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.

I'm on a roll - some lovely knitwear. Altho I did try a merino polo a while ago and it was v thin. This one in the 'ice' colour. Other colours might be ok.

I think there's a middle ground between finding a style and sticking to it, and following fashion just because it's fashion. You can know the type of thing that works for you, but still have a style that evolves and have an awareness of what's currently in, but pick and choose from it. And I maintain there is such a thing as a timeless item.

Some lovely, classic clothing linked by @championquartz

Clothing definitely has moved on from very structured looks to a looser, less formal vibe. At the same time, many trusty brands have become much less reliable. I used to be able to much of my wardrobe from 2-3 shops, but I have, more and more, been branching to other labels to make up for gaps in quality and fabrics.

For reliable, ethically sources, and excellent quality silk shirts, I buy from Everlane. I also buy tee shirts and underwear from there.

I buy Uniqlo cashmere jumpers for everyday use, and other basics are purchased at Joseph and J crew (more selectively these past few years). I also love Alex Mill www.alexmill.com for great quality, practical casual clothing.

Because much of the ethically produced things tend to be quite plain, accessories are really important so I am making good use of my scarf and necklace collection despite the opinion of many MNers who pontificate that they are frumpy.

JOhn lewis lets you search by material. It also has some nice stuff in Kin and in the John Lewis Collection.

Ethical fashion can be fashionable. It isn't the choice between polyester, fast fashion and ethical dated more fitted pieces. Ethical fashion manages to keep up with fashion too.

Polyester has been a problem for decades now. It is a separate issue to the current fashions not being to the op and others on here's tastes.

Some lovely velvet and silk links below. My black shirt is M&S - I don't expect it to last forever based on previous silk I've had from there, but I got it in the sale and I've been really enjoying wearing it.

I think it's absolute nonsense that finding one's style and ignoring fashion inevitably makes one 'frumpy' though. People with their own style often sit outside of fashion entirely.

I know what @DCOkeford means about things moving on and I think the silhouette has definitely become more relaxed for whatever reason be it #MeToo or just the fashion cycle.

When I look in my wardrobes I can instantly identify something that’s out because it just doesnt look current (indoor scarves & statement necklaces for example) but I think there’ll always be a place for a classic pair of black skinny trousers and a white cotton shirt.

I really like Victoria Beckham’s look and I’ll admit to copying several of her outfits (cheaper versions though!) She’s gone from very trussed and tailored to skimming and flowing (same with the hair) and she looks great in my opinion.

As for the fragile comment, I do agree that slimmer is better when it comes to clothes but I do think a size 10 can look just as good as a size 6/8.

everything is man made fibre, even the higher end places are full of it, gah it's so frustrating!

If my post makes me sound like I’m stuck in a time warp maybe I was expressing my self wrongly. I like classic styles, not bodycon. My rant was mainly against man made fibres and yes drab midi dresses which whilst they look ok on some just look bloody awful on me. I went in Zara today, I would pick up the odd top from there and I think the coats and jackets are ok, plus I got some lovely cowboy boots last week, but a lot of their stock is frankly poor quality. @championquartz will definitely check out your links, I haven’t been in Massimo Dutti but I think there’s one close to my office.

I like Phase Eight and Damsel in a Dress for work. The latter is a bit more quirky.

Has anyone mentioned otherstories and arket?

@DCOkeford it’s not some kind of profound response to the Me Too movement; in my humble opinion the move towards baggy clothes is all about cost cutting and the ever-increasing pressure on companies to turn more and more profit. Baggy clothes are cheaper to produce and make. It goes hand in hand with the drive towards cheaper materials.

The midi/long floaty dress trend correlates with the hemline index - the theory that skirt lengths are longer in times of austerity or bust, and shorter in prosperous / boom periods (contrary to what you'd expect in terms of cost of fabric).

I happen to like it, but like any trend it doesn't look as good when mass-produced in cheap nasty fabrics, and maybe especially so with this one.

I'm not suggesting that you're in a timewarp OP!

What I am suggesting is that you allow your style (to an extent) to be influenced by what is in the shops, rather than pitch up to a shop with a pre-conceived idea of what you are looking for.

One of the best tips I have ever received came from this board, and it was this: Whenever a new silhouette/texture/look in general came into the shops, to force myself to at least try it (buy a cheap version of something if need be before fully committing)

It has been a total game changer - I now wear things I never thought I would, and more importantly have realised that it's not so much that a given piece doesn't suit me, its more that I am just not used to seeing myself in that style of clothing.

You're in the prime of your life OP - don't opt out in frumpy classic clothes.

Have you thought of trying a local dressmaker?
You can buy much nicer fabrics, especially if you have a fabric factory outlet within travelling distance, than you ever get in ready made clothes. That way you could more or less design your own. Most competent dressmakers can adapt a pattern & you’d get a perfect fit.
I mostly make my own as I’ve always sewed & despair at the quality of much in the shops these days.
Don’t think “ factory outlet...yuk...cheap & nasty “. The one I use has pure wools of all weights & weaves, pure silks etc. Their factory actually produces cloth for of top designers.
A lot depends on where you live of course as most cloth is still mainly produced in the north.

There’s a particular look I love which Im trying to perfect.

It’s a biker jacket, top, floaty midi-skirt and high ankle boots.

Ive got a couple of friends who really do this look so well. One is tiny, 52 and a former model (looks like Patti Hansen), the other is 6 foot, size 16 and looks like Rachael Hunter. Amazing.

I’ 5’6” and size 10 but look like my uncle Roy in drag when i dress like this. I cant see why it doesnt suit me.

I’ll keep trying though.

I’ 5’6” and size 10 but look like my uncle Roy in drag when i dress like this. I cant see why it doesnt suit me.

This made me giggle.

It’s a look I find hard to pull off too. I’m size 10–12 but am short and quite curvy. I think you have to be quite straight up and down for this look. Boobs and a bum don’t give a streamlined look.

Someone mentioned Winser and black silk shirts above , I ordered one today along with a nice tie waist mac and a sweater. Hoping they'll look as good in real life.

@Rowenamud I am straight up and down, hence the man in drag effect! I think it might be the broad shoulders or lack of waist that kills it.

I ordered this from Oasis at the weekend and it looks gorgeous.

That looks nice Nights

Sadly I couldn’t wear it as I don’t have a waist.

It is a bit odd that retailers keep saying conditions are hard but then not actually selling things people with disposable income want to buy. And how there appears no relationship between the fabric of a garment and the price. I’ve noticed garments are now being made of an elaborate mix of fibres in a bid to get us to accept say 23% polyester.

Everything really is absolutely enormous. And very boxy. I’m a 10 but looking at 6s. I don’t want to be swamped by fabric and end up looking bigger than I am. Was watching Trinny’s latest shop up (she always seems to find something in Zara!) and she said as you get older if it’s a choice between looking cool and looking nice, she suggest picking the latter.

M&S has definitely been on the up this season. I also quite like Esprit and Mint Velvet has started doing things that are not grey and black, however I am most definitely in the want clothes to be flattering not necessarily cool camp.

It is a bit odd that retailers keep saying conditions are hard but then not actually selling things people with disposable income want to buy. And how there appears no relationship between the fabric of a garment and the price. I’ve noticed garments are now being made of an elaborate mix of fibres in a bid to get us to accept say 23% polyester.

I agree 100% with you on this. I don't know how they're getting away with it, and, if they're not, it serves them right and they deserve to go under.
I can't get over how different shopping is these days. I've more disposable income than ever before yet genuinely struggle to find anything I like.

Zara have some lovely bits. And not bad prices

SIMPLY B
PEACOCKS
SIMPLY B
Specialise in upto size 32 . Key Trendy fashionable (all age. ) Specifically designed . Mid price sales and credit available . I paid back in 6 weeks time slot no interest . I am super picky Size 18 ( fitted jackets) but I buy their biggest sizes in some items to get the loose trendy look., l am a professional fashion person . I can’t go past it . BIG size models , can see how the clothes will look . Work evening holiday glamour . Specialised Swimwear . My own rating - 5 ⭐️. Peacocks has a couple of things too. 👍 always check them first . “Evans it ain’t “ 😊