Early 30's....where should I buy clothes from?

[JamesZebra]

I don't have the best sense of style and spend most of my life in whatever I can buy from Asda when I am doing the shopping......it mostly consists of ill fitting jeans and leggins with a baggy top or vest top. It's not really a good look. I also buy FAR too much black.

I am not sure where to start with making myself look less like a frump. I need to get in a better routine with my hair and make up in the morning instead of scraping it into a mess bun (think miss trunchball) but that I can change......however where do you buy clothes when you are in your 30's that are practical but look good? I am too old for the shops I used to go in (and too fat these days) but a lot of the other shops feel waaaay too old. Help please!

I've been getting quite a bit from Mango recently. Occasionally Topshop. Some things from Boden but I think you need to beware of the frump. & Other Stories, Arket and Cos are also worth a look. I have bought a couple of things from Hush which I like buy think was overpriced. Lots of people on here seem to like it. I haven't bought anything yet but like the look of Sezane and Cyrillus too (French brands).

Zara, Mango, Hush, Mint Velvet (rarely!), H&M, La Redoute. It depends a bit on what look you're going for really. I'm now 34 and have ended my long-standing reliance on Gap and TU.

I’m mid-30s now, i wear a lot of dresses/skirts with leggings/tights and boots, or jeans/chinos and a top. In summer I go for Mid-thigh shorts and a blouse. For the past few years I’ve liked:
Fat face
Boden
White stuff
Zara
Still get basics from H&M, new look etc

Mid-30s here. I still rely heavily on Zara and H&M but I am very selective, a lot of their jersey stuff for example is misshapen after one wash. Uniqlo is great for simple basics. Petit Bateau does good quality cotton/jersey tees and vests. I would shop in Cos if I were tall.
I shop online (including lots of second hand) and am lazy about sticking to brands I know fit me, but I recently branched out and made my first purchases from & Other Stories (look great but not great quality) and Sézane (expensive but great style and fabric) which have made me feel a bit fresher and grown up without veering into frumpy territory.
I also wear a lot of black. I like it, it suits me, and if done right, it looks stylish - I think the key is creating interest through texture and fabric rather than colour, maybe accessorising, and making sure you’re not wearing a mishmash of clashing blacks that are tired and faded from being washed.

Zara, Mango, ASOS, &otherstories, Oliver Bonas, Topshop, H&M, TU, Monki, Cos, Pull and Bear, GAP, John Lewis

OP do you use Instagram? Perhaps find some celebs or bloggers whose style you like and we can suggest shops.

I personally would steer clear of dresses over leggings, I think it looks very frumpy.

I tend to shop at monki (for their plan colours mostly) H&M, ASOS design/ white and Zara. Depending on your style though they might not be for you x

Post baby Next clothes are a god send, shape wise. Also shop at Boden for odd statement bits andJohn Lewis.
In general tend to go for more structured clothes now than in my 20s. But that’s more about having a baby I think than being in my 30s.

This is all really useful. There are lots of shops suggested that I have never tried so I'm off to have a look.

I'm definitely guilty of wearing dresses over leggings.....I've got quite chunky legs unfortunately