To wonder if anyone has bought anything worthwhile in Primark ever?

[toptramp]

I used to find the odd gem in Primark; a new wool wastecoat that has lasted for 5 years; a red cocoon coat that I loved but sold on ebay as I needed the cash and some decent basic undies.

I went in there today and there was nothing but one ok fair isle jumper that was £20. I didn't buy as it was a bit tent-like. Is it me or is Primari getting more expensive and worse quality? I also have concerns about their ethics and iot is like shopping in a giant air craft hanger. I would rather spend more for a more pleasant retail experience even though I am skint and in need of decent knit wear.

I used to be able to pick up many bargains and loved my primani shopping sprees however lately the only things i've been able to purchase of any quality are pj's the fluffy ones the kids love. i now prefer to shop in sainsburys, asda and find they are better quality and wash better.

Yes a waxed biker Barbour style jacket which looks like it cost £200

Twas £12

Wish I'd bought 2 now

I bought a pair of boots 11, maybe 12, years ago. Have worn them every winter since and they are still going strong (and are super comfortable).

More recently I like the £6 cardies and have some nice underwear from there.

It is great for thermal underwear too! Much cheaper than M&S, and lasts great.

loads of kids stuff, most of which lasted DS1 and now being worn by DS2. The trousers have stood the test of time better than the t-shirts which seem to get wider and shorter over time Also jeans for DH and pj's or me.

Baby stuff is fab (or was when my 3 were little). The vests and PJs lasted all my 3, plus twin cousins in between, then got passed on to other cousins. Their 'little girl' (up to 7) stuff is often lovely as well but the 7-13 year old stuff is awful and DD will wear it over my dead body. Boys clothes are OK but nothing special and trousers are often far too big on the waist.

I love their fleecy PJs for wearing in the evening at home (me and the kids) and have loads of t-shirts for me as well. Last winter I managed to pick up 2 shirts for DS1 for £1 each and they are gorgeous.

I love their £3.50 long sleeved tops. I also got a furry hat recently for £5 that's fab.

My best purchase was a 1930s style dress that always gets compliments and is ultra flattering.

I do think that the quality of their dresses has gone down a lot recently the material is practically see through. Having said that I have seen similar in Zara for 3-4 times the price of similar crap quality.

I bought a coat from there once, a black corduroy duffle type, for about a tenner and it lasted me about 8 years! I replaced it with a similar one from Warehouse that cost ten times as much and is on its last legs already after only two winters :(

I buy quite a few bits for the DC from there, although the quality isn't as good as it used to be.its great for socks etc. I get all of my scarves & costume jewellery from there.

Oh, and I bought DD a duvet cover in there in the summer, it looks exactly like Cath Kidston and was £12. It's been washed loads and still looks like new :)

I wish I was impressed with the LS plain tops, everyone else seems to be but I've always found they shrink when I wash them!

I bought a pink princess line coat in a size bigger as a maternity coat.

It was bloody brilliant. It cost me £12 and made me feel nice when I wore it.

I was in Primark yesterday and didnt see a think I wanted apart from a pink towelling turban with a jewel on it. But I wasnt going to queue up just for that.

I dont like primark much TBH. The fabrics are crap but since the price of cotton has gone up most shops are using vile fabrics.

We were forced into nylon when we were young because there wasnt much else. Now people are choosing to wear it

I rarely gobinto Primark as I want to cry within 5 minutes. I'm not sure if it's just the Bolton store but the jumble sale mentality gives me a migraine. The desperate frantic rabid pushing and rummaging and frothing at the mouth. Can't deal with it.

Saying all that I got DD a brilliant warm coat for nursery last week for a tenner. Total bargain. I ran in, grabbed it, threw my money in the general direction of the till and ran out.

Fucking hell. go into

I rarely gob into Primark either.

Foofy, I posted upthread about how different my local ones are - it might be worth you trying Bury, Wigan or Oldham to see if they're any better? Bolton sounds like Southampton - full of folk stuffing baskets full to flog on eBay...

I remember buying a benetint copy (cheek stain) i there that was better than the real thing and £14 cheaper. wonder if they still stock it.

Agree the fleece PJs are brilliant and the bedding and towels. Last month I got some beautiful pink and green velvet cusions with coloured tassles, £7, saw the same in debenhams for thirty.

fantastic jewellery, bags (I have a range in all colours and sizes), summer flip flops, shirts, hoodies for ds, got a load of stretch v neck t shirts in all colours for 3.00 each that have lasted years and a lovely summer maxi frock last year, sadly not many other stuff in my size as i am a bit big! but yep the prices have gone up, still good value though on most things, I mean a strappy vest for £1.80! enough to make me diet and I think their ethical policy is better than some high street shops tbh.

I used to love primark, but agree that quality has gone down and cost up in last few years.

Still have some bits though. Bought a waistcoat trousers suit which got me a job, and a smart shift dress that I wear almost daily for work. Also a fake leather bomber that I've had for a year and still gets great comments.

Recently: black thermal top with the long sleeves with thumb holes in (£9), I got two they are toasty warm and washing great . Also got a black dress with white stars and a red belt (£17). Couple of weeks after I'd snatched it gleefully off the hanger and bought it it was on GokWan's TV show, none to be seen now in my local store.

I buy from Primark regularly but I love a good bargain and don't mind spending time rummaging (I go when I'm child free). We like their winter PJs - toasty warm and do at least two winters (DS usually outgrows them after 2 years but I don't) , also socks, gloves, scarves, home stuff, slippers, accessories, flip flops, ballet pumps, etc.

Last year I bought very similar jumpers - one colour from Asda, another colour from Primark, the asda one was all bobbly and mishapen after a couple of washes, the Primark one is still going strong.

Can't buy trousers or jeans for DS from Primarni though as they just don't fit him.

I just bought DH a fleece onesie in there (like an adult babygrow). Yes he looks like a twat but it is so snuggly for winter. Am going to go back and get one for myself! Only £10 and much easier to wear than a slanket which is what I was going to buy.

I get a few bits in there that are good. Socks, tshirts for DH, knickers for me as they do some really good ones which seem to hold my tummy in but they are not support wear.

YABU

Fleece pyjamas for myself.
Fitted bed sheets.
Work shirts and ties for eldest son.
Lounging around soft jersey bottoms for myself.

I FUCKING DESPISE SHOPPING IN BLASTED PRIMARK!!

Sorry, that had to be said. I absolutely love shopping for clothes, and in my opinion Primark are fantastic! I've still got t-shirts that are going after 3 years, I have bloke's t-shirts that look fab with some jeans and a leather coat, my shoes have lasted yonks... but recently I've found it is IMPOSSIBLE for me to find bras or jeans ANYWHERE in there!!

I'm serious. I'm like a "dead" size of bra. I'm a 32DD, and it's fucking impossible finding anything in there. I either end up with 4 boobs or tits to my knees. The one time I did find them, I spent £40 in one go because a) it never happens and b) some of them were half-price.

Jeans are exactly the same. I'll try on a 12 and I will barely fit my big toe in there, but if I try on a 14 I look like I'm wearing clown-trousers.

And Primark? If you're listening, hear this. I do NOT want skinny, super skinny, super skinny kick flare, skinny harem, harem, skinnycut, straight leg, harems, palazzo pants, joggers, jeggings, shortshorts, booty shorts, knee-shorts, leggings or value-denim rubbish. I JUST WANT SOME FUCKING BOOTCUT JEANS THAT DON'T MAKE ME FEEL LIKE A HOBBIT FROM THE SHIRE.

Last year I bought four long length cardigans, in sage green, grey, navy and black. I am still wearing them this year, they go with everything I own and still look as good as they did when I bought them.

PJ's are good from there as well.

Thats about it.

You get the odd really gorgeous thing and then the rest is shite that I wouldn't use to line the dogs bed. It is worth going though to find that gorgeous thing.

There was a time when nearly my whole wardrobe was Primark - I think it mostly is now actually. I'm wearing a Primark dress I bought 3 years ago as I type - a teal-coloured tunic with a pretty collar and little pockets. I find clothes I buy from there last as long if not longer than other places.

yep, a onesie:)

Long line vests are ok