Style crisis at (almost) 40!

[Achurchi]

Help! Where do ppl shop for clothes these days?! I feel like now I'm nearly 40 I should be buying things from higher end places like Whistles or designer places that I don't even know the name of, but can only afford h&m! I just don't want to look like I'm dressing like a teenager! It doesn't help that I'm about 10lbs heavier than I'd like to be since having my second baby 18 months ago. These last lbs are hard to shift and it's definitely affecting my self image.
We are going away soon, over Christmas and I'm dreading it because I have nothing to wear but leggings and baggy tops! Help!! No time to lose much weight now!

Jumpers, nice dresses, tights and boots or jeans and boots. Find some nice boots that you love, get some lovely jumpers and wear those with leggings and boots or jeans if you can find some you like.

Or, dresses, tights and boots. Doesn't matter if they're not high end if you don't have the budget either...and don't invest in expensive things if you plan to lose weight soon.

You should be buying clothes from shops that sell the clothes you like. I think the quality on the high street is pretty much the same these days, whether you are in H&M or higher end shops.

I’m 42, amd I shop in lots of places, including H&M, New Look, M&S and Zara. You obviously have to be choosy. Sometimes I can go in and there isn’t a single thing I’d wear, other times I love lots of things.

If you’re looking for a simple wardrobe to wear whilst your away, I’d agree with the previous poster. Leggings are fine. Lots of really nice knitwear about. Warm, cosy jumpers or cardigans with leggings and chunky boots, or dresses are really easy to wear with tights and boots.

What sort of look do you like and what do you already have that you could use differently? Would you wear something like this?

I’m 42 and I still shop in H&M! Also Oasis, Topshop (they are online at ASOS now), and Oliver Bonas (in the sale). Supermarkets are good too, I like Sainsbury’s.

Another vote for Sainsburys! They're really good quality clothes I find and they have a lot of choice.

Thanks! Yes I like that outfit, where it's from? Might not look quite as good on me due to pudgy thighs but I could go for a longer jumper maybe

How about Apricot for some nice tops you can wear with leggings or jeans and they have lots of dresses you could wear with thick tights? Tops are about £25 and dresses £32 ish.

I'm 39 and felt similar to you around a year ago. I bought some things from posh shops - not that much good really. I've since (re-)discovered second hand shops. Initially it was motivated by wanting to be more sustainable. But actually I like it more. No worries about budget, and the stuff reflects a wider array of tastes, and is usually stuff that lasts (well, it made it this far). Posher areas have second hand shops with posher clothes - so visit a posh place when you want something smarter.