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Adult clothing

34 replies

SueW · 05/03/2002 09:18

Having accepted that I'm now at a size I'm likely to stay at (give or take a bit) I need to find some new clothes.

I'm looking for some simple bits - I like a capsule wardrobe. At the mo, my entire wardrobe consists of:

pair boot cut jeans (dark blue)
v-neck cream thin sweater
v-neck camel cardi
black boot cut trousers
camel skirt, A-line, just aobve the knee
black polo thin sweater
black sleeveless sweater with big rollover neck
LBD
white shaped shirt with curved bottom
black t-shirt
white t-shirt

plus some running gear, joggers and a couple of manky sweatshirts for keeping warm. And various boots and shoes.

Doesn't sound like much but it works and I know from experience that, no matter how much I have in my wardrobe, I won't wear anything more than a few faves.

I'm suppose I'm not looking to change too much but would like to upgrade what I do have to cotton/silk mixes and natural fabrics (not wool - it drives me mad with itching). Anyone got any tips of where to try? I've been to M&S and John Lewis (but our local one is being altered and stock of clothes is low).

Anyone ever been to House of Fraser etc and tried out their personal shopper service and, if so, would you recommend it?

Anyone got any hot tips for a way of converting this to a more spring-like wardrobe?

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Lizzer · 05/03/2002 10:19

ARGH! Just the subject I've been trying to avoid Suew! But only because I'm in dire need of a spring overhaul myself. I love being thinner, don't get me wrong, but it means I now have NO clothes whatsoever I can use from last yr (slight exag. actually have a t-shirt or two but you know what I mean) Now usually I relish the thought of shopping for new clothes. But after the arrival of debenhams bill this morning (eek) and general over-spending on all counts means I can't go too mad (bank manager breathes a sigh of relief!) So So I need the same help basically, Suew! I'm so the same when it comes to wearing favourites, and I must realise this and stop impulse buying dodgy sale stock. I think the key is to find something you really love, leave it for a week, go back into the shop and if you still love it then buy it, but the chances are with my fickle mind I wouldn't love it half as much as I first thought...

This season (dahling!) I am mainly thinking about jeans and shirts - I just bought a cheap, stripy shirt in H&M which looks a lot more than it was (a bargain of £13!!) which looks great with my jeans, though its still a bit chilly at the mo! I have my eye on a corset shirt too - v flattering but dress it down with jeans or up with skirt. I have a ruched low cut one but its far too dressy for every day (think I've worn it out a total of twice - yet another good buy for me then )

I'm sick to death of jumpers and I refuse to buy anymore but the ones I have had over winter are looking over-washed and have shrunk a lot (not a good look if you have gangling arms like mine - keep having to make out they were meant to be 3/4 sleeve!)

OH sorry I'm off on a rant, not being a great deal of help am I Suew, will have a think and get back to you. BTW do you have to pay for the personal shopping experience or is it just to get you spending money there??

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Rhiannon · 05/03/2002 11:08

I was really impressed with the new M & S range but will stick to my new regime of paying more and buying less so that I have a few classic bits that continue to look nice after they've been washed. Bought a new outfit by Ingrid Olsen on holiday and I love it but can't afford anything else for a while now. R

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bettys · 05/03/2002 11:47

Oh dear, at the risk of sounding a Boden addict (I've already recommended them on another thread www.boden.co.uk)their new adult catalogue has light, bright clothes, sort of classic with a twist. I hate trying on clothes in shops with dp and/or ds getting more and more bored. They keep sending out new special offers with the catalogues; at the moment there's one offering £10 off the first order, or another with a free shirt on orders over £120, I think.

However I do think Gap is good for basic t-shirts & jeans, and I'm very chuffed with the discovery that if I buy hipsters instead of high-waisted ones I can get into a size smaller. Sad, I know, but it boosts my morale!

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SueW · 05/03/2002 12:20

I spent ages in Gap last week with no luck

I have spotted a couple of things in the Boden catalogue but they are coming to Nottingham this weekend to do one of their sales so I'm holding off buying from the current range until I've been bargain hunting.

Lizzer, good idea re H&M - might go shopping there later in the week. Also have you ever been to a Ladies' Swap Shop? One of our NCT coffee groups used to do them as a fundraiser. All the mums would get together for wine and snacks one evening and take along their outgrown/bad bargains and swap/sell them. Not sure how they actually raised any money for NCT (maybe you pay a ocuple of quid to go along) but they had a lot of fun.

I used a consignment shop last year in Australia to get rid of most of my then too large wardrobe. There's one in Nottingham too but I haven't sold anything through them yet - might be worth you looking into to raise some cash for new stuff without giving your bank manager a heart attack

The personal shopper service I saw advertised in a House of Fraser mag which was at the gym at the weekend. It said it was free - I guess they're hoping you'll be encouraged to spend more freely.

I've just had a huge delivery from Next - but 80% of it is going back - keeping just one pair jeans, one jumper and have started my summer wardrobe with a linen shirt and skirt. I'm going to Israel in mid-April so need to get a move on with some summer ideas.

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JanZ · 05/03/2002 12:32

What about Racing Green? I got their catalogue through the post last week and there was quite a bit in there that I fancied to freshen up my image (in dire need of doing so!)

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Enid · 05/03/2002 13:12

Monsoon is quite good this season for stripy 3/4 length sleeve t-shirts and floral/spot print dresses. Also have a good linen range (and lovely girls stuff...but thats beside the point).

I love Boden kids clothes but not the adults stuff. Dp calls the mums at my playgroup 'the Boden Brigade' as they are Boden from top-to-toe.

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bettys · 05/03/2002 13:30

Hmmm, know what you mean Enid, something to avoid... everything in moderation, eh? In Devon last summer you could play Spot-The-Boden. Mix & match is probably best. Also like Hobbs for tops & dresses

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Pupuce · 05/03/2002 13:31

What about La redoute ? or Cyrillus
both French mail order.
www.cyrillus.co.uk

I've heard that personal shoppers don't push you actually but as I haven't tried I can't confirm.
Good luck

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Rhubarb · 05/03/2002 14:03

Has anyone noticed the ridiculous sizes in H&M? I am normally a size ten on the bottom, the other day I went in and bought a pair of trousers which fitted like a glove, I was really pleased with them. I checked out the size which was a European 40 - size 14!!!! I wasn't that bothered, but this would make a proper size 14 think she was a size 18! Are they trying to make us believe that we are fatter than we really are? Is this another symptom of an anorexic society?

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tigermoth · 05/03/2002 15:00

Tee Hee! Spot-the-Boden-wearer in Devon... yes I know just what you mean Enid and BettyS. Nothing wrong with Boden, but IMO, mix and match is definitely best with any label.

I'm an H& M fan as well. But be warned. Each H & M shop stock varies enormously from the young and funky 'division'( sp?? can't remember exact name) and off-the-catwalk 'clothes' lines, to the more mainstream 'logg' collection. The Cambridge branch of H&M is very OTT while the Bluewater branch could be another chain entirely, it is so subdued in comparisom. IMO, the younger, funkier lines are the best, even for basics. I agree with Rhubarb about the mean sizes. I am usually a size 14, but feel like an elephant whenever I try on their trousers.

Also Topshop is also defo worth a look Suew. As a general rule, I would try to find the biggest branch of any high street chain possible. The stock is far more varied and interesting.I find size wise, Warehouse is good for me. Especially flattering trousers.

I don't have many expensive clothes, so I am not able to advice you on things costing over £70.00 a piece. Jigsaw falls just within my budget when I'm feeling flush. Lovely colours and fabrics.

As Lizzer says, this year I'm doing denim. There's so much of it around and it's so versatile, washable and toddler-friendly.

Any basic that has to be ironed or dry cleaned is simply not basic enough for me!

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Grizzler · 05/03/2002 16:25

Went to Bicester Shopping Village (Junction 9 off the M40) with a couple of the gals yesterday and had forgotten how fabulous it is. Managed to procure a small mountain of clothes courtesy of my credit card and got them all at a fraction of their original price. (Particular favourite bargain was a Karen Millen dress I'm planning to wear to a couple of summer weddings which was reduced from £135 to £39. Also a pair of suede trousers for £60). The stuff is generally the previous season's, but at those prices, who cares. There's Ralph Lauren, Benetton, FCUK, In Wear, Jigsaw, Nicole Farhi, Monsoon Whistles and a whole lot of other brands - even Racing Green and Petit Bateau. And it's a pleasant place to shop, too - no hideous West End crowds. Worth the trip if you live in London or anywhere else near, I'd say.

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sis · 05/03/2002 20:49

SueW, I HATE shopping especially clothes shopping but I have just spent this afternoon in the company of a lovely personal shopper at Debenhams (she happened to be about 8 months pregnant so, of course, I told her about mumsnet).

Anyway, it took just over two hours and I sat in a special large changing room with magazines, tea, coffee, water etc... while the lovely shopper went and got loads of clothes in my size to try on. I ended up with a "capsule work wardrobe" and a few more casual non-work tops and trousers.

I would definately recommend the service, there was no pressure to buy as she was not on a commission and she did say if she didn't think an outfit was working. HTH

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tigermoth · 06/03/2002 12:32

Grizzler, thanks for reminding me about Bicester. I've never been, but your message has spurred me on. I love clothes shopping but life and finances prevent me from going the whole hog.

Anyway, your message also reminded me about French Connection. SueW, their stuff is definitely worth looking at, though watch out for loose threads and dodgy zips. A friend in the fashion trade tells me FC is referred to as Faulty C**p by those in the know. Still hasn't dimmed my enthusiasm for them, though.

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pamina · 06/03/2002 13:15

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Grizzler · 06/03/2002 13:46

The Pret has a garden only, but there is a playground for kids elsewhere on the site. Far better idea, however, is to leave the kids with your other half for theoretical bonding purposes, and drag along a couple of girlfriends for general girlie type guffawing and screeching as you try various outfits.
There's also a Triumph undies shop where I got my boob size properly measured for the first time in God knows how many years. It was a revelation - although I've unfortunately had to jettison most of the existing contents of my bra drawer as a result.

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MotherofOne · 06/03/2002 14:01

Am also a Bicester fan, but unfortunately it is on the way back from in-laws, so always have grumbling dh & ds with me (although last time dh found more to buy than me!)
Sometimes I've been and there's been nothing - other times loads - is there a 'best time' i.e. a seasonal restock or something?
Hey perhaps we should have a Mumsnet meet up there!!

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jodee · 06/03/2002 14:08

Gah! I loathe clothes shopping with a passion! I get thoroughly depressed trudging from one shop to another and even more fed up trying stuff on - the mirrors, the lighting, it makes me look hideous! When I do venture into town, I sometimes do get a few good basic items in New Look, of all places; recently a lovely lacey black blouse and a smart tailored jacket (30 quid) - so it's not just for teens.
Pupuce, I love La Redoute stuff and I've never heard of Cyrillus, will check them out, thanks.

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SueW · 06/03/2002 19:47

MotherofOne, I was just about to suggest the same - a mumsnet meet up at Bicester. Takes a couple of hours to get there from here though.

Sis, thanks for the Debenhams personal shopper info - I think I might ring a couple of stores and see if I can book myself in.

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Lill · 06/03/2002 22:29

Really like the idea of a meet up but this ones a stones throw fom my mil so i'll give it a miss!

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Ailsa · 06/03/2002 22:52

Please, Please, PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE can we go to Bicester. I've never been and I keep hearing people at work saying how great it is, and it's not far from me.

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tigermoth · 07/03/2002 12:40

Bicester AND a mumsnet meet up? Oh, don't tempt me!

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Rozzy · 07/03/2002 14:31

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Enid · 07/03/2002 15:18

Rozzy - I also live near Clarks village and think its rubbish - apart from the new Monsoon bit although I admit I quite miss Laura Ashley. Dd loves it though because of that ridiculous carousel. Also have you noticed that the plant bit sells the most expensive plants anywhere in the country. Whereabouts are you??

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Rozzy · 07/03/2002 15:23

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Jaybee · 07/03/2002 17:30

Have you tried TK Maxx - tend to be last years stock etc. You tend to have to rummage a bit but can be worthwhile. I am also a fan of Bicester - happen to live about 20 minutes away so that is fatal. Another one that is worth a trip is at Ashford - we have had a couple of cheap breaks at Folkestone - the ones that include a trip to France - the Ashford outlet is just down the road from there.

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