Impractical Clothes

Bespoke

specializes in the bespoke and the unique. We will make you an outfit entirely tailored to you – a perfectly fitted garment of distinction. Here you can see some examples of . If you see something you like, or have an idea for a dress just for you, drop us a line here.

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See more pictures

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About

is the brainchild of Irene Wadsworth, fashion nomad and offspring of the dark satanic mills of Lancashire. Her journey has been that of a couture vagabond: she has done it all, from designing couture corsets and dresses and making millions of dinky handbags to organising fashion shows. In 2001 she finally settled down and opened the iconically-named SHOP in Edinburgh. Her fashion remit is as broad as it is remarkable: hers is the tailored seam where Victoriana meets the Beardsley fop of the 1960s.

Our thing is catering for the individual by providing high-quality, beautifully-fitting and flattering ladies clothes, designed and made with flair, imagination and a certain je ne sais quoi. Since everything is not only designed but also made by Irene, you can glam it up assured that your outfit is exploitation-free and made with passion and attention to detail.

These are not clothes for lounging around the house in – they demand to be taken out and shown a good time…

What customers say

Wedding dress: tartan pencil skirt (daytime), tartan circle skirt (evening)

Look and feel fantastic babe! Once again thank you so immensely for making me such BEAUTIFUL skirts — I love them so much and I’m so looking forward to wearing them again!!

Ruth P

Edinburgh

Homecoming tartan bustle skirt, corset and sporran handbag

It was a sensation! Stole the show thank you for making it happen-made my birthday xxx

N Lister

Cheshire

Skirt and blouse arrived safely last week and they are wonderful..better than I thought they would turn out! So thank you very much!
Looking forward to see what the waist cincher looks like with it all!

Mel N

Leek, England

Tartan hotpants for Scotland–Italy game

Hi got my hotpants + theyre perfect! thanks!

Jacqueline M

Glasgow, Scotland

Tartan camisole and knickers

Many, many thanks, it is FAB-U-LOUS!!!! Will model it tonight and again, many thanks, I am delighted. This will be my Christmas outfit!!!

G Ellis-Pow

Edinburgh

Thanks for adjusting the waistcincher — it has arrived in Sweden and fits just great!

Miki

Sweden

Congratulations on your wonderful designs. They came to my attention on Monday at the opening of the Edinburgh Film Festival. I noticed Brian Cox’s wife Nicole was wearing a stunning tartan corset and she told me it was all down to you. I am an opinion columnist for The Scottish Sun. Whenever I go to a function or do TV I always try to wear a bit of tartan to fly the flag. But oh how I struggle to keep it up with little in the shops.

Many thanks,

Martel M, Glasgow

Martel M

Glasgow

Made to measure crumbcatcher dress

It came Saturday and it fits beautifully. Thank you very much, it’s gorgeous.

L Jenkins

London

Made-to-measure ballgown

Just to say thanks so much for helping me to feel a million dollars at the ESBC Ball — the dress was amazing & I got no end of compliments in it.
Thanks so much – you’re a star!

Sheila H

Edinburgh, Scotland

Dinkybags and purse

Thank you!! I bought a bag from you at the festival and i can assure you it’s used every day! The bag and purse are for my bridesmaid as a thank you for freezing her bits off on our wedding day, I’m sure she’ll love it as much as i love my bag!! They have arrived safe, sound and very cool!! Your bags should come with a government health warning-highly addictive however sure fire cure for seasonal affective disorder!!

Bridget P

Surrey, England

Poker Urban Jungle Bag

Bag arrived few days ago. It is truly beautiful!

J Ovciarikova

Czech Republic

Three pairs frilly knickers with bow

Hi Irene, The pants arrived here this morning, while I was out. I’m delighted with them, they’re even prettier that they appear on the web site! Thanks for the tips about washing them, it’s much appreciated.

Linda S

Edinburgh, Scotland

Alice urban jungle handbag

I’ve just received the bag !! It’s amazing, thank you so much 🙂
Happy new year !

G Cerdan

France

Pinstripe bustle skirt & waistcincher, frilly pants with bow

Hi ya honey! Guess what…its HERE! And it is fabulous! I picked it up on my way to work this morning and I had to put it on in the office and model it for the girls! It fits beautifully! Oh … and then i found the delightful surprise! I love them! Thank you soooo much Irene for everything.

Gabriel N

Melbourne, Australia

The bag has arrived – and is much appreciated. thanks for your prompt service. my partner bought a dinky bag at your stall in the Edinburgh festival — she loves it and uses it virtually everyday! That’s why we thought it would be a nice gift….

Stephen J

Lancaster, England

Punk dinkybag

As promised, my email to let you know that my handbag arrived in the post yesterday!!I am over the moon with it, it’s gorgeous it matches my shoes, hair bows etc, etc … I would not hesitate to use your company again! Thank you

Rochelle Miller

USA

Dogtooth Check Urban Jungle Bag

Just to let you know I recieved the bag yesterday morning. Thank you very much it is even prettier than expected!! I can’t wait to go and show it off!! I think I am now addicted as Im planning which one I will get next!!

A Mackenzie

Kinloss, Invernesshire

I am VERY HAPPY with your pants! I tried one couple of days ago. You should sell them 3 times the price. Thanks a lot!

Chrystele Sanloup

Paris

Patchwork Daintybag & Isles tweed Dinkybag

I received the bags today and they are absolutely gorgeous. I’ve already had a few comments from folk at work. Thanks again.

S Dyer

Edinburgh

I have just received the bag I have ordered and I think it is beautiful. I visited Edinburgh about three years ago and bought the smallest version of the bag on a market. I love that bag so on a rainy day I googled impractical clothes and found your website. When I saw that there is also a larger version I ordered it immediately. And now I can take one with me for every occasion, to work or a party. Thank you for making these beautiful bags!!!

Good luck in the future, I’ll keep an eye on the website and I’ll definitely tell all my friends about you.

Barbara W

Arnhem, Holland

Social media

4 years ago

Renee

Irene, where's me troosers?
Er cut up and rearranged to make these
NEW
Impractical Clothes Travel friendly bum/shoulder bags made from old trews
Featuring a fly zipper pocket for passport, myriad other pockets to hide bits n bobs, and the trouser waistband as shoulderstrap/ to custom fit round waist.
Ideal for backpackers, tourists, disco dancers, folk with lots o' stuff to carry aboot

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5 years ago

Renee

A good mornings work (out)

Early bird trip to the Vintage sale this morning and I bagged and dragged home 16kg of Harris and Donegal tweed jackets.
16kg.
That's better than a visit to the gym.

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5 years ago

Renee

New Tweeds for Autu

Beautiful Yorkshire Tweed offcuts from my recent visit
Time to get busy

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5 years ago

Renee

Marilyn T, GucciPucci Dinkybag and leopard print make up purse @ Top o' The Mile
Last day today

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5 years ago

Renee

Sunny day at 'Top 'o The Mile'

Traditional pic with my sporrans
Stall #1
'Top o' The Mile'

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5 years ago

Renee

This sale began on the bus at 9.30am when this friendly family were admiring my top up bags. Many hours later they found me sheltering from the downpour Many thanks ..last sale of the stupidly rainy day..spa is calling....

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5 years ago

Renee

8 days and counting

Here at Impractical Clothes HQ work has been piling up a bit
Now with just over one week to go it feels like we're really getting through it..

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5 years ago

Renee

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Impractical Clothes selling original and innovative designs as part of The Fringe on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. That's a silver anniversary no less.

'Dear Irene

We are pleased to let you know that your company, Impractical Clothes has been selected to trade as part of the 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe Arts and Crafts Markets.

The following shows the week(s), location(s) and stall number(s) you have been assigned. Each stall has a number, Numbers 1 to 20 are on the High Street and Numbers 21 to 30 are on the Mound. '

Period 1 Friday 2 – Sunday 11 August (10 days)Stall number 25

Period 2 Monday 12 – Sunday 18 August (7 days)Stall number 1

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5 years ago

Renee

The countdown begins..3 weeks to go
And Passes have arrived

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5 years ago

Renee

Getting festival ready
Ramsay blue tartan in the bag ✔️

Ramsay blue sporran handbag, tablet cover and baby Dinkybag..getting festival ready

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Impractical Clothes

Home

SHOP

Bespoke

About

These are not clothes for lounging around the house in – they demand to be taken out and shown a good time…

Contact

Location

What customers say

Wedding dress: tartan pencil skirt (daytime), tartan circle skirt (evening)

Homecoming tartan bustle skirt, corset and sporran handbag

Tartan hotpants for Scotland–Italy game

Tartan camisole and knickers

Made to measure crumbcatcher dress

Made-to-measure ballgown

Dinkybags and purse

Poker Urban Jungle Bag

Three pairs frilly knickers with bow

Alice urban jungle handbag

Pinstripe bustle skirt & waistcincher, frilly pants with bow

Punk dinkybag

Dogtooth Check Urban Jungle Bag

Patchwork Daintybag & Isles tweed Dinkybag

Press

The Sunday Herald

Edinburgh Evening News

The Herald

The Herald

The Herald

The Scotsman

The Scotsman

SPM

Modh magazine

Social media