where do you shop for clothes?

[JessM]

Where do you get clothes for 30-something Mums on the High Street?

Too old and fat for TopShop, H&M, Mango, Zara,... but not in the Evans league just yet.

The likes of Jigsaw are A) too expensive and B) not practical for the life of a mum who has to sit on the floor and deal with the spills of toddlers! No fine-knit fabrics for me! Dry clean only? F Off!!

Gap is OK but a bit limited.

Realised the other day that almost everything I own is White Stuff because they are in East Dulwich but I'm starting to look like a walking advert!

My mum moans that there isn't a retailer that caters for the 60+ age group, I tell her it's the same for me. Where is our equivalent of Mary Portas?!

[Lochie]

I would really recommend going to John Lewis Oxford st or sloane sq. A whole floor of women's clothes, concessions and JL own brand. You will be bound to find something and it's really nice to be able to go into a changing room with lots of brands....no traipsing round different shops. Also the sales staff really helpful so you can ask for help on fit and sizing without being met with a rolling of the eyes from teenage sales staff (a la topshop)!

The other thing I've done recently is go on websites of well made classic brands eg hobbs, whistles, and buy classic pieces in the sale that may not be in season now but will be in 6 months.

I had your problem in the last year and one thing that really helped was to not be influenced by trends but just buy stuff that suits your figure.

Good luck!

[Ruth_Baldock]

Almost everything I own is from Uniqlo/Urban Outfitters/Peacocks. Yes, I know, Peacocks are terminally un-trendy, but I have bought some fabulous stuff from there, which has worn/washed really well. Uniqlo's stuff is just top notch, their jeans are the best fitting I've ever worn!

[oimissus]

yep, I've got far more White Stuff and Sainsbury's clothes than I ever thought I would. I still have a look in Topshop, Dorothy Perkins, when I'm in town. Never been in Peacocks, there's one in Peckham, right? Will have to take a look!

[Gidget]

There is a TKMaxx at New Cross now, in Sainsburys car park.

Look at Gap online sales, they often have good deals on tops, and t-shirts which are basics and classic, like stripey ones. You can sign up for email alerts and they often offer free delivery. Otherwise it is only ?4.

I bought a lot of stuff online from Uniqlo last year for winter. They also do delivery. There is one in Bromley as well.

Have a look at the Lucza website. They have really nice fabrics and often have good deals in their sales. Isabella Oliver have clothes other than maternity wear. They are changing their name to Baukjen.

[CF]

hi

try fenton walsh on bellenden road, peckham

we have lots of lovely mum friendly clothing (ie goes in the washing machine) but also keeping your individual style

we are currently on sale at the moment so lots of bargains to be had

we also have a box of toys for the children to play with while you shop and excellent staff who will advise you or amuse your children,or both!

117 bellenden road

peckham

www.fentonwalsh.com

[bluesuperted]

Uniqlo is amazing, another big thumbs up, just properly discovered it this year and their coloured/black&white trouser/jeans are wonderful plus if you buy in store they alter for free while you wait, fantastic for me as I have short legs. I've also bought their stuff online as now I know my waist size it's easy and I have bought ankle-length trousers that way and they fit my legs perfectly!

I also like Matalan, not at all trendy but very reasonable and their dresses/tops can be teemed with more expensive items. Dorothy Perkins dress selection is also fantastic if you are dress-type of girl, whenever I go in I always see several lovely dresses around the ?35 mark.

[Convex]

I have had some lovely things from Fenton Walsh

Also whistles, I just love them.

[snowboarder]

Hmm it's depressing isn't it. I am too fat for the likes of top shop and uniqlo doesn't seem to work. The White stuff and sainsburys combo is much favoured here...and Fat Face actually is much nicer than white stuff I think. Lots from Gap, have rediscovered Next for some basics recently (summer tops etc), sadly I even get quite a few bits from Marks and Spencer - the Autograph and Limited Collections are ok.

Got a few nice dresses from Pepperberry - on line clothes section of bravissimo.

On line ranges I quite like are Wrap and Poetry.

I find most things can be improved with a nice scarf....

[snowboarder]

Oh and Oliver Bonas sometimes quite successful...and yes John Lewis for choice.

[crystal7]

I love Uniqlo, their jeans fit better than some of my expensive ones plus as mentioned above they take them up for free (though why they do 33inch as standard is a mystery). Plus the heat tech stuff is great, especially the leggings. French Connection and Joules have some nice bits though I only really buy in the sale. John Lewis is a good place to start...

[midivydale]

Another uniqlo fan here. I also bought great linnen trousers from primark that after some alterations looked really nice. Most of my clothes shopping is done online during the sales so gap, massimo dutti, banana republic, reiss and cos all have great sales. I literally shop twice a year winter and summer sale and then some uniqlo in between if i must.

I go to tk maxx as well, some great bargains there

[amydown]

Work stuff: Banana Republic (huge sales), COS, French Connection, Reiss for some classic pieces

Casual stuff: GAP, Uniqlo

Also do a couple of trips a year to Bicester Village when the sale is on.

[QueenBeeStyling]

Hi there,

Don?t worry you are not alone. I work as a personal stylist and find that most women, me included, have to adapt their wardrobe when they have children. We need clothes that can endure mucky hands and make us feel modern but not too trendy. I agree that the high street woefully under provides for anyone over a size 14. This is crazy as the most popular sizes are 14?s and 16?s. In my experience of shopping, and that?s over 20?s years worth, there isn?t a one-stop shop solution.

If you haven?t already done so I would advise investing in some key classic pieces. As a lot of my clients are mums like you I have found the most useful items to be:-

Plain indigo straight leg jeans ? try Levi?s Curve Id. They have different fits depending on how curvy you are. Bit more pricy than Gap or Uniglo but worth it if you struggle with jeans fittings. They have a store on Regent street and concessions in most House of Fraser and John Lewis stores.

Cotton roll hem trousers are very versatile too and come in some great colours. Try John Lewis Weekend Collection and M&S Indigo.

Cotton jersey striped tops are great for adding colour and layering under jackets and cardigans. Very.co.uk has a lovely one in its ?So Fabulous? collection in Navy/white & Cerise which starts form a size 14 and isn?t frumpy.

The other item I swear buy is a casual blazer/ jacket, they look great and can hide a multitude of sins. ?Inspire? at New Look have some great coloured jersey ones. These are very comfortable to wear and what?s more are machine washable and don?t need ironing.

Finally accessories can add life to most outfits. Zara always have a great collection of scarves in fantastic prints and bright colours that won?t break to bank.

I agree with the other posts that Uniglo are excellent for good quality basic tops and knitwear. John Lewis is great for choice and range of sizes. I would consider Zara again for tops and accessories. The trousers and jean fittings tend to be smaller though.

If you would like any more information I?m more than happy to help. You can contact me on:-

sally@queenbeestyling.com

Mobile: 07956 293845

www.queenbeestyling.com

[Sanne Panne]

Esprit is pretty good for what you describe. They have a nice online collection with free returns, it does take a good week to be delivered though. They have a shop on Oxford Street and one on Long Acre (latter very easy to reach by train: you can transfer to Charing Cross from London Bridge every 5 minutes).

I can't stand White Stuff - the colours are so pale and everything is so shapeless after washing it once. Is it me or does everything either pile (anything "wool" like) or turn into a depressing fluffy uniform sheet in the laundry?

[Mrs TP]

Recently I have gone back to River Island, Oasis, Dotty P's for some bits n bobs and been pleasantly surprised.

I did go through a White Stuff phase. Much as their jeans have stood the test of time and wear, the tops have been pretty useless and, as Sanne Panne said, piled and fluffed in the wash if not disintegrated.

After avoiding Top Shop for fear of being too old for the last 15yrs was in the one at Oxford Circus last week with my 10yr old (getting her ears pierced - completely different thread here - chavtastic) and was amazed at how spread out the clothes were, nice bits for oldies and good range of szs - almost seemed pleasant.

[JBoylen]

QueenBeeStyling, that sounds wonderful, I will be in touch soon!

I never have time to shop and I feel like a mismatch of White Stuff/H&M so, very flowy, pillowy and dull.

Great suggestions an all the shops, now if I only had a cooperative toddler and time!

[QueenBeeStyling]

Thanks JBoylen.

I also send out a newsletter about twice a year that includes styling tips and advice as well as discount offers. If you would like to be included on our mailing list please PM me your details.

Please note, it's strictly for Queen Bee Styling use only and will not be passed on to any third parties.

[jennypops]

TK Maxx Lewisham or New Cross definitely worth a visit, I find it best to focus on one thing e.g. shoes or underwear or dresses, so as not to get overwhelmed!

And I agree Peacocks is surprisingly good, every time I go in I come out with a couple of gems - recently these have included a great linen dress and smart work tops. There's a store on Rye Lane and a larger one in Camberwell.

Always worth scouting for more expensive labels you love on Ebay too - you can get some real bargains that way.

[Jessie]

TK Maxx in Brixton is good, too

[Belle]

I'm really getting into massimo dutti at the moment - quite zara ish but maybe a bit less fashiony, quite reasonable. Gap has some nice bits at the moment. I find FCUK so overpriced these days! Boden I only buy in the sale...Sometimes I pick up on brands i like in local boutiques e.g. vila or darling in the likes of Oliver Bonas/ED and track them down online - can get cheaper deals (I do still buy a fair bit at both these shops though). Liking the Bonas own brand 'poem' though not sure whether it'll stand the test of time, washing-wise.. My favourite jeans are Topshop and Gap.

[JessM]

Thanks for all the advice and tips! Now as soon as these pesky summer holidays are over and I get some Time To Myself I will hit the shops reinvigorated!