Female 30-somethings - where do you buy clothes?

Pollycat

Gloomendoom wrote: »

So is my wife. I have just had to convert a spare bedroom into walk in wardrobe, shoe store and dressing room. She also has a wardrobe and a chest-of-drawers in our bedroom.

Size 6 clothes can't be that hard to find.

But does she shop in charity shops?

That's what the OP was talking about in the post you quoted.

Gloomendoom

Pollycat wrote: »

But does she shop in charity shops?

That's what the OP was talking about in the post you quoted.

Reading it again I can see what you mean. I thought she was speaking generally.

To answer your question though. No, my wife doesn't often shop in charity shops. Usually in desperation or an imminent fancy dress do. The last time was at Easter when she was looking for a reasonably priced bikini out of season in Bude. As a last resort she tried Cornwall Hospice Care (free plug) and, against all odds, found a perfect size 6 Next bikini in the string style she prefers (more adjustability, apparently). Even better, it was only £3.

Nicki

Hope the bikini was BNWT. Most people wouldn't buy preloved undies or their equivalent

Gloomendoom

Nicki wrote: »

Hope the bikini was BNWT. Most people wouldn't buy preloved undies or their equivalent

This has been mentioned before. For £3 I doubt it was. However, my wife isn't most people but if it hadn't been spotlessly clean, she wouldn't have bought it and I doubt the shop would have offered it for sale.

Mrs_Ryan

Trina90 wrote: »

I'm not in my thirties yet (27 as of tomorrow!) but the same applies to me. I tend to shop in Superdry and Hollister.. which aren't very MSE but they are the only places I find what I like and for my age (though Hollister is probably too young really!). I barely ever buy clothes so I tell myself it's okay that I shop in the too expensive Superdry

I’m 36 and I love Hollister! I have a blue hoodie and a grey one with black sleeves that I absolutely adore and wear loads. I wear the men’s ones though as I don’t fit into the ladies stuff (yet I’m slimming) I love Superdry too- I have a lot of obscenely expensive hoodies from there my favourite is a black and grey zip one. I also have two flowery backpacks from Superdry and some gorgeous glittery bobble hats from there. I’m fortunate that I have access to a fantastic outlet store though. I love Jack Wills as well, and am fortunate to have student discount!

asajj

Nicki wrote: »

Hope the bikini was BNWT. Most people wouldn't buy preloved undies or their equivalent

As far as I'm aware they aren't allowed to sell them preloved anyway.

Pollycat

asajj wrote: »

As far as I'm aware they aren't allowed to sell them preloved anyway.

Sell what?
Bikinis, underwear or both?

Which regulation specifies that?

jenniewb

I can't afford to shop there often (unless a well meaning relative/friend/etc gifts me a voucher) but a few stores I like are Other Stories, Zara, Anthropologie, All Saints, M&S Autograph, Sweaty Betty, Jigsaw, Reiss and Ebay (for obvious reasons!).


I can wear Primark, Gap in the sale and H&M but find things wont last very long before seams seem to wash themselves open, fabric becomes misshapen or holes appear from nowhere. Having said that I still own pyjamas from Primark that are easily nearly 10 years old and they're fine.


If money were no object I'd be buying into the latest trends from everywhere, but money is a very limited object! And I mostly look for classics to keep updated. I do think it pays to get the classics right and then the rest is easier to pull off, in addition, you feel more comfortable, more confident and spend less in the long term.


I like the idea of Uniqlo but they seem to only work for very petite/small people or people who are taller (above 5'5") but with very short arms. I've no idea why they've not fixed this yet but if Uniqlo do fit you I'd look at what they have for basics.
Mango looks as though it would be a good place to shop but always feels so manic and messy that I end up walking out. I don't mind this if I'm in Primark because there is the unsaid understanding that this is the compensation you pay for cheaper items. But when Mango are not so cheap, it just feels like I'm in a store where no one cares and the items are equally not cared for and it puts me off.

OneYorkshireLass

I've also found that certain Primark pieces just keep washing and wearing. I bought a winter coat a few years ago and that's still going, also some dresses too.

I'd forgotten about Mango, I shall take a look there.

catherinekate

I'm 33, fairly slim and tall. I dress in a pretty classic style (pencil dresses, tidy skirts). M&S size 8 is too big for me so even if I wanted to it's not an option! I think we are quite an under-catered market.

I tried Asos and Boohoo, but just ended sending it all back because it didn't fit.

My go-tos are Dorothy Perkins, H&M (they usually have a couple of things that are not too weird and fashionable), New Look (see H&M) and Phase 8 (who have a couple of things that are not too old lady-ish) with a smattering of Primark.

My colleague (late 30s, size 14) swears by Everything £5 and Next, but I find Next just a tiny bit too ageing (and sizes pretty big) at the moment, and not great value for money.

I find Mango sizes come up very small and short.

Good luck!