Where should I shop these days? 30+ and increasingly fussy about fabrics!

[JohnSnowsTie]

I blame MN for pointing out how expensive some of the "sweatier" fabrics are on the high street these days!

I used to shop in New Look/Dorothy Perkins etc and buy loads, but these days I'd rather buy fewer, better quality items.

Where would you recommend I shop? Nothing too pricey... Thanks!

I think most places have good and bad items, so you can still shop in places like new look etc, just be more choosy.

H & M - heard good things about their cotton. I bought a dress in there for £8. Haven't worn it yet as it has long sleeves, but it is 100% cotton.

Uniqlo - I get all of my basics from there. Nothing high fashion, but the clothes wash well. Be careful as the man made fabrics are creeping in.

Massimo Dutto is a potential place for you. The clothes there are normally made from natural fibres. As opposed to Zara, where 90% seems to be polyester.

A second vote for sticking to the same shops but being more vigilant about labels. Cheap shops still use cotton for jersey - Dorothy Perkins do great simple jersey tops that are nice and long in the body, pure cotton and wash well. Topshop do pure cotton sundresses - or at least did recently as I bought a lovely coral one from a charity shop last week.

I don't actually mind polyester for some stuff, I was wearing a beautiful pure poly dress today and want to wear it tomorrow so just chucked it in the washing machine - it'll dry quickly and not need ironing

Viscose on the other hand is the devil's fabric - feels soft and lovely until you wash it and it shrinks to half the size and goes all misshapen.

I am also liking quality over quantity. Agree with others you have to look harder in the regular high street stores to find the decent items.
I really like Hobbs NW3 - some nice items that seem to be well made. I tend to wait for their sales. John Lewis have a lot on their website so can often get free postage and hassle free returns.

Brora? I buy in their sale and off eBay, good fabrics and fit and fairly ethical too.