You're 40, working mum, want to look classic but cool and interesting... Where do you shop!?

[puft]

My first thread...
Had to face up to it this morning. I am TOO OLD to shop at h&m any longer. The clothes shrink, they're too short and badly cut.
I don't particularly like shopping so I've been going there out of habit for the past 20 years.
Today I am wearing a patterned dress (too short), a massive baggy jumper (bobbly), Chelsea boots quite like but I should invest in a proper pair as I wear them everyday and these were from the supermarket I think.
Where should I shop for my age and to look more expensive and fashionable and also for clothes that last more than a few washes?
And who are your style icons? I need some inspiration please, thank you.
Sorry if I'm duplicating another thread.

I like the H&M more expensive range, with Cos, Other Stories, Kin at John Lewis, Uniqlo basics, the odd bits from
gap, Jigsaw, Hobbs and Great Plains.

I'm 38 and I find I can't get away with the cheaper brands any more. My 23 year old colleagues look great in H&M, Primark, New Look etc but I just look scruffy.

I like Boden, Joules, White Stuff, East, Great Plains, Next. I avoid the overly synthetic stuff in Next and you have to be careful in Boden, White Stuff and East as you can end up looking frumpy.

I find that navy looks better on me now than black. But I also find I wear brighter colours like yellow with more confidence these days, so it is swings and roundabouts.

40 this year. Full time job in public sector. 2 kids. Want to look as you describe:
Work:
GAP for skinny cigarette pants and cotton shirts. Also like Boden shirts and cashmere crewneck jumpers. Bought a great trench coat in M&S recently and wear shoes from Clark's and Topshop.
Weekends:
Topshop skinny Leigh jeans. Petit Bateau bretons. Zara tops. Stan Smiths. Jigsaw for t-shirts and bags.

I'm 42 and I still H&M. I didn't know I'm too old for it. Quality isn't good but the price is cheap! Don't have a problem with sizes. But I wear an 8 so maybe that's it. Their sizes are smaller because a 6 in next is like a tent.

I just turned 40. For work I mainly buy jaeger, banana republic, massimo dutti, whistles and the odd thing from other brands when house of Fraser have good sales
Outside work I am much more casual and live in skinny jeans or trousers (topshop Leigh or gap) and good knitwear

I am 42 , tall and "curvy" (cough). For (public sector office based) work I live in Phase 8, or similar brand dresses: stretchy Jersey wrap dresses, or shift dresses with a cardi and/or scarf depending on weather. Boots in cold weather, ballet flats otherwise. Can't walk in heels. Weekends:.M&S jeggings, H&m vests/knitwear, converse/boots/ballet flats, sounds boring but u need to find a formula that works for your shape IMO and then work on variations

Jaeger outlet - some Hobbs - m & s - warehouse - occasionally sainsburys and if you can be bothered to root - I buy lots from tk maxx

I find it really difficult to shop now too - I'm 43 but don't want to dress like my grandma or pre-teen!

I use a few of these places and I like Yumi as well for some bits. We have an outlet shop of theirs nearby which I like to have a sift through. It does help that I've recently lost a bit of weight as their clothes suit my short frame.

I'm not particularly stylish. I still buy my basics (trousers, plain tees for layering etc) In M&S although I don't go anywhere near per una!

I wear a lot of dresses these days, I love Emily and Finn. Although I find I am right between sizes so always have to order both then have the hassle of returning one.

Jeans are usually gap or new look.

And I often find some really good bits in Sainsburys- the quality is very good for the price! (Although I can never find a single thing when they have 25% off)

Although I'm back to my prechild Wright and dress size (14) I find my body shape post kids means lots of the high street stores mentioned in this thread no longer suit me. Or everything is just far too short!

This is a good thread for me, thanks! Off to see where my nearest esprit is, been looking for good quality cotton shirts that don't cost the earth or look like men's shirts.

I'm 36 and also used to love h&m ! However it has definitely gone downhill, although i still find the odd decent thing if i look hard enough! and I still buy their stretchy vests

For jeans I go to topshop as I love their Leigh jeans

I also love all saints (although v £££)

Following

I buy loads of Esprit stuff on Amazon. Sometimes it's ridiculously cheap. I have several pairs of jeans that I bought for £10 each and they are great.
The prices change a lot, so if I see something cheap I buy it and return if necessary.
I also put things I like in my basket and just check daily to see if the price drops.

Forgot about Esprit. Lots of lovely things there, and their stuff lasts really well I find. The sizing is quite generous usually. They have lovely dresses and are often really good for jackets.

When it comes to jeans though, I always splurge on 7 for all mankind (or citizens of humanity). Always ends up worth it, when I look at the "cost per wear".
Have tried high street jeans and although cheaper they always end up being such a waste of money - they just don't fit as well as my 7s so I end up not wearing them. Even Gap. They always have this horrible bunch of excess fabric across the front.

What's the sizing like for the 7 jeans? Do they do super stretchy skinny?!

And where stocks them so I can go and try them on!?

7s do a few really stretchy skinny models in various washes. John Lewis has a limited stock - I worked out my size and the shapes that suit me and then I often buy online on the 7 for all mankind website. I think House of Fraser have them too.

Is Esprit online only? When I look at their store finder there are no results.

I'm not sure about Esprit in the UK. I'm in France and there are several stores in my area, plus a decent Esprit section in my local department store.

I mostly buy from Baukjen, Hush and Whistles these days. M&S (autograph and limited collection, and M&S Woman) as well. Gap 1969 jeans as they fit me well.

Jigsaw not Whistles. I always get the two mixed up.

I still buy some things from H&M. Their more upmarket sister brands COS (instore only) and Other Stories are worth a look as well.
Scandi brands - Filippa K, Malene Birger, Sand.
UK: MiH, Me+ Em.
Maxmara Weekend. Madewell.
Department stores and places like Matches and Yoox and The Outnet at sales time can be good too.

43 here and tend to wear TOAST (depending on season, some seasons are better than others)

Also, Whistles, Cos, Gap for jeans and skinny trousers, occasional thing from White company, Urban Fitters.

Always ankle boots, I have 4 pairs.

Shop on eBay a lot and have got some great stuff that I couldn't possibly afford otherwise.

OP, in defense of the dress you linked to, I think the model is around 6ft tall! I've seen the dress in-store and it hits just above the knee on me (I'm 5'7").

I actually like that kind of tunic dress (not necessarily denim) - looks good with bare legs and sandals in the summer, with leggings and flats in spring/autumn and with a polo neck, thick tights and boots in the winter.

I bought this the other day and, again, it's very short on the model, but just above the knee on me , extremely versatile and goes with absolutely everything in my wardrobe

43 here and like mizu am a fan of TOAST (the shop and also the food). Also Cos, Seasalt for raincoats, dresses, and stripy tops (though agree with a PP that some of their styles can be a bit frumptastic), All Saints, Gap, some Boden (though see previously re: periodically frumptastic), J Brand jeans. Oh, and a stash of sale-bought Eric Bompard and Chinti & Parker cashmere.