Where do you 40 something's get your clothes from? Female!!

Greenst

Ok so I have got to that age where I just can't find anything to wear!!

I am too old for Top Shop and New Look, I don't like Monsoon, Wallis, most of M&S, they all seem too frumpy John Lewis is too expensive, and frumpy.

I recently found White Stuff and Fat Face, more relaxed styles but very expensive. I hate the jumble sale of Primark and whenever I have bought anything there they just look like rags on me, I never find anything I like in Gap it's all and it all seems overpriced for what it is. Ditto the supermarkets Tesco, Sainsburys and Asda I just never see anything I like or it looks like tat!

I used to get a lot from Next but have received the new catalogue and there's nothing in there that appeals!

Am I just being fussy? Everywhere is either frumpy, very expensive or for teenagers and 20 somethings who are a size 10 max, where do size 16, 40 year olds get their clothes?

I work in an office but it's very relaxed so I tend to wear jeans all the time so I am reallly looking for smart casual clothing rather than dresses, suits or going out wear.

Haven't tried any of the catalogues like La Redoute, Isme etc are these worth trying? I always seem to order from catalogues then send it all back!!

Please help!!

milliemonster

Well I guess it depends on your style, I am 39 and I've always been a Next girl really but I will tend to scour the shops for things that suit my figure and things that I like, I buy from H&M, River Island, Warehouse, Wallis sometimes (but a bit frumpy for me), I'll get tops and jeans from select and new look sometimes and occasionally stuff from primark, I find M&S too old, don't go in for catalogues at all as I find them overpriced. I think a lot of the shops you mention that you feel are too young for you aren't necessarily, yes they cater for young trendy throwaway fashion but they also have staples aswell.

I tend to live in skinny jeans and tops (or skinny trousers), I'm not into patterns and like quite plain stuff really, I'm a size 12 now but I used to be a 16-18 and lived in Next stuff when I was that size.

I would go to the shop rather than the directory as sometimes they have a lot more choice in the shop and some stuff that isn't in the directory

Big_Hairy_Spider

OH just bought a dress from isme - half price at £30. She's xx years old (daren't say), very select in what she buys and she looked really nice in it. There was another dress she wanted for Christmas from isme and that looked good too.

Suffice to say she wasn't wearing it for long . . . .

Nicki

I'm 43 and a SAHM but prefer more of a smart casual look to a dragged through a hedge backwards one (don't always achieve that though!)

I like Debenhams and most of the outlets there. For smarter stuff I like Reiss but the sizes come up small. Im a size 10 but need a 12 and sometimes a 14 there. I've never been a huge Monsoon fan but the new collection they have in at the moment is completely different to their normal range so might be worth a look to see if you like it? I don't like M and S much, but occasionally get given gift vouchers from family who love it, and can sometimes find nice tops or jackets in the per una range.

I do sometimes try TK MAXX for more expensive labels at more sensible prices and have got some nice stuff there at times, though it's hit and miss.

gunsandbanjos

My mums a little older than you but reasonably stylish, she is a 16 too. She wears some M&S, Boden, Planet, Precis Petit, Phase 8, John Lewis.

Tiddlywinks

I buy Planet, Precis and Wallis mainly for work - if you register on their sites then you get offers sent through every now and again for 20% off online deals.

I do feel that you get what you pay for and I am happy to pay more for a classic suit / skirt / dress for work but for casual wear I get stuff from Asda, Wallis (again) and M&S. Asda's stuff is cheap and up to the minute so I love that but stick to M&S for jumpers and cardies etc as you need to know they'll last.

xxxdarlingxxx

Boden is always lovely, some good deals in the sale as well

xDx

geri1965_2

I buy practically all my clothes from Debenhams - almost the only exceptions are my underwear and shoes!

I'm 46 and size 16 btw.

glowgirl_2

H&M (my fav atm), ASOS, Boohoo, Missguided, local markets for one off original pieces and designer bargains, occasionally charity shops but they are pretty bad in my area, I have picked up a few bits in Oasis and River Island and the odd bargain from Primark.

I would never buy my clothes from Wallis, M&S, Debenhams, Monsoon or any formal/casual type shops or sites aimed at middle aged women, I dont like the clothes (frumpy) and think that they are overpriced. Also I'm not keen on supermarket clothes although I have bought a few bits from Tesco but I soon dislike them as they dont fit properly and again, give that frumpy feeling.

I'm 43 btw and a size 8/10 depending on where I shop:)

blossomhill_2

• Debenhams own brand great - I stock up on T-shirts in their sales
• Bon Marche - have bought one thing each new season that I like, and they restock often so worth a look (although recent change of ownership may change things) - most ranges are dire but look out for that one nice thing
• Sainsbury TU - again have bought one thing each new season that I like, that have become my firm favourite items
• Like you I hate M&S - in my case with a vengeance - in fact my family have a code for anyone who is a bit nuts - we say "wears Per Una" - it seems to say "I'm a bit mad, me!"
• Asda for the odd thing

Philippa36

I'm 41, a size 14 and I wear clothes from:
TK Maxx - yes, you have to visit frequently and search through the racks but they have fantastic bargains
New Look - there is plenty for you, don't go for the too short dresses/skirts or badly fitting trousers but they have great day to day t-shirts, vest tops, cardigans. I have a couple of blouses from there too that I wear all the time.
Next
Debenhams - very occasionally they have something I like. Some people don't seem to shop anywhere else but I find them overpriced for uninspired work wear.
John Lewis - lovely but pricey, check out the sales
Matalan - their tea dresses are a much better length and perfect with tights and boots
Primark - they have some gems but you have to get through the badly made cheap tat!
Dorothy Perkins, Fat Face, Great Plains, White Stuff, Joules, Wallis - all worth a look and don't forget Ebay!
Can't believe I forgot H&M!

Mix and match cheap with expensive, you do need to shop around and spend time searching but there is plenty out there. Most of the above stores are desperate for your business and have regular sales or codes available.