Where to shop as 33 year old?!

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This summer has been a disaster, wardrobe wise.

I literally couldn’t find one nice thing to buy.

I’m a 33 year old married mum of two. Relatively slim and attractive. Very average dress sense.

No matter where I went, I found things were either clearly aimed at size 6 young 20 somethings, or were hideously mumsy and old

Where am I going wrong? I don’t want to dress older than I am not look deluded about my age 😂

@Sasuma depends what you but and how you wear it....Boden do a lot of heavily printed jersey which is very much one of things my MIL wears but they also do some really nice up weighted basics and classics with a bit of a twists...cigarette trousers, silk blouses, wool and cashmere jumpers which aren’t too ridiculously priced, you just have to search through the print first!

Joining for inspiration too... I despair at my wardrobe. It's all shite. I never noticed pre DC as apparently thought I could get away with anything - definately can't anymore!

I’m 31 and I shop at Topshop, PLT, Zara, Levi, ASOS.

Arket, and other stories, Reiss, anthropology

Guess is not bad, Armani Xchange also, if you select carefully the pieces.
Massimo dutti for decently priced dresses.
If you like French brands, Clodie Pierlot or Tara Jarmom are cute.
FCUK has some nice pieces, so does Whistle.

Am 50. I shop in:

Net a Porter
The Outnet
Zara
Essential Antwerp
Me & Em
Top Shop
Arkett
H&M
The Dressing Room
River Island (selectively)
ASOS
Sezane
Anthropoligie
French Connecrion
Pure Cashmere

I’m sure there are a million others but I’m a 50 year old who spent yesterday in red PVC (patent) leggings, a grey and red sweatshirt and white Nike Hi-tops so I may not be your audience

#fatfaceisfucked
#whitecompanyshitecompany

A lot of the suggestions here I am afraid I associate with being very ‘frumpy’ - Joules, Fat Face, Sea Salt, supermarkets etc. They are shops my Mum, MIL and their friends would go to.

Totally agree! Ditto White Stuff, Boden and even Hush and Mint Velvet. I am a few years older than you, but slim and look younger, but would never wear these brands as I find them ageing.

I think the better suggestions are Mango, &Other Stories, Zara, Sezane.

Oh shit yeah.
Monki. Forgot monki. Loads of good stuff.

IMO it's about quality. I have a figure that's meant fast fashion never suited me, even when I was quite young. Good quality, well cut clothing in youthful styles is often far more flattering than the middle of the road dross aimed at those who consider themselves middle-aged (FWIW, I don't for one minute think 33 is middle aged, but I do think worrying about your age when choosing an outfit at 33 is premature middle aged thinking!)

God, it was a whole 10 years ago I was as young and slim as you😜

FCUK
House of Fraser designer section
Paul Costello suits
Zara
Mango
Chloe
Biba
Mint Velvet (Yes, even in my early 30s)
Jack Wills

TBH I tend to use online sites that do flash sales of foreign designers. At least you know hardly anyone will be wearing it. I use Zulily a fair amount.

There are some goid/more unusual suggestions here which is great! Thanks.

33yo mum of 4 here 👋🏼

My go-to shops are:

Zara
H&M
Free People
Oliver Bonas
Mint Velvet
Whistles
Hush
Primark
Occasionally New Look
Mango
Warehouse (not sure they exist anymore)
Local boutique type stores (and FB/Inst stores)

I also don't discount stores aimed at younger women such as Missy Empire, Missguided etc, it is possible to get some nice pieces for great prices although the quality wouldn't be as high as your average high st store.

ASOS is also great.

I also like getting t-shirts/jumpers from Etsy.

OP I remember having a bit of an image/clothing crisis at about your age.

Now at age 43 I’m feel I’m finally in my groove with clothes. Mainly because as you age you give way less fucks about what anyone thinks so you just buy what you love.

I love ASOS. I agree that it’s overwhelming but there are some gems of brands on there. I’ve had some gorgeous stuff from there. There’s a real range from cheap to expensive so search for the item you want then sort it by price to avoid the really cheap and nasty stuff. Stick with it. It takes a bit of patience but it’s worth it.

My other go-to is Whistles. Their stuff is quality but pricey (however their sales are fab).

I also love Free People, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie.

I like surf brands too such as Rip Curl, Billabong, Rhythm and Quicksilver. You can get some really nice stuff there. Oh and the swimwear is second to none.

@Twigletfairy great choices! I get most of my clothes from killstar!

@Glamazoni

I’ve had some nice things from Kemi Telford. I buy basics from H&M. Wolf and Moon has lovely jewellery.

What is a "basic"?! I see this and never know what it means 🤔

Basics - simple plain items that you wear all the time. Vests, plain T-shirts or hoodys, joggers, etc.

Simple
Plain

Nope, not my style :D

A lot of the suggestions here I am afraid I associate with being very ‘frumpy’ - Joules, Fat Face, Sea Salt, supermarkets etc. They are shops my Mum, MIL and their friends would go to.

While i wouldn’t want to wear a full outfit from seasalt at my age (33), i have some lovely cotton dresses from there. The difference is I’d wear them with doc martens and an ASOS jacket. The rest of my style is quite ‘young’ but I’m not going discount a quality piece that I like just because of the shop it came from! Why limit yourself?

Really appreciate all the responses!

Some options here I’ve never even heard of, off to google

A few people missing the point saying ‘just buy what you want, doesn’t matter where it comes from’ - I can’t find anything I want to buy, as I’m not a tiny teenager nor a frumpy mum 😂

Glad to hear I’m not the only one, the struggle is real!

I'm 35 (36 in a month), and like Next and M&S for just day to day stuff! Edinborough Woollen Mill also surprise me with some nice things from time to time.

If I'm feeling a bit more flush, Oasis, Gap and Fatface work well. :)

I know lots of women our age like Joules/Boden and the like, but I find all the flowery/stripy prints a bit... twee? A bit "chairwoman of the PTA for the local village school"?

It depends on your style and budget! I'm 32 and I love country style fashion and nice floaty dresses and I have found New Look can be great, you have to dig around the more 'teen' styles but on a whole they're great! I also do love Primark and manage to find some lovely bits.

On the more expensive side I do rate Joules, Outdoor and Country, Jack Wills (Their Jumpers are fab!) I still love Topshop jeans as they're reasonable and good quality.

Other stories, warehouse and French connection. Arket is nice for basics. I like Zara and Topshop accessories. Still looking for my perfect jeans shop though.

I'm also 33 and know what you mean! I really like the following if it's any help - & Other Stories; Cos; Arket; Ganni ("grown up" but cool); Baum Und Pferdgarten (similar); Lily & Lionel (beautiful clothes, more on the pricey side though); Sandro

You could get a stich fix. They send you a box of 5 items based on you size and style etc. I've had some boxes where ove kept it almost and some I've sent it all back but it's nice to get things I wouldn't normally pick