Affordable fashion in your 40s

[CornishGem1975]

I'd like to try and be a bit more 'put together' this year and also just liven up my wardrobe a bit, however, the budget is limited.

Where do you shop for affordable bits? I'm not just talking about things like jeans, or plain staples but nice dresses, skirts, tops etc things that are fun and vibrant.

Any hidden gems? Good websites?

What type of prices do you mean? What budget for a dress?

Watching with interest. Affordable lower priced stuff is usually aimed at the much younger market...

I keep going on about Mango (on here), its the only decent Western type shop in the country I live in, I'm early 40s, and I like colours, patterns and prints and find Mango fits the bill for me. I've recently purchased quite a haul during the black Friday sales and 2 of the dresses look amazing on me. Some things can be polyester heavy (one of the dresses is) but imo it's decent polyester not really cheap and shiny. I think Mango are aimed at 30s to 40s age, the models on the app are certainly a mix of ages, non are super young. I'm not sure of uk prices but my dresses were £40 and £62 before the discount. There jeans are good too and they have plenty of plan cotton tshirts. The sizing is good too. I'm a 14 to 16 and usually take a XL in dresses and a L in tshirts as I prefer them fitted.

*their jeans.

@BusterGonad

What type of prices do you mean? What budget for a dress?

I suppose up to about £40 for a dress.

@Comedycook

Watching with interest. Affordable lower priced stuff is usually aimed at the much younger market...

Yes, that's what I find too.

@BusterGonad

I keep going on about Mango (on here), its the only decent Western type shop in the country I live in, I'm early 40s, and I like colours, patterns and prints and find Mango fits the bill for me. I've recently purchased quite a haul during the black Friday sales and 2 of the dresses look amazing on me. Some things can be polyester heavy (one of the dresses is) but imo it's decent polyester not really cheap and shiny. I think Mango are aimed at 30s to 40s age, the models on the app are certainly a mix of ages, non are super young. I'm not sure of uk prices but my dresses were £40 and £62 before the discount. There jeans are good too and they have plenty of plan cotton tshirts. The sizing is good too. I'm a 14 to 16 and usually take a XL in dresses and a L in tshirts as I prefer them fitted.

Thanks - will take a look at their website. We used to have a store years ago but it closed down.

Agree with above, love Mango and all good quality

Completely agree with @BusterGonad about Mango. I recently ordered a coat from them and it’s lovely. Not cheap as in Primark cheap but definitely affordable.

I also like some things from H&M (usually the more expensive bits), Zara basics, Uniqlo for slacks and merino / cashmere, from Next I like Esprit, Only and Vero Moda.
I also like charity shops.

I w bought a few things from Dorothy Perkins recently. Had a few compliments on dresses etc I’ve bought.

On Facebook, there are selling pages for Hush, Mint Velvet, and Boden. I've bought a few second-hand items and sold a few 🙂

@BusterGonad

I keep going on about Mango (on here), its the only decent Western type shop in the country I live in, I'm early 40s, and I like colours, patterns and prints and find Mango fits the bill for me. I've recently purchased quite a haul during the black Friday sales and 2 of the dresses look amazing on me. Some things can be polyester heavy (one of the dresses is) but imo it's decent polyester not really cheap and shiny. I think Mango are aimed at 30s to 40s age, the models on the app are certainly a mix of ages, non are super young. I'm not sure of uk prices but my dresses were £40 and £62 before the discount. There jeans are good too and they have plenty of plan cotton tshirts. The sizing is good too. I'm a 14 to 16 and usually take a XL in dresses and a L in tshirts as I prefer them fitted.

Mango in the UK is more 'trendy' than Mango in some other countries. I like Mango where I live, but not in the UK. I do go to shops aimed at younger women - I'm just careful about what I buy there. I shop at Zara, sometimes H&M and used to like Warehouse and Oasis. At Uniqlo I'll get thermals and socks, but I don't think their outerwear is nice.

@BrieAndChilli

I w bought a few things from Dorothy Perkins recently. Had a few compliments on dresses etc I’ve bought.

I have a friend who likes Dorothy Perkins, she always looks lovely. I've heard a lot on here about M&S jeans being brilliant and at really good prices too.

Isn't that funny about Mango, where I am I find Zara really difficult, I've bought a few dresses etc and always take them back as they just don't look right. 50% of my Mango purchases were actually via the app, the products are shipped from Spain. They took ages to arrive but the dresses were so worth the wait. I loved Oasis a few years ago. Such pretty stuff but it got very pricey towards the end.

Zara IME is nice if you’re 5”9 and 50 kgs max. And if you like cropped stuff.
I only buy basics and blazers there. Oh and their tunics during summer.

Vinted

Loads of higher end high street clothes like Whistles, Reiss, Mint Velvet, Hobbs etc for bargain prices

For me - just turned 50 last year it was a mixture of:-

Zara, H&M and also sample sales.

If you hunt various parts of Arket, Cos etc then you'll get affordable. & Other Stories used to be affordable but now isn't so much.

As @Gwenhwyfar says I used to like Warehouse and Oasis too.

Next Directory can have some gems and Sosander too but both those can err on the 'glam' side - well for me anyway.

Boutiques locally to where I am - sometimes they have cheaper bits like Pieces and Only which are trendy.

I always associated Mango with poor quality and so stopped shipping there for years. However, I popped in recently and was really impressed - they’ve upped their game. I’m off Zara unless for jeans.

I love knitwear from Other Stories. I keep my eye on stuff I like, and wait for them to be rescued, which they always do. Picked up £65-85 cardis for 25-35. Gorgeous colours, designs and quality. Arket has some gorgeous stuff too.

Had my eye on a gorgeous Ganni coat, and picked it up much much cheaper on eBay. I bought a Chanel vintage blazer on eBay for 135 (genuine). You can pick up amazing stuff there.

TK Maxx - you need time and patience but there are hidden gems if you go to a good store (eg High St Ken on is great for designer stuff).

Browse Monki every now and then - they occasionally have great wearable and affordable dresses, blouses/shirts and jeans

Some Monki clothes are quite out there, and keep an eye on fabrics if you have any preference for natural/non-natural fibres. But it is most certainly worth a browse, my favourite jeans are from Monki and several of my summer dresses. I'm mid-40s 🙂

I second Monki. Some of it’s a bit young but there’s decent stuff in amongst it.

Some Marks and Spencer Collection is good.

I tend to browse the outlets on eBay for things that are heavily discounted. Places like River Island, Seasalt and Joules all have outlets where you can pick stuff up much cheaper. You also find a lot of items from places like M&S or Dorothy Perkins on there for a lot cheaper than RRP.

I’ve had some good stuff from Tu

I buy a lot from H and M. I also love Uniqlo and am currently living in one of their knitted dresses. I want to love Zara again but really struggle to find things that flatter, I live in hope each time I go in! I buy a few bits from the Cos sale and I do like their quality. I also do a next clearance trawl every so often and do pick up some basics.

eBay! I get pretty much everything except underwear and shoes there now. Expensive brands for peanuts. Almost always barely worn.

I bought a Jacques Vert evening dress for £5 recently. I buy a lot of Phase Eight/Hobbs/Jigsaw type stuff.