In my 40s - where should I shop??

[Middleageddebauchery]

Mid-40s and feeling a bit lost with clothes. Want to be stylish but also need practical choices ( I cycle alot). I like uniqlo and Cos online ( no stores near me) but no idea where else to try. Any thoughts?

I feel like there are so few choices, but more likely it's my own lack of fashion knowledge.

Wherever you find clothes you like which fit your shape and are affordable.

Toast has some nice stuff but be wary of their sizes, you have to go down a size. John Lewis has a range called Kin which has some nice pieces as do Mint Velvet. I use Cos a lot, but other than these i too am stuck.

&other stories
Zara for the odd thing
The Kooples- spendy but lovely
French Connection
Marks and Spencer’s

Uniqlo

Thank you will look at &other stories and kooples ( tho is it really pricey?).

Have seen Toast stuff but wasn't really keen. All seemed a bit flowy and full of linen. But maybe I should look again.

You might also like

Folk
Sezane
Asos
Finery

I'm 43 , I can afford those shops but being short and a curvy size 10 I don't suit most of them .
I like oasis ( they know women have a waist mostly )
Warehouse .. same
Topshop jeans ( come in petite )
Some Primark for t shirts
Some AllSaints ( leather jackets / dress)
Sometimes Dorothy Perkins
.. I'm a sahm so I don't need expensive clothes as I wash everything after one wear .

I think hush is massively overrated and the clothes don't last .( you can get similar sweats in Primark )
Also I have a few jumpers from selfish mother ( the cashmere one has bobbled and I'm annoyed I paid so much for it !!🙄)

Anyways be savvy , don't just go to one shop .. we went to bluewater yesterday and all the spring stuff is out . So maybe go and look for inspiration .

I think Phoenix hit the nail on the head but, for me, the big problem with the internet is that there are actually hundreds of brands or more likely thousands when you add in all the foreign ones which happily ship to the UK (but may have hefty return costs). Too much choice means I tend to play safe & just look at the old familiar brands. I find this board hugely helpful at introducing me to new brands. There was a recent thread with many MN'ers slagging off Mint Velvet & I've had a look at the website & the size guide suggests their clothes may be a good fit - Jon66 can you advise if their website sizes are consistent with the guide?

Bon marche

I was going to say Mint velvet but then I read the thread on it! some real ageist comments that's for sure! try it anyway and uniqlo, M and S, but if you pass the frump or over embellished!

COS is currently my favourite shop and half of DH's wardrobe is Uniqlo after I got fed up of him wearing holey clothes so spent a tiny amount in Uniqlo and got him kitted out (he's short and skinny so loves their small sizes).

I agree it's about picking the bits that suit. M&S and Boden get a kicking on here but if you avoid the bright patterns (Boden) and polyester (M&S) they do have decent basics and both do petite and tall clothing. I really rate ASOS for taking you out of your comfort zone. Use the search function well and you can get some stonking pieces (got a lovely silk shirt there last week).

Otherwise buy wonderful shoes (will lift any outfit) and explore!

Cos
Selected
Finery London
Hush

I think it more depends on height, size and body shape than age.
I’m 41 but very petite at 5ft and a size 6/8. The shops that work best for me are:
Topshop (petite jeans)
Gap (petite merino knits and shirts online)
Boden (petite jacket and coats)
Warehouse (no petite range but their dresses and skirts fit well)
Whistles

There are thousands and thousands of places to buy clothes via your screen. It just depends how much you want to spend and how much time you’re prepared to spend browsing.

Oliver bonas

Wherever you find clothes you like and they fit you

Fat face
White stuff
Marks

Hobbs - jumpers and tops
The white company - as above
asos,,good for basics like long sleeve ts, long trousers, shoes/boots
Hugo boss -biker and work jackets, skirts, trousers, tops
Lk Bennett - bags and shoes
Hush - casual tops, Tara dresses, casual trousers like joggers.
Tommy Hilfiger for skinny jeans.
Mint velvet for leggings.

I'm 49. What size are you and How tall?

Thank you there's some really interesting suggestions here.

Realise I should have given a bit more info in the OP. I'm 5'7" size 12 ( or 10 in some clothes).

I like simple but ( hopefully) stylish. Not a fan of Fat Face / White Stuff/ Joules. Hope that doesn't offend, I know those shops are great for some people but it's just not my style.

I've never tried Hush or ASOS but see them advertised lots so I'll check them out. There's a new branch of Oliver Bonas near me which looks promising.

Most important is a new jacket - I have an ancient leather biker jacket from Superdry which is falling apart! Jacket is the only thing I've bought there as everything else is plastered with their branding!

Mid 40s here....

I work in an office and my wardrobe is mainly made up of the following brands:-

Linea (House of Fraser)
Phase Eight
Hobbs
Marks & Spencer
Jaegar
Monsoon
Wallis
Red Herring (Debenhams)
Next
Country Casuals
Laura Ashley

I also hasten to add that the majority of my clothes come from charity shops (rich pickings here!).

I was going to suggest cos ans uniqlo! Otherwise I have some great finds in H&M, & other stories, arket and monki is very young but has some great shirts and trousers.

I forgot to mention

Massimo Dutti

Wherever you like OP and don't let anyone tell you otherwise

I was going to say Massimo Dutti - great leather jackets! I know I’ve been beaten to it - but I also like Uniglo (though I’m too small for Cos!). Everything I get from MD receives lots of compliments!