I don't know where I should be shopping for clothes...

[moleymoley]

I basically always end up getting stuff from Next, and I feel it's not quite 'me' anymore...

I turn 40 in a few months - where should I be getting my clothes from...??

What kind of clothes do you like?

Oasis do some nice things, but you need to be very sure your upper arms are toned.

This is the ideal time to treat yourself to a full day of shopping, or at least of visiting shops and trying stuff on. If this your idea of personal hell (as it is mine) you can factor in decent coffee/lunch/alcohol stops along the way.

My opinion is that Next has gone very downhill in recent years for women's wear.
Depends on budget - Boden (sales and offers are fab), Fat Face and Mint Velvet all age appropriate.

I have the same problem as you. I went shopping on Monday determined to spend a lot on new clothes and came back with very little.

If you don't like stupid cut-out shoulders and frilly sleeves, there's precious little on offer. I felt like I was in a jungle in Oasis - all those bright greens and bird prints everywhere

Hope you have better luck than me OP

I like Oasis and Zara. Love Ted Baker but can rarely afford it. I also get quite a lot from ASOS but tend to send back as much as I keep.

Oliver Bonas is lovely.

What is your style preference
Body shape and size
An idea of what you would spend on say a pair of jeans or a to

*Top even!

I used to love Next, but no longer

Quite like H&M again (tops), Fatface (denim skirt/jacket) and Dorothy Perkins (skinnies and dresses)

That is for my everyday wear

I love Oasis for me it is perfect, I like to look girly and I love prints, for jeans I like River Island, I like super skinny jeans but because I buy jeggings they wear out quickly, Warehouse can be a bit hit and miss as I think it's trying to be Hush like (or what I think Hush is like!) Ted Baker dresses are lovely for special occasions. If all else fails I look on the Very website and that has 1000s of different brands. Underwear has to be Triumph.

What on earth does "age appropriate" mean? I'm a decade older than the OP and would never buy anything from Fat Face. This "age appropriacy" shit is a piece of nonsense fed to women. Wear whatever you love and whatever suits you.

I don't know about age appropriate but I wouldn't shop in Fatface as it's not my style, I also don't like most of Topshop anymore as I don't want jeans with see through plastic knee patches or do I want earrings with emojis on!

With you there Lurking!

OP - what clothes do you like? What sort of thing do you see in the street and admire/covet?

I'm the same, had a wardrobe clear out as everything felt wrong and restocked with more attractive but looser cut, brighter clothes. I have a love hate relationship with new look but at the moment they have a lovely summer dress range in by Mela, just right for my body shape so I have bought a few blue & white dresses. They also have in some nice coats & jackets so I have the duster jackets and a dusky pink trench.

All saints when the sale is on twice a year for a couple of dresses (I live in dresses as cover my mum tum best) Mint Velvet for decent shoes/boots, and sometimes a jumper or jeans as they fit me well. Then Oasis for a couple of bits but their cut doesn't work great for my busy, though their lengths and waists are good so depends on fabric. I can't do Zara or Topshop anymore as my style and body shape have changed late 30s and Next has never really done much for me except the odd holiday maxi dress. So lots of trying on, sending back & figuring out which cuts and fabric I will actually wear now I'm older and not out every night anymore. It was quite fun & cathartic in a way!

& other stories great. Sale now on

comptoir des cotonniers has started its sale and has clothes suitable for work. Good quality but pricey.
fatface have good basic tees and are hit and miss on other stuff. I am a decade older, DD is 2 decades younger than you and we both have a few bits.
wrap can be a bit fuddy duddy but is great quality with a few gems. Again hit the sales.
TKMaxx is like a jumble sale, just grab half a dozen things that you like the feel of the fabric and experiment with styles. Will need coffee or wine after the experience.
Are you after smart or casual? What price range are you looking at? What shape are you?
Do take advantage of the sales, they are starting.

Hush
Cos
Zara
Whistles
Reiss
Jigsaw
The Outnet (I get some lovely things v reduced there)

I also snorted at "age appropriate". I turn 50 tomorrow and shop in all sorts of shops. "Age appropriate" makes me sound like a toddler who can't be trusted to choose her own clothes.

Next is good for a couple of things like jeans and longline vests but the rest of it is dire.

My wardrobe is made up of stuff from The White Company, Phase Eight and Autograph.Also Pure collection. I personally like quite plain basics in natural materials which have no waist emphasis and are a bit slouchy. It depends on your personal style.

Also Jigsaw has some lovely things in at the moment.

Buy wherever you want. Jigsaw, Cos, Hobbs, French Connection are all stylish.

IMO, Fat Face is very "farmers wife pyjamas". I wouldn't step in there unless I'd given up on life.

at "farmer's wife pyjama". So true!

thanks for all the suggestions.
hhhmmm, yes, I didn't give you much to go with, did i!
so, I'm 6ft tall and zsize 16 bottom and 14 top, and could lose a couple of stone, but even at my thinnest I'm booby and hippy and thigh-y.

Who do I look at and think I want to look like you....erm Tilda Swinton??!!! I don't know really.

sorry - not much help - but will check out some of your suggestions.

I thought the same about Fat Face for years. Recently I bought two tops online and they are very good quality. The sizing is enormous though so size down. I hope they aren't too Farmer wife looking though?!?!?!

www.fatface.com/tops+t-shirts/chloe-broderie-cami/invt/921474#ff_colour=Navy

www.fatface.com/tops+t-shirts/cassie-broderie-cami/invt/922628#ff_colour=White