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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:
OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 31/08/2012 22:31

I love Primark, and I haven't seen any posters say its awful or that they have a problem with it.

It is what it is, cheap and cheerful. It's great for vest tops, they cost next to nothing and I think they wash really well. They don't last forever, but when the odd hole starts to develop then they get relegated to winter wear and they become layers to go under jumpers so don't get seen anyway.

I don't want clothes to last forever anyway, I'd rather be able to enjoy having new stuff more frequently, and not wear the same clothes all the time.

EmpressOfTheSevenFlames · 31/08/2012 22:31

I wear Primark stuff all the time, it lasts beautifully. I looked all over London for the right jeans (size 8, skinny, short, on the waist) and theirs were the best I found.

pictish · 31/08/2012 22:31

I am not a snob, but I'd rather two t-shirts from John Lewis than six from Primark. The two t-shirts will last the season and beyond. The Primark ones will generally become duster status after a month.

It is nothing to do with snobbishness. I don't care where I spend my cash, but I'd rather not toss it away.

ExitStencilist · 31/08/2012 22:32

True, OP, there is none of the snobby here, you say its Penneys and they just want to know which branch and if there's any left! We all love our Penneys.

Pickles77 · 31/08/2012 22:33

I agree with the primark vs penneys thing. I lived in Ireland and it's a institution Smile

AgentZigzag · 31/08/2012 22:33

Is it just me? I've never heard anyone (apart from to their mum) say or ask where someone got an item of clothing.

I couldn't care less where someone found it or how much they paid.

pictish · 31/08/2012 22:34

Neither me Agent.

notwoo · 31/08/2012 22:35

Have some decent things from primark- t shirts and vests have lasted years.

But I hate hate hate shopping in there- so hot, busy, messy and squashed.

I have to attack it first thing in the morning with a bottle of water and iPod!

Pagwatch · 31/08/2012 22:35

Nor me unless perhaps I am genuinely thinking of buying something.

minikimmi · 31/08/2012 22:35

I will condemn the bras though, they are terrible. The skinny jeans are a staple of mine, as are the nice wee cropped cardigans. I must have about 10 in all different colours. The bedding is quite good quality too.

WildWorld2004 · 31/08/2012 22:36

Iv never bought anything from primark, worn it once & had to throw it away. All the stuff iv bought has lasted years. It is cheaply made but so are all the other clothes from other high street stores.

butisthismyname · 31/08/2012 22:36

Going to be very brave here (after a few gins) and say I just cannot bear the people that go into our local one - it's been there about three years and I've been in there twice. Both times, I was surrounded by rude unpleasant women screeching at their kids and picking things up, chucking them down and being vile to other shoppers. It really put me off. Sorry.

minikimmi · 31/08/2012 22:36

Erm, I ask people ALL THE TIME where they got something. Am I odd?

notwoo · 31/08/2012 22:36

Really agent? If I see a friend wearing something I like I always ask where it came from. I don't care if they payed £1 or £100-just interested.

Pickles77 · 31/08/2012 22:36

My best/favourite/most starchy crisp bed linen is primark. I luffs it Smile

wigglesrock · 31/08/2012 22:37

I'm in NI and when we were younger we used to go to Penneys in Dundalk for a treat in the summer holidays Grin. My Mum bought all our uniform bits, shoes and every day clothes in it when we were younger and we still all use it.

notwoo · 31/08/2012 22:37

Payed?? Paid

minikimmi · 31/08/2012 22:38

Yes, notwoo if a friend is wearing something I've not seen before or I like I would always ask where it was from. What's the problem?

ExitStencilist · 31/08/2012 22:38

Penneys in Dundalk is the best one! It's all done up and they have a random combo of whats available in the South and the North/UK, its awesome.

pissovski · 31/08/2012 22:39

One of my favourite summer tops came from Primark 5 years ago (for honeymoon). It has been worn and washed a lot since it was bought and still looks fab. I had a dress from Topshop [spit] which bobbled and looked crap after one wash. If people wish to waste money due to their misplaced and misguided shop snobbery (which it is, sorry) then that's there look out. We have had our local Primark for about 20 years, and its only in the last 5 (since the chain has mushroomed) that people seem to have developed this attitude to them.

BrianButterfield · 31/08/2012 22:40

I had some baby vests from there I liked. Once they were too small I bought the next pack from M&S, thinking they would be better quality. No, they were rougher cotton and all the little pictures wore off straight away! The next pack I bought I went back to Primark and got much nicer colours/designs as well.

Pickles77 · 31/08/2012 22:42

No... I loved the one in cork, and tip town and newbridge.

oh I miss Ireland, I miss awear! And grafting street

pictish · 31/08/2012 22:43

It's not misguided snobbery! I don't like their thin t-shirts with the design that comes off and shrinks in a month. I don't like threads hanging off everywhere, and I like buttons that stay on. I DO shop in bloody Primark so I know what their stuff is like. I prefer other shops. Is that ok??

gobbledegook1 · 31/08/2012 22:43

Primark is great!

AgentZigzag · 31/08/2012 22:44

Thing is pictish, I've only noticed since being on MN, just how much value other people put on their clothes.

I mean there's a whole style and whatever board given over to it.

Jeans/tshirt/trainers is the extent of my wardrobe, if I could get away with wearing the same thing for the rest of my life and never have to choose what to get again, I'd be a very happy person.

I know about the whole 'clothes' is a language and says something about you, but I don't want to play the game.

In fact, and I'm not saying this to kick anything off, but I sometimes wish I could wear just a burqa and be done with it, even though I know that's to do with me and not taking into account all the concepts behind wearing one.