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Too old for usual clothes shops?

74 replies

Wineinbathtub · 23/08/2018 15:28

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?

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2018 16:58

Occasionally (very occasionally) find something nice and made of cotton in Sainsburys too.

Wineinbathtub · 24/08/2018 17:08

PP who mentioned Other Stories Thank you. I like it

OP posts:
Floisme · 24/08/2018 17:20

Ok, here are mine, starting at the lower price end and moving up:

H&M but only if you have the time and patience to rummage for the occasional rapidly disappearing gem. I have to say I've pretty much given up but I still mourn it. It's easier if you have a branch that stocks the premium ranges.

Uniqlo - I've had a few stinkers but it's about the best quality I know for the price range. Normally a good choice of colours. I wear it, my son wears it, my mum wore it in her 90s. I like the collaborations best, especially the Christophe Lemaire U line. Ines de la Fressange has a range out next week.

Cos?? The website's an absolute shocker but, if you have a local branch and time to try on, some of it can look surprisingly great and quality is normally good.

Hush - I gave up on them cos of poor quality but they have a lot of fans on here and it can look really nice.

Baukjen - I rarely end up buying for some reason but always look and often like. People who buy it seem to rate the quality.

Whistles - another one I've given up on because of poor quality for high prices. But I still like the look of it - modern but wearable.

Toast??? Another very marmite one. I avoid the dresses but love the trousers - best high street quality I know. Good sales.

& Other Stories - big sister to H&M. Not bought myself but some of it looks nice, not sure about quality.

Arket - an even bigger sister to H&M and Cos. Not bought myself but people on here seem to rate it.

Me and Em - not bought for a few years but when I did it was great quality. Again it's mostly modern but wearable although some of it is a bit up itself I think. Very good sales.

I'm also a big second hand shopper. But it takes time - which I didn't have until recently.

QueenoftheNights · 24/08/2018 17:20

OP

Maybe have a look online at

Hobbs
Jigsaw
Hush
Mint Velvet
French Connection
Whistles
Oasis
Boden (!)
Massimo Dutti
Seasalt (I don't like but many MNs do)
comptoir des cotonniers (pricy but wait for sales)
Mango (tops and shirts)

Floisme · 24/08/2018 17:22

Sorry - & Other Stories is in the wrong order - not normally as pricey as Toast or Whistles.

CountFosco · 24/08/2018 17:22

I know it sounds daft if you think you are too old for Next but I do like a browse on ASOS. Obviously it's polyester hell (although you can search for fabrics it's not perfect) but if you want a stripy jumper or a floral dress or have a vague idea of what you want I find it really useful to help focus in on what you're looking for, even if you then go away and get it somewhere else (but hey, might as well get from ASOS because it's cheap and returns are easy).

Agree that the decline in Next is sad. I had a lovely cotton navy floral dirndl skirt (with pockets!) from there that my Mum bought for me as a teenager in the 80s. It cost her £25 and I kept it for over 10 years. Same thing these days would still cost £25 but would not have pockets and would not be such heavy cotton so it wouldn't have lasted so long.

HVstar · 24/08/2018 17:24

I love White Stuff for tops-expensive so wait for sales, M&S for jeans and trousers and Boden for their cardigans.

QueenOfMyWorld · 24/08/2018 17:26

I'm 38 and shop mainly boohoo and primark.I don't feel too old to wear most things although I wouldn't choose anything that was 'obviously' young e.g frills,v revealing etc

Nanasueathome · 24/08/2018 17:28

I am early 60’s and love Toast
...but only in the sale

NicoAndTheNiners · 24/08/2018 17:38

Think a lot of Next is frumpy polyesterville. Not everything, I got leggings from there the other day and also some skinny grey jeans recently which I lovE.

I’m early 40s and still shop in H&M, occasional bits in Debenhams, M&S. warehouse, top shop, John Lewis,

PatricianOfAnkhMorpork · 24/08/2018 17:41

Watch out for &Other Stories as it’s another plastic hell and way too many frills.

I’d suggest:
Hobbs
Fat Face, caution they changed their cut and sizing this year
White Stuff
Seasalt
Phase eight, although this is going a bit dodgy
Some M&S but you will have to search for it
Mint Velvet
John Lewis

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2018 18:04

Agree that MV have a few nice things, but lots of it is poly and it's very expensive for what it is.

CountFosco · 24/08/2018 18:21

l wouldn't choose anything that was 'obviously' young e.g frills

Don't tell Margo Leadbetter. And don't tell me, at over a decade older than Penelope Keith was when she played Margo I have bought this red ruffle dress from &Other Stories! Looks great with trainers and a denim jacket!

Wineinbathtub · 24/08/2018 19:01

Ok realising how clueless I am. I think maybe I am looking for natural materials because they look more quality? What should I be looking for in labels? 100% cotton?

I think I am also pretty lazy re in-store clothes shopping and liked Next because of the wide range of stuff I was pretty much guaranteed to find something that was ok but fed up now of the clothes not lasting and I think wanting better quality too.

OP posts:
Wineinbathtub · 24/08/2018 19:02

Countfosco I think some people just suit frilly stuff whatever their age. I don't think they have ever suited me

OP posts:
Wineinbathtub · 24/08/2018 19:05

I've bought Fat Face jeans and they did not last long at all but were pricier than Next I think. I have got some tops and a coat I like from White Stuff. I think most of the tops were stripy and I think I am looking for something else different to that.

OP posts:
Wineinbathtub · 24/08/2018 19:07

Hobbs looks promising from website and maybe Arket.

OP posts:
QueenoftheNights · 24/08/2018 19:24

Agree that MV have a few nice things, but lots of it is poly and it's very expensive for what it is.

Agree. The only things I have are their cigarette trousers for summer, a parka and some knitwear- always try to wait for 20% off. (Sometimes at J Lewis.) Don't like the droopy poly dresses.

SD1978 · 24/08/2018 19:47

@Wineinbathtub- also very bored of stripes- not flattering (for me) at all. But also don't like a wide expanse of plain. Have ended up with a few shirts this year instead because of it.

NicoAndTheNiners · 24/08/2018 21:03

Ive had a couple of nice dresses from Gap recently, also La Redoute. And I’m always partial to Asos.

Accountant222 · 24/08/2018 22:10

I'm off at a tangent here, does anyone remember Next in its early days, edgy and superb quality

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 24/08/2018 22:15

When Next started I used to get so much from there. Their shoes and work clothes were excellent.

Cambionome · 24/08/2018 22:26

Next quality has totally gone down the pan. Very disappointing.

WaxOnFeckOff · 24/08/2018 22:34

I still remember getting the next directory with the actual material samples in.

You can still get good stuff, but you have to be discerning and I still end up sending back about 3/4s of what I order.

I have some shoes that are the comfiest things I've ever had on my feet, some brilliant jeans and work trousers and cardis. To be fair, most of the stuff I order is very plain and usually in the sale.

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