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!!!!

In my small town we have an independent shop that sells lots of brands like seasalt, mistral etc and a boutique with slightly more upscale options l, I'd look in places like that, they don't seem to exist in cities. The best bit is they often carry last years designs at around half price - do I care if they are last season, no!

I don't like floral things either and shop at Arket, & Other Stories, Bash and Me+Em.

Ooh, dashes off to check Mint Velvet website. I agree - I love their stuff.

Am looking at Toast a bit more too.

I do miss Stitchfix - I got a lot of really good trousers from them over the years. Sometimes their own brand, sometimes US brands that you can't buy here normally. They were a bit hit and miss overall, but I definitely benefited from the trouser selection.

Do you have access to a John Lewis?

They stock a lot of the brands mentioned here (Hush, Nobody's Child, Mint Velvet etc), and have several similar too.

I get a lot of basics (trousers, t-style tops) from the newly-revived M&S: hadn't shopped there for years but they are now back to their best. Uniqlo for basic trousers and tops too.

Cos and Arket for their pared-down style. I don't do ruffles and patterns. I keep an eye on Plumo for trends and was wearing baggy jeans and pants before they hit the high street, but I'm too short and square to really carry it off. Quite like the occasional Toast piece but their colour palette — all those browns and golds and khakis — is wrong for me.

I have no one shop I use now but I've not found anything I've liked anywhere. Last thing I bought was a thermal tshirt from M&S.

I dread having to actually go and buy clothes because it will be all high necks and florals or baggy and shapeless (big boobs don't do high necks or baggy and shapeless).

Do we need to change the shops we shop
at as we get older 😬No offence but I find those shops frumpy-M&S, Next etc
I live abroad, so it may be slightly different but I shop at Zara, H & M, Mango, ASOS online etc

If you live abroad then you can be forgiven for not knowing that M&S has undergone a massive turnaround and is no longer the purveyor solely of hideous frilly, sequined, embellished stuff.

I'm still lusting after the cream wool coat I saw at M&S a few weeks ago. But as I have plenty of coats, and money is tight, I did not buy it.

They have definitely had a renaissance in the last few years. I believe their profits are also up. Coincidence? I think not.

I wasn't sure about White Stuff but I keep getting compliments when I wear their stuff. They can look a bit drab on the website but they are adaptable pieces and I am able to style them more to my style with less expensive pieces and so far they are washing well. I buy at sale time as they are pricey. But I'm a convert now.

Mint velvet has some nice things but £80 for a thin cotton shirt seems massively expensive, or is it just me?!

Anthropology for trousers
for tops m and s - t shirts
boden - blouses
for dresses , trousers , cardis- look at palava - they are an ethical company ans use natural fibers.

i never know what to wear for going out out tho !!!

Definitely. Tesco does lovely quality 100% cotton t-shirts for a fiver.

40 in a few months.

TBH, I've been in a VERY low-buy clothes season. I bought a couple of bits about last February/March for an upcoming holidays, then another few items ON said holiday. Nothing since.
That being said, when I'm out to buy things, M&S tends to be my most successful these days. Used to get a lot of things from Next, but the last few times I've been in, I've been unimpressed by the styles, the quality and the price. I've felt like I would find the same thing nice, better quality and a tad cheaper in M&S.

I've had good luck with Uniqlo in the past for real basics. I live in their thermal polonecks in the depths of winter.

Mint velvet
zara
Arket
Fold

I have liked similar shops in the past. I now mostly shop at Mint Velvet, Apricot, M&S, Zara, H&M, Mango, Passenger and still occasionally Fat Face. (I just got some lovely wide leg jeans from them with 20% off. )
I also love Free People and Sezane but they are more of a treat.

Same here too and I’m 54. Hate Seasalt, The White Stuff etc.

I’ll add in Me&Em, &OtherStories, Essential Antwerp, The Outnet and The Dressing Room (online).

To get my clothes I have 3 places that I stick to: TK Maxx, Community Clothing and DH. Wouldn't deviate now I'm 44.

I buy a lot of vintage Jaeger on Vinted. Otherwise M&S and Next. They have so many other brands now Next is a one stop shop.

Has been years since I bothered with Boden that used to be my go-to. Funny how things change.

I'm early 40's and I like New Look, H&M, F&F Tesco, Tu Sainsburys and online in the style.

I'm sure Apricot is in New Look.

I do mainly buy online except supermarket clothes. It can be disappointing but most places to free click abd collect.

& other stories is fab, can be pricey but you can get great deals on Vinted

& other stories
Zara
Brora
Swetty Betty do nice non-gym clothes
Cos
Whistles
Uniqlo
Hush

Do we need to change the shops we shop
at as we get older 😬

@Yippedydooda I wondered that too. I’ve never thought ‘well now I’m 40 I must reject new look in favour of M&S’.

Mint Velvet

I buy the odd piece in New look. I see lots of older ladies in there. I think you do need to shop around though. At my age I've a good idea of what suits me