How to avoid Boden, Joules, Fat Face and White Stuff

[NotAnotherChinHair]

I like a lot of stuff in those shops although I am starting to dislike Boden and Joules as all the mums at the playgroud wear something from there. Today I even saw the headteacher wearing a Boden coat. I just find it a bit offputting but I do like their stuff, although not everything. So anyway, where does one go for alternatives? Specifically I am looking for a mini for myself that isn't too much of a mini (I am 40) if that makes any sense. Thank you!

I'm thinking of the getting one of these

here

here

I have just bought the corduroy mini from Gap and it's great (30% off too). Loo, my skirt looks very similar to your second link; I'm just very dubious of La Redoute's quality, I think it has gone down massively in the last couple of years and garments look like they've been bought at a supermarket, only the fit and quality is even worse! (and I used to be a fan of them!).

That reminds me, I bought this from Kew last weekend.

Really cute but struggled to find anything to go with, apart from a blueberry-coloured v-necked jumper, which is okay colour wise but rather dull.

Why don't shops stock stuff to go with other stuff?

well thanks MissB - just bought a gorgeous coat from Mint Velvet - hope it suits - and lets forget the silver..

Link please.

I should be on commission from MV. Every time I wear something from there, people ask where it's from. I've converted 4 very stylish colleagues at work to MV and I love the MV stuff they buy too.

Is mint velvet only online? I like their stuff. What's their sizes like?

Mint Velvet is in HOF.

Sizes - dresses tend to come up big on me so I sometimes need a ten (am really a 12)but t-shirts tend to need sizing up to allow for my norkage, so I usually buy a 14 and wear it a bit loose. I'd say it's a bit hit and miss tbh.

Mint velvet very hit and miss
quality suspect pricing random
knitwear tends to be a lot of manmade stuff for the price
i often like online and hate in store
AND GREY!

Yes, agree that quality is also hit and miss. They seem to end up with a lot of 'damaged' stuff on the sale rails.

Maybe I just get lucky . Quality on the stuff I've bought is good. I did look at one cardi last summer though that was very crackly but that was about it.

Oasis
Great Plains
Toast
Top Shop

All good shops but you have to pick carefully in all.

What is HOF?

House of Fraser

aha

Seasalt
Saltwater
Ness
Gul
Manta Ray at Debenhams
Mistral

Ooh, thanks for the tip, I love the look of Mint Velvet- just spent £90 on the HOF site...
Can also recommend A/Wear - some lovely tops and dresses on that site.

Other than that, I shop at Great Plains, Autograph at M&S, some White Stuff (although it really is getting samey now), plainer Boden, higher end Zara, Warehouse, Gap etc.

I think there is a real gap in the market for well-made wearable clothes for those of us who are a bit old for Miss Selfridge and the like, a bit poor for designer things but also don't want to get our entire wardrobes from all the Fat Face cloney stores..

I am very disappointed to hear that HOF has nothing to do with The Hof.

Can someone enlighten me what is wrong with White Stuff, don't have anything from there but went there with DH on Saturday and he bought me this to give me for Christmas, looked lovely over leggings...

I love White Stuff, I'm 28 and seems to suit me, but no one I know shops there so I don't get this 'everyone in same clothes' thing. (Though DS isn't in school yet, so don't see all the other mums?) I don't have much from there though as it's a bit out of my price range, sales only!

Mantaray is also v v nice though pricey. DH loves their men's stuff.

I've just discovered White Stuff, though I wish to Goddess that they'd not put cups/under-bust lines in their clothes as the shopping opportunities for busty women are limited as it is. I'm trying to move on from jeans and T-shirts and their stuff seems to work for me now I find Topshop and FCUK etc. don't cut for my shape.

I like Monsoon though not as keen this year for some reason.

Jenai! . The pooch aspect is just weird.

I love this

www.my-wardrobe.com/acne/atlantis-one-shoulder-dress-985428

but it's sold out in my size

Is it likely to ome bak into stock in my size?? if not, has anyone seen anything similar??

I do like Boden and have just ordered a Coat off there but then i looked around on the high street and everything was expensive and non wool coats in John Lewis were £100.

I like White Stuff but it is dear so i only buy the odd thing. I also like fat face occasionally.

John Lewis women has quite nice things as well.

I used to love Principles as their trousers fitted me. The ben de lisi stuff is cut totally differently and not as nice.

I do like Kew but again expensive IMO for what it is.

at least Boden is good quality and lasts.

Mexx
Sandwich
Jackpot
Occasionally find nice daytime stuff in Coast