style on a shoestring...

[ilovearnold]

I love clothes and textures but find that in my forties i cannot get away with the quiky odd bits and peices i use to be able to from cheaper shops such as new look. Hm t shirts seem v thin .. or maybe its just getting more difficult and ive not the time to hunt down !!I do not really like ,for myself, the empire line or v short dressess which seem to look better on 20 yos.

What basic good peices would you invest in ?-( at the mo ive got on some good fitting jeans and white t shirt and a cashmere white stuff cardi in lime green - e bay sourced,with a statement green necklace and filp flops.red hair )

Want to feel that i look intresting to myself as love colour and differnet textile s- so please can you advise - what you wd invest in and from were.A good source of quality cardis - not bora - cannt afford.- tops,intresting shift dresses would be great.I sort of like white stuff but some of the patters eg the one with fish on - adore but too young for me alas.As im only 5 ft can look too trying to look little girly in some stuff or frump eg a white t shirt and a summer skirt looks rather staid on me - not sure why but a shift works better cept for the old bingo batwings ...!!!..ps dont do heels really...i do source some nice stuff off e bay but a woman may not be able to dress by e bay alone!!.Occasionally buy lk bennet and hobbs in sale.thanks all and looking forward to words of wisdom.xxxxxxxxx

Check out Thomas Pink for great women's shirts (those proper ones you'll need to iron and that make outfits look polished).

bump....

Try the outlet shopping centres if you are near one?
Jaeger is pricey even in the outlets but has some nice things in amongst dodgy stuff.
At Macarthur Glen near York I recently got a fab navy silk shirt which doesn't crease, hides mum tum and flabby arms and looks smart and casual depending on how I dress it.

I'd perservere with ebay - try on clothes in different shops to check you size if you are worried they may not fit. I am looking at Jaeger "silk" and "cashmere" searches to get new things.

You could try Reiss - which although is quite "young" and expensive, has good tops & Jumpers. They come up on ebay often and have pretty good sales. Definitely worth having a try on session to see if you like their cut. Same goes for Whistles and Jigsaw - both for shirts and jumpers.

I don't know where you live, but you can get all sorts of interesting stuff in charity shops in well off areas- quite often designer stuff for not too much, also brand new items with the lables still attached. I some great bargains in the ones near me.

I'd second the charity shops - it does require a bit of time, just keep looking whenever you go past - you never know what you'll find. I'm addicted

I recently bought a blazer from Uniqlo that I'm very pleased with. Also, two pairs of shoes from New Look which look much more expensive than they were. I often buy Phase Eight in the sales - their knitwear is good.

Also check out the Brandalley website as they do 'flash' sales on Hobbs, LK Bennett etc. You have to be quick but you can pick up some great bargains.