To ask what the frig do I wear

[PicassosSausage]

Need a wardrobe update, spent 6+ hours on the high street today and found practically nothing (well bibs for DS and a pair of tweezers)

33, size 12, 5'3", big-ish boobs, hourglass shape I guess

In summary:

M&S: unimaginative, frumpy

Whistles: overpriced, looks good on hanger but largely shapeless

H&M: cheap creasy material, too young

Wallis: yuck, mumsy patterns, stretchy jersey everything

New Look: just, no

Phase Eight: phasing out your fashionable years

Fat Face: looks like chewed up rope

Joules: oh dear god shoot me now, childish patterns, reminds me of the sort of stuff the posh sister on peep show wears

Boden: (yes looked online) as above for Joules but add £30

French Connection: not terrible but too expensive

Zara: depressing sizing and don't have the patience to rifle through it all, also have to get trousers altered as shorter than those statuesque continentals

River Island: makes me feel old, gives me a neon headache

Primark: no because I want decent quality and clothes that don't go a funny shape in the wash

TopShop: used to be my staple but I find less and less to try on every time I go in. Getting too old. Too many skimpy dresses, slogan tees, and low back tops

Next: not very stylish, bit like the sort of clothes you wear when you want to look presentable but have given up on looking at all fashionable

Reiss: nothing here ever seems to look good on me! Think you need Kate Middleton proportions

Cos: I just don't get it

Someone help me!! Where else to try? Why is there so very little out there for 30-something working mums that combines style with practicality??

Ps I also loathe Asos ( too young) and can't find anything I like on Me&Em and Atterley Rd

[ScarletLady02]

I get most of my clothes from Ebay...that way you can get things you love but couldn't normally afford. I got an All Saints skirt for £17 that usually sells for £90 and it hadn't been worn.

Also, they have a lot of outlet stores so it's not always second hand stuff.

Republic have some nice stuff, and because of the problems they're having you might be able to get some good deals.

[ceeveebee]

If you can get to the Regent St Banana Republic store then this place is just round the corner- I love the dresses in this shop
www.feverdesigns.co.uk/#home

[MackerelOfFact]

I have recently rediscovered Oasis and Warehouse, which I use for work/smartish tops. Have also found that Dorothy Perkins can have the occasional nice top/jumper, and French Connection aren't as freakishly trendy or expensive as I thought.

But I feel your pain. Topshop and River Island give me a headache, although I do OK in H&M.

[OhTheConfusion]

Warehaouse do some good plain staples.
Jigsaw... but on sale as quite £££.
LK Bennet... same as Jigsaw!
House of Fraser for brands like Almost Famous (though this season is a bit , Minuet Petite (decent wrap dresses for work), Biba, Dickens and Jones, Therapy, Linea (good fit trousers).

I like Zara tops and dresses but agree that you need to be 5'10" to wear the trousers.

[Magimedi]

I am not your size - (5' 8" & a 16) but, with looking, I have done very well in Asda!! You do have to be prepared to hunt & you have to go in quite often as the range changes all the time. But there are some real gems hidden away, often in a plain classic colour that can be teamed up with something jazzier from elsewhere.

Don't bother to go this w/e - there is a half price sale on & it's a bit of a scrum!

[DrCoconut]

I feel too old for young fashion but too young for "mature" looks. I'm 36 soon. Shoes are the worst. There seems to be no middle ground, totally impractical teenager styles or granny shoes are all you can get unless you have a big budget, especially if you have wide feet. And why are tops so low cut? I want tops that are stylish and not buttoned up to the chin but that don't risk showing my boobs to everyone either! And they are short too. I want a bit of mummy tummy/rear end coverage please.

[Goodwordguide]

Gap and Uniqlo for basics. Occasionally Zara for shoes, Oliver Bonas for dresses.

Online stores - Me + Em, Isabella Oliver, Noa Noa (in the sales) for nice work stuff. If I had more money I would buy more from Jigsaw and Massimo Dutti. I love Cos and BR but don't get to Regent Street very often.

[PrincessOfChina]

There's a very good sale on French Connection in their eBay store at the mo.

I love Oasis, Warehouse and then Dirothy Perkins for basics. I don't find Oasis too frilly at all, and it's usually very good quality.

[Trills]

Did you MN has a Style and Beauty section?

Not everything is about reasonableness.

[maddening]

Designers at debenhams - I got some lovely betty Jackson stuff in the sales - skirts reduced from £45 to £13.50 and lovely tops.

[maddening]

Also sales are good at house of frasier and selfridges.

[DrHolmes]

Hobbs has some quite nice things.
Love Joseph Ribkoff items, look online for suppliers.

[BabyClam]

Same proportions as you OP, and I love Whistles for dresses (the fitted stretch silk, not the sack ones).

Also just started buying from Stories.com which is new, owned by H&M, and stylish but very affordable.

Asos is worth another look but you have to be very choosy. With free delivery and returns its risk free to experiment.

M&S limited collection can be good too and Autograph collection. Hit and miss though.

[OliviaMumsnet]

Hello hello
So sorry about yer wardrobe crisis
We are going to shift you over to the Style & Beauty topic
Thanks
MNHQ

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I'm 43, size 12, hourglass, 5'2, 32E so I think similar to you shape wise but older?

This is what I buy and wear generally -

M&S - indigo, black and pale denim skinnies, knickers, occasional pencil skirts for work

Warehouse - silk camisoles and tops on the rare occasions they do them, silk dresses on the even more rare occasions, scarves, belts, slouchy t-shirts on the rare occasion that they do cotton

Hobbs sales - jackets for work, scarves, occasional NW3 skirts
Hobbs full price or sales - cowl neck t-shirts

White Company - jersey dresses

H&M - v occasional jackets for work, scarves

Vivienne Westwood sales - skirts for work, tops, jersey dresses (not that I have lots of these, you understand!)

Topshop - vests, jersey pencil and maxi skirts

As you can see, I am v much in need of tops and trousers other than jeans, but cannot find any!

[Charliefox]

I look in autograph and limited in M&S, Kookai, Mango, Zara and I even bought a couple of nice things from the Gok Wan range in Sainsbos and tesco as well recently.

[Charliefox]

second pic down, I bought that blouse