General Chat

Florence, I buy a lot of stuff from Cotton Traders. They are based in UK, the clothes are good quality and they have things in women's sizes as well as unisex.

They include a return label in every parcel and changing things that don't fit is no trouble.

I have just been looking at the labels and my trousers are made in Malaysia and my sweatshirt is made in China, but all stuff is posted in Britain.

My very fussy DIL buys a lot of stuff in Next, but I don't like their clothes.

Good luck.

I've also bought a fair bit from Cotton Traders though I don't think the quality is as good as it was a few years ago and you have to watch the sizing a bit, but there is no problem with returning goods. Several friends use Bon Marche, though I don't have any personal experience of them. What about Edinburgh Woolen Mills? I don't know whether they have the sort of clothes you are looking for but I know they have free UK returns.

I shop in store not on line but I like Edinburgh wool for tops and Tee shirts. I have also had a couple of nice things from Bon Marche, also bought in store not on line. Daughter and son in law shop in Cotton traders ans she is fussy. There is also Klass, but that is a bit more expensive and M&co, I used to shop with them when they were in the high Street.

I get regular mailings of small catalogues from Cotton Traders. Some of their stuff is very good but beware that the photographer is a genius ;-)

aren't they all when trying to sell things. I just wish they would give some idea of the height of the models.

There is one shop that does give model height (M & S?) and I find it most disconcerting to be told "the model is 5' 10" and wearing size 12" . If only!! :-( :-(

I expect if my 5ft 2 frame was stretched to be 5ft10 I would be able to fit into a size 12 :-) :-) :-)

Ty for all your suggestions. We used to have Edinburgh Wollen Mill here in the town and its gone now, but I had bought things in the past.

Cotton Traders, I used to buy but might revisit the site and have a nosey. never been a Next person, just not my style.

M & S has changed so much over the years and I never see what i like. I have ordered online and nearly always end up sending it back.

Back in the 80's we had tops and bottoms to match like a trouser suit or top & skirt suit and you could get a jacket too but these days, you hardly see this kinda thing.

I do have quite short legs at 29 inches, so anything maxi, is far too long for me. petite comes in at 28 which is just too short in trousers and I'm not a fan of 3/4 length.

Guess I am a bit fussy lol

I have found today a v neck longer length floral top with short sleeves. its looks very pretty so I ordered it in 3 colours. I found it on amazon so at least its easy to return & get a refund.

I got an email from the curvedreams asking me to describe what i didn't like about the clothes for each item??? I replied and said, I didn't like any of the clothes, material was cheap and not good quality and could they please send me a returns form in order to get a refund. They did send an email confirming a refund for the 4 things out of stock and it will take 15 days to reach my bank!!!

On a different note, I have finally managed outside into the sunshine albeit there is a brisk chilly wind to inspect my plants.

Well, not good. All the new plants I potted were done so with a peat free compost compared to a peat compost I used last year. But to my disappointment, the plants have failed and not growing at all well. The top layer of soil is dry & crusty even though it has rained loads and in between I water them often.

There is something def different and I wont be using it again. I shall go back to the peat compost I used last year which gave me a fab display. I am really down about this as spent a fortune buying plants and hours potting them all up, such is life I guess.

I always thought Roman a bit old ladyish like Bon Marche can.be and have been very surprised by the much younger clothes I’ve been seeing in their emails after I bought a top.

Never heard of Klass, must look them up.

Although Cotton Traders provide a returns label, and there's nothing to pay directly to the Post Office or carrier, they deduct the return cost from your refund.
That means that if you return an item, you will have paid £3.99 to receive the item, plus another £3.35 (Royal Mail) or £2.95 (Evri), - and have nothing to show for it.

It does put me off ordering from them.
Their clothes are good quality, but I usually find them a bit big, which makes me unsure what size to order, and therefore increases the chance of having to return things.


JD Williams returns are free, but there's seldom anything that appeals to me.

I've had a couple of jumpers from Temu, which have been OK - but most of their clothes are rubbish.

I almost never buy clothes from M&S nowadays, and the only branches anywhere near us (20-25 miles away) are Foodhalls, not selling clothes. However, it's free to have clothes delivered to either of them, and returns via either of them are also free. So long as one can go to one of those branches to pick up or return, it's a good system!

I'd never heard of Roman - must have a look.

I have bought a fair bit from Klass over the years, it is very like Roman, but recently I haven’t liked the styles. I buy lots of things from. Seasalt these days, they can be a bit pricey, but they often have discount offers and sales. I like their tunics to go with trousers. My problem apart from being tall is that I am very long waisted, so any dress which has a waist in it is no good for me. The waist is high around my ribs which looks odd, but is also very uncomfortable. I need flared or shift dresses , so I can usually find something in Seasalt

Well, the kitchen was supposed to be started this morning, but of course they rang to put it back a day :-(. We have emptied the whole kitchen, so are camping in the dining room with the microwave, kettle and toaster. We will have to wash up in the bathroom until they get the dishwasher in its new place.
We decided to go out for lunch , so went to a very nice garden centre which has a very posh food hall attached to it as well as the restaurant. I managed to pick up two ready meals which were reduced to a very low price, so I was pleased with that. I have been stockpiling my own home made meals in the freezer, so I can just microwave them as I don’t know how long it will be before we get the new hob and oven working. Quite a while I think as after stripping the kitchen out, they need to do cap the gas off, then do all the new plumbing and electrics before they even start to put the new kitchen in.

Sea salt is quite expensive when compared to the others mentioned ( apa rt from M&S). If you like Seasalt have you tried Woolovers - similar pricing.

Just looked at the cotton traders brochure which is next to me - they give the lengths of their tops as well as the trousers.

I’ve heard that Marks have amalgamated their petite and short range and that the crutch length in their trousers has shortened. Their short length trousers were a perfect size - it used to be only the waist size that was a problem ;-)

Linda I have always like the Anna rose clothes from Klass, but this year I don't like the styles or the materials at all so have not bought anything from them. Daughter likes Seasalt but I have not looked in their shops yet. I do quite like Weird fish and Fat boy but these are not cheap.

Yes I meant fat face!!

Well I finally ordered 2 tops, a pair of trousers and a dress from Klass. Got some good deals as was in the sale. Fingers crossed I like them and they fit ok.

Shall let you know once they arrive.

I looked on Seasalt but nothing really caught my eye there..

Weirdfish, I have seen before but yes are quite pricey but had some nice things.

Fat Boy, Ann, not sure what you have in mind as I think you meant Fatface :-S

Hope you like your purchase when the arrive Florence.

I can’t be bothered with ordering clothes on line and having to send them back when they don’t fit, or I don’t like them. If I can’t try them on in a shop, then I don’t bother. I am lucky enough to live in an area where there are lots of shops, so it isn’t a problem. It must be really difficult for you Florence living in such a remote spot.

Its not a problem sending things back really as we have a post office in the village and daughter goes to town most days.

My problem is finding clothes I like whether that be online or in an actual shop!

Names, thanks for the correction. Yes I meant Fat Face :-D

I found it easier to find clothes after I lost all my weight. Before that, I used to be in despair, going round the shops with plenty of money to spend, but totally unable to find anything to fit which I liked.

We were up early this morning because the kitchen fitter said he would be here at 8.15, of course he was half an hour late, but at least arrived and is happily dismantling the old kitchen.

I quite like Seasalt, they seem to do a bigger range now, and more colours. I can't wear 'earthy' tones so was pleased to see more reds, blues etc. this year. Gap is still trading online, good for tops etc. and they seem to have a wider range this year. Next does sell lots of different brands, as does Debenhams and M & S. I've shopped with Lands End in the past, however I don't think their returns are free.