Fashion dilemma

Am just wondering if you are clear about what suits you at the moment, rather than asking for suggestions for shops? I really wasn't so splashed out and had a colour & style consultation with House of Colour (there are others). Although it was expensive, I must have saved the cost many times over due to not buying the wrong clothes. Now, following their guidelines, I know exactly what suits me and what doesn't - even in my 60's (it makes buying online, as well as in shops, much easier).

ickle when you say Prime wardrobe is free, do you have to pay return postage when returning unwanted clothes? I only ship online from stores which offer free returns and I find Seasalt, M&S, White Stuff and even Clarks shoes offer free returns.

Why not have a colour me beautiful consultation about the kind of clothes you would like to wear. Their consultants are up to date in the fashion and trends of today and will point you in the right direction. Had a lovely catalogue ( a French one no longer available in UK)from which I bought clothes for my mother.
www.colourmebeautiful.co.uk/

Just wanted to say thank you for all the ideas! I could have written the post myself! Off to do some online shopping!!

Agree with Pernilla Vaniila - Tu clothes can be wonderful, especially their tunic tops and leggings. SeaSalt also - it's always worth looking in their sale!

I like WhiteStuff and Fatface. Also M&co can have good styles.
My favourite is Masai which you can buy online and in decent quality boutiques. Their clothes are flowing and skim well over bellies. But tend to be a bit pricier than the other shops. They last well though and don’t age. They are very good for tops that skim and flatter.

Tu from Sainsburys - you can buy on line. I have a lot of expensive goodies in my wardrobe but also quite a few Tu bits and pieces. The knitwear is not that good - synthetics that pull easily - but the dresses tops and jeans are excellent.

try PRIME WARDROBE

Try Out New Clothes At Home For Free
a way to shop for clothes online that lets you try them on BEFORE you buy them.

amazon prime wardrobe
I recently tried out Prime Wardrobe for the first time, which is Amazon’s relatively new program for clothes shopping. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but it ended up being a really great experience! And if you’re anything like me when it comes to shopping, I know that the features of Prime Wardrobe will be as appealing to you as they were to me. (Honestly, it’s like the best parts of online shopping and the best parts of in-store shopping combined!)

What Is Prime Wardrobe?
Prime Wardrobe is a relatively new program that is changing the way people shop for clothes on Amazon. With Prime Wardrobe, you start by selecting at least 3 (or up to 8) clothing items that you’d like to try on. Amazon ships them out to you, and once they arrive, you have a 7-day period to decide what you’d like to keep and what you’d like to return.

Ps all above taken from Jillee's blog

Try next. They not only sell their own stuff but others like Seasalt and Joules too - and they have a sale on right now with about 50% off

M&Co are good for reasonable priced casual/smart (not sure if they are only in the north though). I shop online with Joules and Boden but only when I've got a voucher code. Seasalt and White Stuff good too. Seasalt often have a sale section at the back of their stores. Online there is also Adini with Skyla for larger sizes.

Fashions by Ruth Langsford ?is there no limit to this woman's talents?
Visit, online ,the fashion outlets and make notes of what you see , like or dislike as contrary to what someone else may recommend in the end you have to be the one who will be wearing it.
You will make errors but they will be confined to while you are 'trying on' within the store.It helps to take a friend you can trust with their honesty.
I am still wearing items purchased from 'Next' long gone from their stores but with a bit of imagination, adding an item from M&S etc . has given me, 'where did you buy that from ' ? and yes I can tell the difference between a compliment and a .

Thank you all for the suggestions and information. Think I will be fully occupied for a while following up all the recommendations.

I used to buy Eastex clothes but they went into administration.
Have now started buying clothes from White Stuff but only when they have a sale , too expensive for me otherwise

Try Lagenlook (on line) also ASOS is worth a look.

I love Seasalt clothes but they aren't cheap. Good value in their sales. Until my daughter got me into tunics and leggings or skinny jeans it was baggy jeans and baggy jumpers for me and I never liked how I looked. I'm short with a fat tum and bum and legs like sausages, so find tunic shapes infinitely more flattering. I agree with the poster who recommended scarves (was it shysal?) I have loads of them and find they pull together an outfit easily and relatively cheaply. Get into eBay,charity shops and sales and have fun. Experiment with colour too: maybe add a casual pendant or necklace. I don't aim for anything glam ever - not my style - but have finally found my style, thanks to losing some weight and trying different styles. Enjoy the journey!

I use Marisota which is a sub branch of JD Williams. I like Joanna Hope which are usually smart but order a selection as fabrics vary. My daughter often has clothes from there too and she is only 23.

Seasalt have some nice things for everyday, and I like the John Lewis 'Kin' range for smarter occasions. There's also Masai.

QVC are pretty good, have a range of companies and a range of prices and you can get things that you won't see anywhere else. Their 30 day no quibble returns is good.
Bon Marche do have an online website, as do Yours (for size 16 plus)
I have just found the Everything 5 pounds website - overstocks from many brand names or sometimes slight seconds, and have been happy with what I have purchased from there.
Debenhams do a click and collect service, so may be worth looking at their website and you can probably order and collect from your local store.

I also use QVC on TV. Got a lot of stuff. Good service. In most things guess 16 is a large. Can phone or online. Also Bon Marche who you can also phone. Others are Joules, Cotton Traders and Seasalt ( a bit pricey).

I get jeans from JD Williams because they’re inexpensive and have a good stretch so fit my pear shaped ass nicely. For tops I love Edinburgh Woolen Mill and I’ve found a few nice ones in Asda too

Must admit I've gone down the slightly more utilitarian route of late. I buy from Rohan (usually in their sales) its all well made and lasts ages and is especially good for travelling as it all washes and dries so well.

I personally would hestiate to pay £20 for an 'ordinary top. I buy mainly from H&M.
I bought a couple of linen shirts from M&S which are sized too large and had to be returned.
H&M returns are simple. Just take to the PO in the re-sealable bag with enclosed label and refund is back in your bank within 3 days, usually less.
Zara and Mango are fine too. Their blouses are around the £30 mark and trendy but not overtly so. Joules and Seasalt are more country and casual.

Thus far my shirts have lasted ten years. Now I’ve reversed their collars I’m hoping they’ll last another ten.

My courderoy trousers are lasting well too having just replaced a pair that lasted 15 years. Likewise with my 100% caoutchouc soled Mephistos.

Never do I shop for therapy.

I've just found QVC and really like their offerings! There's a 30 day money back guarantee too - even if you've worn it and washed it!!! The prices vary but the clothes I've bought so far have been well made and just as described. The lengths and sizes are included in the product description - and so far for me, have been pretty accurate.

Like others I've also bought from Seasalt. I buy swimsuits from Lands End and pull on trousers from Cotton Traders. There's great choice online.

I recently went to a well known clothes shop and tried on a pair of trousers and a blouse. The trousers were soooo long and the neckline of the blouse was soooo low. A very disappointing experience.

I always feel I look scruffy. One day I saw a woman wearing almost the same outfit as I was, jeans and navy Breton top, but with the addition of a slim scarf. It made all the difference between scruffy and smart. I then proceeded to go on Ebay and bought complementary scarves for my Boden and Joules tops. I start the day wearing them but am often in danger of dangling them in the washing up or meals so they then hang in the hall to put back on if I go out. The little neckerchiefs are the most practical and more chic (not that the word ever applies to me!)
By the way, Joules tops can be found cheaper on Ebay. I like their curved hems at the back, covering a multitude of sins!
I hope you find what you are looking for.