Oh wise S & B gurus.....teach me about quality clothing

[Whoknowswhocares]

I have a wardrobe FULL of cheap, crappy clothes. Plus I have lost about a stone and am still wearing the same size I used to, so the fit is awful.
Ideally I want to replace the lot with a capsule of nice quality clothes that actually fit and suit my life style (sahm of teens with dog and outdoorsy, sporty lifestyle). Occasional nights out.
But as I have always opted for cheap, I have realised I don't actually know what constitutes 'good quality'. What to look for in fabrics, how much lycra is too much, what brands last well without sagging and falling apart.. .......etc etc
I need pretty much everything but cannot afford high end. So, mid range? Is it too much to ask that there be some hidden gems in the more basic cheapstores?
First on list is jeans which don't sag after an hour or have its of Lycra poking throu after one wash. Grrrrrrr!
good quality T shirts in a fabric which is thick enough to skim my big boobs but still arrive at my torso. That are still the same shape after the first wash!
Cardi/jumper to go over the above.
Sorry for the epic post! Your collective wisdom would be much appreciated

Ok I'm game! What hideously expensive shops do you recommend?
Coast can be one
I need 2 more and will go on an expedition to Lakeside or Bluewater. Probably can't go next week but week after I could and will report back!

Well definitely go to John Lewis, because you can try on loads of brands there - none of them horrifyingly expensive, I think, but mostly decent quality. House of Fraser in Bluewater will also have a load of brands to try on at once including some scary priced stuff. NB slip on shoes not lace ups!

(Whispering so LadyIsabella doesn't hear... Some people might find Ghost a little less than enlivening... )

Definitely try lots on. If you like a drapey look (but with a noughties edge), seek out Helmut Lang (instead...) Zero "hanger appeal" but astonishingly flattering on ALL ages.

X posted!

When I said "hideously expensive" that is what I meant. This is the EXPERIMENTAL stage of the project. Before your trip buy some Vogues and Harpers. (Uniquely better in print than online.) You are aiming to TRY ON the labels you see advertised on their pages.

The buying stage is different. Then you can follow the advice of sensible people here...

For workwear, I buy second hand hobbs, dickins and jones, jaeger, great plains and joules.

I find the quality is good enough to last to a second owner and will put up with me making alterations.

Cotton, Viscose, Wool, Silk mixes only.

I also make my own as find I can't afford the 'quality' stuff new, and the high street is full of polyester chiffon crap.

...that is too flipping short.

Oh I grant you that Ghost are a teensy bit tedious , but they are the masters of high quality clingy, which will be fun for the OP.

Good grief I really need to read things properly. Ghost, not Coast!!!!!!!!!

You only need to try Coast if you have a very boring wedding to attend.

So... I had a look at Bluewater's store directory... All that space and NO shops?!

What are you going for? (Can you really not get to London?)

What shops do I need that John Lewis can't provide? I was thinking that I could browse in there mostly???
I could go to London instead I suppose, although without a clear idea of the necessary shops I'd just wander round a department store there instead

I did notice they have a Rigby & Pellier. If it's as good as it used to be then follow the sensible advice up-thread about getting fitted for superior underpinnings.

What you really want is Browns, Joseph, Matches, Selfridges. Then you will be better able to judge which sensible shops come closest to what you've discovered you like.

Blooming 'eck something!
I know I said I'm game, but this is fast turning into a middle age frump version of Pretty Woman! I can see the logic of your idea though, so I will try to steal myself and ignore the laughing at my oversized Primarni's while I try on clothes worth hundreds.
They'll probably think I'm trying to steal them

Why would they think that? Genuinely. They WANT you to try stuff on. Because you might go away, think about it, and come back. Or make a note and put something on your Christmas list...

Times are hard. Lots of high end shops are empty half the time. The assistants might be longing for you to go in and brighten their day.

Seriously, if you're planning to spend your own money on clothes, isn't it best to be well informed first? There really is life beyond the dull end of the shopping mall.

I like browsing alone. And suggest you don't go with a friend unless you're CERTAIN they want you to look fabulous and won't turn A sympathetic teenager might be useful...

As I've got older I've found that cheap clothing does nothing for my body while the right type of jersey dress, the right silk top can look fab.
My favourite shops for quality stuff at a decent price, where things can be worn for 3 years at least are:
Banana Republic (wait for 30% off codes)
White Company
Coast
Tommy Hilfiger (usually bought in US as much cheaper)
M&S Autograph (surprisingly!)
Pure Collection
The odd thing from Monsoon

I am also currently pleasantly surprised by the good stuff at Fat Face and White Stuff. Gap cotton stuff is also great

For shoes I find Jones Bootmaker and Dune wear well... And Clarks if you can find some decent styles!

All my underwear is Calvin Klein (bought on sale, lasts forever)

I also have a 3 year old coat from Hobbs which still looks like new

French connection t-shirts (the thicker slightly stretchy ones, I just bought a black and cream one) last for years and wash very well.

So OP - how did the Pretty Woman escapade work out?