Nice clothes ! Where are you hiding?

[Namechangenecessity]

Haven’t seen anything nice in the shops for ages.Im 48 and a winter, size 10/12 and like tailored rather than floaty. All I can find is floppy dresses and the shops seem to be awash with man made fibres!

Other than jeans and cashmere jumpers, I’ve bought nothing for ages. I’m after some nice going out tops and a couple of really nice work dresses as I wfh 3/5 so dont need an extensive work wardrobe . Brands I like are Baukjen, Jaeger , Uniqlo , used to be Whistles/LK Bennett but think both have gone off in recent years.

Any pointers, I don’t mind splashing out or even waiting for sales. All suggestions welcome.

Omg I'm 46 and could have written your post myself. All I've bought recently is jeans and a cashmere jumper!

Where are the nice work clothes? Or any clothes that aren't jeans and jumper? All that's in the shops now is witchy long dark dresses with floral prints. Ugh

It depends on your definition of nice I think though. I love that fashion is a bit looser fitting and more comfortable these days. I'm sure it won't be long before tailored stuff comes back in again though and someone will be on here asking where all the nice floaty clothes went .

In the meantime, try ebay or charity shops maybe?

I know, so depressing! I bought a dress from Other stories, it was just polyester and so Ill fitting. I’m loving some of the Fold work dresses but baulking at £300 for a work dress, maybe I need to wait for the sales or just go for it. Baukjen have always been great for me, but I’ve not loved the styles in recent seasons. I also fancy a nice leather dress, but with long sleeves.

You can search by material on Ebay! I refuse to buy polyester.

You both sound like you might like Me + Em. They're always sending me catalogues but I don't like much of it because it's all sophisticated and workwear-y and there aren't enough floppy floral dresses :o

Anthropologie is good.
The OUTNET online is fab.

Mint Velvet?

Yeah Mint Velvet might be just the place for you op! I used to work in a neighbouring concession in a big department store and it looked very tailored etc... it was a while ago though, tbf.

I’m 51 and have just bought a very simple but lovely black jersey dress from crew clothing. I will wear it for nights out or just going out for lunch with friends etc
Will attempt to link!’
www.crewclothing.co.uk/womens/clothing/womens-dresses-and-skirts/iyla-long-sleeve-jersey-dress-black-wlj071/

Mint velvet used to be just a sea of grey drape when I last looked and man made fibres galore. Me and Em, had a few catalogues not that fussed. I’ll check out the others thanks

I love The Fold clothing (haven't bought yet) but I'd like to know if the longevity and quality is reflected in the prices?

Same here op, similar age and also a winter. I'm actually just dithering over whether to buy a couple of cashmere jumpers before the discount offer ends for Whistles. I'm also currently wearing jeans and a Uniqlo cashmere jumper I shop similarly to you and have been feeling the same.

I bought a couple of things in Cos last week and like the look of of some skirts and dresses in Hobbs for work. I have too many skirts and a wardrobe full of autumn dresses I haven’t worn this year yet, so must not buy anything else.
I’m currently having more fun styling my old clothes in new ways to be honest as well as browsing eBay for some good quality stuff.
Also, the general feel is that the fashion is getting more casual, so the shops are catering a bit more towards the casual trends

Wouldn’t bother with Whistles Cashmere, I’ve always found their knitwear a bit disappointing. Uniqlo on the other hand, is lovely and thick and washes beautifully , and doesn’t bobble hardly!

I went to a local boutique today and they tried to talk me into a Gestuz blouse , but at over £100 for a man made fibre I was like.... no.... And so many drab colours around as well .....

I feel you!

48, havd just sent back a load of &otherstories stuff, it all looked wrong on me.

Baukjen and Uniqlo are my best bet, and sometimes Jigsaw (bought lovely leather skirt there) and H&M!

Not much else

Used to love Hush but it has gone all turquoise polyester leopard print

Bit list really. Anthropologist OK for summer dresses but no real winter stuff

I’ve just looked at Anthropologie , apart from the ribbed black dress (£118 for it though I thought not worth it) the rest floaty drab and bleugh. What is your jigsaw leather skirt like? Bought a few H and M premium collection things over the summer, quite nice.

@Victoria1083 I want to like Cos as the fabrics are so nice and the ships are lovely but it’s all a bit... I don’t know....

I tried on the Crew dress linked by @missyB1 , and it looks amazing on, even though it doesn't look much on the hanger.

Reiss? Mint Velvet is mainly polyester. Jigsaw is up and down. I love a lot of The Fold and am debating trying a couple of things but really want to see it in the flesh before investing.

Back in June I bought an ice blue silk blouse from the outnet, really pleased with that. Also recently bought a bright purple cashmere sweater from hush. I was looking at the whistles cashmere as I have a couple from years ago, that have really stood the test of time and been great! The white company does a lot of colours that's good for us winters but the quality has went downhill. I wore a lovely wool mix blouse from there this week to work only to notice that cuff and sleeve had come away from one another, so there was a gaping hole, I had to roll up my sleeves. Their cashmere is also getting thinner every season imo. I like Rriss too but it's sometimes very expensive for mmf

I was also going to suggest Reiss

OP can you link to or tell me about your uniqlo cashmere jumper? I want to get one...

@DragonontheWagon I have 2 Fold dresses and they are gorgeous - very well made and reflect the price tag. They do good sales & I try to pick them when they’re on sale.

They are however very formal, I only wear them with clients. My City office (insurance) changed to dress for your day & they’re too formal for sitting at your desk.

OP, cos always used to put me off - their online styling never really appealed with all the unstructured oversized looks. I’m a short rectangle so always assumed it was for super skinny and tall people.
I tried some things in store without any expectations so was very pleasantly surprised by the fit and even more so by the fabrics of the garments I picked. I bought a boiled wool mini skirt and a navy blue and orange melange kind of knit jumper and now have my eye on a couple more things.
Having said that, I obviously stayed away from certain fabrics that were clearly suggesting that I needed a brand new scuba diving wardrobe...

Reiss had some beautiful things last time a had a look - sadly the price tag (and all the polyester) scared me away until sales