Joules clothing has gone bust!

[Zrt]

I just heard on the radio. Don't know what others think but I used to love their brightly coloured pyjamas.

On the bright side Primark are now onine!

People are being defensive about Joules because others are blatantly calling it frumpy and being dickish about those who wear it. It’s pretty unsurprising really.

There is getting to be less and less choice around where to buy clothing

Yes, there's a real hollowing out of the middle. So it will be cheap stuff eg Primark & then higher end expensive stuff & little middle ground. More homogeneity too.

Properly? Or just select items?

I love their coats, all of my coats are from Joules. I'm currently trying to decide whether it's worth risking ordering a new one in the sale!

Unsurprising. Dated clothing designed to make you look 20 years out of date and 10 years older-

fear not, if this is your desired look, white stuff, fat face and sea salt still exist. Mores the pity.

the other poster threw the 70 year old comment in as well

Just a fact. She’s a big fan. 🤷‍♀️

I bought a couple of tops from Joules, and they both shrank and I had to put them in the charity bag, Seasalt is much better quality.

I’ve never bought from Joules but I was going to buy a pair of half price wellies from there today.

I like the baby clothes especially the zip up baby gros they’re nice quality

adult stuff isn’t for me but shame about all those empty shops

Exactly this.

Not surprised at all. Their quality has gone downhill in recent years. I used to love their wellibobs. Most recent pair I purchased split apart after only 2 months of light wear.

Next stock them online I think. I just bought 18 year old some wellies via next and I’m pretty sure joules wellies came up on the search.

I feel sorry for the staff and of course it will be another empty unit on my high street.

But if you read what Joules started as you can see why they failed now.

They started selling at country fairs. They were mimicking 'country wear' but for people who live in towns and wanted to look 'rural'. Really 'posh' country people who go hunting and shooting buy their gear from those retailers, not a poor imitation.

Prime example were some bags that Joules did a while back that looked a bit like bags you'd take on a shoot, but they were poor quality and the leather was often plastic.

Then they broadened their range to include jeans, jumpers, a few dresses, and the ubiquitous bretons with added flowers to make them more 'appealing'.

They moved so far away from their roots and didn't have any USP IMO.

I’d expect their online business to be bought but all the shops close. Different way of shopping now.

I like the kids stuff

In Holt, North Norfolk, they had a shop then opened another much bigger one across the road but kept the original one, seemed to make no sense, it never looked busy even with the Chelsea on Sea set in Summer. Seem to have made some poor business decisions.

Also, Next now operates the business and web site for Gap since it left the UK and closed its shops. Also sells Gap stuff on its own website.

I wondered about that. I bought some emergency shorts there in summer for DD. I thought it was Joules town.

They might have had a solid customer base, but those customers have obviously been massively dwindling in numbers otherwise they'd still be going strong.

Next are going to own everything!

Although I'm really sad to hear this, I'm not surprised. Tried their wellies about 8 years ago and the quality was rubbish - went through three pairs in two months just walking the dogs before getting a complete refund. Their clothing has declined in quality from Tom Joules originals so many years ago and never really fits properly (might be my weird body shape!) with those horrible prints that scream 'Joules' . They spent an absolute fortune building a hideous 'head office' and then Covid happened. Its so sad for everyone involved

I love Joules stuff, their outerwear is great quality, and their tops and jumpers are much thicker so last longer than other retailers clothing. I've often been complemented on stuff I've bought from them a lot.
I know everyones tastes are different but I'd love to know what the fashion forward of you who think it's 'frumpy' and 'outdated' wear on the school run or to walk the dog!

I have a waterproof coat and wellies from Joules that are really good and actually waterproof, much more so than more expensive alternatives I've had.

I did get the plainest, least flowery options, as I don't want to be 'seen' to be wearing Joules.