I'm older, wiser and have a bit of cash but feel a bit lost with clothes- would love your advice and ideas

[Saucisses]

I still love looking at clothes and dressing nicely, but I feel like I have lost my way a little bit. In my 20s and 30s I very much had my own style, Neat but feminine shapes, printed fabrics, classic English, maybe a little bit rural.

Over the last few years I have struggled to find clothes that both changes in fashion but also the type of clothes I feel are more 'me' now.

The clothes I see so many women of my age in, either leisure wear or floral mid length dresses with puffs and pleats are just not me at all. Nor is the edgy, leather jacket and band t-shirt look that lots of friends look good in.

I'm hoping that some stylish folk might be able to give me a few more ideas or a lead on where to look for clothes. I have enough money for upper end High Street, like Poetry or Hobbs. I rarely go shopping so don't know what brands are out there now.

The things I know I do love are lightweight loose knits, a less fitted but more tailored style, natural and plain fabrics, deep but not bright colours, cashmere, leather and dresses that have shape to them. I am a size 12, 5 foot four with brown hair and blue eyes. I am a doctor, and wear my 'home clothes' to work.

Any ideas welcomed!

I wonder if you would like Melissa Murrell, she’s a personal stylist on instagram, she posts daily and give lots of tips and outfit ideas that sound like the sort of thing you’re after.

(Just for clarification - what do you mean about wearing your home clothes to work? Given the number of infections, wounds and diseases a GP or consultant comes into contact with, I can’t imagine one choosing to also wear their work clothes at home for leisure or for socialising?)

Because you mentioned previously having a rural style my mind went to Toast and Plumo.

Quite right. At the risk of totally outing myself. I'm a highly specialist psychiatrist in a non-hospital setting, and also at a university. Given I have young children, there's more gore at home than at work!

Have a look at COS; some of my favourite stuff has come from there. They do have some very loose shapes so not everything will be what you're after - I am a similar height, size 10, and can feel rather drowned in their less structured garments, however I have a couple of tulip shape dresses, a fabulous navy knitted skirt, and some fine knitwear that I just love.

White Company is also well worth a look. Simple shapes and neutral or dark colours mostly.

Thanks so much. There are some shops here I know but don't ever look in. We have a Toast and big White Company store in town so might start there.

I like the ideas of looking at some insta/ blogger ideas, and can do that on my commute.

Sezane

I relate to this a bit in terms of being a bit lost with current trends. Trousers are too long, shapes too baggy, I’m swamped under it all and doesn’t make me feel attractive. Maybe it’s my age now (late forties) but for the first time I’m looking at stuff (eg the latest Me+Em catalogue) and can’t even see how objectively it looks nice.

I’d maybe look at House of Bruar, which people might say is a bit old fashioned (and not cheap) but I quite like its heritage, horsey vibe (despite rarely going anywhere near the countryside) and your mention of English and rural made me think of them.

There are other places, online, that do that kind of look too, it’s classic, timeless, expensive looking. Clarkes Country is one but there are loads.

Some bits of Seasalt or Joules might suit. Some of it is a bit twee imo but they have some occasional gems and fit well, good quality.

Ok! Didn’t want to recommend ‘nice’ things that might be ruined.

The style you’ve described sounds like the ‘grown up urban professional’ look I’m familiar with seeing in London particularly (more so than in other cities) worn by people who enjoy clothes and don’t have to look ‘corporate’. It’s generally more expensive than the High Street, but it’s possible to build this type of wardrobe almost entirely from the sales, spending little more than Hobbs prices.

Obviously I may be completely wrong but you could (in addition to Cos) have a look at:

Studio Nicholson
Teurn Studios
Rohe
Margaret Howell
Loulou Studio
Massimo Dutti (High St prices, good separates, stupid sleeveless frocks.)
Toogood
Plumo
Lemaire

Multi brand shops like

Mouki Mou
Rendez-vous

might also be of interest.

Obviously some of these may be purely for inspiration - to get an idea of contemporary colours, cuts and proportions - but it’s worth ‘getting your eye in’ and checking out designers you like quite regularly to build an idea of what you find desirable and workable. I don’t really shop in physical stores so can’t easily suggest those that might successfully replicate this look at a lower price point. Apart from Uniqlo - if you don’t mind compromises.

I feel like there are quite a few brands who fit this criteria but they’re not necessarily on every high street so you might need to try online. I’m not sure a person who likes Hobbs and Poetry would necessarily like Cos…. Maybe I’m wrong. If you like the White Company you might like Rise & Fall who have a small selection of clothes. I have just bought the silk trousers and 2 t shirts for a holiday and was pretty impressed with the quality. They reminded me a little bit of Jigsaw who I used to shop with years ago - they might be worth a look now. While I was away I went into Massimo Dutti ( primarily to prove to my friend that they weren’t expensive) and ended up buying 2 things even though I usually find the staff obnoxious and avoid it.( they were lovely and it was cheaper ) I’m hoping one day to buy something from Melene Birger but I think my life might be becoming more casual so maybe not. Other options might be Soeur, J Crew, Aligne & Banana Republic

I'm similar to you. Since finding Toast and similar I no longer have a distinction between home and work wear. It's all comfortable and professional.

Thanks so much.

You all seem to know of brands I've never heard of and I'm looking forward to browsing.

I loved Cos for a while, especially their knits but spent an hour in there in the summer and sadly found nothing. Maybe winter will be better.

I am looking forward to giving Toast a try. I already swear by their pyjamas but maybe need to branch out a bit into day their day clothes.

Me+Em is more expensive than Hobbs etc. (but better quality IME). They put together ‘edits’ which you could replicate and generally their collections are oriented around a couple of colours (new ones each month or so). If you scroll down the menu you’ll see the most recent collections or edits. Might give you some inspiration! www.meandem.com/

I've just order a shit load few bits from Sezane based on what people on here have said about it on various threads - excited for it all turning up!

@Starlight1979 Pleaee report back about your Sezane order. I was in Marylebone on Saturday and the clothes in the win tie looked lovely but there was a queue to get in! They are clearly having a moment.

Oh really?! Wow it must be good 😍Either that or a case of the Emperor's New Clothes 😂

I have spent about £600 on 5 items (😐) so I doubt I'll be keeping them all but looking forward to trying them on and seeing whether they are as good quality as they look....

As well as everything above, take a look at Arket - similar-ish to COS but its starting principles are more Scandi than Japanese.

Beware beware, Sezane is not good quality.

It's known as "H&M smoking a cigarette"

I would look at Comptoir des Cotonniers, lovely prints often and trousers as well. I have stuff from there I have had a long time that still gets worn regularly!

Uniqlo can be surprisingly good at Toast style. Its usually possible to pick up an "architect chic" outfit there as a budget version of Margaret Howell. Some of their designer collabs are good too.

I'm not usually a bi Seasalt fan but have bought 4 items there for the upcoming season - these might fit your vibe https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/folk-song-knitted-midi-dress
https://www.seasaltcornwall.com/copse-laurel-embroidered-cotton-dress

I also like Me & Em for separates although I'm not sure that the drop in quality in the last 2/3 years justifies the price tag anymore.

Have you looked at All Saints? I love their knits, and they usualy have some lovely leather pieces as well.

https://www.allsaints.com/women/knitwear

I'm a similar height to you and getting older as well. I recently got a few different styles of trousers from Poetry that I've been really pleased with. They do a 74cm leg length which works well for me and the fabrics are lovely.

Oh what???

It's not that it's having a moment, it's more that they're an online brand who occasionally open a store in various capital cities for a few weeks. The queues are more about only allowing a certain number inside at a time/capacity. It's all part of the smoke and mirrors some brands use to make them look more sought after and desirable.

As another poster says, quality is not what it once was. Although the brand does have some fans on here, I don't think it's that great, quality especially. Far better out there.

From the description of what you like in the OP I thought you may like Brora?