Looking Good in Later Life 43
November 2005

  
 
FASHION for FIFTY-PLUS

Sarah Frankel visits Primark and M&S for autumn fashions

Go into any Primark and you’ll find huge queues snaking round in between the shopping aisles. Look at the people in the queue and you will see all ages, all social groups. Primark is big news. While other high street fashion shops struggle, Primark expands. With fashions changing so quickly, at Primark you can buy on a whim as the prices really are rock-bottom.

There are 123 Primark stores at present. But now that owners AB Foods have bought Littlewoods, plans to create at least 40 more stores are imminent.

Primark unashamedly targets the under 35s with stylish, up-to-the-minute fashions, but look closely and you’ll come across something for all the family. Known by my friends as Pradamark or Primarni, Primark stocks sizes up to 18 and has a full range of departments.

Many Primark items can easily be worn by the over 50s. T shirts, sportswear, trousers, lingerie, sleep wear, socks, shoes, bags, gloves, scarves, hats and other items. At my health club, Primark swimwear is almost uniform as are the track suit bottoms and of course the T shirts.

For the colder months, I particularly like their knitwear from Spain. I picked a short, sleeveless black waistcoat with a collar for £6 to wear with black trousers and a red jumper, both of which are available at Primark if they’re not amongst your wardrobe staples. Red is a wonderful colour for the over 50s as it reflects and makes one glow.

Short jackets and cardies are the rage this year and Primark has a lovely short cardi for £8 with a roll collar, held together with a brooch. If you don’t like the brooch you can always use one of your own, sew on a decorative fastener or leave it open. If you see something, buy it immediately because some lines, particularly in sizes 8-14, sell out very quickly. You can always return it within Primark’s 14 day returns policy.

If you are worried about exploitation of foreign workers, Primark’s parent company, Associated British Foods Group, has a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy which includes suppliers’ conditions of employment. Responsibility rests with Primark, who claim that their low prices are due to bulk purchasing discounts.
 

M&S on the up

I paid a visit to our old friend, Marks & Spencer. To their credit they have discarded their frumpy image and every collection has clothes for the young and clothes that could suit the over 50s too.

One of my friends only buys clothes from the Per Una range. While many of the Per Una clothes are for the young, there are lots for the young at heart so it’s worth looking at this stylish collection. You never know what you may find.

There are so many new collections at M&S that I had to walk around the whole store. In the “old days” all the skirts were lumped together, all the jumpers in one place, etc. Now you need a pair of skates to work your way around and make sure you don’t miss anything. So many choices, though some are a bit pricey.

For my choice in knitwear, the M&S stone or black-coloured, oblong cardi at £45 could become part of my wardrobe for the next five years at least. So useful indoors and out, it is long, almost a coat, and a welcome change from the short jackets that are “in”. It’s so versatile, that you could even use it as a blanket for those cosy evenings by the fire. As a cardi, it can either be worn open or one side can be draped across turning it into a cape.

If you want a purpose-made cape, their cream-textured cape at £45 is lovely and has the fashionable kimono sleeve effect. This can be paired with a cream pom pom scarf at £19.50.

The men’s department also has some bargains. It’s hard to beat the value and quality of the Easycare men’s shirts from £9.50 or packs of two at £15. Their real value is in their name. Machine washable, at 40o, don’t spin, just hang them on clothes hangers to dry. Not even the most pedantic man will guess that you didn’t iron them. Walking through the Autograph collection I found a V neck acrylic jumper in the most beautiful blue for £15, but if your man prefers something finer, I liked the Collezione fine knit jumper with cashmere, in gold, for £35.

One of the best buys at M&S for women is not a garment but a small, hand-held fan at £3.99, which received an award for classy design. So small you can keep it in your pocket or handbag, I didn’t realise what a boon these fans are to menopausal women till, on a hot summers day, a friend shrieked “Where did you get that?” as she commandeered my fan, explaining that she needs it for her hot flashes!

Don’t let your age stop you from being fashion conscious and stylish, in fact, don’t let anything stop you. Wear clothes that make you look and feel good. Be brave, but do remember to give yourself a critical look in the mirror.


          

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