If you're mid-30s and a size 14-16, where do you shop?

[soundsystem]

I feel like I completely lost my way style-wise, and have no clothes that I like :(

I've spent the past 5 years having children (youngest now 7 months) and am now older, bigger and more pear-shaped than before, and I just have no idea what suits me.

Pre-children I shopped at Topshop, Urban Ourfitters, American Apparel... but I was a size 10 then

If anyone is/has been in the same boat, I'd really appreciate any tips of shops to check, or maybe any sites/blogs for tips/people to follow for inspiration I'd really appreciate it!

(Obviously can't get to the shops now, but I thought it was a good time to get a plan together!)

Tesco ☹️

I put a sad face but genuinely love their clothes! All the shops I used to shop in seem to have the bottom half of tops missing, massive jeans that make me look bigger or all boobs out

Monki- almost exclusively Monki.

Cos-ish shapes which if you have thinnish lower arms and legs, and pair with chunky footwear, are really flattering. (Look like you’re still a Size 10 all over- just that you fancy yourself a Danish Museum Director or something).

Hush, mint Velvet, Tommy Hillfigger, White Company, Baujken
Jeans from Sainsburys

Also you are literally the same as me. Same shop preferences, same size, timeline etc.

I only had one kid though, so less reasonable here

Mostly supermarket clothes, Tesco or sainsbury's, can find some really good pieces there...and at a good price. For something with a bit more of a price, Next is good.

New Look for jeans. I usually wear high waist skinny jeans with fairly plain tops, from New Look, m&s etc. I have some nicer bits, dresses Warehouse :( that I wear with ankle boots. At the moment I'm in crap leggings and big shirts because nobody sees me!

Next, H&M and ASOS (their own brand stuff) for me! A 16 from next is a great fit in most stuff, 14 from ASOS. H&M sizes vary quite a bit but I can usually tell by looking at the model!

George at Asda too for summer bits!

Wow really weary? My local H&M doesn’t seem to have anything over a size 10 nowadays which is annoying as I like their clothes!

I like ASOS and Debenhams, and also have had some luck with retro websites like Joanie and Collectif. Thanks all for reminding me to try Hush sometime soon!

Dorothy Perkins, tk Maxx, h and m

Next, H&M, fat face. Do like the look of monki though and have ordered some summer bits from there.

Monki fan here too! Love their shirt dresses. Also love Cos and ASOS. Awaiting a delivery from H&M, had some of their maternity clothes and they were nice so hoping this order will be a success 🙂

@TheSheepofWallSt Ooh yeah, I do like Monki! When I went back to work between DC2 and 3 I wore their shirt dresses pretty much exclusively! What sizes trousers to you by from there? I get size L for dresses but find the trouser sizing really confusing so have never attempted to buy any!

I'm a tall 14 and fond H&M, new look and ASOS great. I do get high waisted skinny jeans from M&S though as they are a good fit on me, reasonably priced and comfy when chasing a small person!

@Changedname78, I know the feeling of "where's the rest of the t-shirt?!" for sure

I just got a fab order from Dorothy Perkins. Striped Cotton t shirt, plain t shirt, long sleeve top, 2 pairs of shorts, a jumper and sandals for £39 delivered. All really nice and not frumpy. The shorts are a decent length not showing bum cheek! H&M is fine in store but I don't order online as the sizing is ludicrous. I'm a 10 but very short with huge bum. Tu at Sainsburys is good. Cos looks like a tent on me as sadly, I'm not tall and willow! I'm 35.

DP is great if you aren't super skinny, and their cotton t shirts are the best!

TheSheepofWallStreet
"Cos ...... looks like you're still a size 10 all over - just that you fancy yourself a Danish Museum Director or something."

Love it
So that's why I wear Cos (and Cos like) tents dresses.

I'm almost 30 and I like Fat Face. Especially for summer stuff. But it's quite pricey but they always have a sale on. I like the boutique stuff in new look. Next, but sometimes I find loads I like sometimes nothing. But their jeans are good

Loving the monki shirt dresses. So much for no spend covid!