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!!!!

Absolutely look at Uniqlo. You won't look back.

Thanks to this thread, I've just ordered a pair of shoes on the sale from Mint Velvet! .

@justasking111 I am still upset that our local New Look shut down. I didn't buy a lot there, but I picked up a few things over the years and it was always great value for money. I particularly liked shoes, accessories etc.

Blue Vanilla have some nice stuff in, and also another shout out for Apricot and Roman.

Do you live near a waitrose? John lewis click and collect is quite good for experimenting with different stuff as it's so easy to return can try without so much fear.

I find other online retailers I never get around to returning them as its so complicated needing a printer / evri location / etc etc

So I've stopped using other online.

John lewis so much easier and have a good variety of brands

I know what you mean. Try Joules or Seasalt. I agree re White Stuff quality - knitwear balls up. They call it pilling, so when I complained to an assistant that yet another cardigan had pilling, she must have thought I had a funny accent and was saying pulling because she tried to tell me it must be the wrong size 🙄. It's worth looking at John Lewis online. You say you live somewhere rural? Well, if there's a garden centre near you, have a look at their shop. You can get some interesting clothes in these places, and usually cheap. I got a dress for £35 that doesn't look much different from fatface dresses.

What's cardinal? A style? Brand? I have several Crew Clothing, Joules and Lazyjacks sweatshirts. Are these cardinals?

I've always loathed sweatshirts so no idea if cardinal is a manufacturer or a look.

Have to say three sons haven't worn sweatshirts since uni days, they do wear hoodies which DH moans about

I've lost weight and so rediscovering fashion. I like all saints, asos, Levi's, h and m, new look (although my tween also likes it so have to be careful 😂) and Zara

Ah is apricot good ??

I'm Vinted all the way now, charity shops don't have the quality stock anymore, it's all on Vinted! I bought five linen Next dresses for the summer from the site for the price of a new one in Next. My friend bulk buys Roman dresses from Vinted, we tell each other we're saving the planet!

I empathize, it gets harder as you get older I've found, but young ones say to me - where what makes you feel good and you will look great; obvious but good to hear from a youngun'.

Jeans - Levi's from on outlet
Trainers - outlet
Shoes - Clarks
Trainers - outlet
Posh shoes - Russel & Bromley
Long sleeved T shirts - Lands End
PJs - Lands End
Hobbs - dress (xmas), wedding outfit
Winter coat
Jigsaw - used to love but don't have one near
Fatface - Tops
White stuff - tops and trousers
M&S - sundry items. My dd got a great pair of dark wide legged cords last year which I envy

Hobbs
Seasalt
Joules
Woolovers

I'm a bit younger than you but I like Hush and French Connection, and some Jaeger. They are pricy but I get them BNWT on Vinted.

Im in my early 50s and my wardrobe is now primarily Mint Velvet, Cos and Uniqlo (especially for t-shirts).

May I just ask is Vinted best for the slimmer shopper? I find it hard to find my size as my bust isa bit Hattie Jacques adjacent 😵‍💫 so I tend to have to try on endless different sizes before I find a good fit.

I agree with those saying M&S has picked up. I’ve found them good for straightforward trousers and shirts and I also bought a washed silk shirt which was way better quality than other more expensive options. I also buy some Zara, mainly blazers and shirt dresses, they have some gems but I find the shops hard work so tend to order online. I’m the same as you OP; I live in a fairly rural place and it does force you online as the local small branches tend not to hold much stock. I have the typical small town shops near me like Fat Face and White Company but the latter is such poor quality.

I’ve increasingly been shopping online using independent boutiques or smaller online retailers such as White Coco, Bricks & Stitches, Sugarhill, South of the River, Palmaira Shoes (off the top of my head) - I feel like if I have to shop on line then I’m at least spending money in smaller businesses even if they’re not always local and they do have things that are a bit different. I’m increasingly finding nothing I like in most of the chain shops on the typical high street.

I'm 42 and shop mostly at Zara, ASOS, APC, Fred Perry & I love treating myself to a Bella Freud jumper from time to time.

I very rarely go into actual shops unless I'm picking something up in Asda or in a local boutique . Have had a few things from Uniqlo, Hush, M&S and Wrap but by far the majority of my clothing comes via Next. I have Suoerdry tee shirts, sweaters from Celtic & Co, shirts and dressy tops from Monsoon and Roman - all bought through Next - as well as their own various brands. I have a feeling that it's probably not good in terms of choice or the environment but it's so convenient and they deliver and collect from my home.

I would have a look at John Lewis online - so many brands in one place .

Also like Uniqlo and Next for the basics .

I like Hush and Whistles and Jigsaw . Though only get the odd bit as pricey .

I also get bits from Boden when it’s very heavily discounted though it’s really not what it was

Thank you for all the ideas!

I went on an attempted shopping spree yesterday and went in every clothes shop, including ones I don't usually go in and found myself swimming through a bland sea of beige 😂

I found a lovely Phase Eight top in John Lewis but £139 was a bit steep!!

What is it with all the 1980's style bland sweatshirts? 🤷🏻‍♀️

I ended up with one thing, a fabulous jumpsuit from Oliver Bonas.

Will check out some of your other suggestions online though, thanks again everyone!

I’m 46 and love Oliver Bonas.

I used to get loads of great stuff in charity shops but haven't found much recently. Maybe because more people are selling their good stuff on Vinted. I always have a look though!

I love Vinted but need to know the sizing will fit first and that's a bit unknown with new brands. I've picked up some lovely bits from brands I know though 🙂

I too am now an M+S convert! There are lots of Instagram posts / YouTube videos of M+S try one that are inspiring. I just order a whole load at a time and do a big try on then return what doesn’t fit / suit me.
I got myself a blazer, wide leg jeans and a few nice tops this way - stuff I’d never normally go for.

Cos, Arket, Uniqlo, Anthropology, white Company, Me and Em, Sezanne, Zara.
Im into white shirts with everything, jeans, barrel trousers, skirts. Cashmere for layering.

I'm with you op, I'm 51 soon and have completely lost my clothing mojo. Had a long weekend with friends last year in a major city and felt I'd got it wrong every day. I've started to shop secondhand and find things that suit me rather than what's trendy.