Ladies of a certain age over here please

[RosaLuxembourg]

Where do you buy your clothes?
I am 44 and I don't know where I am supposed to shop these days. I don't have a huge budget but I think I have outgrown 'disposable fashion'.
I like Boden, Kew, White Stuff, Principles but can't always afford them, apart from sales.
I live in a small town with limited shopping opportunities so need to do mail order mostly.
I think I'm in a style rut, as evidenced by yesterday's panic buy summer clothes thread and I need a bit of shaking up.
There must be more people like me on Mumsnet, how do you all keep from dwindling into dowdy fleece-ridden middle age?

Oh yes, I thought Banana Republic was extraordinary. All that Manhattan cashmere and smart dresses. I didn't buy anything though - I never do.

White Stuff - I've been told. I quite like Jigsaw because it is quite tailored but still groovy enough. M&S depresses me always, but I don't know what to look for.
Hobbs good, but a bit depressing on the wrong day.

Fenn, Wright & Mason are nice you know. As are Phase Eight. Also L.K. Bennett.

But all a bit pricey. Perhaps capsule wardrobe is the way to go? A few expensive things, rather than loads of cheap ones?

i think you might need to get in your car though.

Would never have occurred to me to look at White Stuff, always think they're just for surfies but some of their dresses are quite nice.

Yes, agree, I thought it was going to be like French Connection and a bit 'young' but is suprisingly okay I think.

Haven't bought anything though, have stared. I do a lot of staring, no buying.

I am OACA too and feel the same. Agree, Monsoon (sometimes)Hobbs- but it's mainly smartish, isn't it, and our local Debenhams has a Kaliko which has some nice things, but bit expensive I think.

Used to like Gap till very recently, but now walk in and walk out, it all looks so complicated. Have had the odd thing from Fat Face but live in fear of looking like a wannabe surfer chick....

(Uniqlo great but a bit dull, great for separates as Gap used to be)

i'm 45, i like tk maxx, selfridges, harvey nics and river island for clothes, i LUV aldo and dune for shoes and bags. i also think that WOACA should always be 'groomed' - get your hair done, do your nails and always use make-up what you could get away with at 20 is long gone

'suck it all in knickers' are also a very good invention!

Jesus , thanks for the tips - but I already look 20 years younger than I am and am incredibly thin.

well puppymonkey, am totally , i my even flounce off!!!!

she said while hoicking up her big drawers!

Not far off 44 here. The most worn items I've had lately have been Kew, M&S Limited collection, Joe Brown's jeans, a few bits from Great Plains, and some Monsoon.

Some quite nice stuff here but I think I'll have to wait for the sale.

Wallis, Debenhams own labels, M&S, Next (increasingly less often), and any classier labels in the sales.
Topped up with charity shop and dress agency bargains.
But I really struggle to find clothes that both fit and suit.
I think there's a real gap in the market for the "more mature but not quite ancient yet" woman who doesn't want to pay silly prices.

Zara is good on the high street, but I think it helps to be pretty slim (I'm not, massively - size 12-14 with usual tummy/thigh issues). I do like LK Bennett this season. Lovely dresses, but not cheap.

WWW that Pierce Fionda skirt is right up my long-black-skirts street. What is the sizing like, might I ask?

Funny how the same names keep popping up (ie White Stuff, which I love too).

I am 46 now, goodness ...

I'm not a huge clothes-buyer - once or twice a year I go to John Lewis & just try on masses of things - JL tends to have a good trouser choice. Otherwise - Fenn Wright & Manson; M&S if you avoid prints; Kew; Margaret Howell for special things; Oska; H&M for shirts & things where cheap fabric isn't a problem; Muji. LOTS of things from Muji.

Depends all on one's style though. Mine is, hmmm, superannuated gamine.

Margo, it's the same as Boden sizing afaics. It's VERY flouncy, almost flamenco but very lovely.

Hi again Rosa!
I like White Stuff, Boden, Kew,Fat Face,Great Plains all online.
Some Principles stuff good,partic trousersand got a great chunky necklace in there yeaterday.
Do try Ebay,there is alot of White Stuff/Fat Face/Boden on there.
I do like Monsoon for some things,and got a great pair of linen trousers in New Look for £16,better fit than any more expensive ones imo.(casual though)
I also go to a boutique in a town a few miles away where they do Noa Noa,Nougat, Avoca etc anfd have great sales!

Banana Republic is great quality - I bought a cardi there about 10 years ago (in the US obv). It cost more that I usually would have paid for something like that but I have worn it loads and still wear it and it hasn't faded, etc

Rosa... I am ancient (older than any age that anyone has mentioned on here!) but I do love fashion and looking good and aim to be fashionable but classy (if that's possible)

If you want mail order, try La Redoute. Very reasonably priced and their sizes are true. My tip (if you were planning to order a few things) is to order a top or something in what size you think and if that fits... the rest of the clothes in the catalogue will. I have never ever had to send anything back cos it doesn't fit. Their catalogue is great to thumb through...

Bon Marche? (higher up the thread).

Go the whole hog why don't you and buy yourself a footmuff from the Kleeneze catalogue.

certain age?

I am 45 and wear hennes/Zara/Gap/Nicole Fahri/top shop/ FCUK/ COS/

most can be bought online
I buy and often send back

Margo and WWW, I was looking around TK Maxx today and they had a similar looking skirt to that one, priced up at £80, and TKM price was £20 I think(definitely not more expensive than that)it was in black or navy.
I'm 44 too and despair at clothes shopping, not least because of the prices. TK Maxx is great if you have the time and patience to spend hours going through the bargains. Love Per Una in M&S too. Other than that, it's George in Asda, Primark and Matalan for me...Charity shops are a good place to look too, especially in the ' nicer' area's.

Oh yes helliebean, La Redoute are fab too. Not ordered since maternity clothes - oooh! that's a lie, I got part of my outfit for Dd's Baptism from them too, but I love to look through their catalogue...love their baby clothes too.

Solo... I am a TK Maxx fan too... but you have to be prepared to spend hours there and go regularly. Bought a lovely Charles Trwhitt (sp?) shirt there recently, online price £59, TK Maxx price £12.99 and some Diesel cropped jeans that I love... regular price £89, TK Maxx price £19.99! Oooh, I love a bargain...

Has anyone mentioned Whistles yet? They selling online now if you don't have a branch near you. Their prices are normally around the level of Hobbs or Jigsaw or even a bit higher but they have really good sales with 70-80% off so worth looking out for them. All their stuff is very good quality - dresses are usually good, trousers are often very comfortable, wide legged fit and good knitwear. Most of their stuff is not really high fashion so you can keep it for a few years without looking out of date.

Well, I went from this thread to La Redoute and spent £200, thanks for that whoever mentioned them. Anyone know their returns policy? I'm hoping most of it will be ok but bound to have to send some back. Thank you! I have been trying to get some summer clothes for AGES!