Where do you buying “going out” clothes at 40?

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I’ve come out of a long term relationship, recovered and off out for a date....I’m nearly 40 (can pass for younger) and no idea what to wear. I went for a personal shopping appointment at the weekend and the young lad I was allocated to had no idea what to do with me.....he dressed me like my Mum..

I’m thinking jeans, heels and a top - but wondering where I start looking for a suitable top? No budget restrictions and so far have looked at:
Ted Baker
French Connection
Next
Borden
Whistles

Plus younger high street places like TopShop (that was a mistake)

I love Zara and if you can afford it, Karen millen

I know not trendy on MN but went to M and S the other day and they had some nice stuff in.

A friend always goes to Oasis and looks great.

TK Maxx has some good stuff also.

I love Zara
Also mint velvet, whistles, Hobbs, French connection, hush, jigsaw, modern rarity,

Thank you

No budget restrictions?

There’s this new-tangled thing called ‘the internet’. It has shops.

Like this: www.matchesfashion.com/womens/just-in/just-in-this-month

Or this:
www.net-a-porter.com/gb/en/m/Shop/Whats-New/Now

Or this:
www.arket.com/en_gbp/women/new-arrivals.html

I hear there are a few more too ...

But don’t bother with the ‘passing for younger’ thing. It’s really old hat. Dress to look like you.

I like - Whistles, Reiss, Mint Velvet, Hush, Me and Em, Cos.

I’ve spent hours on the internet. My hallway is full of clothes waiting to go back....I also tried an online personal shopper service. I can’t believe it’s that hard to find a “nice top”. I’ve lost a lot of weight and I’ve got nothing in my wardrobe already that fits well as a back up.

The reference to younger is because I am scarred by my personal shopping experience where I was dressed as older. I want something trendy without trying to look like a 20 year old.

All Saints.

Banana Republic is my usual go to.

Actually are they still in the UK? I'm not so not sure.

I'd say find out what suits you. Be honest about yourself in the mirror, understand your good points and bad and dress to enhance your good points and play down your worst.

Clothes don't have to be expensive or fashionable to look good, they just have to be the perfect fit and colour.

Find a few celebs with the same body shape/skin and hair tones as you, study their pics, identify what makes them look good and just copy it.

Do lots of trying on in the shops but only buy if perfect.

Also as you get older, less fussy tends to look good, but give a nod to fashion in hem lines, prints, accessories etc.

I got lucky because a friend (who,runs self awareness courses) gave me a very polite character assassination, and I asked her how would you describe me? And she said 'subtle glam' and she nailed it, so when I shop for my house or myself, that's the theme that I have going on at the moment. Although it's heading towards 'worn out and jaded' but I guess that means I can shop at all saints lol.

Enjoy reinventing your wardrobe

I like Urban Outfitters (although maybe close to Topshop territory) and All Saints.

I'm a couple of months shy of 40 and v keen on Monki currently m.asos.com/women/a-to-z-of-brands/monki/cat/?cid=17556

It is tricky when one has lost weight ... So much trial and error.

Have to say, your proposed outfit is ... not perhaps the height of fashion. Couldn’t say what is - but it’s definitely not the thing that has been a MN mantra for the past ten years ... You might end up looking a little staid, however much you spend.

Why not look for a different silhouette? A light, flippy dress and something flat on your feet. Have a look at & Other Stories for ideas ... (To be honest I’m rather fond of Top Shop, if you’re near a really good one ...)

I'm 37 and if it's not a formal occasion (wedding, black tie) then I will dress relatively relaxedly, usually in a casual dress from somewhere like Zara or Mango.

I go to John Lewis where I can browse through the various concessions.
Tomorrow, I’m going to the pub and out to eat with girlfriends. I’m wearing skinny jeans from Gap, silver sparkly heels from Carvella and a cap sleeved silver sparkly top from Warehouse that skims the top of the jeans. The shoes and top I got in JL.

From JL I also pick up bits from Whistles, Hobbs, Mint Velvet and Oasis. The good thing for me is that when I went looking for the above top, I could try on about 6 or 7 from various concessions and opt for the one I liked best.
If it makes a difference I’m 47 and most accurately would describe my dress size as an 11 so I wear a 10 or 12 depending upon cut and range.

Well it depends on your style but I would suggest & other stories, The Kooples, Maje, Zadig & Voltaire. They all have lovely items that aren’t too old or too young!

Dresses are easier as don't have to match two or three pieces. Also it gives the impression that you've "dressed up" even if you've quite literally pulled on a clean, casual dress.

I second londonfeather's suggestions of Maje and The Kooples; the stuff I've bought from both places (more from Maje) I've worn and worn and worn and worn and received so many compliments on.

this top from Oasis is similar to mine and would look good for a casual evening at the pub with jeans and good shoes. But if your arms are well toned, mine are not, then there’s lots of pretty cami type tops you could wear. At 47, I’ll still sometimes wear one with a Hobbs fitted cardigans

I’m a size 10-12 now and have no particular style. I’ve spent a long time dressing to cover lumps and bumps and now I’ve got s better shape I want to accentuate that without revealing too much.

I’ve ordered some bits from Reiss and Karen Miller tonight.

Maje stuff is lovely but I think you have to be either

I’ve found some tops tonight and also going to see what a skirt and top looks like...ordered this from Reiss

Myself and my friend talk about this from time to time. We used to buy 'going out' clothes when we were younger which would be sparkly/lacy/fancy... now it just seems that people (esp our age) wear more plain tops but it's all about:

• a good fit/cut for the top even if it is plain
• dress it up with jewellery (earrings, necklace)
• wear with skinny jeans & heels to make it look dressy

here same top in a green colour. The shimmer is nice and imo is dressy enough but not over dressy for a relaxed first date.

I also have an off white blazer from Reiss that looks fantastic with either 7/8 black trousers or jeans and heels. I find Reiss a good fit.