Mid 40s - what do you wear? where do you shop?

[Rebecca75]

I'm in my mid 40s, size 10-12, 5'10. I need a restyle /jazz up my clothes. I've been a skint single parent for YEARS living off ebay. I wear whitestuff/ boden kind of stuff - jeans and tops / shirts. Everything is threadbare and worn.
Now have new man in my life and I actually leave the house and GO OUT... I Need to feel (and look) good.
Inspiration needed - where do you all find inspiration for outfits? I feel like I've been living in the dark ages for years... I want a few cool, functional to cross from day to night outfits. I live quite rurally but do go into town / cities now and again where Rocket dog trainers, skinny jeans and an old top aren't really giving off my 'true image'..
Any help,links much appreciated

Uniqlo, mint velvet, hush, Massimo Dutti, reiss, whistles

You might like Joe Brown's stuff if you're getting bored with Boden / White Stuff. It's a bit more daring if you want to get noticed.

@BookishKitten Zara goes to XXL and I find a few pieces from Live Unlimited quite stylish.

Seasalt has a good range of sizes.

Cos
Arket
&other stories
H&M/monki for cheaper cos knock offs

Oh and uniqlo for basics !

Echo posts on here re TOAST on eBay and my teen DDs have got me onto depop for the occasional thing. Yes to littlespree and wearsmymoney on insta for inspiration.

I also like COS, and other stories. And/Or in JL has a few nice things too.

I've shopped on eBay for so long now that actual prices in the shops seem crazy to me

Just to add OP, I'm not quite as tall as you but I still find most standard trousers and jeans are too short so if you're looking for longer stuff, Gap and Next are good for online tall ranges. Both do nice long jeans.

Uniqlo U is on sale online & in stores today, OP - designer-ish basics at affordable prices. And the trousers are usually longer than its standard range. I'm your height and they work for me. Lots will be sold out in a few hours.

Just discovered Sosandar. Lovely styles, flattering to my peri body and good quality, though a bit pricier than what I normally spend

I've lost a ton of weight myself recently and I'm living on Ebay at the moment. New or practically new stuff at giveaway prices. I set up saved searches for brands I like, sometimes an item I already have in a smaller size. It's amazing how often they come up.

I've bought a few gorgeous dresses recently..Phase Eight..ten pounds each, mint condition. I've also sold a few bits that went from being too small to being too big without me ever actually wearing them.

You need a plan OP. Don’t go spending on random items until you work out what you actually want to wear and work for your lifestyle. A lot of these brands are good like Cos but I’m not sure someone into White Stuff would go for them. If I was starting from scratch I’d go for darkish jeans ( boyfriend from M&S probably or similar from Monki), flat ankle boots - lace up or Chelsea boots ( not too dainty), trainers, tops x 3 - I like mannish shirts but I saw really nice T shirts in Uniqlo ( quite heavy weight), a slouch sweater ( I like men’s cashmere sweaters). A short jacket - eg an olive green “army” jacket or similar and a longer coat - I favour knee length wool coats which I find on eBay ( I have a few). Make it big enough to layer over the short jacket. Add a knitted hat, big scarf, soft crossbody bag. Cords are also big this autumn and I’d like them with a fairisle or Nordic sweater & tan boots. Of course you might like black on black with a huge puffa coat but you need to plan it all out first to save buying random pieces that end up unworn.

www.wearsmymoney.com/shopping/new-season-now-part-1/

I quite like this influencer but she’s trend led - it might give you an idea of a direction though.

Charity shops in posh towns and TKMaxx

47, short, size 18. I am another devotee of COS/ARKET. Also like Kin at JL, Uniqlo for basics, and snaffle up a couple of nice pieces from Toast each season (sometimes in the sale).

I like Essential Antwerp/Me&Em etc, but they're not right for my shape and expensive for what they are (I think).

Shoes, I have Birkenstock Arizonas, Vejas and DMs on rotation depending on season. Occasionally Esska or Chie Mihara for special occasions. I used to like Camper, for comfort.

@SleepOhHowIMissYou

You might like Joe Brown's stuff if you're getting bored with Boden / White Stuff. It's a bit more daring if you want to get noticed.

Thanks - I love the look of their blazers / jackets - some really cool ‘my style’ stuff on their website😊

I was looking at the joe browns 70’s collection few things I’ve got my eye on there….Im 42 & in M&S sainsbury, mint velvet, John Lewis, fatface. Quite boring really