Too old for usual clothes shops?

[Wineinbathtub]

I used to shop for clothes in Next, Primark and...well mostly Next. Now I am older (nearly 40) and not as slim (size 14/16) I don't find as much I like in those shops. Where else should I try? Any other useful tips to help me refund my style?

Honestly. I think you are the target market for Next of that description. As am I

Quality wise I feel at 40 I now can't wear stuff from the likes of H&M, new look and gap

Zara and Mango have some nice things that aren't squarely aimed at the young, but they tend to be on the stingy side when it comes to size. What's your budget like? You might find Hobbs and Jigsaw to your taste, but they're not especially cheap.

I'm 52 and I shop a lot in Next - mainly as I like to do my shopping on-line, I can buy a few styles and sizes and then return what I don't want without any hassle. I am mostly living in angle grazer trousers, flat shoes and tops/jumpers/cardis (also have some nice supermarket and TKMaxx buys) for work and probably similar but with jeans for casual. I tend to wear plainish or lightly patterned/stripes so I don't think it's very age specific.

Definitely go for more classic rather than very fashionable in terms of the basics as the foundation of your wardrobe and you can add in the odd "now" piece.

I'm 50 this year and have found on the whole I have to spend a bit more to get clothes that suit me now. I just buy less though. I've been shopping in Crew clothing (love love love their stuff!) I get the odd bit from FatFace, the odd bit from GAP, and John Lewis own brand.

I can't get on with Zara, I find their clothes to be a weird shape / fit.

True Next is more likely to have stuff that I can wear now. I think the thinner material and on the small side sizes make Primark not so good now. Will have a look at the places you suggest. Thanks

Haven't been in Mango or Zara for a long time but found their sizing small even in my 20s

I stick with crew (love) joules (love) not so keen on Boden (fat) fat face (love) chuck in some mountain warehouse and white company. Would love to afford Celtic and co (never)

Also Tesco, Sainsbury @ Asda

I'm nearly 40 and have found things in Top Shop and Mango recently. High street sizing is so mad I now have things from size 8 to 14 that all fit depending on shop and cut but I would say I'm mainly a 12. I have gone down from 18-22 lately and find clothes that look good easier to find these days wherever I shop.

Not puff sleeve crop tops I admit but Top Shop jeans are great and Mango is brilliant for jewellery especially.

Other shops - Cos sometimes, Uniqlo for basics, New Look had some nice organic cotton T-shirts this year, TK Maxx, probably a few others I can't remember right now.

Zara and Mango do come up small but I shop at Zara and by oversized styles where possible (I'm size 14 or Large)

Yes to Asda (I forgot them), I saw a lovely checked shirt in there today which I'm going to buy when I get paid next week.

I dream of shopping in The White Company!

@missyB1- sale time shopping!!! I don't live in the UK and the clothing over here is bloody terrible (IMO) can't find anywhere I like that's not too young (frills) or too old (polyester)

Oh yes I lived abroad for a while, I was in New Zealand , and I was ordering clothes for me and ds from the UK because we couldn't find anything over there!

Oooh yes. Have got some good stuff at Sainsbury's before

I'm 43 and Wallis good and true to size. Order online and easy to return what I don't want.

I got a lovely jumper from asda with stars on, and their jet tings are alright too.

Next is good for online, I agree, but I've had some things not last from there especially jeans

I agree Next can be a hit or a miss but I persevere as I've had some of the best fitting jeans and shoes from there and the long length suits me perfectly and I can order a few different options and return what doesn't come up to scratch. I order quite a lot from the sale too so rarely pay full price for jeans etc. Most of mine were around £15. I also have quite a few pairs so I guess they last a while because I'm rotating them quite often. Don't get me wrong, there is a lot to moan about them and the quality in general is not what it was and some of the material is god awful. On balance though do okay with them. I have a lovely pair of Italian wool trousers that fit me perfectly and were £60 but cost me £15. they feel brilliant on, wear well and I put them through the washing machine!

I am 49 and found going into shops I don't normally set foot in has worked for getting basics that suit you. Found tops in Fat face and Superdry. Like PP look online and order to collect in shop and try on then don't have the bother of returning in post. Also agree with PP spend more on quality not quantity mixed with cheaper items to end up with more outfits that make you feel fabulous.

I'd have a look at M&S. No, I am not joking but a lot of their stuff is fine.

I don't want to be nasty, but walking around wherever you live and looking at what independent shop keepers think would be useful locally would keep money in your communities if you chose to buy their stuff, rather than looking at the national chain stores first. Obviously, both have their place and I get the pressure on £. If you still have local independent shops, they are probably brilliant if they are still in business. If you shop local, they can stay brilliant. It means that one town looks a bit different to another a few miles away.

I shop regularly in the two closest towns (don't live in either). One is great on food and home, but the other is much better for clothing.

What I meant to shout/klaxon is shop local and independent! Give the chains the elbow.

Xingming, you obviously live somewhere nice! Not many clothes sold in Iceland, Wetherspoons or the wide range of fast food shops and bookies in my area! It's outlet village or online all the way.