If you're 40ish, where do you shop for clothes?

[TooManyButtons]

I'm 39, fat, and style-free. I live in jeans and primark tops. But I'm determined that I'm not going to be fat at 40, and am on a losing weight/getting fit mission. A big motivation for me is the idea of wearing nice, stylish clothes that I love, rather than purely what fits me.

I'm having a browse online, but I have no idea where I should be looking. I wear a uniform for work so it's mainly casual clothes I need. Inspire me!

(I'm 44, btw)

Cos
Plainer Boden stuff like breton tops, jersey dresses, and denim (no "fun" prints, eurgh.)
Department stores for "proper" jeans brands eg J Brand, Paige
Toast (though try to avoid the things that make me look like a rectangular art teacher)
& Other Stories
Like MumBod, the odd surprising M&S gem
All Saints
Chinti & Parker in the sales for jumpers

I hadn't realised banana republic had closed in the U.K.! I spotted the one in the City was closed last week but didn't realise it was all of the stores. Their stuff fits me really well. I do agree that a lot of it was expensive for what it was though.

I'm 42 and love Cos (usually in the sale), Uniqlo, and bits from H&M and Zara.
It's all down to your own personal style, i think, rather than age.

Simply Be
Asos
Lindy bop.

Can't afford clothes right now - but if I could then ME&EM, Hush, &OtherStories, possibly Baukjen (although that is if I have both fantasy money AND am a lot slimmer!). ASOS good for cheaper basics too, great range of stuff and a good search feature.

Hush, great for casual stuff, I always feel good in it.
Cos- but you have to go in store, until I spotted it in a Selfridges I'd never seen it in rl and it is much much nicer than it looks on the website. The website will probably put you off!
Whistles, I love but think it's a bit pricey for casual stuff and buy from there mainly for a treat/something special.
Topshop , again I like but need to visit as quality can be hit and miss.
Mint velvet for jeans and if you love grey!
Basics from Next, long sleeve shirts/vest tops, summer stuff is ok for the beach etc.
Zara for tops n pretty t shirts mainly, I find their bottom halves difficult.

Fat face/white stuff/Seasalt/joules not really my bag, although I have had a few bits from fat face for festivals/camping.

Good luck with the weight loss! I lost 3 stone and promised myself a Whistles leather biker jacket when I hit target, I saved up by going on a clothes ban until I got there!
Maybe you could have something in mind for your 40th birthday 🙂

By clothes ban I mean that's a ban on shopping for them, not wearing them

Zara for tops n pretty t shirts mainly, I find their bottom halves difficult.

Yes, it does seem made for size 4 women who are about 7 foot tall doesn't it? I'm 5'9 and the trousers are way too long, even for me.

Oh, I like Seasalt as well but like Boden you really need to be selective - they've a lot of really nice dresses (with pockets!) but a vast amount of their stock is FRUMP CITY.

Love The White Company, Mint Velvet & Jigsaw...but only ever buy in the sale. I cannot justify £49 on a Jigsaw t-shirt when I know it will come down to £25 in the sales. Same with The White Company...just bought a gorgeous, cross-over back, sweater in merino wool for just £47.50 (normal price £110).

Still manage to get the occasional good item from M&S Collection or Autograph.

For more everyday stuff, I started shopping in H&M only because my DDs dragged me in there, for them...but I now buy nearly as much for me, as for them. You can't beat their plain, v-neck loose sweaters at only £19.99 (think I have them in 5 colours). Same with New Look...I wouldn't have dreamed of shopping in there until my DDs started getting into fashion. But, they do some great, plain sweaters, and excellent shoes, and pretty decent quality for the price.

I swear by TK Maxx too - from there I have recently bought a beautiful French Connection, grey bat-wing sweater for only £24.99- RRP £70.00). You can also get good label cashmere in there, and I love it when I bag anything by Calvin Klein.

I avoid Next like the plague nowadays...cheap, cheap, nasty, cheap, polyester, cheap, polyester, cheap...etc.

I quite like White Stuff - but if I'm not careful it can make me look mummsy and frumpy. I don't really do pattern or colours, you see.

I find Joules and Seasalt a bit twee and decidedly frumpy-looking. I always equate women who wear Joules/Seasalt as the sort of women who apologise after having an orgasm

I want to dare to shop in All Saints, but think I'm too 'busty' to wear their stuff? Also think I'd need to drop 7-10lbs too.

I also noticed that Banana had closed in the City. Just thought it was that branch though. Oh no. I really like the clothes in there.

Next
Hush
M&S

I'm 46 but told I dress fairly young (although not outlandishly) for my age.
I shop in Oasis (jeans are the best for my shape), M&S, Baukjen, All Saints, Reiss, Sweaty Betty, and Gap. I have tried Finery and The Fold but the former is a bit too middle age try hard while the Fold is too expensive...
I have bought lots of stylish things in Banana Republic - but only ever in the sale...

I'm 41 anx almost certainly don't dress 'my age' however I am
On the larger side but am comfortable with it. I shop at
Urban outfitters
Topshop
H&m
Indie needn't boutique type places
Sainsburys (I know!!)
Matalan (I know!!)
New look
M&s
All saints
Plumo (online)
Monsoon

I def have a bit of an art teacher circa 93 thing going on

Lots of Gap for work stuff and I like their jeans too. H&M for tops and knitwear. Primark for pyjamas and gym gear (more technical sportswear from Decathalon). M&S for underwear. Oasis and Warehouse for dresses.
I really need to shake things up a bit...stuck in a bit of a rut.

Have a look in Tesco , I really like their jeans and prefer them over my expensive ones . Great for when you are losing weight . I'm 42 as a sahm, I like oasis , warehouse , some bits from h and m . I like joules harbour tops for fit and they wash well . Some bits in topshop too but few and far between now that my dd is shopping in there .