to ask what, exactly, is the problem with Primark?

[waltermittymissus]

Seems that it's a dirty word on mumsnet lately.

In Ireland it's called Penneys and people love it (I think!)

Anway, just wondered if you think it's awful why is it awful?

People like to believe its worse than other shops because its cheap, like its not just as likely that 5 year olds are sewing their shoes if they buy them in next. It's all the same, folks. Makes you feel better about your purchases, but its entirely bogus!

It's cheap and cheerful but not really of good quality, if you know that, there's nothing wrong with them.

Maybe the 'dirty word' bit comes from it being used to describe and possibly put down people who can't afford to shop anywhere else?

Which others, maybe rightly, take offence at.

The opposite is also true though, people shopping at the top end of the market are similarly slated, so not exclusively reserved for low income families.

oh, and its Penneys in Ireland because its an Irish company.

If you buy your shoes in Prada they're probably stitched by 5 year olds working a 60 hour week too... I don't know why people are snobby about Primark. I don't go in there myself because we don't have one near us, but I have bought some great things in there. It doesn't last long though, but you get what you pay for.

I had no idea it was called Penneys in Ireland.

It encourages a consumer culture of 'wear once, throw away' because it's cheap. I prefer spending more money so clothes last years.

What Exit said.

Nothing wrong with primark, they are just another cheap end high street store but MN likes to get a bit snobby on occasion and so hence you have the primark is the devils own waldrobe type comments.

I love Primark, so does teenage dd. You get what you pay for I suppose. Some of the homewares stuff is surprisingly good quality. I'm too poor to shop ethically unfortunately.

my Penneys clothes last years (some of them), some of us can't afford to spend much more, for whatever reason.

I think their stuff looks horrible!

Primark is brilliant - its one of the few places that t-shirts dont go out of shape when washed.

Personally I find M&S shoddy now it's moved its manufacturing to the East. It's nothing like the quality it was when I was a whipper-snapper. Buttons fall off, hems fall down, I hate having to buy something perceived as decent them have to go over basic needlework, double sewing buttons before I wear it the first time.

I'm another primark disposable fashion lover

You can't beat Primark if you're clothing your family on a limited budget.

And some of it washes up better than more expensive clothes.

The PJ's I'm wearing now were bought from Primark over 3 years ago and they still look just as good.

I must admit, I think Primark is kinda pointless. The quality is so low it's hardly worth buying.
I am not well off. Not by a long shot, but I'd rather spend three times the cash and get three times the wear.
T-shirts from Primark shrink and lose their shape after three washes. What's the point?

You can pick and choose what you buy MrsH, you don't have to go for the whole 'Primark look'

A fleece is a fleece is a fleece when it comes down to it, I mean they can be a bit thin in there, but thin can be good if it's only a bit chilly.

I have primark t shirts that cost £4 each and jeans £8 each that i have been wearing week in week out for the last 2 years.
Cheap doesn't have to mean badly made or throw away fashion.

Primark stuff lasts forever.

I do buy the odd thing in there mind you. The fabrics for the adult stuff are horrible.

I don't really shop in Primark but I do have a pair of jeans from there that I bought 3 yrs ago for £8 and they are still going strong! My DSis swears by their socks for work. Tbh I hardly go into town shopping to it seems to be supermarkets for me!

I'm like star i would rather spend more on clothes that are better quality and last much longer.

I did buy something once but when i got it home the stitching was wonky and the finishing was just not good so i took it back.

dd is 9 and has just started to want to shop in there as lots of her friends do, i am trying really hard to let her find her own style, it does save me money but i don't like it.

I occasionally buy from Primark. Usually things like pyjamas. I too am in my primark pjs that are years old. Still going strong. I also have some £2 sandals from there that I have worn for 3 summers now, again, going strong! I also like their baby vests, they are nice and soft and cheap.

Yup, I shop at Primark, knickers are knickers.

It's really funny when people compliment you on your clothes or bag and ask where you got it and you say it was from Primark. They go all red and embarrassed-looking, and quickly change the subject. It's worth shopping there just for those few golden moments!

I love primark! The problem I had when I lived in a city with a primark was that your often find yourself sitting next to people with the same outfit/handbag as you, but now I live in a different country it's amazing!

The wait for the tills can be tedious and the girls clothing can be a little grown up oh and the changing rooms are allways like a sauna, but still I love it!

That's what we did with DD1 Hokey, it's easier on the purse to let them run riot in Primark with stuff they made a big mistake with and never wear again, than other shops.