... when you're not old, but not young?
Not poor, but not rich?
Not thin, but not all that fat?
After a period of enormous frugality I have some money with which to revitalise my rather sad old wardrobe. I do some dress-making and really love vintage stuff, so that side is kind of covered.
But I still need some of the basics - jersey tops to wear with skirts, knitwear, jackets, shirts - and don't know where to go!
I'm mid-30s but feel about 50, and I'm not big enough to need a Specialist Shop but my days of Topshop and River Island are long gone.
I need things that are really good quality so they'll last and last (the period of enormous frugality is likely to return very swiftly!), but I had a look at The Outnet and £70 for a T shirt seems a bit steep.
Any recommendations gratefully received!
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Where d'you shop ....
HauntedArmchairOfDoom · 11/05/2013 19:40
KLAXON*
Brandalley has 20% off everything in the Outlet - I just bagged this Toast coat down from £195 to £47.20!
You'll have to be quick though - a Ghost top I wanted vanished in the time it took me to have a wee!
Slinky I just put my cashmere in the machine on delicates. HOWEVER I have to say I think this shrank my John Lewis cardis, so .... I am now vowing to take better care of them.
I quite like those shoes 
. My pal wears them, but then she's 5 foot 11 and looks like a supermodel and I think she might have actually bought hers from a Native American artisan whilst riding through America or something
Evening all! Loving the extra hints and tips, such as:
Don't panic buy
Only buy something you absolutely love, love, love
Do a spreadsheet
I promise to do two out of three of the above 
That Jaeger cashmere jumper does look good Haunted, I'm just starting to worry a little about the practicalities of owning "dry clean only" fabrics, when I'm a complete klutz I have a sticky toddler running around.
Sorry I can't help you with your shoe quest, I'm rubbish as always go for comfort over style, and live in ankle boots in winter, and Birkenstocks in summer. I recently bought these hideous granny slippers which look even more horrific online. 2.3yr old DS exclaimed "Like Nana's!" when I showed him. But I don't care! 'Cos they're ridiculously comfortable.
Oh, thanks also for the tips re: my Bravissimo trip. Dsis and I are planning on getting there early, so will go there first. I too prefer t-shirt style bra's, and will want to get some pretty sets as well.
Am keeping everything crossed that your 'ship comes in' soon 
Issima I had always thought those 'Colour me hawt' things were emperor's new clothes until I came on MN and realised folk swear by it! I just worry that I'd be told that I need to wear peach or something. And I wont, so that's that 
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Nah bugger off Foxy
Ooo those are all so helpful, thanks so much. I love the idea of having a spreadsheet - I swear half my trouble with money is not really having any idea where any of it goes
I've not checked out some of the brands you mention there so shall dash off for a look...
Quick question for those who've used the boden SIZE code - does it work on sale stuff??
i am 33, definitely not rich, but i am quite thin. am I allowed to post?
I am of the buy less buy better school of shopping. i also plan what I need carefully and don't buy anything unless I absolutely love love love it. i tend to buy 1-3 items a month.
I actually have a spreadsheet where I keep track of ALL my spending. one page for family/household budget, one for DCs, one for my personal spends. this helps make sure I know exactly what I've spent, how much I have left, and whether I can afford something
recent buys have been from the outnet, j crew, whistles, asos, cos, a french company called cashmere rainbow (excellent quality cashmere/silk mix scarves they might have clothes too), zalando, massimo dutti (hit and miss quality on the latter I find), the now defunct style passport
I don't pay full price for anything, I always go through quidco and google for codes pre purchase, I always send back if not perfect.
re: cashmere - I have two jumpers, both cost £20, one in outnet clearance sales and one in style passport sales. cashmere scarf was £23 from cashmere rainbow. you just need to shop clever to get great quality at high st prices. plan well, no panic buying!
If nothing else Hedwig remember that New Look were had up for using a UK sweatshop where workers were paid less than half the minimum wage - there you go, a clear conscience on spending your money :D
I think we all need to kind of re-think how we value clothes, in a way. For instance it's more than possible to burn fifty quid going out with your DH to the cinema, getting sweets and drinks, and having a pizza after...well, that fifty quid could have been a silk shirt or cashmere sweater that will make you feel amazing and last 20 years or even a lifetime.
It's all perspective ain't it?
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Thanks Haunted I'm off to my local shopping park to have mooch today, fingers crossed I can stay away from New Look
I've not started the cull yet Slinky - I'm on hold until the money comes in - can you imagine if I started tossing things out and they didn't pay up
re Bravissimo - I don't think you'd need an appointment - I've never made one. But you might wait a little while on a sofa, so unless you're getting there really early you could maybe call up?
It absolutely will take half a stone off, you won't believe it. Can I recommend you get at least 2 - one T shirt type one, and one rocket-booster one. It's not until recently that I realised the difference bras make to certain outfits!
Definitely makes sense to make a list - and preferably I guess a wardrobe should be greater than the sum of its parts, so that for eg. all the tops go with all the bottoms, and the cardigans can be worth with dresses or jeans etc.
The one massive massive thing I'd say is GET CASHMERE!!! Honestly, I know I keep banging on about this, but if there is one thing that makes you feel like you're a Proper Lady wearing Proper Clothes it's the feel of cashmere. And it will last you 20 years if you look after it. Most of the big retailers have a cashmere collection.
Oh, and have you looked at Jaeger? They have an EXCELLENT outlet section and tend to be forgotten, but their knitwear in particular is second to none. For instance you might like these cashmere mix sweaters in lots of colours, and this is pure silk and down from £140 to £40!!!
I know what you mean re. work but if I were you I'd wear your lovely clobber there, as well. It makes you feel amazing.
I've decided to invest all my energies in your shopping until my money comes in, I hope that's ok
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