Everything is synthetic and bad quality

[breakabletoy]

Only a slight exaggeration because it certainly seems that way.

Over the past couple of weeks I've had to buy some summer stuff and also a dress to wear to a wedding, so I've been doing more browsing than usual. It's really dire out there.

Everything is horrible sweaty poly/viscose, even all the floaty caftany summery things which look like they should be made from soft cottons and other naturals. Even the higher end shops like Hobbs, Massimo Dutti etc are filled with nasty synthetic blends. And sloppy finishing like wonky seams and buttons held on with a hope and a prayer instead of proper stitching. This crap still isn't cheap though.

I can't be the only one who has noticed how bad clothing has become over the last 10 years, and especially the last 5 years?

[Lottapianos]

I totally agree OP. What is the point of selling clothes for the summer that are made of 100% polyester? Gross! Its becoming almost impossible to find anything made in natural fibres at a reasonable price

Another thing that gets on my nerves is the ridiculous amount of choice in many shops. M&S would be so much better doing a selection of 25 - 30 dresses in different, useful shapes and styles, instead of the millions of mostly horrible options that they do stock. H&M must have about 9 billion different items of clothing in stock and at least 80% are vile. There's far too much choice and it gives me a headache!

[LastSummerWine]

You really need to careful with the online fashions, especially the ones that don't have high street shops. They look great online, but are made with 'fancy dress' shite material. I don't know about Hobbs etc, I certainly rate th m for winter clothing but I never buy expensive dresses in summer, because you can only wear them for so long so what's the point?

[Floisme]

I agree quality has gone badly downhill but it's hardly surprising when we're not paying much more for our clothes than we were 25 years ago.

I think there is still some reasonable stuff out there but it's getting harder and harder to track it down because the amount of crap is increasing at a much faster rate.
I'm managing to find natural fabrics at:
H&M (though much harder than it was a couple of years ago)
Uniqlo (likewise)
Cos
M&S (yes honestly)
People Tree
Toast (but waiting for the sales)

Also Wrap London and Poetry - not my style but they use a lot of natural fabrics

I've been checking out Petit Bateau having seen them mentioned a few times on S&B and they seem to have some decent looking basics in cotton and linen (but eek at the postage charges)

I've also gone back to buying a lot of second hand which is time consuming (and I know that's not something we all have) but can be very rewarding.

[Maudlinmaud]

This is why my hunting ground is tk maxx. I've got lots of lovely summer wear there recently including linen dresses in different styles and colours.
You are right though, I think a lot of fabrics have increased in price and shops are cutting corners on manufacturing.

[Vinorosso74]

I agree. Found a lovely dress in Oasis for a wedding-perfect fit and flattering but every single one had a problem with the stitching in the darts. At first I thought a bigger joined person had stretched the dress but they were all the same.
Am really struggling to find stuff for every day wear too.

[Vinorosso74]

*boobed not joined

[bojorojo]

There is a crisis in that many high street shops cannot make much money unless they cut quality. They are trying to keep prices reasonable because buyers won't pay more. If you look at higher end ranges, there are good fabrics being used. M and S has cheap linen and Jaeger linen is first class. COS have great cotton fabrics. When was Oasis a great source of natural fibres?

[whirlycurly]

I so agree. I've been put off buying so many items lately because they're horrible man made fabrics. Expensive jumpers with acrylic content - no thanks. French connection I'm looking at you there.

Meanwhile my cotton, linen and cashmere things from years ago are all going strong.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

Agree entirely, and agree with Lotta that it would be much better if companies did a much smaller range but of GOOD STUFF, instead of racks and racks and racks of crap.

[Floisme]

Agree about Jaegar - I bought one of their linen dresses in a charity shop recently and it's excellent quality, really heavy fabric, and hangs beautifully without sagging the way most high street linen does.

And we all know what happened to Jaegar....

This is why I'm sceptical when we say we'd pay more for better quality. I include myself here.

[Pappawasarollingbone]

I have got a fee things from Gap. They seem to use actual cotton and they offer good reductions. The shops are a bit jumble sale like but they have a good online service.
I like the dresses and t-shirts.

[agnesf]

I'm with you on this. I have tried buying clothes but find myself constantly put off by the poor quality of cloth, stitching and cut. I'd rather buy one or two expensive whereas quality things than a host of flimsy tat. But this option does not seem to be available in most high street stores. I have clothes that are 10 years old still going strong whereas recent purchases have lost their shape and almost fallen to bits.

I feel really pissed off when I see clothes that my DCs buy on line that are clearly designed to last for only a few weeks.

[RoseTico]

I know, I've been searching eBay for "100% cotton". It's been more successful than shopping on the high street. As well as getting to avoid all the fussy prints, insane hemlines, and weird cut-outs.

[Pappawasarollingbone]

Never gotten over Cotton Traders seeming to not sell anything made of actual cotton. I'm constantly amazed Wallis stays in business it's a static electric hell hole.

[blackcherries]

Agree, and this has been going on for about 6 years or so when there was an explosion of polyester in all the shops. It's marginally slightly better now, although the stuff that isn't plasticy polyester and is actually soft, is still shit quality thin jersey type stuff and gets holes in no time.

I honestly would pay more for better quality but can't bloody find it in the approx 2. hours per month I have to myself to shop around!

[Arealhumanbeing]

How about People Tree, Free People etc? Pretty sure they mainly use natural fabric. Both are online.

&Otherstories is good for silk and cotton dresses but a lot their stuff turns out to be backless and therefore useless to many.