Where do 45 year olds shop?

[teenyweenytadpole]

Hi, just wondering which shops are the best to try for a fairly curvy 45 year old with a fairly limited budget wanting to look a bit trendy but not too mutton-dressed-as-lambish? I am finding the high street a bit of a minefield - shops like New Look, DP, H&M are too "young" and their quality and sizing are a bit iffy, but shops like M&S, East etc too "Mumsy". I do like Phase 8 but it's a bit pricey, also their clothes tend to be on the evening wear/dressy side. I quite like Mantaray from Debenhams but that can tend to be a bit mumsy as well. Don't even think about Evans. Any suggestions? I am thinking mostly casual/smart daytime clothes, I don't work in an office or go out in the evening much so don't need anything too smart. Thanks!

DDs are under orders to keep me out of East, it's too expensive. They drag me past Animal too. They recon Mum doesn't need anymore nice cosy hoddies or pretty T shirts.

I suspect they think the money is better spent in H&M, New look and top shop on things several sizes smaller

42yo here, I shop at Gap, Banana Republic (they deliver too), Zara, Mango, Espirit, H&M, COS in the main.

I have a few slouchy bits, and denim from Fat Face, Whitestuff.

I have some summer trousers and sandals from River Island, New Look.

I got some basic vests and my tankinis from Next.

Do you have Cos and Kew where you live?

Also like White stuff, not to be confused with White company.

I totally get the champagne taste on beer income thing, which is why I am an eBay enthusiast - but you have to know exactly what you're after. Go into Whistles, Hobbs, jigsaw - all the expensive shops you love and find out exactly what size you are and what suits you - then hunt for it on eBay. Bargains to be had with a bit of patience and perseverance!

I'm 43 and am an eBay fan too. As lairymum said, if you know exactly what you're looking for, there are bargains to be had.

I've also had lots of wearable stuff lately from Sainsburys.

isn't Isabella Oliver a maternity brand?

mango, zara, gap, french connection, uniqlo for basics

I'm older than you OP and I shop at Zara mostly. TKMaxx is good for the odd decent thing.

I take fashion graduate DD with me so I don't make any major errors!

Isabella Oliver does maternity wear and there is a non-maternity range too. I like it and have bought lots over the past few years.

I'm 41. I love Jigsaw, Sandwich, Part Two and Ness when I can afford. Phase eight and Hobbs if its pretty and usually e-bay.

I've tried cheap like Primark but I find the clothing looks like a bag of rags after a couple of washes. Saying that I have some linen skirts from Peacocks and they have been astonishing for the under £20 price. The shape and style was very sophisticated.

I'm seriously off Next (only consider when the petite range fits). Love Boden. Have seen some lovely Great Plains & white company stuff.

Sorry but think Joules is reserved for under 30's - I have seen some 50 yr olds wearing skin tight tops just not a good look. I wonder if New Look is also a tad too young. I did go through a phase of looking at M&S per una but stopped myself when the average shopper age seems to be 70! While Autograph seems to be a lot better.

I'm somewhat past 45, but find it's best to go for a good cut in most things, and especially in trousers. I tend to shop in better end sales, and often find some online retailers really do discount well, such as Anthropology, Fenn Wright and Manson. Just get on their mailing lists, and you may be able to get trousers discounted down to £15 from £150. They may be last season's but I reckon at 50 that probably doesn't matter.

Try COS

I am 45 and a size 12 when not pregnant. I wear White Company and Me&Em and Baujken (Isabella Oliver non-maternity) and French connection for casual. Much to my horror really I liked a few things in this season's Boden catalogue - I normally only get it for DD's clothes - and have ordered for post baby.

My favourite high street shop for bits is Uniqlo - their jeans are fantastic and a bargain at £30 or less in the sale and they do great tops and blouses.

Jaeger and MaxMara for work.

I know these are expensive brands but I mainly get them on ebay, sometimes second hand or new from private selles. In particulr Baujken and Me&Em wash and wash and still look fantastic.

I think at my age I need good tailoring and its worth it to have less things, but things that fit really well.

I'll be 46 this Friday and my regular shops are: H&M, Zara, Mango, and Topshop. I do not buy the fashiony stuff but tend to choose simple styles in my colours.

Zara Gap Mango Cos and vintage from ebay when I can face looking! For basic t shirts etc gap is very good. But am liking cos more and more as it just seems to fit me really well

It is hard. I'm on my way out now in Levi curve skinnys, new look leather pumps (best bargain ever) a boutiquey top with birds on it and an old whistles spring parka from the sales. And a Boden sale scarf. I don't know what I look like but the bloke opposite me on the train has smiled at me. I'm 45 next week. It's such a minefield as I like clothes and have tried not to follow the crowd all my life, I hate finding myself in Dotty P's. I do live whistles though and, I'm not skinny. I always buy in their sales. Never full price.

I'm older than you OP . Quick look in my wardrobe reveals:

Boden- always plain never embellished. Nice trousers IMO and coats.
White Company- winter dresses, knitwear, nightwear. Always wait for 20% off.
White Stuff- mainly plain knitwear and casual trousers ( not denim)
Uniqlo- jeans
Uniqlo- cheap T shirts
Jigsaw- dresses, knitwear, trousers- always usually in the sale but I have a pair of trousers that cost £100 and they are a brill fit, and a staple

I buy very few clothes but would rather have 3 items that cost £80 each than twice as many for half the cost.

I think Zara is tat TBH. Too much floaty silk, or man made fibres. Nice for under 35s but not good quality.

Book an appointment with the personal shoppers at John Lewis/Fenwicks/House of Fraser, and maybe Top Shop as well for an alternative view. The brilliant thing about the personal shoppers is that they know which designers cut for which figure shape, so it cuts out the whole business where you waste loads of time and depress yourself by trying on things that look lovely on the hanger but will never work for your shape. Then once you know which brands are likely to work for you it becomes much easier to find things you like.

For eg I now know that Hobbs design for someone who is a good 6" shorter than me and with a smaller bust, so I don't even bother going in there for clothes. Conversely a smaller brand like Kaliko and MaxMara Weekend have things that work well for taller women. Or vice versa, or whatever. That kind of information is a godsend. And the personal shoppers will sit you down and run and fetch things and give good advice as well. There's no charge, they assume they'll make it back on the clothes you buy, and they're probably not wrong.

This blog is good for high street inspiration also.

Can anyone tell me what Uniqlo sizing is like? I've seen it mentioned on here a few times but don't have a shop nearby (don't know if there are any in Scotland) so would need to order online.
I saw a preview of a collaboration they're doing with Orla Kiely and some of the stuff looked really nice but wouldn't want to order just to find it doesn't fit.

Definitely COS. Also Zara, Whistles, Topshop. Uniqlo very hit and miss I find. Jigsaw occasionally (though I think they have lost their way). I also pick up nice pieces on Outnet. As I get older, I buy fewer more expensive pieces.

I think uniqlo are quite big in their sizing. I am a 12 to a biggish 12 and their 28 or 29 inch waist jeans fit me perfectly. Certainly not a 28 waist in any other brand (I wish). I have a few of their tops in a Small and they fit me fine.

I'd agree that Uniqlo comes out on the large size, but I have to say that it also seems a bit random. I've had some great stuff from their shops when I've happened to be near one, but would be cautious of buying online.

Any suggestions for a small skinny 40 something (5' 2" and around 7 stone with no bust)? I fit teenagers stuff fine but am too old for it

Back in my office work days I could always find good suits/formal wear in Petite ranges (next/principles etc) but the casual stuff from those ranges never seems so good.