For many of us, there’s nothing that a spot of retail therapy can’t fix, but that high you get from finding the perfect LBD on the rack in your size can quickly turn sour when you head into the changing rooms. 

Over on social media, many Twitter and TikTok feeds are filled with unhappy shoppers people claiming their regular clothing size has suddenly changed.

Others are fuming over the inconsistency between stores, which often leaves them ‘in tears’. 

One disgruntled consumer recently said: ‘I’m so sick of all these sizes changing between brands but also within the same brand?!?!’

While another tweeted: ‘I hate clothes shopping. Good day I will find something, bad day? Guaranteed tears and just want to go home. Doesn’t help that clothes shops aren’t consistent in their sizing? A size UK 14 in one store may fit me perfectly while a size UK 14 in another is tight.’

Someone else claimed they were struggling with ‘vanity sizing’, saying it makes them mad and that sizes now mean ‘nothing’ to them. A second agreed, posting: ‘No, you don’t still wear the same size you did 10 years ago, they just keep vanity sizing the clothes.’ 

Alongside this they posted a snap of two T-shirts, one they claim is a size medium and the other a large. However, the image clearly shows that the medium one is much bigger than the large. 

In the UK sizing standards are set by the British Standards Institution, but these don’t specify which measurements specific sizes must have, so brands and retailers are often able to determine this for themselves. This means shoppers are often left in a position where sizing differs greatly between stores.

This is likely the reason you may be a size 14 in one shop and a size 18 in another. And while we know this can have a major impact on people’s mental wellbeing, it’s always important to remember that there is nothing wrong with fitting in different sizes. They’re just numbers and they don’t define who you are as a person. But what’s the solution?

Charlotte Broadbent, a fashion stylist and founder of charlotteloves.co.uk, says love to see a big change in the way stores label their sizes, moving away from traditional numbers like 12 and 18 and instead using inches to determine fit. 

‘UK clothing sizes are illogical and incoherent. 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 are outdated – and don’t get me started on small, medium and large!’ she tells Metro.co.uk.

‘Let’s now move into the “inches era”, which would rely on a clearer labelling standard to include inches, on tags in store AND online specifications..’

Interestingly, she doesn’t thinkin making an industry standard for each size is the answer, because it’s still too easy to get caught up in the numbers. 

‘Would an industry sizing standard help 100%? Maybe, but in all likelihood not, women’s body shapes differ wildly; proportions, torso length, where the waist sits on the silhouette etc. Jeans are the worst offenders on size differential, as well as being the items that produce the most “acquisition anxiety,”‘ she explains.

However, one area she believes would benefit from having an industry standard size is trouser length, especially when it comes to measuring the inside leg. Charlotte says she would love to see more extra short, short, regular, long, and extra long labels on trousers, which a few stores like Marks & Spencer already use. 

She praised the high street brand for their ‘considerate’ labelling on trouser length, claiming she can return to M&S ‘time and time again for clients who are tall (5ft 10″ and over) and short (5ft 3″ and under)’ because of this.

But while some brands are clearly going above and beyond to help shoppers find the best fit, Charlotte advises against lashing out at those who aren’t quite there yet.

She explains how the design and cut of clothes varies between brands and the key to finding the right clothes for your body is simply to work out which brands work best for you and avoid the ones that don’t. 

‘Blaming the brands isn’t always helpful,’ she says. ’Most brands choose a niche, and design clothes for that body type, i.e. LK Bennett cuts narrow and short (great for shorter, straight body shape clients), Mint Velvet cuts more square (flattering for apple shape clients).

‘Consumers have to take more responsibility for understanding their unique body shape and research/educate themselves on brands that work for them. Or work with a stylist who can help guide you through your individual body shape needs.’

She adds: ‘Take time to understand your body shape and proportions, working with a stylist on fabrics, styles and brands that suit your shape, lifestyle and budget will help reduce angst and shopping insecurity.’

The stylist also shared a top tip to help shoppers work out how much stretch an item of clothing will have if you’re looking for more comfortable fit. She urged shoppers to check the % of lycra or elastane an item contains. The higher the %, the more the item will stretch and the more ‘forgiving’ it will be. ‘Always check the label when making a purchase,’ she advises.

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Welcome back to Bargain vs Bougie, Metro.co.uk’s series pitting products at varying price points against each other.

This week, we’re looking at tights.

It’s very much that time of year again, and I don’t know about you, but my tights rotation needs a refresh for winter 2023.

I know that tights are always going to be more delicate items of clothing, but I’m so over having to replace them after roughly three wears because they run at the first sight of trouble.

And now that I’ve got a needy 25-kilo dog who struggles to keep all four paws off of me when I get home, trouble’s in sight pretty often.

So, not sure where to look first, I decided to literally make it my job to find out whether bargain or bougie tights have what it takes to get me through the winter.

Looking at various brands ranging from £2.60 to £59 for one pair, I investigated whether it’s really worth splashing the cash on a pair tights, if it means keeping ladders and snags at bay.

So let’s get into it…

M&S — £8.00 for three-pack (£2.60 each)

These tight are comfy and definitely on the sturdier side, if not absolutely indestructible — a close encounter with a sharper part of my nail made that clear.

Still, at this price point, I was pretty impressed.

My only reservation is that they haven’t been put to the ultimate dog-jumping-up test yet…

Score: 9/10

Asos Design — £10 for two pack (£5 each)

I wasn’t expecting a miracle with these very budget-friendly 40 Denier tights, but this was still the pair I was least impressed with.

Not only did they snag on my (admittedly not perfectly smooth) bedroom floor within the first few minutes, but they also couldn’t withstand the evidently rough treatment of the satin skirt I wore that day. So I doubt I’ll be buying these again.

Score: 2/10

Pour Moi — £11.40 for one

You get a lot of bang for your buck with these Definitions 40 Denier Shaping Control Tights. At £12, they cost a scooch more than the average supermarket pair, but they work harder too.

Designed to ‘smooth, lift and contour’, they’re not the most comfortable in the world, but such is the nature of shapewear, I guess.

I do feel like my bum looks particularly good when I’ve got them on, and, when it comes to surviving my dog’s paws and claws, they’ve made it through sofa cuddles so far, but at the time of writing, there haven’t been any jumping incidents yet…

Score: 9/10

Wolford — £28 for one pair

I liked the slight shine these Wolford Satin Opaque 50 Denier Tights gave off, and they felt stronger and sleeker to the touch than some of the cheaper pairs I tried, so I had high hopes.

But interestingly, unlike the famously sturdy Sheertex (which we’ll get onto in a second), they felt quite smooth light on my legs when I had them on, which I liked, although it might not be best for when the weather is at its coldest.

Sadly, even though they felt tough, my dog’s scratchy little paws didn’t quite leave them unscathed.

Score: 8/10

Sheertex — £59 for one pair

The much-hyped Sheertex brand promises ‘rip-resistant’ tights, with the website boasting that they test for burst strength, abrasion resistance, yarn strength, and tensile strength. They’re also pretty expensive, so my expectations were high.

Such was my trust in this pair of their Classic Sheer Rip-Resist Tights that I wore them for my much-anticipated 30th birthday party, and they more than survived the night.

The price tag takes a bit of getting used to, but they’ve definitely lived up to the hype so far.

Score: 10/10

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‘I wear what makes me happy, not anyone else – and that’s colour. That’s what makes me happy.’

This is style advice from fashion-fanatic Sylvia Ezer. Currently the face of a nationwide clothes campaign, she’s not your average model. 

Plucked at random while out shopping, her story has echoes of Kate Moss’ 1988 rise to fame after the British supermodel was spotted at New York’s JFK airport while smoking a cigarette.

However, while Kate Moss was just 14 when was she was scouted for stardom, former teacher Sylvia was 88. It also happened a bit more closer to home – at her favourite White Stuff store in London’s Muswell Hill, where she lives.

‘I was just looking through the rail, as I always do, when someone came up and asked if I’d like to pose myself,’ she tells Metro.co.uk ‘I’d done a little bit of modelling-  a very long time ago – so thought it would be fun.’

Within weeks, Sylvia was whisked away to Fulham Palace Meadows Allotments for a photoshoot and the images soon went viral, as people praised her ageless style.

‘I couldn’t quite believe it,’ Sylvia admits with a smile.

‘I’ve always been happy in comfortable, casual gear rather than anything too formal or tight. So White Stuff was always my cup of tea. When I walk into a shop I cast an eye on the rails and the styles and, usually, I can pick out what will look good. My eye knows what is going to suit me. 

‘If I wear something I’m not comfortable in, the moment I open my front door I’m taking it off and getting changed. It’s important to be confident in what you like. For me, colour makes me happy.’

Sylvia’s love of all things bright began in the small village of Robertson in South Africa’s Western Cape, where she was surrounded by vibrant plants and rich wine fields. 

Her family ran the village’s Commercial Hotel which often hosted a travelling acting troupe. Sylvia remembers watching a performance in the local village hall when she was six-years-old. She was “fascinated’ by their colourful outfits and bold accessories. And so a lifelong love of clothing began.

The self-professed ‘country bumpkin’ moved to a bigger town of Worchester as a teenager and then to the University of Western Cape to study drama. Her confidence and love of fashion grew when she moved to London in 1958, just in time to enjoy the swinging sixties in full flow.

‘I remember even going on the tube and seeing everyone dressed in different things, there was a freedom’, she recalls.

‘I still loved the theatre and went there often. I would love going to Portobello Market and browsing the rails. It was all very exciting, I was certainly a city girl by this point.’

She admits she did lose her colour at points at low points in her life. In the wake of the death of her husband Colyn, who was only 59, and death of her second partner Jim, in 2020, her wardrobe took a back seat.

But in her return to a new normal, it was clothing like a familiar pink jumper and deep red trousers that gave her something to smile about.

These days, the former drama teacher turned model is happy to impart her style knowledge to a new generation, which is why I jumped at the chance to spend an afternoon with her. As the most fashion conscious person in the world, I wanted to find out her style secrets. 

As a teenager – with a full-face of terrible acne that lasted years – I embraced our black school uniform and clothes that would help me blend in. That mindset of ‘not standing out’ has continued on until adulthood where I’m still pretty nervous to veer away from a dark hoodie and jeans combination.

So meeting Sylvia was quite the jump. Her love is colour, and colour gets you noticed. 

As I got glammed up, 5’2” Sylvia reached up to the rail to investigate her options. She held up each one as she expertly envisioned what could be paired together.

But would I like what she chose? Here’s how we got on…

Sylvia's makeover magic: outfit by outfit

Look 1

First outfit was a knitted white jumper with a sprinkling of colour on the sleeves, Sylvia’s speciality, teamed with a rusty corduroy long skirt.

Sylvia says: ‘Colour as key and this earthy, brick style red is one of my favourites – it takes me back to my upbringing in South Africa. Going for a skirt rather than pairing a jumper with jeans is an easy way to elevate a classic look, so you can wear it anywhere.’

Kirsten says: ‘Coupled with a long red skirt, it made for a very cosy piece of autumnal wear that could take me from the office to after work drinks. I’d definitely never worn a skirt as long, it felt fairly alien, and I was definitely nervous about pulling it off. Longer skirts do seem to be getting back into style again, Sylvia is onto a new trend here.’

Jumper: £75, White Stuff

Skirt: £38, Next

Look 2

Second outfit included some striking pink trousers coupled with a pink high neck fluffy jumper.

Sylvia says: I chose to roll up the sleeves, this outfit means business. It’s the perfect example of how colour can make you smile – this would liven up any trip to the office. Two simple choices which make a big impact.

Kirsten says: ‘I must admit, Sylvia’s second choice for me looked pretty daunting on the rail. Bright pink trousers and a fluffy pink jumper – a pairing I wouldn’t normally run a million miles from. But Sylvia gave me the confidence to pull it off after some words of encouragement to trust her, and I was glad I did. Not just the office, it would be fun for any girls afternoon or suit for some winter nights out – where being warm is just as essential as looking good.

Trousers, £38, River Island

Jumper: Pink High Neck Jumper, £40

Look 3

Our third outfit provided a chance to match up fashionista Sylvia with the fashion guinea pig Kirsten. The 88-year-old went with a plain white t-shirt and the 27-year-old with a pair of wide-length jeans. A smattering of buttons and deep velvet green completed the look on our matching blazer.

Sylvia says: ‘The blazer was a key fashion piece I’ve seen reinvented dozens of times over my decades in London. But again, simplicity is key. Paired with a set of smart jeans and stunning shirt, the blazer could be the perfect choice for a spot of networking or to elevate a work outfit. 

Kirsten says: ‘When I first saw them on the rail I thought they would be far too big for me, but the oversized look worked wonders. This is something I’d love to wear round the office or on a Sunday stroll to the shops, this was my favourite of Sylvia’s selections.

Blazer: £75, White Stuff

Jeans: £38, River Island

Shirt, £39.50, M&S Autograph Collection

Look 4

The final outfit of the day reflected a key component for Sylvia – comfort. She picked out a pair of brown cord trousers and a cosy bright green jumper.

Sylvia: This kind of outfit is perfect for hosting duties. Just the other day, I held a lunch party in a similar pair of White Stuff trousers and I was able to dash back and forth the kitchen in style. They’re super comfortable and last a long time.

Kirsten: As Sylvia says, this comfortable outfit would be ideal for having friends over. The trousers really were comfortable and, really, perhaps the most easy-to-repeat way of switching up my boring jeans and hoodie style. The combo was also perfect for not letting chilly temperatures get in the way of a nice outfit, or for fading into the background. 

Trousers: £44.25, White Stuff

Jumper: £29.50, M&S

Conclusion

While the overall experience of being a fashion guinea pig was daunting, it really was a learning experience and showed me that style doesn’t have to be as scary as the Instagram reels or perfectly curated social media posts make out. As Sylvia says, the experience should be a joy, not a chore.

She did take me out of my comfort zone initially but it was good to be encouraged to try out bolder colours and combinations I would not have considered myself 

Inspired by the likes of Maggie Smith who – at the age of 88 –  became the new face of fashion brand Loewe’s, Syvlia taught me that any outfit can stand out – but there’s a key accessory needed if you really want to make it pop: confidence.

‘With getting older, I have learned more to wear what makes me happy. You can always make something your own with confidence,’ Sylvia explains.

Thanks to her stylish eye I will definitely be bolder and braver when I look through the high street fashion rails in the future and not always head for the dark colours all the time. I’m definitely going to be more daring in my colour choices in future.

Sylvia's beauty regime

While we had her, we wanted to find out Sylvia’s beauty regime that’s helped her stay looking fabulous over the years.

She told us that her must-have piece of make-up is the Clarins Joli Rouge lipstick. ‘It’s a shade of orange and adds a lovely pop of colour. I’ve very fond of it and have replenished it several times over the last few years. The lipstick lights up my face.’

Occasionally she will dip into a brown shade of Lancome lipstick, but she says this ‘depends on my mood’. She’s partial to a Lancome foundation each day as well.

When it comes to keeping her skin fresh, she has a strict evening routine. But she’s not devoted to a particular brand, she’s happy to find whatever is the most ‘economical’ in Boots. Syliva starts by using a cleansing milk then wipes it away with a tissue or soft sponge.

She repeats this twice to make sure she’s captured all the dregs of the day. ‘Then I’ll use some eye-make up remover, add some serum, then use my night cream. Occasionally I’ll use an eye cream.’

A No 7 lipbalm comes next, especially in winter.

‘I never go to bed without taking off my make-up’, Sylvia adds. ‘When it comes to my night routine, I use products which are on sale, never anything too expensive. I do have a lot of skin damage from when I was younger, I never wore sun cream.

‘We weren’t taught all that, we would even put things like lemon juice on our face. We didn’t realise how bad that was. So I have to keep my face hydrated, at morning and night I use a Garnier Rose Water miscellar cleanser, which I wipe on with a cotton pad.’

Photographs by: Natasha Pszenicki, Hair & Make Up: Desmond Grundy

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Last night’s GQ Men of the Year Awards saw the likes of Gary Lineker, Jack Antonoff and Simone Rocha honoured for their work as tastemakers and changemakers in 2023.

Attendees set the style standard on the red carpet as well, with the fashion rulebook clearly thrown out of the window this party season.

Football stars Alex Scott, Leah Williamson and Chloe Kelly all wowed in daring sheer dresses at the star-studded event, showing they won’t be pigeonholed by stereotypes of masculinity among women in sport (as well as those surrounding the queer community).

Others also bared nips and hips alike, with many opting for bondage-inspired features like leather, chains and buckles: Normal People actor India Mullen’s leather bralette and skirt was offset with a bold metal neckpiece and zips, while Raye’s full-length PVC gown and Jodie Turner-Smith’s laced-up minidress seemed like clear nods to the world of BDSM.

The men were stepping out of their comfort zone too, from Ted Lasso’s Phil Dunster wearing leather trousers for the first time (and with a sheer top too) to Ncuti Gatwa pairing a dramatic floor-skimming black coat by Louis Gabriel Nouchi with a racy patent tie.

This air of punky, outlandish dressing (much of which wouldn’t look out of place in a sex dungeon or Matrix reboot) has been brewing for some time. Bebe Rexha’s dress, complete with bum cheek cut-outs and horse tail, and Doja Cat’s barely-there spiderweb look at this year’s VMAs spring to mind, and everyone from Nicole Kidman and Rihanna to Lupita Nyong’o and Em Rata have put their own spin on the concept.

Megan Watkins, Head Stylist at online fashion destination SilkFred, tells Metro.co.uk: ‘Certainly, 2023 has been huge for “naked dressing” and also kink-inspired clothing. Once only seen in the Victoria Secret aisles, sheer dresses have been one of the biggest celeb trends this year, being seen on red carpets, runways and even everyday street style.’

One of the stars most commonly associated with fetishwear or “naked dressing” is Julia Fox, says Megan, and interestingly, the actress recently stated in an interview on BBC’s Woman’s Hour that she has actually stopped dressing for men and now styles herself for “the girls and the gays”.

‘For Julia, and perhaps the other women that have leaned into these trends, they find that embracing their sexuality through fashion is empowering and is actually, too overtly sexual to adhere to “the male gaze,”‘ Megan suggests.

‘Sometimes women avoid styles that they enjoy but seem like “too much” and aren’t confident enough to wear. However, taking a risk with clothing can often make a woman feel more confident as they have conquered their ideas of what they think society expects of them sartorially.’

According to Megan, the current craze for irreverent fashion is partly driven by celebrities’ desire to make headlines.

‘However, I don’t think these trends are all about grabbing attention,’ she says. ‘In the post-#metoo era, women are taking back control of their bodies and embracing this through fashion. Women have reached a level of sexual liberation, where we feel more free to talk about sex and also admit that we do actually like it too!’

And overt sartorial sexuality – either to turn heads or reclaim our sense of bodily autonomy – is a tool that’s been part of the zeitgeist for decades.

During the original era of punk, the movement relied heavily on sexualised imagery to shock and provoke discussion. Vivienne Westwood’s Sex Boutique on London’s King’s Road sold t-shirts with trompe-l’œil bare breasts or with openable zips at the nipples, while the subculture itself was typified by fishnets, studs, chokers and harnesses.

The current iteration of expression through fashion is undoubtedly more polished. Ever since Marc Jacobs took his version of grunge to fashion week for Perry Ellis’ SS93 collection, catwalks have been all about commodifying individuality and turning grassroots creativity into something marketable.

But there’s still merit in happy medium between the two things for the average person; it’s all about understanding what makes you feel most confident and choosing pieces that suit you.

Most of us can’t get away with channelling Siouxsie Sioux in all-over leather on the school run, or bringing out our inner dominatrix with a mesh body-stocking at the office – and that’s okay.

Megan recommends adding edge to an everyday wardrobe with a pair of faux leather trousers or leggings in place of a black trouser, or by layering sheer items (like a sheer top with a camisole underneath).

‘A lingerie-inspired slip dress can also be a staple piece paired with a t-shirt or shirt underneath and an oversized blazer on top,’ she adds. ‘And women can use accessories to lean into the trend, for example choker necklaces and chunky waist belts as a subtle nod towards fetishwear.’

As a general rule, if you don’t feel confident in what you have on, the whole ‘I don’t care’ vibe isn’t going to play. Plus, the look has to be for you, rather than to fit into what society expects of you.

Still feel like you need to stay inside the lines or lest ye be judged? It can be handy to remember the rebellious dressers who paved the way for the current laissez faire attitude. Whether it’s Prince’s genderless silhouettes, the way Madonna shapeshifts through clothing, or Aaliyah’s uniquely feminine take on baggy hip hop fashion, find your tradition-flouting style icon and follow their lead.

Whether it’s a flash of skin or a thigh-high boot is up to you, but starting with one thing you wouldn’t normally wear and working your way up (if you choose to) can help you push boundaries one step at time.

If Julia Fox can step out in pasties to go to the supermarket, what’s stopping you from taking a few baby steps on the wild side?

The only rule of this unrestrained and provocative trend to remember is that there are no rules: they’re just clothes, after all.

So decorate your outside with the way you feel inside, forget crap advice telling you to try to look younger, smaller and just like everyone else, and remember the words of Harry Winston: ‘People will stare. Make it worth their while.’

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Gone are the days when growing up meant admitting your alt years were ‘just a phase’.

While some people grow out of it (no judgement!) the rest of us old emos just can’t bear to break up with our largely black wardrobes, and why should we?

However, tweaking our style not just for the times, but for the workplace, can still be challenging. After all, there’s a very fine line between dressing like an adult with some edge and arresting your style development at around age 15.

Maybe that’s why TikTok is chock-full of fashion content for #ageingemos, #rockstargfs and overall alt hotties, with clips beyond reckoning getting tens, if not hundreds of thousands, of likes and clicks apiece.

It just goes to show there’s no such thing as too much outfit inspo.

But with so much advice out there, I wasn’t sure what was worth listening to. So, I turned to some fashion experts to dress me like their 2023 ideal of a chic elder emo – that would also be appropriate for the nine to five.

Megan Watkins, head stylist with SilkFred, says leaning into darker colours is key.

‘What’s more chic than black?’ she says. ‘And with emo or goth fashion deeply steeped in the darkest of hues, making the emo aesthetic work-appropriate doesn’t have to be a struggle or a worry.

‘You can easily keep up your desired vibe with office staples, like black suit trousers and a cool black shirt.

‘Other hues like deep red or forest green work in an office setting as well, and won’t compromise on your personal style.’

But then you have the potential problem of fading into the background in all these dark colours.

‘The emo aesthetic is also about being edgy and not looking like everybody else,’ she explains. ‘Although I’m not suggesting that you wear ripped fishnets or the biggest pair of chunky platforms you own to an important work meeting, there are ways to stand out from the crowd, without raising any eyebrows.

‘For example, a black shirt in a satin fabric adds a gothic edge to an otherwise classic look. You can also play around with silhouettes, and opt for a whimsical oversized sleeve or a blazer with exaggerated shoulders. All-black dresses with fun embellishments such as high necks and a skater skirt give a witchy feel to your regular black midi dress.’

Vivien, of @viviensvintage fame, gets dark colours to stand out by mixing textures, using ‘different fabrics and detailing individually that elevate a “basic” office outfit.

‘I would pair this with some silver jewellery and black boots or loafers, and a black headband.’

Top Depop seller Mariana Rebelo (@karakroa) says you can use some of your older emo items and pair them with office basics like blazers, midi/maxi skirts and trousers to make them more workplace-y.

‘A patterned top with a cobweb print, crosses or roses will be more subtle and easy to style into professional wear if it’s all black,’ she adds, ‘and I’d pair it with work trousers or a straight maxi skirt. 

‘I’d also suggest getting yourself some elevated basics with a gothic twist. Choose basics that have subtle details such as lace trimmings, dramatic collars, small buckles, silver hardware, zips or hooks. A shirt with a big collar, trousers with buckle details, a leather blazer/skirt or a frilly shirt will also help you get the look while still being office-appropriate.’

Mariana stresses the importance of accessorising too.

‘For the office, keep it simple,’ she instructs. ‘Instead of lots of layered necklaces, choose one statement necklace such as a silver cross, or you could go for a rose brooch for some extra detail.’

As for looks you should probably swerve, Megan says band Ts, jeans with ‘obvious rips’ and micro mini skirts should probably be kept for the weekend.

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