Are you a 30 something? Where do you shop?

[EyeEyeCaptainCaptain]

I am in such a rut! I'm a size 10-12 depending on the shop, early 30's, and I feel like the only thing I look decent in these days is gym wear! I have no idea how to dress myself anymore. I either look fat and frumpy (even though I'm not fat) or I look like I'm trying too hard.

It's even worse now the weather is getting warmer. Why are all the shorts I try on so tight across the thigh area?! Is it just me? They make me look dreadful.

Please help me wise mumsnetters or I'll be spending the summer pretending I've just been to the gym/or have just left the gym as I have nothing else to wear.

Personally I really like Gap, sometines the choice of material is a bit hit and miss, but the style is mostly clean cut, casual wear. ASOS is another one to try, they have done really random bits and pieces, but you can pair a slightly more quirky top with some good jeans. The best bit us the free returns so order as much as you fancy, then send it back if you don't like it!

I shop almost entirely from ASOS tall tbh.

Boohoo.com mainly and good old Primark

I got a fab skirt, dress and tshirt from Warehouse last week. Flattering and expensive looking. I like Oasis too.

I’m quite fussy about the ethics of clothes so may not be the best person to comment, but I shop at:
Boden
John Lewis (white stuff, fat face, own label)
Zara
Warehouse
Oasis
Patagonia

I taught myself to sew recently so that’s added some stuff to my wardrobe. I’m 32, size 10/12

I am late 30's and have finally figured out what suits me so stick to that. I find these the best:

ASOS (I second pickle, great to be able to order, get free delivery, try stuff and send things back for free, including trying more than one size in something. ASOS own is quite generous sizing IMO as I can order an 8 in tops where I would be a 10 in most other places)
H&M
Uniqlo (for basics)
Joanie Clothing (online only, my new favourite)
Zara

32 and a size 12. I frequent the likes of:

Zara
H&M
ASOS
Topshop (jeans only)
Hush (although I am not a fan of the colours in their current S/S collection)

Don't get on with:

Oasis (too brightly coloured / flowery)
Warehouse (not cut right for my apple shape)
Boden (makes me feel ancient).

I'm not exactly high-fashion but I'm in my 30s and a size 8. I wear a lot of gym/outdoorsy stuff too but on the high street I mostly shop in...

H&M - basics - t-shirts, vests, tops, shorts.
Uniqlo - basics and merino and cashmere knitwear.
FatFace - not the flowery/frumpy stuff, they do great chino shorts and jeggings, plus good quality, plain, super soft vest tops and long and short sleeved t-shirts in nice colours. Good scarves too.
TopShop - jeans (Jamie and Joni skinnies).
Hush - stuff looks great but can be hit and miss in terms of quality and sizing for what it costs. Sizes come up ridiculously big but some bits like the ruched skirt are great.
SuperDry - long-sleeved casual tops, some knitwear, jeans, short skirts (denim and soft cord).
Seasalt/Joules - striped long-sleeved tops.

Definitely try FatFace for the shorts.

Another one who loves ASOS tall. I shop mainly online these days at Boohoo, ASOS, Missguided and recently got a gorgeous dress for a wedding from Pretty Little Thing. Boohoo, ASOS and Missguided also do Tall ranges which is great as I find it nearly impossible to find long enough jeans on the high street apart from Topshop which are really expensive.

Like the OP I really struggle with shorts but did manage to get a pair in urban outfitters a few years ago that I drag out every summer.

Really love Zara as it's great for both basics and things that are a bit quirkier. Florence and Fred at Tesco and TU at Sainsbury's can also have some gems.

Not a 30 something, but getting ideas from here so thought I’d share too

I shop at:
Mango
Oasis
Warehouse
Topshop for jeans
French Connection
Asos (own brands and the brands they carry)
Karen Millen occasionally (but only in the sale!)

I also like eBay for the above brands if there isn’t anything in store that I like. Usually find something from a previous season/collection that suits me and wears well. Muddy what did you pick up last week?

Sally is also right about F&F and Tu. I’d add in George @ ASDA, some of their summer dresses look ok, although I’ve not seen them in person

Lots of & other stories, Zara and some Sezane & Comptoir des cotonniers.

33, size 12

I mainly shop in H&M, and Primark.

But I live in jeans and hoodies tbh. I have been lucky that my last two jobs have been in super casual offices.

I'm early 30s and same size. Places I've shopped in more recently are:
Topshop (love their Orson jeans)
People Tree
Uniqlo
Levi's

The rest of my wardrobe is older clothes from Weekday, GAP, &Other Stories, Monki, Selected
Femme, Oasis, Warehouse and the brands above.

I know what styles suit me, so for example only buy high waisted jeans/trousers and skirts.

My favourite shorts are halfday ones from Weekdays. They are really flattering and not right across the thighs.

Since I've hit my 30s I find I have to spend more money to look in any way decent. The cut and fabric of high street shops just doesn't work on me anymore. I wait for sales and shop on Theoutnet.com to get designer stuff discounted. I do find the clothes last way longer and still look good. The high street stuff always loses its shape after a few washes - it's a false economy!

Late 30shere. Jaeger Fenn Wright & Manson, Leon Max, Warehouse, Oasis and Ralph Lauren

Hush
Boden
Uniqlo
H&M

I also like The Outnet, but can only afford their clearance sales!

Jeans - Topshop
Trousers - Boden
Skirts - Hobbs or occasionally Karen Millen for smart, Fat Face or occasionally White Stuff for casual
Coats - Hobbs for winter coats, French Connection or Jack Wills for trenches, Jaeger or walking shops for parkas and waterproofs
Jackets - All Saints for leather bikers, Jigsaw, Reiss or LK Bennett for tailored blazers
Dresses - Reiss, Warehouse or Coast for silk or evening dresses, Hobbs for tailored dresses, Hobbs or French Connection for smart-casual jersey dresses, Seasalt or John Lewis Weekend for summer dresses
Tops and shirts - Phase Eight for jersey tops, Mint Velvet or Pure Collection for shirts, Fat Face for cotton summer tops
Knitwear - Hobbs for jumpers, John Smedley, Hobbs or LK Bennett for cardigans
Shoes - always an independent shop that stocks lots of good quality European-made brands, though I do have a couple of pairs of LK Bennett sandals too
Nightwear - Boux Avenue or Primark
Lingerie - Bravissimo

So all over the place, really, and I think where you prefer depends partly on your figure (I'm a similar age and size but I always choose shops that cut at least some of their clothes for my requirements, i.e. short and curvy). Hobbs is the only one that seems to feature regularly across categories. I generally prefer higher-end high street for the better cuts and fabrics, but do buy plenty second hand.

I am not 30 but people often assume that I am

I mostly wear stuff like Seasalt, Toast, monsoon, occasionally something linen from fenwright Mason and boden.

Just to add I am the same size as you. It us very awkward size to be. Bit to slim to justify giving up but a bit to curvy for really fashionable stuff.

Thank you for all the suggestions.

And yes I do feel like an awkward size now! Especially because in my head I look one way and then get a shock when I look in a full length mirror. I tried some shorts on in a shop yesterday and noticed my cellulite was now down to my knees, I have no idea when it travelled an extra 4 inches down my legs or how long it's been like that.

Going to have a good browse on the internet now.

36 and size 10

Boden
Hush
Reiss
Gap
Bit of Fat Face and White Stuff increasingly

LK Bennett, Hobbs and Zara for workwear

Would love to find some new places

I'm 38 and have lost weight recently, I am now an 8, 10 or 12 depending on the shop but IMO, actually a 12.

I've bought:

Jeans in Top Shop (Jamie)
A white shirt and a dark red jumper in Cos
Khaki chinos from M&S
Merino wool jumpers from Uniqlo
Shirts and tops from Jaeger via TK Maxx
Bargain jumpers from East and Comptoir des Cotonniers in their sale
Shoes from Mint Velvet, Uterque, and Miss KG
A grey pencil skirt from Massimo Dutti

I look at John Lewis (lots of brands), M&S (not completely disastrous) and Mango fairly regularly. I've also got my eye on a few things from Jigsaw.

On a budget and decluttering so not shopping much. But when I had the money i liked

Zara. Good quality jackets and coats. Lots of good quality separates

Primark for basics like long sleeved tops and nightwear

Charity shop for shoes

Mint velvet for jacket and coats and cardigans

I'm 37 and size 8