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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask whether you go for quality or quantity with clothes?

66 replies

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 03/12/2011 20:53

Nice lighthearted topic for a Saturday night!

I've always been one to go for quantity rather than quality but I'm now trying to buy things less often but buy more expensive, better quality clothes that will hopefully last a lot longer. I've found in recent years that clothes from cheaper shops often mean you buy cheap, you buy twice.

I still buy reasonably priced clothes for the DCs though, from George at Asda or sometimes Tesco or Peacocks.

So out of pure nosiness, which do you do and where do you shop?

OP posts:
trixymalixy · 03/12/2011 21:20

I buy quality stuff from eBay and top up with e.g. Primark long sleeved tops.

Rhubarbgarden · 03/12/2011 21:21

Quality, but usually bought in sales. I shop for myself so rarely now that I feel that when I do I can justify forking out for something good. I do like a bargain though; if I spot something I really like in Dorothy Perkins or somewhere similar I'll get it and feel thrilled about what a bargain it is. Till I remember that it's probably made unethically by children in China; then I feel bad Confused.

trixymalixy · 03/12/2011 21:22

And the same for the DC, Boden, gap and Zara dresses and trousers from eBay and primark tights and tops.

storminabuttercup · 03/12/2011 21:22

I don't do mega expensive, to me jasper conran, debenhams etc are my most expensive buys. If it's something 'high fashion' I buy cheaper as I may not wear it for long, have some lovely dresses that won't really go out of fashion so I pay more. I used to buy tons of primark, but it just doesn't last. I do like george and tu but the quality is hit and miss.

George bootcut jeans are the most flattering I've ever had.

Handbags are my weakness, but I don't think I'd pay more than 100 pound, I have ck ones, fiorelli? Jasper conran, Patrick cox etc but love river island ones too!

I love la senza for pjs.

I tend to go on the principle that if I'll get alot of use I'll pay extra, but if I like it and it's cheap I'll buy it.

I have to save for everything as we are broke so I like my moneys worth!

All my handbags are gifts!

Ooh and tk maxx is great for handbags!

Pancakeflipper · 03/12/2011 21:22

Quality for me. I don't intend to. I am just really picky about clothes and I find the things I like are expensive. So I have to make them last and the majority tend to. I get annoyed if they don't.

I go shopping twice a year for clothes. I am not someone who goes to the shops every other weekend.

I was wearing a thick chocolate brown woolly jacket thingy the other day and a friend complimented me on it and asked where I got it from. She checked the label then laughed as it had the date on the label of the year it was manufactured. 1994..... It has never dated in all those years and washes like a dream.

Original poster
HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 03/12/2011 21:23

I've never bought from the White Stuff before but a friend of mine raves about them and she is always dressed nicely.

OP posts:
Sixyearoldwoes · 03/12/2011 21:25

Alas, neither really! Clothes only at birthday and Christmas for me at the moment- roughly £200 budget each time. And almost always white stuff. Dull and predictable but it fits and feels nice.

TartyMcFarty · 03/12/2011 21:26

White Stuff woolies bobble and go out of shape horrendously.

Popbiscuit · 03/12/2011 21:28

Quality. I love jumpers and had a revelation recently. Cashmere sweaters last forever if you take care of them. They cost a little bit more but don't go all bobbly like most wool does. Well worth the extra $.

My NY resolution is to not buy any more cheap or trendy crap. Only things that will last.

Pancakeflipper · 03/12/2011 21:32

White Stuff woolies bobble and go out of shape horrendously.

Agrees. I have 2 expensive garments that are utterly out of shape and I took such bloody care washing and drying them. Huffs and puffs.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 03/12/2011 21:32

Quality for me nowadays. I don't buy much but I buy stuff to last. My best buys in the last two years have been a Vivienne Westwood jersey dress, 2 Vivienne Westwood skirts, a couple of White Company jersey dresses and jackets, skirts and t-shirts from Hobbs. They have all been worn and worn and washed and washed (or in the case of Hobbs, dry cleaned - grrr) but still look like new.

countlessbabychams · 03/12/2011 21:35

Definately quantity.

I buy cheap in that I very rarely buy anything except from a charity shop.

It's the thrill of the chase.....

I also find my size and tastes change and as my tastes are more often than not quite eclectic this way of shopping suits me well.

( I would fall over backwards at paying full new price for clothes anyhow,let alone posh ones)

marriedandwreathedinholly · 03/12/2011 21:35

I have a navy blue cashmere Jaeger roll neck sweater which I wear when it snows. I bought it in 1987 and it is perfect. I also have a black navy Jaeger cardigan with gold knot buttons, which I bought in 1986 - that too is perfect. Both still hold their shape and hang beautifully. I had a navy and a red cardigan too but I put them in the washing machine on 60 in about 1989 Sad.

TadlowDogIncident · 03/12/2011 21:40

Neither - clothes always seem to be right at the bottom of the financial priority heap! On the rare occasions when I do buy stuff, I go for quality, but second-hand: the fabric never seems to be any good if I buy cheap new stuff.

Francagoestohollywood · 03/12/2011 21:41

Quality. Also because I find that high street chain shops are getting less and less pretty. I am also getting older, H&M doesn't help.

southeastastra · 03/12/2011 21:43

check out american apparel's tri-blend sweatshirts they are very flattering

coraltoes · 03/12/2011 21:47

Quality always. J brand, Paige, Hudson jeans. Max Mara smart coats for work. Cashmere knits from Joseph, fun stuff from Markus lupfer or Marc Jacobs or Sonia rykiel...whistles and reiss are great on the high st for cheaper bits as is Zara for the odd very trendy/faddy bit but the quality is shit.

molly3478 · 04/12/2011 08:34

I buy cheap and make it last. I have primarl jumpers I wear 5 days a week for work that were 4 quid and been wearing them for 3/4 years.

ViviPrudolf · 04/12/2011 08:40

AlpinePony · 04/12/2011 08:49

As I who I'm definitely more in to quality, I just can't be arsed rifling through rails of tat to find something well made.

At the same time though, I'm a discount code or sales girl only.

As soon as I found out I was expecting my second boy I stopped trying to find nice kids stuff in the supermarkets and am just going with quality knowing it'll be worn twice.

Pekka · 04/12/2011 09:01

Neither for me. I buy clothes rarely, always cheap and wear them for years, even if they shrink in the wash or the colours fade.

TheChristmasCountessOlenska · 04/12/2011 09:11

I'm a High Street all the way girl. The better end of high street though (imo) i.e Zara, Topshop, H&M NOT Primark, Peacocks, Supermarket clothes etc.

Handbags I will spend a bit more on as I like them to last a few years.

High street is fine for coats - my Topshop Parka is going good in it's second winter.

I have had things from Boden which have washed really badly

AntarcticEther · 04/12/2011 09:12

I've thrown most of my pre pregnancy clothes out and plan to go shopping for quality come January . I like the look of dresses from The White Company and Phase 8. Do they last ?

Laquitar · 04/12/2011 09:50

Quantity i'm afraid.

I like different styles and i dress according to my mood so i prefer to have many clothes/bags/scarves to play with. It is a bit embarrassing as i'm 50 next year but i still like H&M and Topshop and markets, charity shops. I just cant do Boden etc

Also i get bored so i dont like the idea of wearing a coat for 10 years, i like new ones as it makes me feel that i refresh myself and my life Blush Blush

troisgarcons · 04/12/2011 09:51

I have quality costs, suits etc but I mix those with cheap end (Asda/Sains/Primark) etc - I love Primark!

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