Seriously, where are all the mid-range clothes at?

[Raisedbed]

Looking to boost my autumn/winter wardrobe a bit with some smart casual knitwear. Need natural fibres, so high % of wool and cotton. No acrylic SHEIN shite, and no £300 Jigsaw jumpers either.

Does what I'm looking for exist for around £50-£60 an item? I'd like it to last, and have found some nice bits in & Other Stories and French Connection before, but they're a bit bland and colourless I find. I love bright block colours and classic slim fit stuff, so find the trendier shops pretty hopeless.

I got a few today from Zara.

I’ve never heard of these brands. Are they just online or do you find them in stores?

It's all about knowing what suits you and your lifestyle. H&M is one of my favourites plus Uniqlo but I will buy from Primark, Tik Tok too. My favourite place at the moment is Vinted. PS I am 69 and love my clothes

Uniqlo.

I bought a couple of sweaters from them recently, and they're lovely quality - even after washing.

Lucy and Yak knitwear may not be smart enough for you but it’s bright, in your price range and I think usually 100% cotton

White Company?
Also like Fatface

I have a few merino wool jumpers from M&S, really comfortable and wash well. I think they were about £35

I end up looking at all sorts of places to seek out the natural fibre gems. There isn’t anywhere I can go and know I’ll find something. Unfortunately places like New Look and Mango are moving more and more to acrylic and polyester so they can keep the prices low. I think Uniqlo probably fits your knitwear requirements. They do merino wool in a range of colours, I suppose more on the muted side but occasionally something brighter.

Have you tried mountain warehouse or trespass? They sell some really nice winter/autumn tops and jumpers plus they normally have a sale so reasonably priced. I would also recommend Joe browns, superdry, fat face and cotton traders

I'd look on Vinted.

If you’re very picky at seasalt you can find the odd gem even if you don’t like their head to toe style. I’ve had a couple of lovely cotton jumpers from them recently. white stuff same.

Uniqlo I don’t like their online ordering/returns so I only buy in store, but they do some decent natural fibre items.

I am only looking for 100% cotton thought because I’m very allergic to wool and I detest synthetics so even harder to find decent quality knitwear!

Omnes
Neon Marle
Passenger
kite
Lindex
Babaa
sezane
free people

may not be your style or your price range, but worth a look and then have a look on vinted. scandi brands often use a lot of natural fibres

I second TU. They're my go to for work staples that i don't want to spend ££ on. I found some great cotton pieces in summer, & pure wool jumpers last year. Their denim jumpsuit is never off my body at the moment- layering with long sleeved tops presently, & will continue with a roll neck soon.

Was also going to say Oliver Bonas for colour- what do you mean they're too 'on the nose ' for your style? I bought a denim top & coral jumper in Summer & have worn them loads - so versatile.

M&S have hit it out the park this year so far. I was in recently & there was loads i was coveting.

Reiss for me but I appreciate it’s on the pricier side. I recently bought some wool and alpaca blend jumpers, I’m trying to avoid acrylic or other plastic shite clothes, they last a few washes at best then look tatty.

Bought 2 nice jumpers from Mango at the weekend. And will be buying some merino wool jumpers at Uniqlo when I'm next in town.

@Raisedbed I completely empathise with this. I don’t want cheap polyester that doesn’t even look good but I also can’t justify spending £250 on a jumper that is likely to look bobbly within 6 months.

I like the idea of mid priced brands like Seasalt but unfortunately I just don’t really like their styles and patterns, even though I am probably within their target age group!

Unfortunately many of my go to brands of the past are increasingly trying to cut costs by using cheap fabrics.

i am now buying some basics from Uniqlo and M&S, lots on Vinted and occasional splurge - e.g. recently I bought a coat from Sezane.

My DD1 is in her 30s. For basics M&S is excellent. Cashmere and merino wool pieces especially.
There’s also &OtherStories, Mango and Zara. Mango do excellent work trousers. For work DD has jackets/dress combinations from L K Bennett. However, she needs to look smart and they do perfect “uniform” clothes for her job.

Agree. M&S is brilliant recently.

Edinburgh Woolen Mill? There’s a few nice jumpers (admittedly rather a lot that aren’t).

Anthropologie? Then M&S for their good solid basics. I like Bellerose for slightly more pricey but gorgeous pieces.

Following as in need of a wardrobe overhaul…. I quite like Uniqlo

I have nothing to add except from feeling your pain! I remember when I used to buy my entire wardrobe from topshop and now I get stuff from all over, whatever grabs me really- Zara, Tu, Uniqlo, Reiss, H&M

To be fair to them, I had a jumper where the neck was so tight I could barely get it over my head. They said to dispose of the jumper and gave me an immediate refund.

A lot of the brands mentioned are increasingly terrible quality. Anthropology is a good example - 10 years ago they had some good clothes - wool fabrics etc. now it’s fill of: polyester trousers, lots of fake leather, acrylic knitwear. And all quite expensive.