Where should a woman of my age be buying her clothes?

[slipperandpjsmum]

I am 42 and have been buying my clothes from the same sort of shops for quite a few years. I think I have reached a time in my life where I need to review my wardrobe and where I am making my purchases. Where do other people shop? Do you have any suggestions of where I can shop? Its not so much casual clothes although I do need help with that to but thinking more of smart clothes for work, won't say clothes for going out as I don't really do that!

i am 44 - i like matalan next monsoon tk maxx and m&s.debenhams also good.mine all casual though but do for going out too.

Have you tried Phase Eight, White Stuff (have to pick and chose carefully though), Pure, and, dare I say it - Boden?

What shops have you been buying from? What sort of style of clothes do you wear? What size/shape are you?
Just a few questions to be getting on with!

Oh and Fenn Wright and Mason.

I don't think you really need to consider your age.
It's what suits you.

I am 55 ( told I look much younger) and buy from
Boden ( nothing patterned ot appliqued)
Kew
White Company
White Stuff (odd bit of knitwear)
Jigsaw
Gap

You might like to look at
M&S Autograph,
Toast?
Phase 8?
Next

Ditto for Jigsaw, but also Hobbs, and I love the Noa Noa label too.

Jigsaw and Hobbs are fantastic for suits - lovely fitted jackets, and Noa Noa do some beautiful jersey dresses but tend to be more casual overall.

i am 47 mostly Boden,M and S ,occasional Primark,Joules, White Stuff, Hobbs Jigsaw most of these makes i buy from charity shops or off ebay i really don`t like Peacocks, Next ,Matalan

I am 43 and second what Purple Peony said,I also like Noa Noa,Great Plains,White Company.
I love Monsoon trousers,they fit me really well.
Have to say I never buy from next anymore.
I also like Warehouse and Oasis for dresses.

white co
jaeger sale
hobbs sale
zara
gap
banana republic
uniqlo
H&M
phase 8

i find about one thing a year in M&S

ditto Boden

I gave up on Next years ago

Of course- Uniqlo and Banana Republic- but they are just in London aren't they? I know Uniqlo has a website but it's pretty crap.

i have never found anything inspring at white company/boden/kew type places.

i bought a top last wk from white stuff - it makes me look pregnant

Isn't the rule of thumb for work clothes to buy more expensive items but less.I used to buy Maxmara, Marella and Jaeger.Also Tk Maxx is good for good quality coats and continental brands.I don't think Hobbs are suitable for anyone above a size 10[and if your curvy definately not].Laura Ashley is good for the ocasional item as are makes like Planet[for trouser suits etc].Its probably worth having a session with a personal shopper as they might well suggest brands that are cut for your shape and you have never thought of.

I'm 44 and live abroad but when 'home' stock up from Designers at Debenhams, Wallis, Joseph, M&S for basic black trousers, I also check out the sales at Harvey Nicks. Having said that I don't think age matters, it's the cut and what fits and suits and I have to tend to agree about paying more and having less, I have a few expensive staples that I mix and match with cheaper fashionable items or sale items.

Sibble- where do you shop in NZ? It's funny how being abroad means you don't have any preconceptions about labels. I like Max, Country Road (only in the sale though), Glassons, Sussan and Temt. Also love Esprit.

But I love some of the clothes I see older ladies wear here (I mean 50+). In fact, the whole older lady life style looks good to me. Certainly better than my mother manages in the UK.

But I so miss M and S.

I'm 40, 5'8 and size 10 to 12 and lots of my clothes come from Zara, Reiss, Cos and Whistles.

Thanks everyone your postings have been really really helpful. Had a wander around John Lewis today looking for some of the names you mentioned. I think its time for me to move stores. I know someone said as long as it suits you but I just don't know if some of the clothes I wear do!! But liked alot of what I saw in the stores you all metioned, so thank you!!

Hi thelittlestkiwi - here I shop mostly in the sales - Cue, David Lawrence, Jackie E (? sp), otherwise Max (although I havn't liked much lately), for casual Esprit, Colorado, Farmers. I think why I tend to stock up when home is that I know what suits, where I can buy it and what size should fit. M&S - size 12 medium black work trousers - easy , here I'm in and out of shops trying to find something that fits usually with 1 or 2 bored children in tow.

I have to say though we have a very nice second hand shop nearby, where I just bought a brand new, still with label attached Karen Walker top for less than I would have paid for $80 - original price $380 . DH went - how much!!!! I said I would pay 40 pounds so why shouldn't I pay $80 and then tried to explain the cost per wear rational and that it was already worth it because I was wearing it that very night .

I do agree though that I am not label conscious here and it's great shopping for the kids - no labels.

Sorry forgot to say that I find alot of clothes very expensive here which is probably why I shop wherever - I was in Wellington on a work trip, thought I might buy something new to go out to dinner couldn't make up my mind about a dress and just as I was putting it back on the rack noticed that the $350 was for the belt the dress was $1200 . Imagine getting to the pay desk and having to say - err actually I've changed my mind !

LOL. Yeah, I find clothes here are either really expensive or cheap as, and not my thing. Although I do buy a lot in Glassons. I rarely buy stuff that isn't on sale unless I love it. I recently got some tops in Colorado for $15- down from $90!

I get most of my baby clothes from the UK or in the pumpkin patch sale. Worse than $80 for a top is $100 for a baby dress! Gulp.

nicole farhi

oh yes, I hit the Colorado sales too and got a pair of trousers and top really reduced. Cue has some great work bits cheap if you're prepared to pop in every time you pass e.g. $29 for a short sleeved fancy work jumper, $39 detailed nice blouse and a pair of trousers cheaper than full price Max...... But then I hate paying full price and when I don't have boys in tow can be a demon shopper

I also shop in Ezibuy at Sylvia Park - last weeks buy a marino wrap around top, sadly they are closing and I hate mail order as am too lazy to send back and find I'm anything from a size 10-14 depending on cut and shop!