Where do you shop in your 30's?

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

TopShop, New Look, River Island, et al seem too young for me/my "style."

I'd like to buy some nice quality pieces that hold up better, hold their shape, etc. instead of buying super cheap items so I can have more stuff.

I'm on a budget though, so some of the expensive chains are out. I'd like to take 6 months and spend £50-100/month until I've built up a solid, interchangeable (capsule?) wardrobe. Jeans that can be worn any season, layers for when it's colder, etc.

I work from home and do a fair amount of walking for school runs, and meet friends for coffee and toddler group, that kind of thing.

Where should I try?

[Lj8893]

I'm in my 20s and do still shop in some of the shops you have mentioned but do shop elsewhere too, some of which may be of use to you.

Laura Ashley, Dorothy Perkins,Wallis, phase 8, I like joules but a lot of people on here don't!

[PurpleDaisies]

I'm in my 30's and now I try and go for better quality but in the sale to save my bank balance.

I also like Phase 8, and occasionally find gems for work in Laura Ashley. I get quite a lot of clothes from Hobbs, Reiss, Fat Face, White Stuff, Monsoon. I occasionally buy basics like vest tops and plain t shirts from Red Herring in debenhams, H and M and Next.

[PurpleDaisies]

Actually just remembered Sainsbury's has really nice clothes for bargain prices.

[Lj8893]

Oh yes I forgot monsoon from my list!

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Thanks!! These are some great suggestions. I haven't tried Wallis or Phase 8 before at all, and haven't been in Dorothy Perkins in awhile.

[PurpleDaisies]

Be aware with Phase 8 some of the clothes are aimed at goodness knows who so don't be put off if it initially doesn't look like the right place! Their jersey dresses are brilliant for just chucking on and looking pretty and are well cut to flatter pretty much anyone. I have one on now!

[Sophieelmer]

Topshop, zara, h&m. I would have thought of Wallis and phase 8 as 45+!

[Stevie77]

I've been liking Oasis and some things in Warehouse. For better quality I also like Jaeger and Hobbs.

[PurpleDaisies]

Some Phase 8 is definitely aimed at the mother of the bride target market but the do know how to make a jersey dress for us slightly younger-uns. A lot depends on styling.

[Superherosidekick]

I pick up quite a few bits on asos but you have to trawl through a lot of 18 yr old stuff!
Hobbs for work, Gap, top shop, baukjen, next for casual, occasionally dotty p, Boden or new look. I have a very mixed bag in my wardrobe!

[Lj8893]

I'm 27 and have some lovely bits from phase 8 and Wallis! A lot of it I wouldn't look at twice, but I do pick up the odd gem.

[Oly4]

I mainly shop (most often in the sales!) at White Company, Boden, French Connection, Banana Republic, Reiss

[SconeRhymesWithPhone]

I'm 37. This week I bought a few bits in the White Stuff sale and a cardigan in John Lewis. Other shops/brands I wear are Boden, Gap, M&S, Oasis, next, Fatface, Monsoon, H&M and Uniqlo.

[StrawberrytallCake]

I feel quite similar op! All of a sudden Topshop just seemed to be way too young for me - it was possibly because the last coat I bought from there was also in my 13yo neighbour's wardrobe

Currently I like Hush, Asos, Oasis, some joules dresses but not full on horsey blazer type, I like the look of Me & Em but seems a bit overpriced, a little bit of boden is ok and I think I'll probably buy more of it as I move into mid-late thirties although my dm is a massive fan and we seem to like the same outfits on there which may curb that a bit.

We're going on holiday soon and I found a brilliant 'plane outfit' on pinterest so thinking of looking on there for some more inspiration!

[NameChange30]

I'm in my late 20s and shop in Gap (swear by their jeans), Monsoon (although some of their stuff is too "old" for me), Fat Face, White Stuff... Apart from that I do struggle actually. I'm curvy (hourglass/pear) and the styles in the "younger" shops haven't suited me for several years now. I'm also a stickler for quality. Prefer cotton to synthetic for example.

[stripytees]

I often buy the brands I like on eBay, mostly new.

I'm 32 and most of my clothes are White Stuff, Boden, Seasalt, basics from M&S and H&M. Of course, I would be deemed very frumpy and too much of a "kooky art teacher" by most on MN.

[chanie44]

Fat face - I'm eyeing up their plain jersey tops which have some nice detailing, to keep them a bit more interesting.

Uniqlo - a lot of my wardrobe is from here. I love the jeans, vest tops, cashmere and jeggings.

[EuphemiaCoxton]

New:
H&M
Zara
The odd bit of topshop as for some reason everyone gets me topshop vouchers for birthday and Christmas
Urban outfitters sale

Secondhand on ebay:
Jigsaw
Ralph Lauren
Whistles

Everything else i buy vintage. I've always enjoyed vintage shopping. The difference between teens and twenties is now I don't attempt to emulate an era. At 21 if I were to wear a 60s miniskirt I would wear it with dolly bird makeup, knee high boots, back combed hair, a peaked cap, a 60s blouse and a white tights.
Now I still have my 60s stuff but I wear them all normally, with modern stuff. I wear my miniskirt with loafers, a v neck jumper and/or plain shirt and don't do the 'I was born in the wrong era thing' anymore.

[SagaNorensLeatherTrousers]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've never tried Uniqlo either so off to have a look.

[PrincessShcherbatskaya]

I'm 36. I like Wallis, although they used to be a bit better than in recent years but they have nice trousers and I have a really nice biker jacket from there. I can usually find something I like there.
Warehouse is also good as is French Connection.
I do get the occasional thing from Boden, I like their basics and dresses but steer very clear of their bright patterns and prints.
Dorothy Perkins go through phases of having really nice stuff to a load of tat but worth looking in.
I love the look of Hush clothing but have always been let down by the poor quality but that relaxed look is very 'me'.
All saints for knitwear - very nice.
There is a boutique near me that sells a lot of Scandinavian labels, it's my favourite shop at the moment, the clothes are very classy, great fitting but very simple.

[mewkins]

All of my jeans and trousers are from Gap.
Dresses and tops usually H and M, Oasis, Warehouse, Fat Face, sometimes White Stuff or Seasalt. I have a few things from Phase Eight and Me and Em (outlet as normal prices are ridiculous). Esprit do good tops and I get most of my jumpers from tk maxx.

[Felicitysfriend]

I'm currently updating my wardrobe too. I'm in my mid 30s and most of my wardrobe is from
Hobbs
Reiss
Whistles
Phase eight (plain jersey dresses only!)
TK Maxx

All the Hobbs/Whistles/Reiss stuff is either from eBay or the sales though I would never pay full price. I'm actually going off Whistles as the quality has been poor on a couple of items.

I have just discovered Uniqlo - great basics, really good quality for the price.

[Blanketsandpillows]

I'm in my 30s and always look in Gap and Uniqlo for basics. Zara is probably my most go-to shop though. I also have picked up some really nice bits in Cos. I really like ted baker and reiss but if on a budget these both do good sales. I swear by m&s 'jeggings' which are just like skinny jeans but fit really well. I'd like to think I dress quite well and not too young and not too frumpy.

[crispycookie]

Uniqlo. Some very good quality stuff in there and I like the fact they have tunics, shirt dresses in plain colours... Instead of patterns which I have gone off... Their jeggings are amazingly sliming and I live in them during winter.

[furrryhoodiewinkles]

Uniqlo (am kissing my new down jacket i look GORGEOUS )

mainly charity shops

ebay but only if I have a very, very clear idea of what I want


M&S has gone wrong But I wear their jeans

basics from primark- eg plain black boatnecks that are a wardrobe staple

if I had a limited budget I'd prioritise things I could try on in person