Retirement

Snowdrop if you live in a relatively affluent area it would be worth your while checking out the charity shops. I bought a fabulous Country Casuals purple jacket for £12 recently I attached an Art Nouveau broach and a stylish purple scarf with shiny purple birds on it, matched with good quality trousers. I met an old friend today who said 'you look so glamorous in your outfit' that made my day.

I also collect statement costume jewellery from the local charity shops too.

This way you can buy twice as much for more than half the price

There are quite a few helpful fashion edit articles and blogs on the Johnie Lewis website...you can do your own style edit,without having to think you have to buy anything. Good for inspiration.

I too am in a similar position, having recently retired due to ill health. I used to buy from Phase Eight, Kaliko, Precis etc. I find it difficult to not to still buy from them, despite the fact that I no longer need to wear business dress. My income has dropped dramatically and I now scour the internet for sales, free delivery etc. However, both the postman and Hermes man give me away when they call out to me as I am walking with my my husband and baby granddaughter: "Will I just put your Boden, Next, Uniqulo etc.. parcel over the gate?" I am going to have to devise a new strategy for hiding my purchases. I also love the M&S outlet for bargains. I recently picked up a £99 per Una coat for £9.

MawBroon I've perfected the technique of sidling upstairs sideways with the latest parcel from Uniqlo or Toast hidden behind my back

Oh retrolady and janeainsworth you have no idea how much better you make me feel!! It is silly, it is my money, and he spends equally readily on books from Amazon or Abebooks etc but I still sneak things in and do that thing of not wearing them right away! I do get caught out when things are delivered by the Hermes courier, but the advent of John Lewis Click and Collect means I can pick up my parcel from Waitrose with the perfect "cover" of food shopping

Thank you for all the advice and suggestions, I hadn't thought about shoes! I'm looking forward to an excuse (if I needed one) for a whole new wardrobe! Love the idea that clothes bought in supermarkets don't count ?. I shall definitely look at Sahara as there's one locally, and I don't know Cos so will have a look there too. Thanks again lovely ladies x

Love the tip about Cos I will explore than immediately.

janeainsworth ... my lips are sealed. Neither do I leave it in the boot of the car till He has gone out.

Do you also do that thing of secreting new stuff in your wardrobe for a few weeks so that when it makes its debut you can say truthfully that you've had it for some time?

If you want to splash out a bit - try Toast and Wrap, good websites.

I live in clothes from Uniqglo, a Japanese company, their jeans, vest, t shirts, tunics, knitwear, down jackets everything. Good quality and price.They often have links with designers to do a range, last year it was Liberty and they have an Ines de la Fressange range at the moment. They have stores in London but a lot of their sales are online. I also like Cos - they are an upmarket version of H and M, they have stores in big cities, and a website.They do lots of oversize jumpers and tunics, high waisted trousers and jeans in muted colours. I still have lots of dresses, jackets etc from workdays which sometimes get an airing, plus I love making my own and vintage dresses. I wouldn't bother with a stylist, just enjoy browsing and trying stuff on to find what suits you.

retrolady and if it's in a supermarket trolley, it doesn't count as 'clothes shopping', does it?

Nice one

I had the same experience a couple of years ago. I kept a couple of pairs of smartish trousers and jackets, 'just in case,' but got rid of a lot of other stuff. It is worth hanging on to a few bits I found, as the volunteering I do which is at a hospital, requires smartish stuff.
I veer between Debenhams, M&S, Fat Face and lately White Stuff, but that's a bit dear for me ... good sales though.
I agree with the Sainsbury's comment, also Asda. As long as you're careful about fabrics, there's some good stuff and if it's in a supermarket trolley, it doesn't count as 'clothes shopping', does it?

I agree with other posters, a good capsule wardrobe from the above makes. Then it's easy to team things with cheaper items that some of the supermarkets do, such as TU from Sainsbugs! A lot of their tops and jumpers are 100% cotton.

Of course, you will now have more time to look at the sales.

I took great delight in dumping my business suits, dresses and jackets in the big textile recycling bin when I retired. I never wanted to see any of them again. It was very cathartic!

Hallo snowdrop I had the same dilemma a few years ago but find myself now in White Stuff, Boden, Monsoon, John Lewis mainly but I do agree good jeans and a nice jacket/blazer will take you to a lot of places.

Ooh where do I start!
Joules, White Stuff, Fatface, Lands End,Wall (pricey) EAST(one of my favourites) Sahara (also pricey, but worth it and there are always sales!)
I know what you mean about the business wear hanging in the wardrobe but smart jeans or cords and a sharp jacket (plus a good scarf!) are a good combination.
Come the summer linen trousers, shirts, oversized and/or asymmetric tops are all possibilities.
You might also find, as I have, that just about ALL my heels languish unworn.