AIBU to have no idea where to buy clothes these days?

[NorthernGravy]

Nearly 40, size 14/16 and I can not find anything nice to buy. I'm going away for a weekend and want some nice clothes that I can wear with my silver saltwater sandals for nice restaurants and walking around sightseeing. I started looking at dresses and failed, then started looking for nice tops. In general dresses are that prairie shape that makes me look like Homer Simpson in a moo-moo, tops have high necks and are polyester. Colours are blah and wishy washy and fabrics are dreadful.

& other stories- dreadful, everything looks like a tent on me or makes me look like a fat f'er.
M&S- ordered that gingham dress that is heavily advertised on Facebook, its fitted on the bust and then blooms out like a maternity dress.
Whistles- Not paying for polyester.
Oasis- polyester, blah colours.

White Company

Are you looking for something in particular? Do you know what styles/colours tend to suit you?

As a saltwater sandal wearer you’re surely a current or future fan of Toast? Natural fabrics, generous sizing. After years of good separates and dreadful dresses they suddenly do have one or two rather covetable summer dresses.

There are plenty of other places that would probably meet your style requirements. Margaret Howell has a sale at the moment ...

There’s a very nice dress in the Toast sale.

www.toa.st/uk/product/womens+dresses+and+tunics/c1lcq/block+print+linen+cotton+kaftan+dress.htm?clr=C1LCQ_Blue_sw

Funnily enough my first pair of Saltwater sandals did come from Toast. Alsohuman- that dress is only available up to a size 10 and it looks like a tent. I like the fabric, but just not the voluminous shape.

White Stuff is really boring, just "classic" stuff. My mum and her friends in their 60s/ 70s wear it.

Lumene- I had a House of Colour consultation years ago and am a sultry winter, natural romantic apparently. So I need cool, saturated colours and clothes that are fitted to me and drape nicely, so things that give me a waist line and curve. High necks look awful on me.

I want a nice fabric, with a nice pattern/ print so it has some detail on it, that isn't shapeless.

For daytime walking around, I like, Fat Face's denim Bermudas to be specific. Fat Face also has some nice cotton daytime tops this season.

The current loose shape is a bit Marmite, I like it but I appreciate lots of people don’t. There's lots of choice on the Toast website though, some are more fitted.

White Company is a lot nicer on me that White Stuff (which I share your view of).

Mint Velvet is niceish on me too. Is that too meh?

Why not just browse through the Matches’ sale?

Alongside the very naff stuff, Hush has some lovely things. I have some great summer dresses and playsuits from there. It's overpriced so I try to shop in the sale

I am same colours as you (Winter jewel colours) and also Natural Romantic style, size 14. These are 3 things I have bought and loved this summer - now all in the sale 😀

https://www.houseoffraser.co.uk/brand/warehouse/floral-print-midi-dress-ad1457?gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIzLqb5fm04wIVSCrTCh1w0QjdEAQYAiABEgLzPfDBwE#colcode=ad145700?istCompanyId=fd9c3f44-602b-46fe-8661-6b9a750107b9&istFeedId=dbe773b9-6a61-42f2-bbcb-6c6fdbaf30e1&istItemId=wqxrxliax&istBid=tt_

https://www.boden.co.uk/en-gb/luna-jersey-jumpsuit-highland-green-cardamine/sty-j0429-grn?istCompanyId=a40e1fa1-0635-4a1b-8d9a-2caa763eeee2&istFeedId=d17fdb3c-433f-4293-b151-3088aa7d11be&istItemId=wqqaqipmw&istBid=t&eff_id=EAIaIQobChMIuvi2ifq04wIV7QrTCh1JBwJvEAQYBiABEgKYbfDBwE:G:s&sskwcid=AL!8125!3!352908383660!!!g!536705597012!&cmmmc=PLAAGoogleKelkooCSS198698831313--68580017942---40141662&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIuvi2ifq04wIV7QrTCh1JBwJvEAQYBiABEgKYbfDBwEE

https://www.oasis-stores.com/gb/sale/jumpsuits-playsuits/bali-floral-jumpsuit/069998.html?dwvarr_069998color=61&position=13&cgid=sale-jump-play#gclsrc=aw.ds&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI79O5pfq04wIVCLTtCh2LOAooEAAYASAAEgIIBvDBwE&start=13&categoryID=sale-jump-play

I’d try Boden, Bravissimo and Hobbs OP. Also, pick a stylish celebrity who resembles you and look at what they wear.

I get a lot in fat face and Hobbs (outlet) these days.

If it's not too personal a question, what's your height and body shape? It helps have an idea of what would suit you. I'm also a winter. I'm going through a phase of loving Hush's Santana skirts
www.hush-uk.com/womenswear/daywear/skirts/santana-skirt.htm
I have the blue and red, although not all sizes are in stock now. They can be dressed up or down. Would go perfect with salt water silver sandals.

I’m 5’4” and Prob a 12-14 on top and 14-16 on bottom half. I’ve got navy skirts and nice navy linen trousers that I can wear, so would rather have a top or dress

I like this brand https://www.sandwichfashion.co.uk/clothing?sxxpartner=sem&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4JCKnZm14wIVCJ7VCh3iSwF1EAAYASAAEgI1lfDD_BwE some nice non billowing tops although the dresses are a bit baggy looking for my taste.

Or some non sacky dresses here : https://www.greatplains.co.uk/category/womens-dresses/dresses.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIosa8p5u14wIVBLDtCh0TNgooEAAYASACEgI8IDD_BwE

OP I hope you don't mind me asking on your thread...

are these tent dresses fashionable now? I might get one. I thought people would laugh at me but if tents are "in"...

one reason fashion is very confusing for me right now is I feel as if it's stuff that normally would be seen as unfashionable....may be just my tastes.

Have you checked out seasalt themselves. This may be mumsy or lovely hard to tell www.seasaltcornwall.co.uk/clothing/dresses-tunics/carnmoggas-printed-bamboo-long-dress-tulip-geo-marine.htm

Cos
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