21 Places To Shop When You Feel Too Old For Topshop

I don't know 'bout you, but I'm not feeling 22.

ASOS

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One of the top 5 most glorious things ever to grace the interweb, ASOS is THE one stop online shop for everything from workwear to wedding wear, with literally hundreds of options for each. They have lots of drop dead gorgeous stylists that you can follow on Instagram for inspiration, and if there's a problem with anything, their super polite and efficient HereToHelp team will usually tweet you back within the hour. Basically, *praise hands emoji*.

Zara

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Buying a handbag from Zara is the perfect way to feel like you've brought something designer for less than £100. It's like Topshop's chicer, less neon-and-slogan-loving big sister, with lots of quality fabrics and investment pieces that don't tend to fall apart within 5 days of purchase. Go during sale season for even better bargains.

Monki

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Is there any other heaven where you can find oversized sweatshirts so comfy you could sleep in them, AND striped shirt dresses worthy of Alexa Chung simultaneously? Spoiler alert: no, which is why Monki is so great. You'll pretty much never have to spend more than £40 for an outfit, and the sizes are v.generous and flattering, meaning more options for girls with curves too. I'm not even 100% sure what 'on fleek' means, but whatever, I'm pretty sure Monki is it.

TKMaxx

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When you first walk through the doors, TKMaxx often appears to be the kind of manic jumble sale you've spent the last 25 years+ avoiding - but therein lies the game. Take a friend, a bottle of water and your sharpest elbows, and be prepared to dedicate a good hour or so to finding your golden needle in the unruly haystack. Trust us, it's there - from expensive dresses to cute pyjamas - and sometimes, just sometimes, you can find & Other Stories shoes for under a tenner. Speaking of...

& Other Stories

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Part of the H&M group, & Other Stories only launched in 2013, but it's won the hearts of fashionistas in the UK and last year, it even opened its first American store. Head here for high-end basics, cute accessories and shoes galore - okay, so their pieces might not be the cheapest option, but you'll find yourself reaching for them again and again.

H&M

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Let's not forget & Other Stories' older and frankly, far cheaper high-street counterpart. The key to success in any H&M is a finding a branch that isn't 85% Divided slogan tees, because underneath them all, the basics, dresses and accessories are pretty great. Bonus points if you manage to grab one of their amazing designer collabs (in the past they've worked with Isabel Marant, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney and Karl Lagerfeld. You know, nbd).

Mango

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This Barcelona-borne brand has above average collections for surprisingly average prices - think well cut jackets for around £50 and more summer-ready dresses than you can shake the proverbial stick at, with shoes and bags to match them all. A special shout out also goes to their Violeta range, plus size clothes that go up to a size 22 in the same cool-casual style.

Louche

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A label mostly sold through those Joy stores that sell naff blow-up girlfriends, but don't let that put you off - Louche's range of clothes is actually pretty lovely, especially if you're a skirts-and-dresses kinda gal. Expect prints, Peter Pan collars and nicely cut brights, and far more flattering shapes than the likes of Toppers have ever even smelled in their design room, for prices that honestly aren't that different.

J. Crew

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What's that sound? Oh that's right, it's your bank account crying, because you've discovered J-Crew and you love all of it, but can't even afford one of their uber-chic silk camis. This store is not for the faint of heart (read: poor of wallet), but if you can get past the price tag, you can buy a crisp collared shirt and look like Jenna Lyons every time you wear it, which is surely everyone's ultimate goal.

River Island

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As a former employee, I can tell you that although a lot of RI stuff would be awesome if it hadn't gone through an explosion in a rhinestone factory, one thing they do really well is denim, and lots of it, for about £30-£40. There's a good range of colours, cuts and leg lengths, and they take far longer to rub through at the thigh than other high street brands. They also do nice, non-blingy coats and shirts, and a surprising range of trend-led pieces. Worth a look, if you look past the diamante.

Warehouse

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If smart-casual was personified in a store, it'd be Warehouse. There's one on pretty much every hometown high street, but too often, we pass them by, without clocking the well-cut tops, dresses and jeans with the ability to take you straight from desk to dancing without looking out of place at either. They also have some cute stuff for your holiday/festival wardrobe, and day bags that won't break the bank.

Uniqlo

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More than just their (amazingly good value) basics, you can pull together a work-worthy trouser and top combo from Uniqlo and still have change from £100. For gymgoers, they carry a notable range of activewear, and for those who hate burning money on heating in the winter, they have Heattech, a range with specific air-pockets designed to keep you toasty even in your single-glazed, poorly-radiatored shared house.

Urban Outfitters

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Some of UO IS the same itsy bitsy, midriff-baring you're not likely to pick up without the influence of several tequilas, but beneath the hipster exterior are heaps of wearable dresses, knitwear, shirts and shoes, with regular sales that usually scratch around 50% off their prices. Don't forget to pay a trip to the jewellery stand before you head to the till - they have loads of cheap but chic options that will style up even the most boring of t-shirts and tea dresses.

Primark

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Primark is one of those rare places that unites us all, because even pre-payday, everyone can afford a wardrobe pick-me-up from here. Stock rotates crazy quickly, so look to store windows and fashion bloggers for the best pieces, and snap them up before they sell out. The only thing Primarni is missing is the capacity for online shopping, which, after a brief trial with ASOS last year, seems to have been given up on. The eventual day we can click and collect our £3.99 tees will be one of the absolute best.

Anthropologie

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Oh hey there, inner boho goddess! If you're the kind of lady who lusts after Anthropologie homeware, you'll totally lust after their clothing range too - their pieces allow you to channel your floaty-dress wearing hippie self, but only if that floaty-dress wearer is secretly raking in the dollar, because it's no secret that Anthro is expensive as hell. However, if you've just got a payrise, bonus or lottery win, you should definitely head here and treat yo' self to a maxi skirt of dreams.

Whistles

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You know those super-chic women you see gliding (no, not walking, genuinely GLIDING) along the street in impossibly high heels, without a sleek hair out of place? Well, they probably buy all of those perfectly draped dresses from Whistles, the unofficial home of effortless elegance, and that's why they look so amazing. Buying one of their pricey outfits might not transform you straight into one of them, but if it's a special occasion you're shopping for, you can join their team for the day.

Cos

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When they're not spending their life's fortune in Whistles, those gorgeously groomed women are most likely dropping even more cash in Cos. Clean lines, great colours, and enough ruffle and pleat detailing to keep it from becoming boring - it's enough tempt any woman to get a few staples and apologise to her overdraft afterwards.

New Look

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The clothes in New Look are good for affordable, on-trend bits and bobs, but if you're not convinced by them alone, I've got two words for you, and those words are SHOE HALL. New Look's range of pumps and peeptoes starts at about £7.99, and mostly stops at £24.99, with almost every style and colour you could imagine, in leather to patent and everything in between. If you're stuck for shoes of any discernable shape or style, head to New Look with £30 in your pocket, and you'll almost certainly come away happy.

BOB by Dawn O'Porter

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Love the idea of vintage, but not the idea that someone might have died in your new favourite dress? BOB is the place for you, especially if you've got a bit of budget to play with. Writer and TV presenter (and now designer) Dawn pieces together iconic looks in a range of sizes and fabrics to suit the modern buyer, and the result is accessible quirky cool. If you only buy one thing, make it the Jane skirt, a gorgeous letter print midi with quotes from classic books.

Beyond Retro

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Alternatively, if you genuinely don't mind your vintage smelling authentically musty (or don't have the cash for reinventions), you can easily while away several afternoons in one of Beyond Retro's four UK stores, or on their website. Their staff hand pick the best old-school cool to save you the hassle of rummaging, and showcase everything from vintage pumps to restored wedding dresses.

Topshop

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Yes, half the tops looks like they've been sawn in half (the most used in-store phrase must be 'where's the rest of it!?) and if you're anything like me you're never getting your arse in that button up skirt. HOWEVER. You should never write off a shop based on one bad visit, and although you might feel too old, you absolutely definitely are NOT. Try their (free) personal shopping service, or take your most critical friend, and head to the dressing room with an armful of stuff you'd never dream of trying on normally. Chances are you'll fall in love with them, and Topshop, all over again, and what a good lookin' affair it'll be.