Calling all 40 year olds...

[MuffyRogers]

What shops/websites do you buy your clothes from?

Since having kids, I've lost a bit of myself, lost my style and now I'm trying to re gain it after having a discussion with my DH.

I'm almost 41 and need help in finding places where I regain my confidence through clothes.

Not looking for designer/high end items.

Looking for everyday where/Mum's night out down the local sort of wear.

Please help!

I actually really like some of the stuff in bon marche, m&s, next, Karen Millen online is pretty good with reductions, Matalan normally for knitwear along with Tu.

Go for a personal styling at John Lewis. No pressure to buy and it's free. Completely rejuvenated my style

Zara, mango, h and m, & other stories, sometimes River Island if I can get anything that isn't covered in glittery shite-their clothes fit me just right for some reason and they do some decent things amidst all the nonsense-I've got a few dresses I get loads of complements on. Mint Velvet and phase eight sometimes-they have some nice stuff if you can ignore the very older looking things. Oliver Bonas for jumpers and jewellery. M and S surprisingly good this year. And Nobody's child at John Lewis.

Also warehouse online

First thing I think is to get yourself a basic uniform that you look good in, is comfortable but stylish.
For example I'm mostly wearing wide leg trousers (sometimes with a bit of sporty styling-stripe down the side or whatever), shorter slim fitting tops, bodies and/or boxy jumpers and a bomber jacket over the top, with adidas sambas as a nod to fash-un. Does for most occasions and can dress up or down with different shoes or jewellery.
Once you have a go to look that you are happy with you can start experimenting.

Are you on insta? I follow a few 40's fashion bloggers and nick some of their ideas. I like club40claire and Alicethroughthelookingglass.

Alice in the looking glass sorry! Alice through the looking glass might not help you for inspo

Tu at Sainsbury's is surprisingly good

Zara, New Look, M&S, Apricot and Primark. Mix and match with bits I like in each store. I particularly like some of the concessions in New Look and have had lots of compliments on dresses from there.

M&S, H&M, Zara. Oliver Bonas for jewellery. I aspire to Arket but can't really afford it!

Agree with PP on finding a "uniform".

I usually live in dresses (unless just kicking around the house in joggers and vest). I know what suits me generally so will buy random brands from TKmaxx (or WolfandBadger but mostly their sale section). I try and buy decent quality.

I like dresses because they are very easy to throw on and yet still look "dressed". Don't have to worry much about matching, can dress up a bit with more jewellery / jacket, dress down a bit with trainers / cardigan.

I've had a lot of compliments since adopting this way of dressing!

H&M and new look

Joe Browns for dresses and tunics (I live in leggings after having babies; so comfortable).
Gap for jeans.
WoolOvers for knitwear.
And M&S/H&M for basics.

I prefer comfort to looking fashionable, so I might not be that helpful.

Next, M&S, Hobbs. Sometimes mix with supermarket basics. I find H&M and Zara come up small/short (I'm 5'10").
I'm in suits or dresses and jackets at work. On days off being Mummy I'm usually in bootcut jeans and slobby t-shirts.
I get a lot of bits off eBay, means I can wear nicer clothing eg Ralph Lauren without the price tag.

Tu at Sainsbury's is surprisingly good

Yes agree. And I find it really good value. I've picked up a few dresses in there that you just know would be 1.5 x the cost in Tesco for instance...and far nicer too.

Mint velvet

Primark, I live in the mens x small v neck t shirts with long cardis from the womens. Just bought some of their fleecy leggings which I finally found near the tills. I also pick up long skirts and thin black trousers in there whenever I see them - not that I shop for clothes more than a few times a year.

Vast majority is from uniqlo. Occasional toast piece in sale. Sweaty Betty or primark for gym clothes.

I’m 36 and get the vast majority of my clothes from Shein. Very cheap, each item has hundreds of reviews with photographs so you can grasp what sizing is like etc. I like lots of midi skirts / dresses with animal or floral prints and wear them with dr marten boots or sandals :)

Thank you all. I'll take a look at the suggestions.

Uniqlo, Oliver Bonas, &Stories, Arket, Tu are my main go to places these days. Finery is good for work wear.

I also have some items bought years ago from Oasis, Top Shop and Warehouse that are still good.

On Friday at work I work some straight legged, high rise, Japanese dark demin jeans from Uniqlo, red Superga trainers and a white linen/polyester mix short sleeved knitted top from Oliver Bonas.

Have a look at the men's section in places like M&S and Zara. The easier unshaped things can be a game changer as fewer bells and whistles.
I like Zara and H&M for work basics. I source things that are more special through Etsy. I'm pretty lucky in charity shops and had some steals. Get yourself friendly with a sewing machine if something needs a little tweak.

I quite like Roman Clothing, some fab outfits on their website and good sizing!
https://www.roman.co.uk/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw-KipBhBtEiwAWjgwrC1KHcLnnJJXX9r1SQeaEeXv3zRyeUBQghKHQ7SoI-e2FQdlcm3b8xoCWqUQAvD_BwE

Reiss, Mint Velvet, Hobbs and H and M, the next sale can be very good for decent brand stuff!

ASOS

River island, Zara, new look, primark and tescos