If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clothes?
 

I've just done a search hoping some older threads might shed a light on this, but didn't find anything suitable.

For the first time in nearly 5 years I need to buy semi-formal clothes and I'm totally lost. I went on a mini shopping spree to the Albany mall today and came back empty handed. All I could see was either:

- too young / informal
- two fussy - ruffles, loud patterns, weird cuts
- too 80s
- too 70s!
- too formal
- too expensive! (I mean, $350 for a top?? seriously! Even if I had the money I wouldn't be able to sleep at night...)

I couldn't even find a normal plain black skirt!! The ones I found were either heavy wool, stretchy, shiny... argh!

So now I can understand why everyone who flies back to the UK goes there with an empty case and makes a beeline for M&S / Topshop / Debenhams or whatever floats your boat.

Any tips? I could swear I read somewhere (not saying it was on the forums, just can't remember where I saw it) that some people actually fly to Australia and shop for clothes there - is it true?! :blink:

Help!

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

LOL, yes I remember this when I was shopping for clothes two years ago. I think I found some things in the posh section of Farmers :lol:, and in the more upmarket boutiques. Price wasn't too much of a problem as I earn British pounds and the exhange rate was in my favour. My mum, who lives there, does all right (she dresses quite well). I'll send her an email and ask her where she shops (she takes about a week to reply to my emails so don't hold your breath).

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Water Lily :wub:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Yes please!! And if she wants to adopt me for a day and take me shopping, I'm up for that too!! :lol:

lol :o

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

I feel your pain.....lol

I thought it was just me being too fussy but I can't seem to find any clothes here that I like, apart from the odd top. When I first arrived in NZ I was told Australia was the place to shop. We have recently been to Sydney and OMG the clothes there are so much better and cheaper I found.

Going to have to save up for regular trips to OZ :-)

My best friend is coming out in November for 6 weeks so hoping to hop over to do some serious clothes shopping.

When we manage to get back to the UK for a visit, I going to take an empty suitcase :-)

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

I buy stuff on trade me LOL

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

I buy stuff on ebay.com(Usa) and get them posted over, works out that I pay $75 for a apir of Calvin Klein jeans and they are $280 in Smith and Caughey!
Shorecity at Takapuna is quite good as it has an Espirit and a Sussann and Country road, they are usually all right for what you want. They are reasonably priced but don't last very long(only one season) Don't foreget M&S do international delivery now and with $2 to the pound it works out quite good!

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Well we spent a week with some friends in Sydney last February (went to see George Michael in concert) and boy do I regret not going clothes shopping now!! A friend of mine says her colleagues have advised her to fly out to Melbourne! Might have to plan a winter holiday then, at least we'd be going somewhere new, as we've been to Sydney a few times already.... might do us good to have a change of scenery.... :)

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Hi girls, thanks for that. Actually as much as I LOVE shopping online, I don't like shopping for clothes that way... I like to try things on and make sure they fit and look nice on me, as so often something that looks nice on a hanger just doesn't quite work when I try it on... maybe I am misshapen? lol :lol:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

agree.

When I shopping for clothes (online), its easier for me than most other people because my size is the smallest ever - XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXS. I always thought I know pretty much about what sort of style fits me/and I can trust myself/choice by my intuitions (coz I am older now :eek:) but then, some clothes, even if I think its my style, right size, right colour, looks nice etc, when I actually try things on, its sometimes not quite right (often in shape) . I bought a 3/4 sleeve bathrobe (Dressing gown to me :rofl:) last week, and that was one size smaller than I normally wear, however I tried it on anyway, well. It fits me ok. :D ... you see? You would never know. (See the photo below - its already big enough for me. See the Shoulder line? If I go for my size then what would it be like?? :rofl: :ohmy:) and it is very helpful taking photos of yourself, because it sometimes looks quite different than when you see yourself in the mirror. oh, and it was cheap ish too - I paid only $33.68.. :thumbsup: and its the most beautiful bathrobe I've ever seen. In fact, I never had a proper bathrobe in the past coz simply it was impossible to find something fits me right, but this one is just SO NICE. Its for kiddie but it doesn't look like too kiddie after all.... :p

I would never shop clothes online if anything is uncertain. because theres no way to find out what the hell is like. :rofl:

My clothes is mostly Made in Italy Cos they make incredibly small(est) size... but still, Really it depends on cut and designers. Trying on is always safer .. :sneaky:

I like Country Road, because I can trust their quality at least. and no I don't shop at ESpirit. Top Shop used to be good but Not any more these days, H&M is slightly better I guess, but I don't buy my clothes from such places. M&S is just for undies.

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Hi hun, I'm up for a shopping trip mid-week if you would like. Can try Takapuna, Sylvia Park or Newmarket if you like. Text me ;)

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

I've heard Melbourne is better for shopping......will have to try it out too :thumbsup:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Maybe you need to venture over the bridge, Monday's a holiday and it looks like rotten weather - good for shopping. Newmarket and Sylvia Park are both very good for clothes - both handy to the motorway .Smith and Caughey have good semi-formal though not cheap - their sales are good. They are in Newmarket but their bigger store with much better selection is in Queen St..Sure you can find something in those places.

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

True and you can't send it back (I think). However if you are buying brands known in several countries you could try the item on in Smith & Caughys and then order it online. Probably made in the same factory in China anyway!:lol:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

That sounds good! :) Though calendar a bit packed next week... how about the week after? I'll email you!

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Maybe we should organise a group and fly out together for a girl-only holiday! There seems to be enough interest to take over a small plane :D


Actually we went to an electronics shop in Penrose yesterday, so being so close couldn't resist checking out Dressmart in Onehunga. OMG I thought I was back in England, SOOOO packed!! As the weather's indeed crap everyone's going shopping... :blink: Gave up trying on a couple of things as the queues for the fitting rooms were ridiculous... Think I'll leave it for a weekday! Newmarket/Sylvia Park added to the list, thanks! :)

Oh no, don't tell me that! It pains me to see a top that costs $90 with a label that says "made in China". I get horrible visions of people cramped into a small room working 16 hours a day for a pittance and makes me want to put it right back on the rack... But it seems to be unavoidable here? Everything seems to be made in China! :unsure:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Huh?:confused:

Explain.:o:sneaky:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

[QUOTE=Water Lily;8613793]Maybe we should organise a group and fly out together for a girl-only holiday! There seems to be enough interest to take over a small plane :D [QUOTE]

Sounds like a great plan to me :thumbsup:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Week after is fine with me. Tuesday or Wednesday, I'm free :D

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

lol well I'm just trying to grow old graciously.... sort of :D :o

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

:D I'll go get my piggy bank... :lol:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

I buy very little clothes here and tend to stock up when I go on holiday. Am still managing with clothes bought ages ago. Don't like online shopping as I'm too tactile a person and must see what I buy first.

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

The OH has asked my to say if you want M&S quality in NZ try www.intimo.com.au

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

OK, my mum says she shops at Ballantynes, Easybuy at Sylvia Park, boutiques that are part of chain stores like Portmans, Macs, K&K, and recently she spent lots of money at Anne Marie in Takanini. This is quite expensive but has lots of high end labels and very good quality. Location looks a bit dodgy but is actually very good. I'm so out of touch that this means nothing to me, but I hope it helps.

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Hi -NEXT also have online shopping available in NZ.

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

Another unproductive shopping trip, this time to Sylvia Park, poor Vitalstatistix was starting to hope the sky WOULD fall on her head to put an end to the misery! :rofl:

Found one thing I liked so bought it in 3 different colours :D, but other than that... I really am starting to think I AM too fussy lol. It was a good day out though and the chocolate was yummy, so thanks for taking me out ;)

Newmarket here we come... will make a note of the other shops jmh's mum suggested, thanks for that! Failing that, I feel a holiday in Brisbane is in order (DH gave a loud groan when I mentioned it, did you all hear it?)... although by now I am starting to feel so desperate I'm actually considering shopping online :ohmy:

Off to add up my airmiles and see if I can get a free flight to OZ... :fingerscrossed: :rolleyes:

Re: If you're female and living in Auckland / North Shore, where do you shop for clot
 

:rofl::rofl::
You're welcome

At least you've discovered the delights of The Chocolate Lounge :wub:

Hope Mr Water Lily liked his box of goodies.

Newmarket in a fortnight, then Brisbane. If that's no good, then Singapore it is :eek: