Shopping aged 40

[curlywurlyupsydaisy]

I can no longer find anything I like in the likes of joules, white stuff, gap, H&M or Boden.
I have hush a go, I'm reasonably comfortable with their price points but not sure their stuff is really me.
I've always held off buying from whistles and jigsaw because I felt it was too good and expensive for me but I'm left wondering if they're the only stores left for me?
I like to buy from just a couple of places as I find that easier once I'm happy with their pricing, sizing and returns policies.
What to do?

I'm not keen on joules, white stuff or boden either. I'm not a fan of prints, or bright colours. But they're decent quality and sell a broad range, so you may still find odd pieces even though you feel you've outgrown them.

I still get basics from the likes of Gap and Next, but also like Jigsaw, Whistles, Reiss, white company, Karen Millen, Mint Velvet, Baukjen.

I can't afford to pay more regularly, although I'll sometimes splash out on designer labels in sales, but can definitely no longer do cheap and cheerful. I get frustrated by the shopping experience in places like H&M, Zara and New Look, and need good quality fabrics to hold everything in place!

I suppose all you can do is try some new places and see if you're having more success finding things, feel good in the clothes, get compliments. If not, keep looking.

Seasalt
baukjen
Toast

But only in the sales.....

I buy from lots of the shops mentioned and Uniqlo, Arket, Monki, Weekday, ASOS (I like a lot of the White range) John Lewis KIN and set up alerts on eBay for more of the expensive brands for specific items I'm after - I hate paying full price for stuff unless for key items like coats and shoes. I'm fortunate to be able to order in multiple sizes/ranges up front to try on at home with the kinds of accessories I'd wear as an outfit egg and return stuff I don't like. I hate high street shopping - I get hot and bothered and don't feel I can properly try an outfit so 90% of my shopping is online.

Whistles
Toast, especially the new Autumn range
Ganni (from Selfridges/Browns)
Gestuz
sometimes Cos (but never on-line)
Young British Designers
Uniqlo for good basics

I love whistles and Jigsaw but have a look at Me and Em and Baukjen really lovely clothes! All these shops sell good quality stylish clothing but can be pricey so I bulk out with basics from Next, Zara, Top Shop! I'm 46 if that helps!

48 soon to be 49 and I shop in:

Zara
Top Shop
& Other Stories
Me and Em
The Outnet
Asos
Arkett
Essential Antwerp (I adore this brand)
The Dressing Room (online)

I hate Hobbs, White Stuff, Fat Face type clothes. Dull colours and drab.

I used to really like Whistles but if I’m going to pay over £100 for a blouse, it can’t be polyester. I buy fewer and better quality type clothes from Theory (amazing silk shirts).

I adore clothes and fashion.

There’s no way I could stick to one or two places. I think you have to shop around and keep moving - nowhere stays good for long.

I should add that I’m considerably older than you but places I look at the moment include:
Uniqlo - especially the collaborations.
Cos
& Other Stories
Arket
Toast
Me and Em
TK Max
Massimo Dutti
Baukjen
But I wouldn’t like (& couldn’t afford) to shop exclusively at any of them.

I like Whistles but gave up because I think the quality for the price is shocking. I see the odd nice thing in Boden, Seasalt and even the much maligned M&S.

Fashion is pretty bland at the moment so I think there are still perfectly wearable clothes in the fast fashion shops but you need time and patience to rummage because the issue is quality. I think it’s much better to visit as it’s hard to judge fabric online.

If you have the time then buying second hand brings a lot of higher end stuff within reach. That’s what I do but it’s harder if you have small children.

44 and I like:

Hush
Some Boden (but very carefully chosen. Avoid anything fecking hotchpotch).
Zara
Some M and S.
Some Next.
Rixo London for very special occasions.
Sugarhill Boutique for t-shirts and jumpers.
And then random online stuff that's been recommended here or by bloggers.

I used to love Whistles and Gap but I'm finding myself bored of the same styles coming out every single year.

Funny, I'm older and bigger than I've ever been, but I feel this age is when I've finally found my style and I'm having fun with my clothes at last!

I'm 42 and loving Massimo Dutti at the moment.

I've been buying more and more jigsaw in the last two or three years and I'm 48.

I do think there could be more on the high street in this category of jigsaw and whistles though. I like massimo dutti which is cheaper.
Also see the odd thing in Cos. I never worry that I'll be too 'trendy' if I buy from Jigsaw. I am sometimes drawn to things even if they are well made interpretations of ideas that come from the catwalk, and then I catch myself and think ''a tartan mini-skirt? really.''

@singlepringle, I just checked out those sites you listed on the shared common ground of disliking fatface and whitestuff! I really like the look of Me & Em and & Other stories.

There's another site that I've never bought anything from called www.wraplondon.com - but it looks like the sort of site i might see something just right, trends, but more classic interpretations of trends.

@floisme, thinking about fashion right now, I was watching mamma mia 2 and I thought the clothes were lovely. There's no doubt that looking at photos of relatives dressed in the 70s is a scary sight, but those clothes were fitted and flared in all the right places. They were flattering, fun, feminine and bold. The problem with seventies clothes is they need a waist. If you don't have a waist, get your coat and go home.

53
Me & em
Jigsaw
Tk Maxx
M&S
H&M
Wrap
Monsoon in sale for beachwear.
Whistles for cashmere but how can anyone afford this years prices?
Brand alley for jeans & cashmere.

That's true Ya - I had no waist and no boobs in those days so I was fine! I don't think the clothes have 'travelled' well but they were amazing at the time and in a way they've kind of spoiled fashion for me ever since because they were such a hard act to follow - not just the hippy era but glam rock, punk and new wave too. Not seen mamma mia 2 yet but I adore Cher.

Speaking of WrapLondon they have a 'big sister' brand - Poetry who always send me catalogues even though I've never ordered. I'm not sure if they've upped their game or just got a better stylist but their latest one looks quite promising, nearly all natural fabrics, albeit. pricey. I've no idea how they look in real life.

I've bought some nice 100% cotton garments from Warehouse this year.

Sorry Ya I misread your comment about needing a waist. I was a straight up and down shape in the 70s and didn't have a problem but admittedly I mostly just wore things I liked and didn't think about whether they suited me. And although I probably dress better now, I still think there's a lot to be said for that attitude. Let's face it, however well you think you dress, your kids and grandkids are going to look at the photos in 40 years time and laugh at you.

Thank you everyone, how does the sizing come up in whistles. I'm a 12 maybe 14 would I need a large or would a medium do it?
I also noticed how much viscose and polyester they use and refuse to spend big money on those items.

I bought my size whistles jumpsuit last christmas and it seemed 'normal' to me. Like my size from mint Velvet, phase eight, Jigsaw.

Hobbs! I'm the same age and find Hobbs is perfect for me!

Are you meaning that at age 40 you consider those ranges you used to buy from too old or too young?

I am 20 years older than you and buy from everywhere. Oasis, Boden, Jigsaw, The White Company, Uniqlo, Hush, Mint Velvet, Whistles......

I don't think age is a defining factor.

I’m your age and tend to do most of my shopping in Monki, H&M, Asos and Zara these days. I can afford to spend more in other shops but don’t really find anything I like.

have you tried Pull & Bear? it's clearly aimed at young 'uns but everytime i go in there with dd i come out with a couple of things for myself (a fab pair of 3/4 culottes, a stripey shirt with a tie front). it's pretty cheap, so i feel able to experiment a bit (am normally cos all the way, but am getting a bit bored of it

Sizing often quite generous so M not L. Also, sign up for their emails. They do squally send out a 20% discount code close to start of each season.

Usually not squally