General Chat

Because I rarely go in town now (I go to retail parks) I had forgotten about Etam, I've had some lovely outfits from there. My granddaughter buys some things at Primark too, she's a 10/12 but says they have nice clothes for bigger sizes too. June xx

I'm nearer 70 than 60 (Gawd where did time go) and I love Primark. Cheap, which suits my purse, and although they cater for the youngsters they also do quite a nice range for the 18/20 size. Their chunky jewellery and accessories are unbeatable. I also think Amelia May (used to be an Etam range but now a concession in British Home Stores )is good Try to run things past my daughter before I buy anything too outrageous. Jean x..

Hi i'm 56,,,,,,in the last couple of weeks had my hair cut & dyed copper red & had red streaks put in ,,,i wear jeans most of the time ,,when not at work,,,,,why should i dress in clothes that someone say's all over 50s should look like this,,i'm even playing Madonna's new album while doing this,,,,and i'm a grannie for two g/kids,,,,,dress how YOU want to not how fashion say over 50s should,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,lol

Etam is good, and it's not just for the younger generation or the matchstick people.

I am now in my 70s, at age 65 I had to start taking steriods so my size 10 was lost for ever. Until then I had never been more than size 10/12, it was very depressing, so I had to find shops that cheered me up with their styles, I dont really care what people think, its what clothes 'do' for me that is important. I shop at Next (my favourite shop), although I have been very pleasantly surprised with Marks and Spencer per Uno collection, and Asda have some nice trendy clothes too. . If I had the choice of going on holiday or a new wardrobe, I would go for a new wardrobe, (but not frumpy) every time. I say wear what you are comfortable in. June xx

Because I am in Australia you probably have not heard of Millers but I do most of my shopping there. They have some great fashions for the older lady. Millers go from a size 8 up to 22 so even if you are a bigger lady there are nice clothes around. I am 63 and thankfully still a size 12 so I am lucky I can get my size usually in other shops also . It is Summer here at the moment and I have just recently bought myself some Gypsy look clothes Teired Skirts and tops with a wide belt and everyone says how nice I look in them. Makes you feel good when people comment. Just because we are getting older there is no need to look frumpy. Then again I hate Mutton dressed up as lamb clothes. There is always a happy medium somewhere you just have to look. Regards Jackie

Try Witt International catalogue it caters for all sizes and the quality is very good. Also it is suitable for all ages and does petite,normal,and tall.

Oooooh Mary the Fairy!! If I were 'huge' like you I would be very happy indeed!! Mags xx

As others have said - wear what you like in colours that suit you. You know which are your good bits and which bits look best covered up, and you know what you're comfortable with. At just under 5 ft 9 in tall, with very long arms and legs, and never (in adulthood) smaller than the old size 14, I've always had immense difficulty buying clothes to fit in High Street stores. I found the answer is to wear men's jeans, buy more expensive clothes (lots of which seem to be made for taller people) for special occasions, or to make my own skirts or trousers. I miss the fabulous hand-knitted things my mother used to make for me - I'm hopeless with knitting. I've used Long Tall Sally for decades, but their ranges are usually limited to colours I don't like. How anyone who is a size 14 or less has trouble finding clothes is a mystery to me. Every time I go looking, there are racks and racks of them - especially size 10 - and at 57 there are lots of available styles I'd still wear if they came in my size (undisclosed but huge). >*|*<

I have been getting quite a few things from Damart mail order, good quality and prompt delivey. It is not all thermalwear though that has been useful the last few weeks. I am about to order a new swimming costume, I have also bought things in Bon Marche.

Why let age restrict you? If you look good in something wear it! The only thing that restricts me is my size. I think you can be selective in those shops you think cater for the younger woman and create your own style. Ok so maybe crop tops and low slung trousers might be out but there is plenty of other stuff to choose from. A lot of what the 'youngsters' are wearing is quite classicly cut anyway - so go for it! Reminds me of a couple of months ago, sitting in the coffee shop of a DIY store. I nudged my husband to look at two elderly (and by that I mean probably nearer eighty than seventy) ladies at a table nearby. One was dressed in the ubiquitous crimplene trousers and woolly pully, all topped off with a bingo granny perm and the other was in jean stitched drill trousers and ribbon knit sweater over a smart shirt, fashionably worn with the tails hanging below the hem of her sweater. Her hair, although white, was cut in a short bob and she looked fantastic! She looked good for her age - not mutton dressed lamb at all - THAT'S the woman I want to be when I get there! Mags xx

Middle 50ish me , i am happy in my trousers and tops, i do make the effot of long skirts and tops when i go out somewhere nice, its what you feel comfy in , i certainaly dont keep up with fasion Margaret

Tina a woman after me own heart. I often hear people say 'Blimey look at the state of her' So what, it's her life not yours so let her get on with it. I'm 51 going on 30 Lin

Yes, I have a problem too, best shop for me used to be Littlewoods, but they have been taken over and our local store is closing down. There is a mail order catalogue for over 50's, but apparently you need to be size 12 or over, and i'm a petite 10. Most clothes are too long, too shapeless, or in colours that don't suit me, and so many V necks that don't suit me either. Could do with my own designer and someone to make my clothes, but then need to be able to find a fabric shop, they aren't as plentiful these days either!! Sigh, Val

hi kathleen. have you heard of the shop called BON MARCHE? its fantastic! i am a size 16 in all the other shops, but at BON MARCHE i am a size 12! the prices are very reasonable aswell, and they nearly always have sales on. you also get a store card but its not a credit card, you get points every time you spend money, and then you use the points to get money off. what a good idea. the only thing i dont like in there are the blouses, but then i'm not a blouse person. i am 45 years old and i definately am not mutton dressed as lamb! if you have in your area have a look inside, it will surprise you. good liuck. from taylor

wear what you want! to heck with everyone else. you are a long time dead and then wont need to worry about fashion. the people who make comments are probably jealous because they havent got the bottle to do what they want to. tina x (50 year old who wears goth black most of the time)

Have the same problem - used to shop at quite a few shops, but now its either Next or Wallis preferably Next Lin

hi, well I am not in that age group but my boyfriends mum pulls it off really well, she wears jeans with nice neck tops in winter and nice shirts in summer! I think it is a case of buying what you feel comfortable in, next are great for things and they suit all age groups! go on a shopping trip and try loads of clothes on you will soon realise what you like!

Any ladies out there have trouble finding suitable clothes to buy?At 52 I am finding it increasingly more difficult. There's obviously loads of choice for the younger and older generations but not much for inbetween. I don't wish to look 'mutton' but don't want to appear 'frumpy' either. Any ideas anyone?Went up 'anley duck this morning and still no joy!!!!! grrrrrrrrrr!!! Kath