Sea Salt

[Restorer]

I stumbled across this brand in John Lewis, had never heard of them before. There were I few things I liked a lot, but quite expensive IMO.

Is the price because of the organic thing, or does it also reflect decent quality?

[Beamur]

I've got a few Sea Salt things, they do wash and wear well. I'm wearing a blue long sleeved top by them today in fact

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

I love Sea Salt. Lovely clothes and yes they do last well.

[UtterflyButterfly]

I like them too, and have a few items. I do find their sizing a little odd though - they come up quite big, and the sleeves always seem to be very long (which I like, cos I'm tall!). On the whole I think they're reasonable value for money.

Lots of their stuff is made in China though (it does tell you on the website), which surprised me, as their whole brand image implies it's locally made.

[Ilovemydogandmydoglovesme]

Joules is like that. Their banner proudly proclaims 'From the fields of Great Britain!' or some such nonsense and the labels all clearly say made in China!

[UtterflyButterfly]

Maybe the prices are so high because they send the fabric from the UK all the way to China, and then have the items shipped back again. Not doing much for the UK economy is it! We should set Mary Portas on to them.

[Restorer]

LOL Utterly. I worked within the East London rag trade about 20 years ago - the sweat shop conditions there were utterly appalling and that's when the owners were on their best behaviour because I was visiting!

Thankfully, they've all closed down now, but unfortunately there are very few of us prepared to pay the prices that decent working conditions for factory workers would require (here or abroad) e.g How long does it take to run up a pair of jeans and how much would that cost of the worker was getting minimum wage + paid hols and a pension? Not right, but that's the reason. We can do our bit by not buying very cheap clothes, but we can't really change it unless we start buying bespoke. Even then, where will the fabric be made? UK after all had the very first sweat shops in the mills.

Also, I'm not sure where anyone's producing organic cotton in the UK

Not sure Mary Portas is doing much for the High St either TBH!

Still, glad the clothes are nice, thanks all.