dress accordingly. I don’t sneer at shops like Hotter or Bonmarche as they provide some nice clothes at reasonable prices. Whenever I pass our local ones they are full with happy shoppers. You have to choose carefully but that’s no different in any shop. I also like Seasalt, local boutiques, vintage, and most importantly I dress to suit me and my body shape. Nobody has ever said I look ‘old lady’ and with daughters working in fashion I’d soon know!

I have recently discovered the most comfortable jeans I have ever worn. (I know you won’t tell anyone, but they are pull up ones from Cotton Traders 🫣👵🏻 )

There are quite a few I see as too old for me so avoid.
Bonmarche, Hotter (I don’t like those grown on soles, and find the shoes uncomfortable), Chums (my 95 year old dad buys his trousers from there), Roman, Edinburgh Woollen Mill. I’m not a flowery patterns person, and I don’t like synthetic fibres, I have an aversion to clothes that combine the two.

Good plan foxie48 !

I buy my elastic-waisted jeans from Edinburgh Woollen Mill, which my children definitely class as being for older people. If they have to accompany me, they wander off to look at the whisky selection side of the shop!

I don't have any big shopping centres near to where I live which is why I love to stay with my daughter and go shopping. I'm 77 and have bought clothes from Mango, Zara, and Monki (just to name a few) when I've been with her. If it fits, looks good and makes me feel great then I'll buy it!

Ha ha kittylester , now that would be telling (yes) ! This is EXACTLY what I meant !

Was it Damart? A leaflet from them came today and I just put it straight in the bin on the basis that it's an old lady brand......and i'm definitely not an old lady!!

That's what I'm doing now , mainly because a lot of shops all have the same stuff !

I don’t feel any shops are “off limits”, if I see something I really like and the price is right (& it’s in my size), I will buy it, irrespective of which shop it is.