Thirty - where to shop

[crumpetsolo]

I had lunch with a stylish friend today who was bemoaning the fact that she had got into a middle aged rut and started shopping in White Stuff. And I thought Aaaagh my most stylish everyday wear is from White Stuff!

I need to make an effort to dress my age (just turned 30) but would love some new ideas about where to shop and some good casual but smart looks. Am currently living in WS, Fat Face, Gap & Kew - jeans and tunics/stripy tops really. Any ideas or inspiration gratefully received..

[ruddynorah]

I'm 30. I wear Zara, warehouse, topshop and river island.

[FaffTastic]

I'm in my early 30s and tend to shop in a variety of places incl:

Whistles
Top Shop
Warehouse
Reiss
Urban Outfitters
French Connection
Zara
Mywardrobe
Local boutiques

You can still shop in the same places as those in their 20s you just have to buy different stuff or wear it differently.

To my shame (or to my delight - still not sure which) I was wearing a dress on a night out a couple of months ago and saw someone else wearing the same one(cringe). She must've been about 10 years younger than me but I think I looked better in it even if I do say so myself (I know that sounds sooo egotistical but its honestly not meant to. She was wearing it with bare legs and was so cold they had turned blue with manky strappy shoes but I was wearing it with black opagues and a silkish blazer over the top) God, I sound like I love myself now!

[NinkyNonker]

Haha, I shopped on white stuff in my teens!

[madammecholet]

I'm in my 30's, I shop everywhere, anywhere, anytime...and online! :)

Everyday:
Zara
H&M
Topshop
Banana Republic
GAP
Great Plains
Massimo Dutti
Asos
Oli
Independent Boutiques

For something special:
Isabella Oliver 365
LK Bennett
Net a Porter
Matches
My Wardrobe
Cocosa
Get Cutie
Independent Boutiques

Its a mixture, I have some expensive stuff mixed with alot of high street...

Love shopping :)

[Meggles76]

I am 34 and the majority of my wardrobe comes from:

GAP (tops, Ts, denim)
Topshop (dresses, jackets, scarves)
Warehouse (dressed, knitwear)
Boden (Only plain stuff - tunics, knitwear, scarves, vests)
Next (Petites - denim, coats)
French Connection (Tops, dresses, tunics)

I think it is more how you put clothes together that counts.

[Daydreaming]

Hi
I am 37 and it's very rare that I think something is "too young for me". My my is a young looking 59 and she shops at many of the same places I do.

My favourite shops at the moment are:

• H&M (for cheap Ts and other bits - but you have to be very selective)
  
• UNIQLO (basics such as Ts, jumpers)
  
• Whistles
  
• Sandro (just discovered it ! - but only on sale !)
  
• Comptoir des Cotonniers
  
• COS
  
• Theory (one sale !)
  
• charity shops !

[HelenBa]

watching with interest as i am early 30s and stuck in a monsoon rut...

[Sariska]

I'm a bit older than you and decided recently that I'd got into a post-baby White Stuff/Fat Face/Gap rut. So, I had a look at places I used to shop, especially Warehouse and Oasis, and found that there was plenty there that wasn't designed with teens or twentysomethings in mind. As another poster said, I think it's largely how you wear something and what you put it with.

I also like Jigsaw, Cabbages & Roses, French Connection, Isabella Oliver 365, Phase 8, Banana Republic and Wrap. All of these have recently had great sales and, I guess, given the current economic state, will do so again later this year.

[southeastastra]

marks and spencers

[pink4ever]

I am mid-thirties and mainly shop in zara,next and new look(though have to be very selective in there as can be too teenager-nearly bought the same top as my 16 year old niece at xmas).

[crumpetsolo]

Thanks, this is brilliant. Any inspiration for good casual but not frumpy looks? I am a SAHM at the moment so generally skinny (or not so skinny!) jeans and a stripy top or tunic type affair with UGGS or ballet pumps. Have a feeling the trick might be in accessorising, which I am rubbish at

[K8HB]

You could buy some magazines to get inspiration - from Grazia to Vogue as they cover all price ranges and normally are good on accessories. Also places like Net a Porter have style books - again for inspiration.

www.sheerluxe.com is quite a good website as it works as an portal to a multitude of online shops - so you can peruse at your own leisure and they normally have some sort of discount on - they also do outfit of the day both debit and credit card worthy - i think they call it!

I don't know where you live but Bicester Village is worth a go but you need to be a bit open minded when you go as you can't guarantee they will have what you want in the right size but they have everything from Alice Temperley, YSL and Jigsaw, Superdry etc.

All Saints is good for everyday casual wear, it might feel a bit daunting and achingly cool however the t-shirts are great as they come out long and they are doing some fantastic snuggly cardigans in the sale.

Scarves are a brilliant accessory from Uniqlo to more expensive ones - I have zillions!

Make the shop assistants work for you - if you are going in anywhere like Whistles etc ask for some help - they will love it!

A good rule of thumb is that everytime you do go shopping try at least one thing on that you would never normally try. (Strangely my husband came up with this one) but it really works in trying to break out of a rut. Good luck with it and don't worry about what people think if you suddenly have a revamp of your style!

[Gillybobs]

Recommend Oasis, Warehouse and Zara, there is no chance of looking mumsy if you stick with them but their not too young either. River Island for bags and scarves. H&M great for cheap bits and pieces too

Avoid Next, White Stuff and anything patterned from Boden LIKE THE PLAGUE! Fast track to mumsy.

Agree accessorising is key, great boots/shoes, a gorgeous scarf and one piece of striking jewellery makes almost every outfit looks pulled together

[LoveInAColdClimate]

Oh god, I buy loads of stuff from White Stuff and I am 30 . Have I inadvertantly become mumsy? I hadn't even realised! My non-work "uniform" is their tunics or short dresses with leggings and boots or flip flops in summer. I hadn't even realised I was in a style rut but maybe I am... perhaps I need to do some shopping.

[LoveInAColdClimate]

And the boots I usually wear are those long FitFlop ones so mega-comfy but maybe not so high in the style stakes... oh no, I hadn't even realised how uncool I've become and I'm not even pregnant yet so can't even blame having children!

[notyummy]

Depends on budget, obviously. I quite like Warehouse and H and M for cheap stuff that I don't feel too old for (39 this month!) There are good ideas on Net-a-Porter that you can then style on a budget. Most places aren't 'off limits' to me. In the past year I have bought stuff in both Top Shop and Marks and Spencer. (I do avoid Per Una though )