blouses/shirts/tops for work?

pavlovs_dog

i'm trying to put my 'school uniform' together ready for september but am having real difficulties finding decent but reasonably priced tops.

i refuse to spend more than £20 on a top because they inevitably don't seem to last more than a year if i'm lucky (board pen gets everywhere and is a !!!!!! to get out) :eek:

my normal staples (asda/tesco/h&m/primark/dotty p's/next sale) have all had slim pickings up to now.

i live just outside Cardiff so most major chains are on the doorstop. can anyone recommend sources of hardwearing, budget friendly tops for my working wardrobe?

iceicebaby

Matalan is the only other place I would suggest other than the ones you have already said!

the one in LLantrisant is quite good.

I'm near Cardiif too!

Mayflower10cat

I've recently discovered 'Peacocks' as a cheapo shop with well made clothes, generously sized. I also really like M&Co for tailored, not too pricey, well made clothing. (They've a sale on right now!) Sainsbury's Tu range I buy a lot from. We haven't an M&S for miles but last year I bought a few decent pices online, quite inexpensively.

anna_grant

It depends on your age but I wear Bon Marche tops/blouses (usually bought when they have a sale). They're part of the same group as Peacock but cater for 40+. However, my BF is 9 months older than me - she shops at Peacoks; I shop at Bon Marche.

pavlovs_dog

anna_grant wrote: »

It depends on your age but I wear Bon Marche tops/blouses (usually bought when they have a sale). They're part of the same group as Peacock but cater for 40+. However, my BF is 9 months older than me - she shops at Peacoks; I shop at Bon Marche.

i'll be 25 in September. always feel a bit young whenever i shop in bon marche

pavlovs_dog

thanks to everyone for their suggestions.

OH has just announced that he's going to see the a team with the boys tomorrow so i may well hit the shops

Valentina2

Hi,
I usually buy work clothes from H&M. They normally have some really nice semi- fitted blouses in slightly stretchy cotton mix that are quite feminine and they do a good range of sizes. Their pencil skirts usually good too and look smart for work and the prices are very reasonable.

pavlovs_dog

Hi Valentina

I have got some nice bits from h&m, there just doesn't seem to be as much choice as they've offered in previous years

anna_grant

pavlovs_dog wrote: »

i'll be 25 in September. always feel a bit young whenever i shop in bon marche

Bonmarch!'s website does say:

Bonmarch! is UK's largest value retailer selling affordable quality womenswear in a wide range of sizes (12-24) to women over 45 years.

So you are 20 years outside of their target audience

Whereas, I am two years inside their target.

Have you thought of BHS - used to be a bit matronly; now a little better. This is quite a nice one for £17.60 (20% off):

http://www.bhs.co.uk/mall/productpage.cfm/bhsstore/860695/220629

Free delivery for over £30.

Holly25

Argos additions catalogue (which is the same as littlewoods and very but cheaper) often have some good staples in their 'South range' - lots of tops and jumpers around the £10 mark (some are on 3 for the price of 2). There are often money off codes for new/exisiting customers too.

jumpers/knitwear...
http://www.additionsdirect.co.uk/women/south/knitwear/e/b/1699,4294958773/s/price,1.end?trail=1589-1699-4294958773

piratefairy

I find tops a really difficult thing to shop for. I can't seem to ever feel comfortable in trousers, so don't wear them/ I tend to either go for dresses, or for a more worky look, pinafore style dresses (I don't tend to have a dress code at my office, so am quite lucky in that respect).
I like skirts, esp. tulip styled, but can't ever seem to find anything to go with them which I feel happy in.
How "dressed up" can you feasibly go? Could you do away with the searhc for matching items and go with dresses?