Cool brands in your mid thirties? Everything is too plain or 'old' for me

[Nottodaysausage]

Please help 😊I'm trying to dress a bit more stylishly and confidently, and to stop myself fading into the background like I have been.

I had a really rough two years with bereavements and a breakup, and just ended up wearing cosy jumpers and leggings as a bit of a comfort blanket. I've lost confidence in where to shop or what is 'right' for my age.

I love the quality of cos & other stories etc but I'm a bit uninspired by plain, block colours, loose fitting etc.

I'm short and small boned I'd like to wear clothes to show my waist.
Any interesting, fun brands to recommend please?

Thank you 😊

Sezane, but v spendy.
Esprit potentially
Mint Velvet?
I personally think M&S have upped their game quite a lot

I’m 44 and have mostly shopped at H and M and charity shops over the last decade. They do a premium range which is really good and always bring out a good selection of linen tops in the summer and proper wool jumpers in the winter.

Bits and bobs from Mango or Monki maybe.

Everywhere else seems either cheap and nasty or oddly patterned and not my cup of tea.

Manners London

Excellent quality and really lovely pieces. Hard to explain to have a look. Especially on their Instagram for ‘normal people wearing the clothes.

Blimey who recommended Manners London for someone who's short and small boned! PR post fail😀

@Puppylucky ummm me?? Who is short (5’1) and size 8…

she wants to show her waisted. All my manners stuff is fitted and shows your shape.

@Puppylucky just realised you think I’m a PR person ! 🤣

I rate Zara for a good all rounder of decent clothes,

Massimo Dutti, Mint Velvet, FatFace, Whistles

Fat face

Free People - especially for showing off a small waist

Fat Face ? 😳

Fat Face is a weird one. The dresses are really good for work, the plain t shirts are excellent. The bags are nice quality and plain.

The rest is a no.

Joanie? If you want something a bit more quirky.

Louche of London clothes are always really flattering. Sizing is small.

This! Maybe if you want to dress like a tragic middle aged person. The only thing I buy from there is pyjamas.

Free people is a good shout, love their clothes but a lot don't suit people that need a bra. I have to be quite picky cos of that.

Zara or Massimo Dutti if you're feeling a bit more grown up.

I am a tragic middle aged person, and I wouldn’t say Fat Face was cool

Nice cardis, leather bags and flip flops but that’s it

I don't like Fat Face but I fucking abhor casual ageism.

This

Monki for funky print dresses

I surprisingly get some good things from Tu
Sainsburys - regularly check in the 'new clothing' section as good items sell out quick

I used to like fatface slim jeans, but they changed the style and now they're no good. Their leather stuff - bags and boots - are good, as are their waxed jackets if you don't have a Barbour budget.

I get quite a lot of stuff from Mint Velvet nowadays, and do find M&S worth a mooch periodically. Having said that I mostly WFH and spend a lot of time in Sainsburys joggers and harem pants. Oh, I like Saint and Sofia t-shirts too.

I like fat face 🤷🏻‍♀️

I think it partly depends where you live.

I'm short but a bit bigger boned than you 😬
Zara are great for shorties, ditto M&S, they've improved loads recently. I get some nice going out stuff from Mint Velvet.
If you are on Insta then look at some of the independent boutiques on there e.g TAE or bricks & stitches for knitwear and things that are a bit different.

Wolf & Badger - sells lots of different smaller brands.
Emily & Fin
Hush

I like Manners London stuff too. How is that controversial? They do perfectly nice, fitted, unfussy dresses and tops.

Reformation do nice stuff too. Also Reiss for good quality basics.

I like &otherstories and I like to show off my waist. I think you need to just do a bit of hunting. Reiss have some nice knitted dresses at the moment in the sale that are flattering. Sezanne, lots on eBay if you are a size 8/10.