At 39 where am I supposed to shop?

[Starsandstara]

(Semi light hearted!) I’m really struggling with casual clothes. I’m not ready for the full per una (they have some nice bits) but I feel way past a lot of high street stores.

I’m not a Jules etc kid of person. Probably something a bit funkier would be my bag, but I’m not sure what... I find the odd cuts at Toast a bit bleugh and unflattering.

I just want some comfortable and stylish jeans that cover my ankles, so I’m not freezing in Winter. Skinnies are out, right? Stone washer mom cuts make by arse look mahoosive.

I’m a tall 12 on top, 12/14 hips so I’d love some flattering looks.

Any suggestions? Do I just hit up Fat Face and accept my fate?

Oh yes also like certain items on Very & ASOS

I'm a similar age and whilst my taste hasn't changed hugely over the last 10 years or so, I try to buy better quality items now.
I like J Crew, Baukjen, Reiss & Whistles.

I'm a few years older and mainly shopped at Zara, Oasis and Warehouse.
I used to always look around H&M but only occasionally see good thins.
I still tried the younger shops just in case - New Look, Top Shop, etc. and also the 'older' shops just in case - M&S, Hobbs (sales only) and the one whose name I can't remember that does mother of the bride type stuff.
I like Mango on the continent, but find it too trendy in the UK.
Always looked around Fat Face, but never bought anything. I think their stuff really would make you look fat.
Uniqlo seems fine for thermals, but I don't think they really have nice clothes for someone your age.
I do shop at Next, but only because they've got affordable trousers and options for short people.
Your best bet is probably Zara.

I’m 44 and my main places are Mint Velvet, Boden and Hush

I used to love Oasis and Warehouse but now they are owned by Boohoo i wouldn’t touch them if my wardrobe went up in flames. Modern slavery not really my thing

I agree though, it’s really hard to know where to shop. I’d like to try Cos, Arket and &other stories but I don’t really think they are right for me as a very short size 14

@MabelMoo23

I’m 44 and my main places are Mint Velvet, Boden and Hush

I used to love Oasis and Warehouse but now they are owned by Boohoo i wouldn’t touch them if my wardrobe went up in flames. Modern slavery not really my thing

I agree though, it’s really hard to know where to shop. I’d like to try Cos, Arket and &other stories but I don’t really think they are right for me as a very short size 14

My last place in the UK has 300k inhabitants and had none of those shops (apart from Oasis and Warehouse).

Same age here...

Zara
H&M
Topshop (yes, still for certain pieces)
& Other Stories
Reid’s
Whistles
Oliver Bonas

(Many of the above you’ll find on Depop)

I'm 41, I've recently developed a love for Mint Velvet. I mostly buy All Saints, Cos, Other Stories and Me&Em. Bit out of my budget so get lots from eBay and outlet shops.

The high street used to be so much better, quality has really dropped in the last decade.
Good sales at the moment.
Barbour for coats and jumpers.
Whistles (good sales and prices on BrandAlley although delivery is a bit off)
Reiss (also good sales and sizes, never pay full price)
White Company for some basics, also on sales/offers
Jigsaw - some slightly dowdy items but a lot of really lovely clothes as well.

I don’t buy that much throughout the year (used to spend far more on more throwaway stuff) but tend to buy items that will last years and are normally a bit pricier.

Reiss and the sale is good. Quality is nice, nice cut and clothes a little different but classic.

Anywhere.

I’m a similar age and a big H&M fan - not so much in store (even pre Covid) - their website is better than many IMO and free delivery if you’re a member. Helps sort through the overwhelming amount of stuff! Lots of linen, organic cotton, nice knitwear. Their jeans have been great recently too.

I also like EBay/charity shops for vintage stuff, independent shops, Monki (mostly from Asos), the odd thing in Toast sales. Tu (Sainsbury’s) can definitely be worth a look too IMO!

Thanks so much for all the tips. It may sound silly or trivial, but I’ve been feeling really stuck on this. I just need to get some stuff to try now. My budget isn’t huge, but I’d definitely rather do as many of you have said and get a few good quality pieces. I’ll check I out the second hand options too. And also thanks for guidance of brand ethics.

Watching with interest

@Starsandstara

Thanks so much for all the tips. It may sound silly or trivial, but I’ve been feeling really stuck on this. I just need to get some stuff to try now. My budget isn’t huge, but I’d definitely rather do as many of you have said and get a few good quality pieces. I’ll check I out the second hand options too. And also thanks for guidance of brand ethics.

I've moved abroad, but otherwise I'd be completely stuck without Warehouse and Oasis.

I like cos, mint velvet, nobody’s child, monki, Zara and hush.
But big big fan of second hand on eBay: etre Cecile, rouje, ghost, sezane, Isabel marant
I’m 40 (for just another week )

I really like NEXT but I have to catch it right; it's not constant. I usually find I have to shop a month or two ahead of the actual season and then I'm okay. So for winter I look in September, for summer I look in March. Otherwise I’ve missed the best and when I go in, I'm left cold at the choice.

I also find, strangely enough, actually going into the store is more inspiring than shopping online.

@UnshakenNeedsStirring

Never shop at Zara, Mango and H&M as they dont comply with Modern Slavery Act I buy from Reiss as they have a good selection and trendy clothes. However Im not sure about their sustainability. Not much info online how environmentally damaging the company is. But their styles are really good.

I didn’t know that about H&M .

Cos, & Other Stories and Arket!

I am a bit older but shop at Hush, Boden, Uniqlo, Baujken and French Connection mostly

I’m feeling similar but have recently found some new things in Hush, Mint Velvet, Kin (Cos-esque style from John Lewis) and H&M online. Fatface is better than it used to be if you look at their non-patterned stuff - got harem summer trousers in a recent sale which are v similar to ones I have from Hush and some nice knitwear, although the patterns can make or break their pieces.
River Island has some funkier stuff too, takes a bit of hunting. Also recently discovered Nobody’s Child (can get it online via M&S).

Similar age and shop at Other Stories, Arket,
Cos, Monki, H&M, John Lewis and Uniqlo.
I get outfit inspiration from Instagram and Pinterest.

I'm your age and shop in H&M, arket, uniqlo, cos, monki, hush.

I’m 40 and shop at ASOS, H&M and Zara. I also like to rummage in vintage shops. I’ll get bits from Collectif in the sale, Primark and Topshop.
My clothes budget is tiny but clothes are also what make me happy.

I'm 41 so a couple of years older than you, but feel similarly. I've mainly been relying on H&M, Oasis and Warehouse. Seeing as a few people have mentioned them on this thread, can anyone tell me what the deal is with Oasis and Warehouse?! - as far as I was aware they have permanently closed, and certainly the shops near me (south London) have vanished, but as people are still mentioning them maybe I've missed something... I've been mourning them for months!

I also like Mango for some things, never really shop in Zara though I'm not sure why - possibly I have an impression of the clothes as a bit "floaty" which isn't really me, but maybe I should revisit it. In the past year I've been trying to branch out to online stuff more as well - I really like loads of stuff on Wolf & Badger but it is largely quite pricey.

I've been mourning Oasis for years! They had gorgeous stuff late 90s but had gone down so much in recent years.