Where do 44 year olds buy nice clothes?

[HowBadIsThisPlease]

I am not looking for specific recommendations, just brands / shops. I haven't a clue and I never have time to go shopping. I tried to buy a few things online and they look awful, I can't even be arsed to try them on.

I've been wearing the same 3 or 4 wool jumpers all winter, with knee length skirts and opaques. I need to face up to seasons changing and get something else.

I'm short and fat, can't wear trousers (at the moment) or anything too slinky or figure hugging. I really far prefer natural fibres. I like dresses / skirts / tops / jackets / cardigans but haven't a clue where to get anything from.

I know this is not a very interesting post as most of you are far more skilled and knowledgeable than this sort of pathetic question but if anyone can throw a one or two word answer my way I would be very grateful.

And a nice necklace.

I also like most of the stuff in John Lewis. Would wear Jaeger if budget permitted.

Their Kin range is really nice, I agree.

Charity shops /second hand , I have bought some real bargains from them , all good labels , a lot of the stuff mentioned , just need the time to go round them , also tk maxx can be quite good, if you have a couple of hours free on a quiet morning to go through all the rails !!

Jaeger outlet for work and fancy.
Otherwise I just tend to wear Oasis jeans, and t shirts from Me and Em, jumpers from Whistles, Boden/Joules breton tops, shirts from Gap and Boden.

And a nice necklace.

Oh dear! I'm considerably older than the OP - and would die of misery if anyone tried to put me inside a nice necklace. Must I buy one?

(I don't shop from any of the places so far listed - except occasionally Cos. Why is finding clothes considered "hard"? Half of all the decent shops in the UK and Europe can be accessed from the palm of my hand. No braving the mean stares of scornful shop assistants, no dragging bored children or suffering in teeny hot changing rooms ... Just, once in a while, an emailed return code and an hour or so waiting for a return to be picked up or taking something to the PO. It's 100 times easier.)

"Why is finding clothes considered "hard"?"

Because people are acting with preconceptions that a 44 year old will want to dress in a specific, generational way. Rather than just choosing clothes they like that they think suit their shape, and that present them to the world in a particular way.

If that way is 'I am 44' then it does become challenging, because that means so many different things to so many different people. And is probably why going to a department store with a free or very cheap personal shopper might be the best bet, because the you can try on lots of stuff from lots of different brands. john Lewis do reasonable length appointments (no expectation to buy if you go for the shorter slots).

John Lewis now have an online section where you put in your measurements, height colouring and style etc and they suggest outfits. Obviously you don't have to buy but it could help give ideas? Or could you try a personal shopper at a department store?

Have a look at Caroline ann on Amazon/Ebay ...Made to order tops/dresses at a high street price point! Also look for the brand Masai Clothing - I'm a similar shape to you I suspect and they work for me!

Gosh so many ideas here! I really appreciate this. I'll be looking into all this.

I do like charity shops for skirts and jackets and have some nice stuff from them, but I feel like second hand tops can look very tired. I think that's what I need - some really nice cotton or otherwise natural tops that are long sleeved or three quarter, that are not necessarily completely plain but not a horrible poly with a horrible print. If I have to pay real money to get these then I guess I will (I can't carry on like this, I look like the wreck of the Hesperus)

Thanks again. Off to look at Hush now

Have clothes from all over. Like John Lewis. Tend to shop for colours / items I want and see what comes up on the search engine. Go for colours and styles I think suit me rather than fashion etc...

I'd shop in Whistles lots if I had the cash. And Matches (probably sales only), J Crew and Madewell

In real life I shop in Zara, Cos and Other Stories.

yy to Hush and Me+Em

Cos
Uniqlo (for T-shirts and blouses at least)
Hobbs, usually in the sale
Phase Eight-ditto
John Lewis
yoox.com
I also wait until the very end of the sale and visit House of Fraser to see what bargains I can pick up. Last year it was a very nice pair of sage green Michael Kors jeans.

Grace I didn't say the OP should wear a nice necklace.

I said I like to.

So..thanks a lot.

< huffs >

Wel that's as may be - but I read the words "statement necklace" (I know that's not what you said) so often here that I'm beginning to feel underdressed.

No offence. They do look lovely on other people ...

I think I need to book an appointment at JL or Debenhams.

Grovel more Gruach

I second john Lewis, I like kin and the sales can be excellent. A lot of the clothes are tempting and you sound like to need to be inspired !

Just try a load of stuff on and embarrassingly I take videos of myself, that way if it's awful you can tell !

jaeger outlet is bargainous
I like whistles (in sale or with discount) jigsaw, cos, uniqlo, mango and next or gap for jeans and M&S for some things
John Lewis have personal shoppers, book an appointment and get them to do the work for you!

I think Curvissa are quite good. If you go on their website you can order a catalogue and browse it at home. Lots of flattering outfits on there!