AIBU to say that I've completely lost my clothes tribe and no longer know where to shop

[TiredDonut]

In my 20s I loved River Island fand then as I approached my 30s I went for Per Una. I then loved Crew Clothing which went all flowery and naff. Debenhams was then my go to, I liked Mantaray and Apricot. In my 40s I had a long love affair with Fatface and Joe Browns but they've both gone flowery.

Late 40s now and I fancy a wardrobe refresh but have no clue where to go. Phase Eight is great for posh dresses (which I have) but I want nice, quality, smart everyday clothes and I'm lost.

Next and M&S are uninspiring, I sometimes like White Stuff but it's quite pricey for not great quality.

I live in quite a rural location, so choices are limited!

HELP!!!!

I shop mostly at charity shops and primark. Sainsbury's can be ok. It's hard to find nice and affordable clothes, especially in my 40s with peri menopause changes. Joe Browns used to be a favourite but they seem to be losing their way and are really expensive now.

Amazon is my go to now. I can get all the different brands and it’s easier for me to be able to pick and choose across different ’stores’ than hoping for the best by going by what’s physically available in a store.

I feel like I’m in that awkward stage between young clothes and old ones. Too old for crop tops and scrunch bottom leggings and too young for trousers with elastic waistbands and cardinals sweatshirts 😅

Is Cardinals sweatshirts a thing in middle age? Like the Arizona team?

I have just bought a Bulls sweatshirt 😂

No not the sports team… like this picture below. I swear it’s a law that if you’re a woman of a certain age you get shoved into one of these whether you want to or not.

Now a sports team sweatshirt is totally different. Clearly a classic that transcends ages.

I see! That’s quite fitting as I was strangely drawn to this sweatshirt today. Is this of the same stereotype?

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/daisy-street/daisy-quarterzip-swt-ld33-660281#colcode=66028104

Different I think… where I’m from that would be for weekends away to the lake for young and old alike. I think you’re safe.

If you are drawn to the cardinal you might as well grab a bingo card as you head out to the early dinner. Hold off as long as possible!

I always used to be Joe Browns. They have gone too mainstream for me. There might he an odd thing I'll buy each season. However, not much.

I've found quite a bit I like in Hells Bunny, which is a mix of young punk, older punk, retro, and boho.

I also like some of "religion" clothing too

Yabu.

There is a very active Style and Beauty topic on Mumsnet. You could have started your thread there instead of sticking it in AIBU for some reason.

Agree. I also like Mint Velvet. And LK Bennett in the sale!

I hate the whole fat face, Joules, white stuff and sea salt thing. Not my style at all.

I feel your pain. In my 20s/30s I liked Freeman's, Principles, Next and Debenhams. I think I wet to M and S late 30s per Una and limited edition then 40s just M and S everything. But 50s now and I'm struggling with M and S - everything seems to be high necked when I like a v neck for the body heat.
Sometimes I have ordered from Kaleidoscope which I really like it's online can buy good quality shoes on there too as M and S shoes give me corns! and Freeman's is back but I haven't looked on there.

Look at Cos, Whistles, Jigsaw, Sezane and APC. I also love The Fold for workwear. They are expensive but I buy one thing a year from there in the sale!

River Island to per Una was quite the pivot!

I'm early 40s. I do all my shopping online these days apart from for jeans. I like Albaray, Hush, nobody's child, John Lewis, whistles, m&s, Joanie, Tu, arket, Cos, Uniqlo. I find t-shirt from independent designers on Instagram.

I like Seasalt. I have some dresses and jumpers from Sugarhill Brighton.

I think the posters who have freely admitted to getting their clothes from supermarkets would not have seen this post in the Style section 😂 no shade as I am definitely one of them!

I mostly go to charity shops now.... I'm 42.

I love Brora, but only buy in the sale, as otherwise it's extortionate.

I feel your pain. But M&S isn't half bad these days. I've always loved H&M and am getting on better with Zara than I used to.

One of my recent finds is & Other Stories. Expensive, but great.

I was very pleasantly surprised to see what Tesco had last week

I’m mid 40s and also feel a bit lost. Ideally I’d buy almost everything Brora sell also I love Gerard Darel but I can’t afford either of these. I wear a mix of Boden, Fatface, Celtic and Co mostly. I can’t tolerate anything but cotton and cashmere these days so have expensive but not very style conscious taste. I am not above a supermarket clothes purchase however and I have a few v useful cotton tops from Primark that have lasted brilliantly

I too don’t know where to go. I love Free the People clothes and some anthropology stuff but way too expensive and I did like Warehouse and oasis but obviously not around anymore on the high street. Just seems like there is so much less to chose from and most clothes seem really boring and same-y

My default these days is Mint Velvet - and I’ve just had an email to say the sale is on!

I think M&S is having a resurgence for basics and their knitwear is stylish, although Im not usually happy with how it washes.
I like Baukjen, Jigsaw,Whistles, but mostly shop at a couple of independent boutiques in local town. They do stuff by Great Plains and my all time favourite Part Two. We also have Danish Wardrobe.
Footwear is a problem as almost all the shoe shops in our ( really quite prosperous) town have closed, along with losing HoF and its shoe department.

I think Massimo Dutti is great for middle price range sharp classics that you make into lots of great looks. It's Zara owned but priced up a notch, same way as Cos is upmarket H&M but whereas Cos is edgy with some "out there" cuts (which I also sometimes love), Massimo Dutti is more classic.

I love passenger stuff, I've never seen anyone else like them before 🤣

Have a look on the Next website and filter by the brands Love & Roses and Friends like These. Also, got a few nice dresses when I filtered by Roman.
All quite affordable and fit well!

I'm back to marks and Spencer. Joules is really strange fit and not great for me now sadly. Their t shirts are the same quality of cotton. Sea salt is hit and miss. Am finding sometimes the supermarkets have something. Got amazing jacket in mountain wearhouse not that long ago. Do miss Debenhams.