If you’re 48 or thereabouts please tell me where you buy your clothes?

[Littlemiss74]

After another failed shopping trip I’m wondering where do other people in their 40’s shop for clothes & how do you put things together? I feel so stuck. I want to look up to date but not overly trendy. Zara has some nice things but I just don’t feel I could wear alot of them, plus my body shape is not right.
I’m 5’3, size 12, bit of a tummy, not overweight but could definitely look better if I toned up a bit. I need to do some exercise.

On my recent shopping trip so many shops have closed down. We have Primark, Zara, River Island, White Stuff, Fatface, H&M & I couldn’t find anything that looked & fitted me well in any of those. Also I think some of the clothing is alot of money for what it is. I don’t mind paying a bit more for something that looks & feels nice and that will last more than one season.

I just want to look nice but am so tired of wasting hours trawling the shops to come home empty handed.
Please can anyone of a similar age tell me what you do?

I've had a really pleasant surprise on the M&S site. Haven't been there for years but have fancied quite a few things online.

I buy the percentage of my clothes from vinted , next and M&S

I have created a wardrobe that fits my (menopausal) body, makes me feel comfortable but polished. I buy with longevity in mind so I buy less but better.
It's almost a uniform but works for me.
Winter; Navy trousers ( M&S, Arket,Cos, Me Em,Jigsaw) cashmere sweaters ,navy or grey(Uniqlo,Theory,Cos,M&S,J.Crew) navy coat or puffer,cashmere hats,scarves and gloves , trainers (generally Adidas as they fits me better) .
Summer; Linen Shirts (Gap,Muji,Uniqlo,H&M),linen trousers in navy or white (M&S,H&M,Uniqlo,Jigsaw) ,sandals (Ancient Greek or K Jacques). I accessorize with a good watch (men size) and simple jewellery. I don't mind saving up and spending more on handbags as I feel they elevate the look.

Jigsaw and Vivienne Westwood but on Vinted or Vestiaire

Over the winter, I’ve bought from:

Dresses- Palava, Collectif, Hush
Wide leg jeans- Boden ( a rare occurrence nowadays)
Skirt- Collectif
Sweaters- 2 x John Lewis cashmere, one Hush linen. Blue Next cotton cardigan.
Jumpsuit- Yumi from John Lewis
Coats- smart wool coat from Hobbs, dog walking coat from Fat Face
Trainers- New Balance kids size

I never bother to visit clothes shops nowadays. Although if I’m passing, enjoy a browse and often come out with something. My Collectif haul was from Camden Market when I took DD for a mooch. I mostly order familiar brands from John Lewis. I’m probably the reason they are still (just) afloat!

Thanks for this thread. I'm the same age and shopping has become such a drag I've just given up. But it recently hit me I have literally no non-jeans winter trousers (I can dress very casually for work). Am inspired to have a look in M&S now after despairing of it for years, and it's the only one of the shops that have been mentioned within about 20 miles of me.

To be fair to Boden, I had a button through denim midi skirt delivered today and an oversized cotton shirt. They’re both excellent. That’s the first thing I’ve bought from them in ages, though, and I got 20% off for opening a new account.

43
I shop everywhere but the last few places that I bought new from are Allsaints, Whistles, Boden (only for jeans), Cos and Arket.
I buy a lot on Vinted.

Agree with Superdry for winter jumpers. Great quality.

And Other Stories is a good place to go. Think their stuff is often ( but not always!) decent quality for reasonable price.

Also Whistles, All Saints, Zara, Arket

Literally all over the place!

I have a Next account and sometimes get their own stuff or Lipsy or Mint Velvet from there.
M&S
Primarni
Amazon
Asos
Tesco
Tu (sains)
Top Shop
New Look

There is an Italian designer shop online i use when i want to spend a bit more.

... having said all this i'm VERY picky about shape and colour and i know what suits me and i stick to it pretty religiously. Sometimes i could look in all the above shops and only see one or two things i would buy. Other times (usually when i have no money to spend 🙄) i'll have a browse and see loads.

Also - i'm different sizes in all these shops.

I keep seeing this mentioned on here but nothing appeals, lots of lurid colours coming in for summer

White Stuff and Fatface for me.

Mostly 2nd hand off Vinted tbh. However my go-to brands are John Lewis, White Stuff, Fatface, Boden, Hobbs and M&S. I have a figure that works best with classic cuts. Nothing frilly with odd hemlines, necklines etc. Tend to use accessories to add flair to an outfit. Have a ton of scarves, statement necklaces etc. Often more adventurous with shoes - red biker boots, colourful patent Mary-James etc. (Boots tend to be Fly London.)

Now they are so expensive, I've cut down a lot but recently,

Brands section of clearance pages on Next website

Sainsbury, quality seems as good as high St

Moda in pelle for shoes ( sales only)

M and S for basics... bras, leggings etc

And treated myself to a spring coat from hobbs although not warm enough to wear yet

I would shop online rather than trawling around the stores looking for inspiration. Gives you the time and space to search out what you actually want. I get a lot from H&M, for example. I find their actual stores a bit jumble sale, but with the online shop you can search 'linen' or whatever and pick out nice quality pieces. I also find ASOS pretty good - they have a huge range of stuff and again you can filter out/filter down to exactly what you want. It's not all aimed at teenagers!

Thank you for all the suggestions, been at work so will sit down tonight & have a good read through them all

Next, M&Co, New Look, Phase Eight and East (sale items!)

I agree it's about first thinking about lifestyle needs and what sort of materials you prefer, your budget and then selecting a few shops which work for you. I like soft materials such as viscose and bamboo. I look online and use Thought Clothing, John Lewis, Hush and some Fatface stuff. I do watch and wait for sales so the downside is a lot of time and effort looking online and sometimes returning items.

I don't find much in the shops so now I shop mostly online. Delivery is often free if spending over a certain amount and saves car parking/bus fare. But I do miss shopping, how it used to be.

Cos, Zara, M&S

Jigsaw

I buy a lot from Hush, Me & Em and whistles. I buy a bit from H&M, Zara and Cos.

Rarely peruse M&S, but I bought the most fabulous orange dress in there last summer.

All my dresses are from EBay (mainly Lindy Bob)

I'd add Sweaty Betty to this list - their (non gym wear) trousers and sweatshirts / sweatpants are really lovely quality and very well cut.

Another M&S fan here. Nearly everything I've bought in the last year has come from there. They have really upped their game over the last couple of years. Also Vinted, Next and Fat Face.

Asos, John Lewis, Arket, Hush, H&M, Whistles. Sometimes Zara (but guessing the right sizing is an issue), M&S, Free people, Everlane. Used to buy Reiss but quality has gone down.