30 something mums - where do you shop for good quality basics?

[MollyDaydream]

I am tired of making clothing decisions in the morning, have lost some baby weight recently and want to really reduce down my casual wardrobe to a few good quality basics that will mix and match.

I am wondering where the best places are to look for things that will last?

In the past I have gone for quantity over quality, H&M, New Look etc. I want to invest in some simple classic stuff that will last though.

Gap, John Lewis and ASOS are great for petite sized trousers and dresses. Hobbs do have their own alteration service which is great. French connection mini skirts are the perfect length for petite sizes and the choices are great too.

I’m 5”2 size 12 and currently wearing a Uniqlo long sleeve t-shirt, it fits really well in the arms and body, and lovely quality. My basic tops are pretty much all Boden and Uniqlo - the Boden double layer 3/4 sleeve scoop neck tops most of all, I have 3 and want more. Thick, flattering, wash well, and look just a bit more thought about than a basic t-shirt shape.

Well I'd tell you where I buy petite clothes but since I'm nearly 50 you probably won't be interested in ASOS, M&S, Anthropologie, and GAP. Or that with careful shopping I can get things to fit in COS, UNIQLO, and Jigsaw.

No, I don't agree. Age does come into it. She's looking for shops aimed at a particular demographic.

OP doesn't want to dress like a typical teenager or a 60+ woman. If she did, more power to her, but fashion does change depending on age and other factors, and I'm not going to pretend that it won't.

Are Boden basic tshirts enough of a step up from M&S ones in terms of quality to make it worth the price difference?

wow, what is it with the posters gurning about OP saying she's in her 30s tonight?? this isn't ageism, this is just OP giving relevant information. I'm in my 40s but I'm not offended.
Has everybody been drinking?

Well Ravenwings since the OP has young children she should embrace the frump and buy clothes from White Stuff, Fat Face and Joules since they all make lovely clothes to cover that baby bump she's not yet had time to get rid of head tilt .

When her kids and she grow up a bit she can enter her 40s and learn that there is not an age restriction on fashion and if she wants to buy clothes from TopShop or ASOS or Jack Wills she damn well can. Some of the most stylish people on these boards are in their 60s or older and it's incredibly agist to suggest that you lose your ability to be stylish because of a number.

Are Boden basic tshirts enough of a step up from M&S ones in terms of quality to make it worth the price difference?

Historically yes but now I'd say no. If you want good quality t-shirts for a reasonable price I'd look at COS. Or Hush possibly but opinion is divided on their quality, some things are great and some are terrible. Cut nicely though.

I’ve been v disappointed with m&s tshirts - white company one has lasted better. Sometimes Gap has some good ones - uniqlo too. Joules, seasalt and petit bateau all have lasted well but I only have striped ones not plain.

I’ve actually gone off cotton as a basic after trying merino or heat tech base layers. My merino vests have been my Best Buy recently.

Hahaha yeah, that's exactly what I said isn't it Fosco. It's not like I said she can buy and wear whatever she likes and no one will stop her, is it?

Oh wait... that's exactly what I said. So while I enjoyed your little rant, find someone else to aim it at next time.

I mean really OP I didn't think what you said was controversial at all. A lot of people update their style and wardrobe as they get older/ move to new places/ bodies change/ career changes etc etc. There's really nothing wrong with that.

It doesn't mean that OP is saying older people are less stylish (haven't seen her or me say that anywhere), just that her requirements now are different to what they were.

No ageism on this thread, IMO

Clothes: quality changes all the time , 5-10 years ago white company and mint velvet did great basics in cotton, but no longer so.

I have some good basics from.H&M (surprisingly) and until last year Hush did great basic tees, but think they are all flimsy now.

Not an.easy quest!

The Boden Breton tops are basic and decent quality. Whistles should be on your list as well for in trend simple tops that might have a nice print etc but are so easy to just pull on daily. Reiss fit varies- they seem to have some huge size 8s in tops. You should do a list I guess- strior, plain, print...

I’m not going to jump on the OP because I know what she meant but I would say that I’ve learned not to rule any shop out based on who it is aimed at. Joules does great quality casual long sleeved shirts- you don’t have to buy the flowery ones or be “ready” to shop there. Boden basics used to be really good but the quality isn’t great now so ironically I was buying them in my 20s but don’t now in my mid 30s. Uniqlo are Japanese so the tops tend to be cut to fit a shorter body which works well if you’re petite. French connection/great plains do some good stuff and some of it is terrible. GAP is still good for jeans but not tshirts now.