I'm so sick of my cheap, badly fitting clothes. Where are the cheap unshrinking things sold?

[InsertBoringName]

Just that really.

Last year I was a size 16/18. Now I'm a 10/12, but sometimes when I look in the mirror I don't feel like I've achieved much I've been mostly shopping in Primark, partly due to budget, and partly due to choice in colours etc, but going through my wardrobe this morning has been a real eye opener.

Every item (tops especially) are either too short, too boxy or just generally hugely unflattering. I'm an hourglass figure (bust and hips are 37 inches, waist 28) which I know isn't easy to dress casually but I'm desperate for some plain-ish low scoop neck or v neck tops that won't make me look like a box on legs.

Do these tops exist or do they cost a fortune? I find H and M quite hit and miss, ditto New Look. Is it worth looking at somewhere like the Gap?

I'd be really grateful for any advice!

I should add, they are always washed on 30° cycle and never tumble dryer, so I don't think it's me!

Sainsburys

I like Sainsburys too - quality always seem v good.

I'm also a big fan of charity shops - go to a good area of your town and it's amazing what you can pick up for a few quid.

Ebay!!! I would rather have second hand fabulous clothes than new cheap ones! I've just bought a fantastic Karen Millen suit for work on Ebay, cost £12 and then I spent a further £10 having the skirt professionally taken up...it is now perfect and looks like I spent a couple of hundred on it, not £22! Last year I bought a JIgsaw suit on Ebay, really lovely always get compliments on it and it cost me £7.50!! Ditto with tops, look for good makes and just see what's on Ebay. Some of the stuff people are getting rid of is hardly worn but will cost you a few pounds for something that should have been ten times as much.

Definitely charity shops.
Cheap,can be very good quality,and they've done all their shrinking!

I find alot of tops shrink slightly in the wash regardless of price. Have you tried topshop? They have alot of longer fitting tops at the moment.
It's also worth looking at the 'tall' ranges in next & topshop. I'm only 5ft 2" but sometimes buy them if I want a longer look.

I second the expensive stuff cheap off eBay. I was the cheap clothes queen, but the fit and cut is so much better of expensive stuff.

I think the answer is to buy fewer and better quality clothes, ideally in the sales.

I don't have very much money to spend on clothing, but when I do buy something I get it from better quality shops such as Fat Face, Boden, Gap etc. For instance, in the summer I bought a lovely skirt in the Boden sale which was reduced to £15 from £50. I wash things at 30 C or lower in non-biological detergent, don't tumble dry them and always iron them, and they usually look good for several years.

Whenever I have been tempted to buy cheaper clothes from Primark etc I usually regret it, because after one or two washes they lose their shape and look worn.

That said I have bought DD quite a few things from Sainsbury's and they seem to be really good, though I haven't tried the adult stuff.

YY to ebay. I've just bought a Crombie silk top and a Wallis shirt dress for about £15 in total. Both gorgeous, much better than Primark stuff.

I agree ^^ I try to buy from the above mentioned shops like Gap/Fat Face etc in sales as their stuff does tend to wash well and keep its shape.

Sometimes you can tell whether something is going to wash well or not - especially from supermarkets or H & M etc but not always. The worst for shrinkage IME is Asda stuff - especially the kids clothes!!

How about M&S for plain scoop neck/v neck tops? You might get some cheaper in their online outlet.

Congratulations on your weight loss. Is the problem may be that you are still buying for the bigger you and it is covering up the fabulous new you. There is a top that I covet in the new Boden Catalogue and a dress too. I know it gets slated on here and is relatively expensive but the classic pieces that go with lots and lots of things do hang well and also last well - just stay away from the Bodeny prints.

Also Fat Face and selected, plain items from M&S. Narrow trousers, couple of long line tops, couple of plain tops and a good long line cardigan.

Can I be nosy and ask how you lost the weight OP? That's exactly what I need to do!

Charity shops. If you go to the shops in the 'nice' parts of town, you'll be amazed at what you might find. I would say half of my wardrobe is charity shop. But be selective. Go for the quality brands. Know what suits you and try if you can to buy "classic" pieces. Over the past couple of months I've bought an LK Bennett dress, a Planet suit, Jigsaw trousers and a pair of shoes from Russell & Bromley!

I'm a bit wary of Ebay because you can't send it back, but as a previous poster suggests, if you know a reasonably priced seamstress / someone who can alter clothes professionally, its still worth doing.

My other suggestion too is to invest in jackets - I have 5 or 6 good quality jackets / blazers etc - mixture of charity shops and 1 from the Mint Velvet sale. Even if I know my top isn't the best have my Primark top on underneath its covered with a great jacket!

Play the ebay game. Every day or two search for your favourite designers and watch the item. I've managed to pick up two brand new with labels still on designer dressers for 6.50 and 8.50 respectively. I wouldn't even get primark shit for that!

this is ONLY a thing i ever hear about on Mumsnet
the website of shrinking clothes

Thank you all for the tips! I'm going to go and have a nose around Sainsbury's, the last time I went I didn't like anything but I'm just realising that was a year ago!

I've tried the local charity shops, been to three different 'affluent' town (intact I've literally just come back from one) and their's never anything in! Women must hold onto their clothes until the bitter end up here I've always just found clothes that are far too old for me. The men's stuff however is always fantastic! My Dad has an unbelievable collection of great quality charity shop shirts!

I've always been a bit funny about ebay, I never seem to find the bargains that other people find, although am willing to keep looking!

Brownsauce The first stone was accidental, DD started nursery in January and in a bid to save money I would walk there and back with DD2 in the pram and DD1 on the buggy board. This was about 4 miles per day, three times a week. Loosing the first stone really spurred me on and I downloaded the MyFitnessPal app which has helped me loose the rest (another 2.5 stone ) Good luck, I know it's really hard at times! One of the biggest things that helped me was allowing myself a 'day off' every week. It made me appreciate treat type food all the more.

I don't know your style but...

Jigsaw-Black-Dress-Size-14
Kew-Jigsaw-Jersey-V-Neck-Dress-With-Tie-Back
Jigsaw-Cotton-Jersey-V-Neck-Top
jigsaw-size-12-brown-ruffled-dress
All Saints Top BRORA-DRAPEY-DRESS-SEAGREEN-14
/Lovely-white-Kew-cross-over-top-size-L

Alway plenty of cheap good quality clothes on ebay.

uniqlo

I think the thing with ebay is to pick a few good brands - Jigsaw, Boden, Laura Ashley, Hobbs, Joules, Monsoon are good middle priced ones to start with - and then do a regular search. It's the same with charity shops - you have to keep looking, but it's hugely satisfying when you net a bargain

Oh sorry, I just saw you said 10/12 not 12/14! I was going off the 28" waist (which I have too and normally wear more 12/14s). Here: try this search and sort by Ending soonest.

I find Dorothy Perkins quite good for basics. I am a similar shape to you, I have quite big boobs and a smallish waist.

Sometimes Primark is okay if you can find a top with Lycra in it, they tend to keep their shape better.

I've decided to cut down on what I buy but buy better quality.