Nice quality basics

[OneFlewOverTheMumsNest]

Soon we won't have to pay for childcare for a few months so I'd like to use some of the money we save to buy some nice quality basics - but still not too expensive! Tops that I've bought from fat face etc recently had got holes in them after a few wears and they aren't cheap when not on sale and they just aren't worth the money. I want to avoid things like that happening. Does anyone have any recommendations for clothes/brands I could wear at home looking after 2 dd's (4&1) and at work (smart casual). Thanks!

Am lurking. This is like the Holy Grail.

The only places I've found to consistently sell long-lasting basic stuff have been M&S and Boden, which is a shame as M&S has a lot of vile colours and Boden is pricey unless on several layers of sale. Other than that I tend to give up and live in H&M because at least it's cheap.

I have two 10 year old tops from Wallis of all places which is normally full of nasty nylon that still look decent, but I guess as with most shops it's a bit of a lottery, depends on their suppliers that year etc.

Asos have a basics section online and everything I've bought from there has lasted pretty well.

Benetton for t-shirts, jumpers, cardis. They last forever. GAP also wears well, though not as good as it used to be! Still, for combats / casual trousers.

If you're a small size - 6/8/10, no boobs! - try children's wear. Not kidding... The organic cotton long sleeves from H&M up to age 16. Been buying term for years.

Also on the look out for this, I've been looking at Uniqlo which I've heard good things about

White Company

Uniqlo

especially love \link{http://www.uniqlo.com/uk/store/goods/169062\these} good for layering and last forever

Sainsbury's. I know some of the stuff is garish but I've had some good finds and the quality is amazing .Really well cut, and the finish is good. Lots of stylish work wear there too.

Never heard of Uniqlo before, I like what I see. Plain clothes, especialy tops are hard to find.

Thanks everyone. At work so will look at everything later. And to the pp who mentioned, sadly, children's clothing is not something I could possible consider. The breastfeeding boobs alone prohibit it! Then there's the rest of me!

Ok for those people mentioning Uniqlo, what's the sizing like? I've never ordered from them before so don't know if it's true to size. I'm generally a 14, with aspirations to back to a 10/12 but that's going to take some time to achieve what with the lack of ability to do vigorous exercise and the ongoing breastfeeding/lack of sleep making me want lots of food!

For a 14 get large, xl for jackets and shirts ime!

Lands End cotton/modal tops I now can't see past them. They come up quite big, I am a size 14/16 bust and I buy small or medium (quite fitted).

Loads of colours. Not cheap but currently on offer.

You can also snoop around the site for different styles incl tshirts and polo necks. Search on "modal" (if you like!)

Holliester had some nice long sleeved tops in at the moment

Uniqlo is fab. I wear medium and usually a size 10 top. Jeans are also amazing esp skinniest but sizing really erratic in jeans. The heat tech stuff is great esp children's range and we are never without it here in Scottish winter.

For basics I have had a variety of tops from the Gap body range for 5 years and still fit well and although I wouldn't wear them on their own as really tight, they're amazing under other things. My mum always asks where I've bought them from.

Love uniqlo.
I wish they we're nationwide though.

Were not we're!

Lots of recommendations for Uniqlo then. I seem to recall buying some hear tech stuff from them years ago, perhaps when skiing. Will have a look at the site.

Is Hollister suitable for the more well endowed woman? Seemed to think it was for svelte teenagers and the like.

Uniqlo t-shirts, jeans and cord leggings (better than they sound).

Howies they do a small selection of t shirts and jeans, chinos etc, which are pricey, but last forever.

I'm 34 DD and a holliester medium is fine