Upgrading the basics - Quality Meets Price Point

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I’m after upgrading some basics I wear often, a navy blazer, black & brown leather ballet pumps, smart casual shirts, wardrobe staples. But I’m struggling to find anything, based on reviews and fabric composition where the quality appears to be worth the price.

I did order some Cos ballet flats, which I liked but annoyingly the 5 was too small and the 6 too big but for £110 a pair I was happy with the quality.

I don’t mind paying for quality, I’m talking mid range, a couple of hundred for a blazer for example, I’m not high end but I am 49 and want to buy good cuts in nice fabrics. I’m not paying for a viscose blazer! I’m a size 16/18 so that can be an issue for some stores as well.

If anyone has any recommendations I’d love to hear them.

I think … you might be better off browsing the sites of fashionable shops and choosing new staples from what they’re currently selling, rather than prescribing what you want in abstract.

My feeling is that basing a wardrobe around a navy blazer in middle age could lead to a person looking a tad boring and uncontemporary. Particularly if it’s a thing you wear often - now might be a good moment to re-consider and try something different.

Anyhow - I’m aware that’s not what you asked!

Have you looked at Collagerie? Curated selection of some of the best stuff at every price - finding some new brands might inspire you to new wants.

Thanks @CountryCousin I haven’t heard of Collagerie, I’ll take a look today.

Over the years I’ve grown to know what suits me and what I like. I like classic pieces, blazers, bretons, a striped shirt for example in certain cuts & colours. They suit me and I can dress up &
down for work and leisure. I’ll then add more contemporary shoes/trainers, bags ect. It works for me and it’s what I feel most myself in.

i know what you mean I keep looking at the petit bateau white T shirt but it’s £35 and never discounted.

It's hard finding decent cuts in good fabric and paying more doesn't guarantee that you'll get quality fabric. Even upper high street brands such as &Other Stories, Maje, Sandro and The Kooples have started increasing the amount of polyester and viscose in clothing that was previously wool or cotton. I always check the fabric composition label before buying.

Some of the following brands have interesting ideas but I'm not sure of the fabric composition

Massimo Dutti
Maison 123 - French - Sezane alike style
Uniqlo - particularly the Uniqlo C range has been quite good.
Cos - used to be better but still good for t-shirts
Woolrich
Weekend Max Mara - cheaper diffusion line
Circolo 1901 - Italian - does really nice but not cheap blazers

Some of these brands will be available on reselling sites such as Net-a-Porter or Yoox.

Just buy it once and enjoy it!

@TheLongRider thanks for that, I get a few bits at Cos and Uniqlo.

I have a few bits from Sezane but think they can be style over substance at times. Maison 123 looks similar as you say but a bit cheaper, I may be a bit too large for them though. It’s the same with Massimo Dutti, I have some nice shoes from there but that’s it!

I have spent a bit of time looking at the MaxMara weekend collection recently and I do like some of their bits. I’ve literally just purchased a navy jacket from there on the Fenwick website £540 reduced to £162 so I hope I love it!

Circolo 1901 is new to me so I’m going to have browse on there later.

Have you had a look at Jigsaw?

I have, on first glance they look like they have some nice bits. When I look at the composition though most things seem to be polyester and/or viscose.

I just checked and Maison 123 goes up to a UK 18.

Walker Slater? Fairly classic jackets/blazers in, from what I've seen, 100% tweed, lambswool or linen. I imagine they'll have more linen ones in stock shortly.
They're more like £300-400 but if that's above budget, they still have a few left in their sales at under £200.
I've never bought from them but I've see a couple and they look well made.
https://www.walkerslater.com/women/jackets

Also House of Bruar - it took me a long time to get past some of their styling but they stock a huge range and a lot of it's natural fabric.

Edited to add that I could open the Walker Slater sales page on my phone but not on my laptop so I'm not sure what's going on there!

Margaret Howell on ebay is worth a look.

Ah thank you I must have looked at one item that was out of stock in larger sizes.

Have you used them, their reviews on Trustpilot are not very good.

Never heard of these, will take a look. Thanks

Never heard of this one either, will take a look. Thanks

You have the same tastes as me style wise... Can't wait for spring and navy blazer time.
Saving these sites to my shopping favourites for when I have some money.
No recommendations sorry as I'm way too cheapo... Vinted and Primark probably not going to cut it.

If you can afford it go for it, I find a good quality white T-shirt is a game changer. Cos do some good ones as does the M&S autograph range.

Glad to hear I’m not alone! I’ve had some great bargains from Vinted in the past including blazers!

OP - I just noticed your username, if there's any chance you're based in Belfast have you had a look in Envoy of Belfast . They stock some unusual but pricey items.

I’m not I’m afraid, it’s actually a quote from Line of Duty! I’ll have a look though, thank you.

I thought it might just be the quote but it was worth a shot!

I haven't bought anything from Maison 123 but I'm based in the EU so some of the issues won't arise.