Fashion or comfort clothes? What do
older women want?
Heather Redmond casts an eye over mail order shopping
 My grandmother adored mail order shopping.
In the days before the current rash of catalogues, she poured over the classifieds and
sent off for scratchy Fair Isle jumpers for us, and garments for herself. Always the same,
these garments were large and shapeless, of indeterminate colour, sexed up occasionally
with some polka-dotted addition. This was favourite apparel for an older woman who
didn’t give a toss about fashion.
I too love mail order catalogues but I do
give a toss about fashion. Despite my pretty unfashionable lifestyle I like to be a
little cutting edge. This can be problematic as, generally speaking, fashion for the older
woman is not high on the agenda of those who dictate trends.
Take my favourite form of apparel–
the ubiquitous T shirt. Ever since they came into fashion I have worn them. In
younger days bought them by the sackful. Now I’m lucky if I can find one that suits
me. As with clothing in general, they make no allowance for the changing needs of age; a
neckline that accommodates a changing neck, chin and shoulders, or sleeves that adjust to
larger arms. Does the rag trade not realise that our waistlines have grown, and hips, bums
and tums have spread or dropped?
It’s no good offering us size 16
versions of skimpy size 10 creations. They’re just not right. And where are all the
interesting looking older models to identify with? They can’t all be size 10 or
dead.
My friend Mary is not concerned about
cutting edge. She says that, unlike in her younger days, fashion comes in at fourth
place after colour, comfort and fit. And favourite for her is a pair of black trousers
bought mail order from Penny Plain three years ago. They are smart-casual, and, she says,
very comfortable, with an elasticated waist and legs that are just right. Her breakfast,
she says, is greatly enhanced when a catalogue slides through the letter box as she finds
it helpful to see a range of clothes hanging on a model rather than a rail.
For me, catalogues are about fantasy
and I get very excited when they come rolling in as I take my morning coffee. As a
once-upon-a-time actress I don’t get to dress up any more and can indulge my
fantasies of playing Dallas queens, sports personality of the year, Aga mums or Tea With
The Queen. Such riches of imagination and so early in the day.
But in reality what a disappointment. They
are so seldom just right. Fashion doesn’t speak to the older woman and as a result we
go classic. Anything so long as it’s black, not too clingy, isn’t too revealing
and is reasonably comfortable.
It’s possible, of course, that
I’ve missed out and there’s a horde of companies just waiting to send me
inspirational paper emporia of lovely clothes that are casual, chic, a tad fashionable and
of the right colour range (spring, if anyone is listening). But has mail order heard of
the Grey market? Doesn’t seem like it as I trot to the post office with yet another
return.
What do other laterlife
contributors buy?
Helen Franks, laterlife features
editor: “I have bought a few items mail order. Mainly
sweaters in cashmere when there are sales. I bought one from Selective a couple of
years back which is fine-knit and good under jackets. I toy with La Redoute because
their designs are fairly classic so you can’t go wrong, but haven’t actually
ordered from them. As for general buying, I vary. Sometimes it’s Primark
for very cheap and cheerful. Other times I might buy from East because I like rich velvety
clothes in jewel colours and they have plenty that are pretty easy to wear. And
sometimes I splash out. One of my favourite, enduring items is a simple black zip-up
cardigan from MaxMara. It cost about four times more than an M & S
equivalent but it remains chic and sharply cut after about four years.”
Jeanne Davies, feature writer:
“I’ve had too many disappointments with mail order catalogues, so I stay with my
favourites shopping venues. For parties I wear a Ralph Lauren outfit bought in their
sale a few years back. It’s a red silk slightly fitted jacket over black silk
trousers and camisole top, and I feel like the bees knees. Just right- a good fit and
stylish.”
Jill Churchill, columnist on antiques:
“For tough outer clothes I go to Racing Green. They are simple and stylish
enough, but practical too. Boden has lovely classic, wide-legged linen
trousers. You have to take a chance when you order first time, but once you know they
suit you, the choice is terrific. And they do blouses with sleeves. Others I
like are: Damart for sleeveless silky-feel sleeveless vests. I wear a
black one with a bit of lace showing under suits. Wrap is nice for flowing skirts
and lots of linen. And my favourite, though pricey, is Peruvian Connection mail order, for
long velvet coats and ethnic clothes. I think the secret when buying mail order is
to choose items where fit is not important. When I want to go shopping for clothes,
I veer towards the department stores where there is a large variety in terms of price and
labels.”
As for me, I have to admit to finding a
great source of T shirts. The Boden collection is mostly too girly for the more
mature, but their T shirts suit me. They have the right neckline and sleeves, fit well and
are good quality with a reasonable range of colours. My own current favourite. Just
right.
 Finally, a quote from our national treasure,
the actress Emma Thompson:
‘I will be 45 years old
this year and I don’t have many more years left to be glamorous… Shortly,
you can expect to see me in sensible shoes, wearing sewn-together duvets for warmth and
comfort.’
We say no to that!
Contacts:
Boden: www.boden.co.uk
Penny Plain: www.pennyplain.co.uk
Selective www.selective.co.uk
La Redoute www.redoute.co.uk
Wrap: www.wraponline.co.uk
Damart: www.damart.com
Racing Green:
www.racinggreen.co.uk
Peruvian
Connection www.peruvianconnection.com
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Reminder…. Mother’s Day Sunday
March 21st
The latest Nutrimetics catalogue
contains a good selection of gift ideas including Heaven Scent, a range of soap and
body moisturisers perfumed with rose and waterlily.
To obtain
a catalogue, visit the Nutrimetics product
page.
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A vast industry is out there to help with all and every beauty concern. In
this column every month laterlife.com will report on ideas and products, old and
new. The practical results of everything from creamy cleansers to mud baths will be
brought to you. All with the focus on maturity of course.
