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AIBU?

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Original poster

Next is for grannies

179 replies

Tliev · 26/10/2016 07:36

Is this true? I buy 95% of my clothes from next and my son has always laughed saying it's a granny shop. I always thought it was quite trendy but then my trendy radar has always malfunctioned 😄 Anyway at work yesterday everyone was saying how they can't understand the appeal of Next and I noticed on a thread on here just now, hardly

AIBU to predominantly shop at Next at 35 years old?

OP posts:
ninnypoo · 26/10/2016 08:37

I'm 22 and will sometimes shop in Next. Some things are quite frumpy but there are hidden gems and they do long length trousers which are annoyingly uncommon on the high street.

wineusuallyhelps · 26/10/2016 08:38

I wouldn't say it is granny. Some of their stuff is lovely IF you are careful. They have some lovely on-trend leopard print boots at the moment. And this summer I lived in their floral/patterned harem pant thingies. Jeans good too.

But other stuff is very shapeless and "aging". Especially the office-y clothes. I think they have gone downhill in the last couple of years.

Love their kids' clothes still, though! They seem to get those right!

HeadDreamer · 26/10/2016 08:40

I'm 42 and I find next old granny. I buy from new look, topshop and H&M. I would not say I'm trendy at all.

Floisme · 26/10/2016 08:42

Your son is BU for describing "grannies" as a generic group, particularly with negative connotations.

At last. Thank you.

almondpudding · 26/10/2016 08:42

I'm not convinced clothes shops are usually aimed at a particular age, but at people with a particular look.

I have some clothes from Fat Face. I know people twenty years older and younger than me who wear it. All those people are somehow similar to me.

I do think of Next as being work clothes or dress down Friday clothes for people who work in offices. They have nice pyjamas I think.

Elphame · 26/10/2016 08:45

I've never understood the appeal of Next - I buy plain black trousers from them occasionally as they are one of the few that make them long enough but that's all. As for the Clearance stores - jumble sales are more appealing!

Sallycinnamum · 26/10/2016 08:46

I tend to buy most of the DCs clothes there especially their shoes and boots which are very well made and last for ages.

I very rarely buy clothes for myself though as they're just too dull but I will add their jeans are brilliant, particularly the stretch skinny and boyfit. I won't buy jeans from anywhere else now.

mizu · 26/10/2016 08:50

I've never shopped in there, walk past thinking it looks a bit dull tbh.

However, when the DDs were young, the Next sale for kids was quite good.

absolutelynotfabulous · 26/10/2016 08:53

I think it's one of those shops that tries its best to appeal to a large market. I think it does this reasonably well, if you're careful. It's certainly no worse than anywhere else, and some of their stuff is bang on.

It's also reliable and convenient. I don't buy much there, but what I have bought has lasted.

I don't get the angst. I'm 57 btw and consider myself reasonably stylish.

Gwenhwyfar · 26/10/2016 08:56

"I'm not convinced clothes shops are usually aimed at a particular age"

Top Shop is aimed at young people, M&S at old people. Of course, other people can shop there, but there's definitely a target age.

BorpBorpBorp · 26/10/2016 08:59

Next is my go-to for jeans as they do tall sizes. A lot isn't my style (there's not much my style on the high street) but you sometimes get a good pair. Also some workwear. I'm in my mid 20s.

faffalotty · 26/10/2016 09:00

I don't think Next has ever been trendy or even tried to be. It's not cutting edge, it's safe and mainstream.

Herhighness · 26/10/2016 09:01

I'm with 80's Mum, my thoughts exactly and I'm a few years younger.
I do like some of the home stuff though.

babyapril · 26/10/2016 09:02

I think if you use your imagination, any shop is just fine. You can pick and choose from just about anywhere - if you know how to style & use colour. I buy from anywhere that has something l like!

GreenGinger2 · 26/10/2016 09:07

But many shops sell clothes that don't fit,are uncomfortable or look horrendous. When knocking on 50 I seriously don't want to look like mutton dressed as lamb. As a mother of 3 children I have the battle scars to prove it.

I have scoured the streets and often found nothing.

What are all these uber superior alternative shops for 40s/50s women with a size 14 body?

GreenGinger2 · 26/10/2016 09:08

And a limited budget.

honkinghaddock · 26/10/2016 09:09

The main reason I use next is because of their home delivery and delivery to shop which I find are much better than any of the other chains. Probably 50% of ds's clothes are from there and I get basic jeans and tops. I don't look in there for special stuff because I think their fit is too boxy which doesn't suit my shape.

e1y1 · 26/10/2016 09:10

I want to like Next. There are a few good items, but in the main, I find the quality of their clothing really poor (seams twist, buttons come loose and zips break) a lot easier than clothing from other stores do.

Astro55 · 26/10/2016 09:10

I am bored of Next -

I want teen needing - not in pink or blue

I want long line tops

I want plain teen bras - in white - not nude/black mix

I want trendy rucksacks - without them all being the same

Dull! It need the buyers to have a rethink

BoffinMum · 26/10/2016 09:13

To be fair 95% of Next clothes are cheap and nasty looking. Artificial fabrics, odd cuts, drab colours and shapes, it's a place you buy stuff because you are too busy to care about what you look like past some sort of minimally acceptable standard for work.

It's a real shame because I think if they raised their game they could transform British fashion beyond a predilection for fluffy slippers, Fair Isle onesies and stultifying nylon and polyester black trousers that make the average overheated British derriere look like an overripe melon about to explode.

Aeroflotgirl · 26/10/2016 09:17

Get a grip, op ds might be a primary school child or teenso does not know correct terminology, everybody past 30 is old!

marjoryno3 · 26/10/2016 09:18

I am a fan of Next. That said I am a librarian and have never been trendy! I buy a lot of my work clothes from Next and they are one of the few places that does a tall range which is fantastic for my long legs. Finding jeans or trousers is generally a nightmare. The thing is it would be very irritating if everywhere only offered trendy clothes. Most of my wardrobe comes from Next, White Stuff, La Redoute, Monsoon and Ness. I would be sad if they all disappeared. It is good that we have various shops to suit people's varied styles! Oh and I am 32.

GinAndShoes · 26/10/2016 09:19

I like next, mostly for jeans & basics such as leggings & long line vest tops. I'm 24.

TheFairyCaravan · 26/10/2016 09:19

Why is it so fucking hard just topay with a fucking card rather than charge it to an account and go back and pay again ffs? And why do they send you a fucking brick of a catalogue that you don't want and then fucking CHARGE you for it?

I buy clothes online from Next, I don't want an account so I just pay with my debit card. They don't send me a catalogue either. It wasn't hard, there's options to choose when you pay.

I buy quite a lot of my clothes from Next. I'm between a 6 and an 8 and it's one of the few shops that I can buy from knowing that I won't have to spend all day pulling my trousers/skirt up.

I live in their harem pants in the Summer because I've got such severe problems with my back and pelvis that wearing clothes hurts, but these don't.

catsmother · 26/10/2016 09:19

I'm 51 though not yet a granny! I hate to be thought of as 'mutton' but I do love clothes and like picking up on trends when I can without looking ridiculous, and retaining some individuality at the same time. My favourite shops are Warehouse, Zara and H&M.

Next ..... well, is just so often disappointing. It's good for jeans, and of course online, there's far more choice than in the stores, including an ever increasing range of brands. And, as others have said, their delivery service is very convenient.

But over at least the last 10 years I've just found myself getting more and more frustrated by the store experience and consequently rarely go in there now if I'm browsing for something new. Time and again, I feel they get it 'nearly' right but somehow always stuff it up .... one particular bugbear is their habit of sticking a useless and ugly breast 'pocket' on a significant number of their T shirts, sweatshirts and jumpers. Just why - it looks crap and otherwise ruins a perfectly acceptable top. Or they'll have a skirt in a lovely fabric but the length isn't on trend and therefore looks 'odd'. I also find so much of their stuff is 'baggy' regardless of what size you get .... a dress that looks good, but with ridiculously low cut armholes so you'd see your bra, and weird necklines that do the same. A lovely smart coat but it has a superfluous, but undetachable collar .... a great bikini but it ties, rather than clips, across the back thus making it a pain in the arse if you sunbathe (have you ever tried to undo a wet bikini knot?)

And don't get me started on their sizing - I think they are one of the worst for vanity sizing, as in, their size 10 would be a 12 elsewhere, but having worked out what they're up to you can't even pick your 'Next size' and be sure it'll fit as there's often a huge variation amongst different types of clothes. It's just frustrating and, apart from running in to grab a pair of jeans, I really can't be bothered with it anymore.

As for 'trendy' .... the impression I have of the store stock is that it tries - but usually fails - to be 'safe' trendy.