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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

233 replies

waltermittymissus · 31/08/2012 21:41

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?

OP posts:
PropertyNightmare · 31/08/2012 21:58

Nothing wrong with Primani at all. Their stuff falls apart pretty quickly but is cheap, fast fashion so no one gets too upset about it. I pick up the odd thing from there if I want to try a new look inexpensively. Mixed with more costly accessories a good look can be achieved relatively easily.

honeytea · 31/08/2012 21:58

I'm in my DP's primark camo onsie, cosy times :)

germyrabbit · 31/08/2012 21:58

it's the C & A of the 2010s

BrianButterfield · 31/08/2012 22:00

Some things are crap and shapeless, but like any shop you need to look carefully. I wanted nice button-up pyjamas for my DS - Jojomamanbebe had them for £17 a pair - lovely, but in age 18-24m? No thanks. Primark's were £3.50, soft, nice fabric etc. I suspect most shops use cheap labour, so it's not as if by spending more you guarantee better treatment for workers. If I knew you could then I would always spend more.

Floggingmolly · 31/08/2012 22:01

I'm still wearing a fleece I got in Penny's 13 years ago. It's older than all of my children

StaceeJaxx · 31/08/2012 22:05

I think the quality of a lot of "posher" high st shops has become quite shocking in the past few years. I bought a pair of jeans from Next 2 months ago and I'll probably have to chuck them out soon as they're getting all frayed and thin on the inner legs, and they cost me £30! Hmm It's not like I can afford to throw money away. Yet I bought a blazer in Primark 3 years ago for £15 and it's still in good nick, and washes really well.

pictish · 31/08/2012 22:07

I agree about Next. Next used to be fairly reliable, but their quality has totally hit the skids, if their prices have not.

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 31/08/2012 22:08

Staccee i buy lots of my dcs clothes from Next, i would not expect something from there to wear out so quickly, take them back.

marriedinwhite · 31/08/2012 22:09

Well we have a few staples from Primark. T Shirts, leggings, nighties, pj's, socks, T Towels, hair bands, DD's purse, fake converse. Quite like Shoe Zone too.

I don't like their knickers though - the seams/lace are a bit rough.

pictish · 31/08/2012 22:10

I used to use Next for the kids stuff, but recently it's been dire. T-shirts like tissue paper, and jeans that split at the knees in three months. Crap.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 31/08/2012 22:10

I buy fashion clothing from ther- stuff that might only be worn this season. It's great for scarves, earrings, hairbrushes, and I swear by their 120 denier tights- they are a little bit sucky inny, and thick enough that they don't go see through, for £3ish.

BreakOutTheKaraoke · 31/08/2012 22:12

Oh, and kids wise, I went in the other day and bought DD a pair of really funky grey denim shorts with black stars printed on, a pair of indigo really stretchy skinny jeans, and a 'rocker' tshirt with a zip on the back, for £17. We have been trying to find jeans DD will wear forever! For £5, we're going to go back and buy every colour.

LilyCocoplatt · 31/08/2012 22:14

I like primark, as others have said its cheap and cheerful so you know what you're getting. Love my cosy fleece onesie and have got DD some lovely stuff there.

MaryPoppinsBag · 31/08/2012 22:16

I like the jumpers and the t-shirts. Mine invariably get holes in (on my tummy area - they must rub on my jeans or something) and this happens whether the t-shirt cost £2.50 or £25. So I'd rather not spend a fortune on tops for everyday.

It's great for kids stuff if you search through stuff and buy the stuff that looks nice and doesn't look cheap.
I once bought DS1 a checked shirt and then saw a shirt in the same fabric although a different colour-way in Ted Baker section for kids at Debenhams. My Primark one cost about £4 the Ted Baker one was about £35.

I don't buy everything from there but it's good for picking up basics and then a few accessories. I have bags and purses that I've had for years.

I shopped at Primark before it became fashionable.

I do hate the throw away fashion though.

I am another sat in a Primark nightie - 7 years old!

tittytittyhanghang · 31/08/2012 22:18

Love primark, but if find i can go in and find nothing, or go in and see bloody loads that i want! Expensive doesn't mean quality, dp likes his designed gear and i swear these are the worst for washing and drying. Plus if a £3 tshirt shrinks its not the end of the world. But when its dps £100 tshirt i could cry!

Itsgottabebags · 31/08/2012 22:19

I am not a big 'fast fashion' lover and would prefer to buy something that lasts longer that will become a staple item in my wardrobe than something only meant for a season etc.

I was brought up during the last recession where the economics were similar and it was always quality over quantity. You bought something to last years rather than a season so that is the mind set that I still have.

MaryPoppinsBag · 31/08/2012 22:20

Ooh and the baby socks are fab - the striped design - 7 pack. They are my top tip for new mums as they stay on and they are cheap and come in loads of colours.

bobbledunk · 31/08/2012 22:24

I hate unflattering, badly fitted, tatty, cheap looking clothes. That's it really. Teenagers can get away with it but most adults can't.

trixymalixy · 31/08/2012 22:25

I have a dress from Primark that I have worn to death and still looks brand new and gets loads of compliments. I have a blouse from Cos where the sleeve seams fell apart almost instantly and a Calvin Klein dress that bobbled after a couple of wears.

I really don't think the quality at Primark is that much worse than the other high st shops. Oasis, Zara etc are using the same quality fabrics and buttons and charging multiples of the price.

ExitStencilist · 31/08/2012 22:27

They come out of the same factories, its mere snobbishness that asserts that it must be poor quality, when in reality its often the same quality as shops charging ten times and more of the price.

Pagwatch · 31/08/2012 22:28

I can't cope with the volume sheer of polyester in confined spaces. I worry about fires.

Original poster
waltermittymissus · 31/08/2012 22:28

Interesting that most posters DON'T hate it! Kind of blows my theory away ;)

I think what it comes down to is that it doesn't have the stigma here that it does in the UK. I don't think there's any snobbery when someone says that they bought stuff in Penneys. It's something of an institution!

OP posts:
piratecat · 31/08/2012 22:29

nothing bloody fits, that's what the matter with it is. and i am not even well fat!!

BabylonPI · 31/08/2012 22:29

All three of my labours were spent in the same pair of grey cotton pjs bought from primark approx 10 years ago Shock

Dd1 is almost 8, dd2 3 today, and ds1 just 4 months Grin and yep wearing the bottoms right now Wink

piratecat · 31/08/2012 22:30

cept their size 20-22 pants, and i am a 14!!