Over 45's, cheaper clothes help please

verynewmoneysaver

I'm over 50 and size 16 and find it quite hard to dress well now, especially with dressess as a lot of them are very clingy. I like the longer tunic tops with straight jeans as they hide a multiple of sins. I like M&S too, especially portfollio and per una. I am often quite lucky in their sales. Per Una have some lovely unclingy dresses at the moment if you are going anywhere special. Also will try that outlet shop as I'm not far from there.

lessonlearned

Hi Dawning

Great thread - have been lurking for a few days. Some good advice here. I too am trying to defrump. Have tried to buy some clothes but hate just about everything in the shops at the moment. They are either too frumpy or just plain trashy. The main problem (apart from the crude workmanship) is the awful fabrics they use.

I have wondered about online but I do like to feel the fabric first. I looked at ASOS recently but wasn't terribly impressed to be honest.

Good hunting - I shall watch with interest. I really must buy some clothes soon but I'm loathe to part with money for something I don't even like. I'm going to try and hang on till the summer and hope the shops improve a bit.

lizzie_dripping

I'm not quite over 45 but am a size 18 and shop mainly in Wallis, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams (particularly Mantaray). I'm not so keen on M&S. Sainsburys also do really nice good quality clothes.

You can get some good deals from these stores, Wallis regularly have 20% discount vouchers on offer.

If you are struggling on how to put things together then have a look on the websites of some of the main High Street stores. They will have a section where they put pictures of the collections together with bags, shoes etc. to give you ideas. Quite often I've not been struck by a picture of an individual item on a website but really liked it when I've seen it put with another item. And bought it

SnowBelle_2

Hi Dawning,
I'm 5'4 size 18 and 43!I was having the same quandary as you used to wear Petite 16's then got a bit too much padding on to fit into them.
Primark is useless for me except for accessories, most of their jeans seem to be low waist which for me causes more of a victoria sandwich than a muffin top!
M&S T shirts always seem to be to short as I have a long body and short legs.
I have not bought clothes for a long while but on the weekend I bought some great dark blue stretch size 18 jeans from Peacocks for £10 they were skinny leg, but fit just like the straight leg ones do and they fit at the waist.
If you don't tumble dry stretch jeans they keep their stretch longer.
Peacocks also have nice Boyfriend Cardis and longer tops.
Even if you think Next are expensive think again, I have just bought a lovely tunic top from there, in the New spring collection for £16.. some of their stuff is really good value and saves on the false economy of buying a couple of cheaper items,their prices are very comparable with Dorothy Perks now and they also don't seem to be under the impression that if you are above a size 12 Polyester is the only way forward...Take Note.. New Look Inspire!
I seem to stick to casual tidy clothes as I don't need to dress up for work.
Whereas my friends seem to float around in maxi dresses and long skirts I look like I have raided the dressing up box!I don't seem to do flowing!
Good luck,
XSnowX

lessonlearned

Hi Dawning

Just to let you know there's a 20% discount voucher for Debenhams - got mine from the Daily Mail but you can download it. Might be worth a look.

Mingle

I'm a young un' (20) and my mother is a similar age to you.

My top tip for any age is to buy a few nice cardigans/jumpers but in a range of nice bright colours. These can be worn with anything- jeans, black trousers, shirts, vest tops, I even wear them with summer dresses. These add a nice foundation to the outfit as you would never feel overdone, but I always feel that they make people look polished. It also makes accessorising a heck of a lot easier as you have one bright colour in the outfit, which means there is less to go wrong ( or, if you're daring- makes it easier to create a statement clash!)

My mother recently bought this, it's so nice on and very flattering:

http://www.wallis.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33058&storeId=12557&productId=2040724&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=209293&parent_categoryId=209166&sort_field=Relevance&pageSize=200

lilac_lady

The Maine range at Debenhams is good for casual clothes that aren't old fashioned. I've never found anything in Primark that looks good, except for their children's range.

maman

maman wrote: »

There is a section in Matalan called Be Beau which has some quite nice things but you need to shop around and try things on! Lovely idea for a thread btw. Thanks.

Not good form to quote myself but I realised that it was 'Et Vous' I meant in Matalan. I knew it was something French:p That being said, I was in there today and saw a very nice sort of paisley, jersey tunic/dress that I might treat myself to in the Be Beau range.

ERICS_MUM

chocomonsta wrote: »

Hi

I have recently been buying online from Yours clothing, their clothes seem true to size and each garment has reviews from ladies who have already bought it.

They seem to do lots of sales and their clothing is at very reasonable prices. I am a size 18 too:(
The only downside is you do have to pay postage for returns, but as yet I have not returned anything.

x

I do the same, and also they have a good range of wider fitting shoes in quite fashionable styles.

I'm 55 and I tend to dress in plain colours and add a splash of colour, pattern and texture with chunky fashion jewellery, scarves, handbags and nail polish. I've never really got on with patterned clothes but I'm trying to avoid the "all black" wardrobe habit !

Also don't underestimate the benefits of getting a really good hair cut and colour and making the most of subtle but effective make up.