The FastDay Forum

I am the first person to admit that I am not the least bit interested in fashion for fashions sake. At home I love to be in jeans, t'shirts and fleece or sweatshirts when its colder. I have only worn a skirt or dress in public in the UK about 4 times in the last 20 years, though I do like wearing maxi dresses when on holiday abroad.

Now my dilemma is that I want to update my wardrobe, especially for a weekend away with hubby in a couple of weeks. But I can't stand the styles that are around at the moment. They may look fantastic on younger, slimmer girls, but for someone my age (50) and size (UK size 20) they seems so ghastly.

Most of the patterns are based on my Grandmothers and mothers curtains, the fabric is shiny nylon rubbish and the length only just barely covers your waistband. Talking about waistbands, what is it with trousers that do up halfway down to your knee's. The tops are also shapeless bags with a drawstring bottom. What happened to showing off your best bits, what has happened to v' necked tops to show off some cleavage? Where are the classic designs? Why have waterfall cardigans that only seem to shout to the world 'Oy, look at me, I'm trying hide that I'm overweight' and don't do up to keep you warm?

Am I really a grouchy old bag, or does some of the above resonate with you. What can I wear that I am going to feel comfortable in (I have to be able to move easily as my hubby is in a wheelchair and needs constant help), that I am either not tugging down or pulling up (bane of my life at the moment, all my trousers are falling down)? Plus it has to be fairly cheap.

I am getting some decent jeans in a smaller size, but need some stylish but not glittery tops that can be worn in a hotel, restaurant and in a pub environment and that I will have lots of use out of in the future.

I can't stand fluffy stuff or glitter and sparkle on the tops, nor frills or patterns that are from the 60's or 70's. I am rather busty so blouses tend to gape or if they fit the bust the shoulders are to wide and fall down, making me look like an unmade bed. I wear flat, or very low heels on my shoes or boots.

Help

I am a size 20 too and I am fed up with the sacks. I actually have some shape in that I have hips and boobs (ok I have a big round tummy too but that's a work in progress) I saw H&M were doing plus sizes they were all shapeless sacks. I tend to look in Evans or Yours but I did manage to buy a dress in Tesco last month that I liked and suited me. http://www.clothingattesco.com/dresses/ ... ns-dresses

Oh and according to the size guides I am a 26 on top (I was wearing a 22 but have just got down to a 20), a 22 on my hips and a 26 waist even though my 22 jeans are falling off me now and I have to wear a tight belt.

I'm the same here. I'm wearing size 20 jeans that I can fit 2 fists down the back of, yet I am supposedly still a size 22/24 according to the charts. Even when I wear smaller jeans the back still gapes, because I have a very curvy back. Yep to the shapeless sacks too, they are horrid. lazy designers, that's all it can be.

I totally understand what you're saying about the clothing. I go to one shop almost exclusively. It's not cheap, but I have found I visit when they have specials.
It's an Australian brand http://www.ts14plus.com.au/ that's now available in the UK.http://www.fashionunited.co.uk/fashion-news/fashion/australian-plus-size-brand-taking-shape-arrives-in-the-uk-2013101618754

I'm a size 24 and I truly love what their clothes do for my shape. Not everything they make suits, so we have to look through them to find what works.

I also recommend setting up a good relationship with the shop assistant, so they can really get to know what you want and not push stuff on you.

Good luck with your trip.
Jo

Oh Thanks for the link I found their website.

I feel for you, Julie. I hate the modern fashions, too.
When in doubt, I turn to a trusty black T shirt (I have them in different styles!) with a nice scarf for day, or one of these with a chunky necklace for the evening
http://www.marksandspencer.com/M-S-Coll ... s=center-3

Julie - CC (the old country casuals) have some very good tops styles - wrap over, v neck, and usually stretchy stuff that washes easily. They do look very flattering and not old fashioned - and they have up to 70pc off at the mo - http://www.ccfashion.co.uk/fcp/category ... e_t-shirts - worth a look.

CC is lovely quality but too short in the body for me, I need a 30" top generally. Lands' End are pretty good and often have sale/outlet bargains and an option for tall too :0)
www.landsend.co.uk

I feel for you and the only time I venture into an H&M is when John need new clothes. And thankfully that was some time ago. There is a Swedish chain store called DEA Axelssons http://www.axelssons.com who from time to time have great stuff for us women of a certain age

Otherwise I love black cotton/lycra jersey dresses, just enough fitted and 1dm above the knee - no tents here and black leggings underneath. You can piff it up (wonder if there is a word piff in English??) with scarves and jewelry. I have three dresses in different shapes - just fitted T, draped and one with 3/4 arms. Works all the time.

Have you had a look at M&Co http://www.mandco.com/women/tops/icat/10010020? I find them a bit hit and miss but you might find something that catches your eye

[carieoates]

How about M and Co, not expensive, Evans I've bought a few bits from there. Yours is good too. If you buy from "larger size" shops they're often cut better than buying a size 20 from an average shop because all they do is turn them onto shapeless tents.
My half sis is a 20 and goes for dresses with leggings and long boots. She's a teacher in HK and struggles to find larger clothes there as they're all tiny. She hits Evans when here stocks up.

Edit

Whoops we've had a power cut and I may be repeating what's already said.

Well Julie if you are a grouchy old bag then so am I. We are 50 but don't want to look 90 and we also don't want to look like we borrowed our daughters clothes.
I went shopping yesterday for a dress to wear to a wedding, quite a fancy wedding. I kept getting shown what I would consider grandmother of the bride dresses. Luckily I came across one shop were they knew exactly what I needed, got me to try on a dress I never would of considered and guess what, it's perfect for the occasion.
I just wish this happened all the time.

Dress to your new shape, I would invest in a session with a large shopping centres stylist. Otherwise grab a copy of Trinny and Suzanna 'Body Shape Bible'.

I find I am on look out for silk cotton linen wool blends. Get great tops. Don't wear any synthetic, they cook you. I would have some skinny legged pants and find tops which may be a bit loose but have a 'v'divide and conquer those 'girls'. And which fit you across your boobs can be floaty after that. Nice shoes are beautiful and worth the investment for comfort. Also a nice bag but not too heavy for you neck. Accessories of quality. Nice scarfs. In summer I always have some white cotton or linen tops.

Enjoy finding what suits you it is fun and op shops are fabulous, you might come out with one item or none but worth the effort to get the bargains and often the labels.

Have you tried Simply Be?

www.simplybe.co.uk

You have to be a little bit careful on the quality, but some stuff is relatively cheap and they have a range of styles. For us tall ladies they even have jeans in a 36" length!

I also quite like George at Asda for cheap tops. I've just bought some longer jumpers that I can either wear with jeans or leggings (if I'm feeling brave!) for about £12 - £14 each, so I don't really mind if they only last this winter.