to think women's clothing should be as high quality as men's?

[ethelb]

An afternoon jeans shopping with my (male) DP has left me seething!

We both needed new jeans and headed off shopping this afternoon to find some. I won't claim that DP necessarily had an easy time finding a pair that worked for him, but it was generally the case that when he picked up a pair of jeans they were actually jeans. MADE OUT OF DENIM.

On the other hand, all but one of the shops I looked in (Topshop, River Island, Zara) basically had jeggings (stretchy denim legging things) where they used to have jeans. Thin material in teeny, tiny 'skinny' shapes only.

The place that really took the biscuit was the Levi's shop, where upon commenting that the jeans were made out of very thin material, the (actually quite helpful) shop assistant said that "women who want that generally buy the men's skinny jeans".

So it is acknowleged that the women's jeans are made out of crappy fabric compared to the men's ones, and other women have mentioned this and the company is aware of it!

The rub? The crappo women's jeans cost as much as the men's ones! For half the fucking fabric!

AIBU to think this is a royal pisstake on the part of the highstreet?

(And had me thinking that perhaps women don't 'feel the cold' more, their clothes are just made rubbishly with lower quality fabric than men's)

[NoArmaniNoPunani]

Well yes really if you compare the same brands. The wolf and York women's shirt is 9.99 whereas the men's is 20 something (not that my DH would wear that brand as he's very fussy)

[Mim78]

Mens clothes are much better quality I agree. Much easier to find good quality clothes for men anyway. And they are warmer in general.

Also I find it annoying that nothing of mine can go in the dryer while dh and dd clothes can.

[manicinsomniac]

Surely men's jeans don't look good on women? Never actually tried as I'm only 5ft 1 but really can't see this working.

GAP do great jeans. So do Hollister, fatface, TK Maxx and many other shops. If you buy from crap places like New Look and Top Shop then yes, you will get crap quality.

I also have massive numbers of warm and cosy jumpers that aren't mens - try ralph lauren, joules, Hollister, jack wills, republic, Debenhams, north face, crew club, white stuff, fat face, marks and spencer and even some supermarkets.

[ethelb]

Manic Im 5'2'' and v curvy, no the mens stuff didnt work for me. And I dont think is a fair answer to the problem.

[ethelb]

Plus topshop did have some reasonable quality for the price jeans. For men. Not for women. That is my point.

[BakingBad]

I agree that men's clothes are more generously cut and better value for money. Also, my (adult) DS's clothes can all go in the tumble drier - very few of mine can.

[NaffOrf]

Surely men's jeans don't look good on women

They do if you've got the right sort of look. If you're very petite and/or hourglassy they probably wouldn't, but if you're taller and can carry off a the 'boyfriend' look then go right ahead.

All this 'boyfriend' jeans/jumpers/blazers is just a massive con anyway. Buy mens! Some of my best knitwear is from Reiss's menswear sales.

[MrsOakenshield]

jeans not made out of proper denim drives me nuts - I really feel the cold and want my jeans to keep me warm! High-waisted, proper skinny jeans made out of denim - where are you???

[DarlingGrace]

Men tend to buy clothes that last, women generally want high turn over fashion items. That is why mens clothing is more expensive.

I tend to buy traditional 'kitten' heel court shoes which have lasted me 20 years (M&S, nothing out of the ordinary). M&S jeans are the only ones that fit me. Again they are good quality denim.

[SleepPleaseSleep]

Ooooh yes.

Darling grace, not all women want high fashion items. And men's clothing in my experience is usually cheaper as well as better quality. Most women's clothes look like party gear, you have to go a long way to find everyday stuff. I often buy men's for myself, and dd gets boys clothes as often as not, because I don't want bloody PINK and don't even get me started on shoes.....

Too late.

Why the f'ing he'll can't I buy decent shoes for walking around all day at work in? Ballerina pumps? Is this so e kind of conspiracy to keep women back in the home where they belong? How the hell can anyone walk half a mile n ballet pumps? Look my typings gone to hell I get so annoyed. Picture me screaming this at top volume! HIGH HEELS and tight toes for walking around all day? Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh I'm incoherent with rage.

If I knew how to supply them I'd start my own shoe company, for working sensible everyday women.

[SleepPleaseSleep]

I'm also 5'2 and very curvy (ie in my case post-childbirth fat) but tshirts are universal. I have to have turn ups on most trousers, mens and women's, but so what? Had a struggle finding decent stuff for work though, especially sinc I also prefer natural fabrics. I try to be just decent enough. I hardly need a new wardrobe every week, so it's not too bad though I hate clothes trips, they take far too long to find one item!

You're right it shouldn't be like this though.

[NaffOrf]

you can buy from the men's range if you're a 7 or above

Fair enough - but for those of us with size 8/9 it's all we can get into anyway!

Once I stopped crushing my huge feet into women's shoes and started embracing men's brogues, monk shoes, deck shoes, you name it, I have found my whole 'look' has come together much more. And my feet are sooooo comfy! Surprising how many men's shoes are actually quite feminine looking, especially if you go for muted colours and suede etc.

[NaffOrf]

Don't get me started on 'ballet pumps'. I heard a podiatrist on Radio 4 once talking about how the fashion for skimpy women's shoes was 'money in the bank' for her!

[BlueDesmarais]

I thought I was going mad being unable to find warm clothing. My husband had some lovely chunky knits but all I could fine was acrylic 'fine knit' cardigans you could see through, or ultra thin 'layers' (ie: buy more stuff.) I wanted to rock an oversized sweatshirt a la 1990, but couldn't find something so simple. The two 'sweatshirts' I ordered online were long-sleeved but t-shirt thin.

I have a woolly Superdry Nordic jumper which is brill. I also found a gorgeous jumper in Howies (brilliant quality.)

[BlueDesmarais]

I don't suppose anyone's solved the mystery of what shoes to wear on a hot day, perhaps with a skirt, when you have a considerable amount of walking to do. Spring dress and... hiking boots?

[FuckingWankwings]

I dunno. Diesel do very sturdy women's jeans. I've got pairs I've had for years. I can only afford them in the sale though

Blue, do you mean just for walking around normally, as opposed to actual country walks/hiking? Labels like Camper and Ecco have good comfortable sandals designed to support your feet. Some of them look quite nice but you do have to choose carefully!

[NaffOrf]

Blue, I go for a suede loafer or driving shoe in the shoulder seasons. Looks ace with skirts.

[Callani]

I love this thread - not being able to find a warm jumper has been a bugbear of mine for a LONG time.

DP was convinced I was being silly until he actually tried looking for one for my Christmas present and then realised how ridiculous it all is (he bought me an XS men's jumper that nearly drowned me in the end).

Luckily I'm quite crafty and am in the process of knitting my own, warm, snuggly jumper - utterly ridiculous that I'm having to resort to that but there you go.

[Alisvolatpropiis]

It is very annoying that proper super tight at the ankles ladies skinnies are now invariably if not made out of stretchy cotton then at least denim with a huge Lycra boost.

Are Paige jeans worth the money?

[SleepPleaseSleep]

Blue, i started buying sandals at the outdoor shops for summer. They do 'hiking' sandals. They're a damn sight more comfortable than anything in the regular shoe shops, last a whole lot longer, and the price is a bit cheaper if anything. They're not that dressy though.

If I didn't need smarter shoes for work I'd just stick with my boots and hiking sandals.

[SleepPleaseSleep]

Ps outdoor shops for jumpers too. Secret's out now, bet they won't have any when I go.

[ethelb]

Men tend to buy clothes that last, women generally want high turn over fashion items.

^^Really? Or do they not have a choice. As I said, I was buying jeans. I wanted a fairly classic/plain, high quality pair of jeans that I wouldn't have to replace for a couple of years. Simple enough, and surely a staple of any 'fashionista'?

The reason I mentioned Levi's in particular is that they proclaim to sell classic, high quality, almost timeless products. I was willing to pay a bit more for that which is why I went in there.
Except they don't. If you are a woman. And I think that is outrageous!

Thanks for all the jumper recommendations though! This year in November I realised I had NO JUMPERS so ran into New Look and got two crappy ones that are already bobbled to hell telling myself I would knit myself one. Did I hell....