Ladies in your 30s, where do you buy your clothes?

[pigglywig]

I have always shopped cheaply, in Primark, New Look, Asos, that kind of thing. The odd Next, Topshop or Zara piece but that's it really. I'm a bit stuck at the minute though! Most places seem too young for me (and too small!) or a bit too old fashioned and granny. I'm also tired of buying disposable clothes that last a year or so and then are destroyed by washing or totally out of style.

I'm after some classic pieces that fit comfy and will last but also don't make me look too frumpy or cost too much. Is that too much to ask?? Possibly, but hopefully you can share with me your favourite brands/shops/items.

Are you 30 or 39? That may influence answers.

I’m 29 and shop in Matalan, Primark, New Look, Zara, ASOS, Oasis, Warehouse, Topshop. I still feel that Next is ‘too old’ for me

I am a bit younger but trying to dress more put together .

I look on Whistles / Joseph / Jaeger for inspiration and try and find similar bits on Asos for cheaper .

I also look on the OUTNET - still expensive but had some great bargains .

M and S also have some nice bits which are decent quality and wash well .

Love next also don't mind Tesco they are my big ones family of five three little ones really not that fussed to be honest they all last the same john Lewis sometimes have the odd bargain...

I’m 38 and shop everywhere really- I find that I have to browse more and try on more, I can’t just pick something up and think “oh that’s nice” and take it home without trying it on anymore (whereas in my 20s I’d just grab things and go!) I’m 5ft 7 and a size 14/16 and I buy stuff in h and m (mainly online), Next, ASOS, seasalt for the odd thing, George at Asda, Sainsburys, Topshop, New look etc. I do find I need much larger sizes at the teenager type shops.

I’m 35 and honestly? Most of my clothes are from asda with a few bits from new look!

Jigsaw, Whistles, Reiss and Ted Baker all so lovely quality clothes. They are quite expensive though. I try things on regularly but only buy things when they have a sale/discount period. If you sign up for their newsletters you get told by email when that’s happening.

Cos, Arket And & Other Stories are all worth a look too.

If you are really pushing the boat out, APC and Sunspel are great.

I’m 37. I shop on eBay/Charity shops for better quality stuff for supermarket prices. I like Cos, Thought, some bits from fat face/seasalt/joules (avoiding the floral patterns and Breton stripes)

In my 30's and I shop at Primark, new look and h&m mostly, but I just get staple items really then add to it with things from fat face, white stuff. I try to avoid synthetic fibres and manage even in Primark to find nice items primarily made from cotton.
I also shop in sales mainly.

I’m currently wearing jeans from river island and a top from joules

Sorry yes you are right, there is a big difference between 30 and 39! I'm 36 for reference but would love a broad spectrum of advice.

I do have some bits from Tesco and Asda and think they fit really well but they are the pieces that tend not to last more than a couple of years. I'm wondering whether it's better to up my budget, buy less but buy to last? Or with fashions changing so fast now shall I just accept I'll be refreshing most of my wardrobe every few years no matter where I buy from?

I genuinely don’t get the age issue. I’m 20 years older and shop in:

Zara
Top Shop
Mango
ASOS
The Kooples
The Outnet
French Connection
Me & Em
And Other Stories
Sweaty Betty
Arkett
Essential Antwerp

Wear what you like!

At the risk of getting flamed I think late 30s is a funny age because if you go for the more expensive, tailored and better cut clothes (I’m thinking designer, and high street brands like Cos and Seasalt etc) then yes you can look very neat and tidy and pulled together but you can also end up looking older than you are. No one in their 20s is going to wear those sort of clothes - and that’s fine if you’re not bothered about looking “trendy” but actually often people in their late 30s can look better buying cheaper, high street stuff that is layered well and fits well. Otherwise it can end up looking a bit businesslike and formal at best and makes you look much older at worst. Just my opinion, I expect people will tell me I’m wrong!

35 and I mostly shop in cos & arket, with some whistles. Sweaty Betty for gym/yoga gear.

They are quite expensive, but after Marie kondo I am super fussy about what I buy and I have to love it in every way so I don’t mind.

I’m 34 and shop in H&M, river island, mint velvet. The one that has surprised me recently is Sainsbury’s, their clothes are amazing!

I am 39.

I mostly do gap, H&M, unqlo, tkmaxx and weirdly Lidl can be good. I used to like white stuff but it’s gone a bit elderly, still to young to look at next. Never been skinny enough for topshop.

I probably spend more on sports wear that’s mostly Nike, Lululemon and new balance.

I'm 32 and my go to shops are:
Tesco
Asda
Dorothy Perkins
New Look
Joules
Oliver Bonas
ASOS
Hobbs
John Lewis
Biba
H&M

Fairlea that depends on where you live and work . Yes you can look older but I know a lot of people who want to wear better quality longer lasting clothes at my age ( late twenties )

Yes eBay and Charity shops are awesome ! Allows you to find better quality stuff at bargain prices . I also look at designer resellers / dress agencies / preowned designer pages on Instagram .

I think the core factor is establishing yourself a personal style / uniform that you can mix and match and rotate .

I love Brora, and other stories, zara, thought. Buy everything from eBay to be better to the environment.

For work, Hobbs, M&S (sign up to Try Tuesday, it's fab and free), some phase eight, some Coast bits, and trousers from Wallis.

Casual I have some bits from Next, Hobbs, M&S but to be honest the clothes I always receive compliments on are from New Look!

I'm 28 and I recently realised I'd outgrown a few shops - mostly primark (except basics) and new look.
Now I really like Dorothy perkins and Fat face - they just fit me nicely, and are a bit more grown up without being frumpy

39 and still 90% Primark. Most of my stuff from there is 10 years old, never had a problem with it lasting. I have a lovely spring jacket that's 15 years old and looks new.

I'm 32 and do know what you mean - the length of my dresses and skirts has definitely got a bit longer in the last few years, but I don't want to go full granny!

I definitely prefer to spend a little more sometimes to get better quality - and try to really think about each thing I buy... do I really love it? What else do I own that it will go with?

My go to:

• Uniqlo (great for basics and really good value)
• And Other Stories
• Oliver Bonas
• M&S
• Zara (although hit and miss)
• Gap (mainly for sportswear)
• Topshop

And I also really like going into charity shops, independent shops and dress agencies... and the sales racks at stores like John Lewis and Debenhams - have found some really nice clothes that way, from designers I'd never heard of before!

A lot of the clothes shops I really love, we don't have near where I live - so have to wait for trips to London or order online.

I'm 33 this month. I shop at Boohoo, New Look and Primark.

Depends on your budget really. Mine is small so most of my clothes are from Sainsbury's, Asda, ASOS or H&M. I have some bits from Marks, Next and Dorothy Perkins. I'm 39.

I'm mid thirties and have recently stopped buying from H&M, the quality is dreadful. I've replaced them with m&s for basics.
I like &otherstories, Anthropologie and Tkmax for nicer bits.