Where to buy good quality (but not necessarily designer) clothes??

[Luckystar1]

I'm a child of the disposable clothes era. As a child, my clothes were mostly bought from nice little independent clothes shops, but the boom in high street disposable crap happened just as I was starting to buy my own clothes so I've never really known where to buy nice, good quality clothing. In fact, it seems impossible, as everywhere I look it's just high street chains or, very expensive designer clothes that I fear I'm only paying for the label.

I've decided to try and get myself a very basic capsule wardrobe of simple, well made, good quality clothes (nice jumpers, tops, jeans, tee shirts) but I'm completely at a loss as to where to actually get these things!!

My wardrobe is full of rubbish that I'm eager to get rid of, but I've got nothing to replace it with!

I have 2 very young children (12 weeks and just turned 2) so unfortunately, actual shopping time is limited, but I'd like to spend some money giving myself what I ultimately hope will be an easier life by having fewer clothes to care for and choose from!

Thank you.

Jaeger (sales and outlet), phase eight, pure collection, Hobbs.

I totally agree with buying less, better quality. I really enjoy shopping now even though I buy less.

Thank you all, our local outlet actually has lots of these shops so I'll try a trip very soon! Very excited!

Hobbs and L.K Bennett lasts surprisingly well. Nearly all my work dresses come from there and they just keep battling on. They also do good coats and shoes. It helps that I'm not afraid of a good polyester, if you are not wedded to natural fibres then a good man made material will last very well.

I have a lot of merino from Banana Republic and Gap that has lasted fairly heavy wear over 3, 4 winters and still looks new.

Jigsaw seems to last well (especially their wool suiting and coats), and so does Jaeger. Certain J. Crew items in natural fibres have lasted really well - I like their jeans.

If you can find anything in Cos to suit then it seems to last OK, although the wool items I have, have gotten holes.

Massimo dutti has been hit and miss for me. I've has a pair of shoes that looked terrible after just a few wears.

You might struggle with COS if you are very petite. I buy a lot of their stuff but often find that the sizes are huge. If you are anything less than an 10-8 you might struggle

Ditto Re jigsaw. Colour fading, hem coming down etc. Lovely items but not well made, supermarket stuff lasts longer.

Oh it's all so confusing! I'll go to the local outlet on my next morning without DS (if DD will go in the pram rather than the bloody sling!) and see how I do!

I'm sad to say I've never had to look after clothes as they're always cheap crap (in saying that a lot of my primark tops are about 5 years old and look fine!)

I'm trying to have a more sophisticated look, in a casual sense, but I'm tragically drawn to bright prints and flashy things which are not a good partner with sophisticated!!