Style on a Shoestring?!

[TankFlyBossWalk]

I'm well and truly stuck in a rut clothes-wise. I have no idea what suits me, but that's mainly because I don't have much money to spend on clothes and so I haven't bought any new clothes for about three years!

Where can I buy:

• Interesting clothes (not just the boring stuff I see in the supermarket)
  
• Bit more sophisticated than Primark (not being snobby about Primark, but I like things to be a bit smarter and more 'interesting')
  
• Suitable for a 33 year old
  
• Flattering for a size 14-er, i.e. no mini skirts!
  
• Low cost!
  
  I have some lovely clothes from Freecycle (seriously!) and my friend is a pro at buying great clothes from charity shops, but I'm a bit clueless and am very short on time.
  
  Thanks in advance for your style advice! :)

[c0rns1lk]

H and M are really good value

[MakemineaGandT]

another vote for H&M (for childrens clothes too....)

[TankFlyBossWalk]

Ooo, thanks for that. I'll have a look there.

[traceybath]

Ebay and good charity shops - not that I do either but know people who do.

[knomedeplum]

Find a brand you like and then get it on ebay

[TankFlyBossWalk]

My only worry about buying online is whether it will fit or not. I'm not entirely sure what size I am as it's been so long since I went clothes shopping. Thanks for the tip though.

[twoboots]

tk maxx if you dont mind trawling. Go in the week, when they have the main deliveries

charity shops in the trendy areas can have utter gems

I'm a sucker for seconds bins, though we dont see as many these days on the high street, i think they destroy so much stuff now.

[TankFlyBossWalk]

Ah, thanks for that. Good tip about finding out when they have their deliveries.

I like the idea of charity shops, but I have such little time I'm not able to rummage properly (although I'd love to!).

[twoboots]

maybe try joining
cocosa
new sales every few days, often a load of over priced rubbish but a fab things now and again.

[TankFlyBossWalk]

Thanks for that! I've never heard of it before.

[higgle]

I buy lots of things on ebay and seldom get something that doesn't fit. The trick is to work out which brands suit you and try things on to check your size, then look out for items in this brand and size for sale - better off people seem to buy good makes and either never wear them or only wear them once and there really are some great bargains to be had if you persevere.

[Meggles76]

I have a work colleague who gets all sorts of bargains on ebay. Often the items are new and cost her a fraction of the retail price.

I can never be bothered to trawl ebay. Like others, I think H&M is great. I got a grey V neck cardi in there last week for £9.99. The fit is better than ones I have paid £40 for.

[missmartha]

I use e-bay for loads of things.

I have lots of really great stuff that I've bought, sometimes for only a few quid.

I've bought two Nicole Farhi coats for the winter. They cost me less than £100 for the two of them and they're almost new.

That's just for starters.