Please tell me where to buy nice, not too expensive clothes - I’m mid 40’s & desperate!

[Littlemiss74]

I have been going through all my clothes as soon to return to the office. Haven’t worn any work clothes for over a year. I now look at them and they seem old, dated & ill fitting. In fact they are all too tight due to my lockdown over indulgences & laziness!
But the clothes themselves just seem horrible to me now. They look cheap and old and out
of shape. I literally just want to get rid of the lot & start again but I don’t know what to buy or where from. I just have no clue.
Favourite shops used to be Oasis, Warehouse & Topshop.

I can’t afford to spend loads but I am now thinking I’d rather spend more on quality and have less.
Has anyone felt the same & where & what do you buy now? Maybe it’s my age, having a bit of a confidence crisis - 45, size 12+, 5’4” and pear shaped although becoming more apple as waist is going! Help please

I’m a pear-shaped size 10, and a smidge taller, but I find Cos trousers are an excellent fit for me, and wear really well - they are more expensive than the shops you have listed, but I find bottom clothes harder to buy and would rather spend more. Likewise jeans I tend to spend on. (Whites/Levi’s are my preference.)

For knitwear I like Arket and Other Stories, but things like t-shirts, summer skirts/dresses I buy more cheaply.

I think you really need to work out what style direction you want to go in. I love Arket, Cos, & Other Stories too but you might not like them.

One thought I have is that as you get older chose better quality and more substantial fabrics, preferably more natural... but they don't necessarily cost more. H&M for instance have a premium range that has silk, thicker cottons etc.

This was a fab thread by a mumsnetter who completely overhauled their wardrobe in a very clever way:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/3797652-thanks-to-s-b-i-m-finally-winning-in-the-pursuit-of-elegance

Thank you both, I’ll have a read of that thread

I'm the same height and shape as you but firmly a 14.

I have used the John Lewis app to save things in the hope they will come into the sale. Some success! Next have some nice wide leg trousers and l've used ebay to buy some nice second hand bits. I've kept it simple - plain not patterned, tops l can tuck in to show off my slim waist etc. Look at the fabric type, look and feel to keep it expensive looking.