Some money to spend on clothes - but came home with nothing

[LadyBarlow]

I've been shopping today in Birmingham, great range of shops, several things I needed but all I bought was a new moisturiser. Is it just me? Am I just looking for bizarre things?
I want a couple new dresses for work- they need to be decent when I bend over (top & bottom!- teacher) not too expensive but look like better quality than a dishrag. Ideally cover my 41 yr old body & big norks without making me look like I'm either going on a massive night out or that I'm matronly & ready for the classics section at M&S. They also need to be nearly knee length- again as a teacher, these tunic dresses that are fine with leggings but not on their own. The only dress I found that I liked was a navy & white striped dress in Hobbs that was £89- lovely but expensive for work ( would link but can't see it on the website)
I was also looking for a couple of going out tops- just a bit nicer than tee shirts to wear to the pub etc. again, everything seemed rubbish quality
So- reassure me I'm not going crazy, where the bloody hell can I get decent quality, decent priced stuff in shops I can actually go in to? I already shop a fair bit online but feel likes here's nothing on the high street for me anymore
Rant over!!

I always find that when I have money and time I find nothing I like, as soon as I'm broke there are amazing things in the shops.

I've just had a wasted day much like yours. Does anyone make tops that are not transparent when you put your hand underneath? The fabrics are rubbish.

I have been trying to spend a 10 pound gift card. I was just looking for a nice t and was ok if it had a picture on however the ones I like weren't in my size and the others had Slogans or rubbish pictures on

No, same here in the South, everything too short, too transparent etc. If you want to dress like an 8 year old going to a party fine but skater dresses and full skirted bow waisted dresses for a 49 year old don't do it for me. Came home with some lip balm.

thanks! Glad it isn't just me! In all fairness, there were some lovely things such as a gorgeous handbag in Jigsaw & fab flat shoes in Carvela! but the clothes were dire & it definitely seems that polyester can be £10 or £100 I think that's what irritates me a lot.
I wish shops/ designers would have less garish, vomit-inducing patterns & colours (e.g. Sales rail in M&S!) I want quality stuff & I don't mind paying a bit more for that- but not loads! I'd also like it in bright colours- but not lime green with a dash of orange & bright pink! I'm so easy to please!

I'm convinced that they make stuff see-through because it's a) cheaper and b) they can sell you a camisole at the same time.

If I do see something I like I check the label and it's 100% polyester.

I've had some gift cards for ages because I just can't find anything to buy.

I had money to burn too, I was hoping to come home with 2 or 3 dresses plus skirts tops etc, know what you mean about the garish prints, I just want simple cotton dresses in lovely plain colours, simple A line cotton knee length skirts well made and assorted cotton tops, seems too much to ask! Even the hideous summer offerings all seemed to be in sweat inducing man made fabrics, come on shops give us what we want, even monsoon had a bad hash of styles, think tribal prints but with beading AND sequins thrown on, yuck yuck yuck!

I mostly shop online these days because the high street seems to only have mini dresses in polyester.

Most of my clothes now come from White Stuff and Seasalt, with some past seasons Boden from eBay thrown in.

[wildbill] I'm with you on the sweat inducing fabrics! One of the dresses I tried on today was a cotton mix- about 10% but never mind!- but the lining had nearly enough static to give me a Mohican! Wtf is that about?!
[stripytees] I was actually in The White stuff shop in Birmingham today, that was the closest I came to spending money, im not overseen on some of the patterns but there were a couple of dresses that I could actually wear. I do buy some Boden, the plainer stuff, & I'm beginning to think I'll stick with that, I do have a likeness for Hush but only when there's sales or a discount code.

John Lewis own brands (I think one is called John Lewis Weekend) are good for basic dresses and other things in bright solid colours and natural fibres.