I'd like to invest in quality clothes

[zebedeehadapoint]

But I don't know where to start?

I'm looking for clothes that are simple and clean lines but good quality. Bit like a good quality Uniqlo I suppose.

Any recommendation?

Also, where do I start for good quality shoes?

Oh well, I'm never going to be stylish

Are you a different poster to the other ‘investing in good quality clothes’ thread, @zebedeehadapoint? Would be a waste of time for posters to respond to both!

If not - I can think of several good quality Uniqlo brands, but it depends on your budget and lifestyle-appropriate requirements.

Are you looking for ethically produced, hard wearing leisure / casual clothes at high street prices?

Community Clothing

might be ideal. If you want a contemporary, minimalist, ‘professional’ wardrobe have a look at:

Cos
Massimo Dutti
Studio Nicholson
Toteme
Co Collections
MaxMara

according to your budget. If you have more flexibility and don’t need to look ‘corporate’

The Frankie Shop
Loulou Studio
Margaret Howell
Sofie D’Hoore
Lemaire
Teurn Studios
Rendez-vous Store
Bite Studios

all offer wonderul, individual style - depending on your tastes and preferences. Some are the stuff of dreams, others more workaday and practical. Obviously no one is limited to buying at full price online or in stores. Sales, outlet stores (like The Outnet) and pre-owned sites mean you can access excellent quality at whatever price you want to pay.

(Apologies if this is too long and too much. Not bothering with the ‘investment’ aspect - clothes are for wearing now.)

You need to work out the style and budget that works for you. And in the future, you can keep to a few, quality brands that fit you style.

I think it’s best to do this in person, not online. If you are in the UK, I’d suggest a day on Regent Street (maybe a bit of Bond Street) and then Marylebone High Street (lunch at John Lewis in the middle!) looking in those shops, trying things on and feeling fabrics. Much better to avoid the ‘that’ll do’ online shopping issue.

I can suggest shops I like, but they might not be your style at all. The point of those streets is that they have lots of classic, quality brands in close proximity.

Then at the beginning of each season (two or four, up to you.) taking your healthy budget to the shops you loved and buying coordinated separates or outfits. Go on a quiet day (Tuesdays is good) and the staff will probably be charming and helpful. They can suggest items once they know your style.

I agree with ignoring ‘investment’ items. Get things you love now, and you’ll probably still love them in ten years.

Throwing some more names out there for you:
Baukjen
TOAST
Plumo (retailer of a mix of brands)

Thank you so much for the replies, much appreciated. Didn't know there was another thread!

I've lost a lot of weight and now toned from my fitness routine so I want to start looking a bit better and more quality!

So have you seen any brands you like the look of, @zebedeehadapoint?

Mint velvet?

Stoned& Waisted.
Lovely linen/ cotton pieces.😀

I shop mostly there already. Didn't think it was defined as quality but pleased if it is!

Yes but the prices are eye watering compared to what I'm used to.

I'm trying to figure out how to buy a 'capsule wardrobe' of quality basics and what budget that would be.

So two coats, two tops, two jumpers, skirt, two trousers, three pairs shoes, two handbags. Comes in about 4K easy with the prices listed so I need to get it right. I can then add to it.

I would suggest not buying everything all at once, or you’ll look eternally 2024. Do it gradually as you find and fall in love with things - don’t buy anything just because it’s useful.

Also, you haven’t given any context for your style upgrade plans. New job / friends / country / relationship or break up? Beyond personal satisfaction what lifestyle do you need your new clothes for?

@AndYesTheWeeDonkeys

It's a combination of factors. Weight loss, got some extra money, awareness that I'm living in gym gear. Just want to look smarter but also more polished/finished. I do wear some Mint Velvet clothing and was thinking of building that up but not sure that's the quality I need.

I don't think Mint Velvet is always great quality, have you thought about Reiss and Whistles?

I think the better process would be find clothes you like -> find out what others think of the quality online

That way it ticks all the boxes (i.e. you dont have to wear stuff you dont love just to tick the 'quality' box)

Whilst lots of the brands mentioned are great - I'd pay attention to the clothes labels themselves, I personally wouldn't want to be paying the premium prices for poor composition! Make sure to check what they're made of and I find that helps me buy clothes that last (and are appropriate - e.g polyester jumpers aren't going to last well or work in bad weather!) and that's half the battle.

Some of the cheaper clothes shops (H&M etc) can have fantastic linen pieces that last forever, so for me it's what they're made of rather than where they're from.

Sezanne has great knitwear. It’s all online unless you are in London but returns are easy. There are some great Facebook groups where you can see how things look on the woman who buy from them- not models.
White company has some nice things.
And Other stories are good for trousers and jeans.
I also like whistles.
I shop at Mint Velvet sometimes too but it’s all been a bit frilly recently and their knitwear seems to be mostly synthetic

I'd spend on

Blazer
Bag
Shoes
Sunglasses
Cashmere
Trousers

High st
T shirts
Belts
Shirts
Trainers

Brands...Joseph, Reiss, Gucci (I love bags, sunglasses ), Valentino (shoes)

I'd disagree with Whistles being good quality. It's mostly polyester and badly made. Their denim is good. Reiss is generally overpriced and has a lot of polyester. Sezane knitwear is disappointing.

On the high street, COS, Arket, and Muji are generally worth buying. John Smedley in the sale is good for knitwear.

Some great brands mentioned here. But there’s no substitutes for a proper expedition to find the shops that work for you.

And while I do shop online, I much prefer shopping in the real world. It’s so important to be able to feel the fabric and try the things on. And much easier to put outfits together in a shop.

Last tip, be brave and visit shops you would not usually visit. I was shopping in Paris with my daughter, sister and nieces last week, who are all much cooler than me. We went into The Kooples as DN fancied a tiny leather skirt they had. Anyway, I saw an amazing silk blouse. And the staff could not have been more helpful in selecting items to go with it, so I found a new outfit, which I’ve linked to. I’m a Kooples convert now, although might leave the tiny leather things to the younger generation! https://www.thekooples.com/gb/en_GB/p/ecru-silk-shirt-FCCL28008KECR01.html
https://www.thekooples.com/gb/en_GB/p/green-suit-trousers-FPAN28047KKAK13.html

If you've got a bit of money to throw at this then I would use some of it getting personal stylist help as well as the new wardrobe, this will help you long term too then.

You can find them on Instagram/google, or you could try the John Lewis in store stylist?

That’s a great idea. My friend does this job, having worked in the fashion industry for years. She sorts out your wardrobe, identifies gaps and helps you to find items.

I’ve been ‘done’ twice now and it has been really helpful (and fun). A good stylist would know brands inside out.

It’s so important to be able to feel the fabric and try the things on.

Don’t know about you, but I’ve been shopping for myself in physical shops for more than 50 years now (since around my tenth birthday) so there isn’t a single fabric I haven’t felt already. And these days it should be possible to discern the quality of a fabric from a decent photograph or video. As for trying things on, even half a century of experience can’t entirely wipe out the odd online mistake, but they’re quite rare for me, maybe once or twice a year at most. And if you’re in London (I’m not) and / or spending a lot of money, online stores are falling over themselves to offer all sorts of concierge services that make trying on and returning even easier. Obviously it’s a lovely experience to spend an hour in a huge, luxurious dressing room in the environs of Mayfair or Belgravia, or to visit some tiny atelier to have something custom made, but I’m not sure I’ll feel the need to squeeze myself into a tiny cubicle behind a curtain in a UK shopping mall ever again.

Have you thought about working backwards and instead of choosing brands fondling a look you really like and then sourcing the components? I found that I was looking for a generous cashmere jumper to pull together a couple of Brora skirts I have had for a while, I found a men’s M&S one that does the job really well. You don’t need all the components to be high end brands. ME+EM can be very good but the trousers of the green suit one politician recently wore were very badly cut. One suggestion I have heard before is to google the name of someone whose look you admire adding “street style” for inspiration.

Investment dressing means just that; buy now, things of excellent quality and fabric, wear them for years and years. It doesn't mean don't wear them and keep them for the future.
Mid range labels are now very poor quality, OP, and Mint Velvet may as well be George at Asda.
MaxMara, Ralph Lauren, Lanvin, Scottish cashmere, and lots of second hand. Natural fabrics. Check the seams; that will show you whether well made or not.

It doesn't mean don't wear them and keep them for the future.

Perhaps you’ve misunderstood me or perhaps my shorthand comment was too short! No one imagines the OP would be buying but not wearing. My point was that in discussions on ‘investment’ dressing people are often hoping that if they, for example, buy an expensive jacket today, they’ll never need to buy another one. But obviously an item of clothing only has value, in terms of wearing, if it accords vaguely with current styles and fashions. (Assuming one prefers mainstream dressing.) So the ‘classic navy blazer’ so beloved of S&B may be a complete waste of money if it leaves one looking dowdy and out of fashion, no matter how much you’ve paid.

That’s what I meant.