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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to feel annoyed that clothes in shops are so crap

205 replies

soggydigestive · 25/05/2018 21:59

Why is it such a struggle to buy decent clothes. I went in Gap today and everything was reduced but it was all awful. Just dreadful designs, fabrics, unflattering things.
I went on holiday in Italy recently and could have bought everything in a couple of clothes shops I visited - simple tops and t shirts in lovely fabrics and loads of great colours. Here I can't get anything similar to that, we just don't seem to have shops like that.
And yet with M & S going down the pan and the High street in general not doing well, why can't we just have clothes shops with some decent good quality good fabric not too expensive things in them?

OP posts:
GfordMum101 · 26/05/2018 15:48

Totally agree OP. I gave up with Gap, Next, M&S some time ago. You used to be able to get good thick 100% cotton basics, T's and Tops, V Necked, good length etc etc, that looked good and lasted for years. I now try to spend more, but have recently returned some on-line T's I bought from White Stuff and Fat Face, because they were so frumpy. Scoop necked and boxy shaped they just looked awful. Oh yes, said the Sales girl, everyone is complaining about that....... well FFS listen to your customers and make what they want to buy. I have been buying more stuff from White Company recently, but have to wait for the sales, because they are sooooo expensive.

Givemethebiggestslice · 26/05/2018 15:50

I don’t even bother looking in standard high street stores now (eg Next, New Look, Zara etc) as I know there will be nothing I like, the fabrics will feel nasty to me and the styles not to my taste. I’ve never seen anyone look nice in a ‘cold shoulder’ top!

I used to like Whistles and Reiss and Hobbs but even they seem to use cheaper fabrics now and I’ve had various items from these stores that have ended up with random holes in them / seams have not been straight / have bobbled quickly etc.

And don’t get me started on sticking ‘dry clean only’ labels in clothes that should be machine washable.

Nowadays I only buy Whistles & Reiss via eBay. generally my clothes are from eBay, charity shops. That way I’m not too gutted if they don’t last long. it’s always amazing the amount of stuff you find in charity shops that has clearly not been worn or been worn once.

I also get a fair bit from TK Maxx. You have to be selective but I’ve found some really nice quality things in there over the last few years, at affordable prices.

I’ve also a couple of Baukjen dresses that are lovely quality. I probably bought them 3 or 4 years ago now. Although a more recent dress from them was not such great quality but that could be a one off.

puglife15 · 26/05/2018 15:51

I think YABU but it does take time and effort to sort through all the crap...try People tree, Arket, Cos, Massimo Dutti, select pieces from H&M, Zara, Mango, TK Maxx and even TU at Sainsbury's.

bookbook · 26/05/2018 16:00

I have found Seasalt pretty good, if a limited style range - good quality , thick cotton. I lived in a couple of the thicker winter tunics this year, and they have washed and worn well.

woodhill · 26/05/2018 16:03

Yes awful clothes. Went to Debenhams, nothing much in my size, hideous prints, no sleeves, fussy button fronts, sequins, pleats, no thanks

Want plain tops but not boxy crew necks and no synthetics. Again wearing old stuff

Orangecake123 · 26/05/2018 16:53

I haven't bought myself clothes for the past 8 months, but quality over quantity.

chavtasticfirebanger · 26/05/2018 16:58

Walked past fatface earlier 'we dipped our clothes in happiness'
Wtaf Shock

WingsOnMyBoots · 26/05/2018 17:07

Oh my god. I just googled Toast as not seen their site before. The dresses????Is this seriously what is considered as good style? It's like something you'd be forced to wear as a punishment for doing something wrong in the old days!

www.toa.st/uk/category/womens+dresses+and+tunics/womens+dresses+and+tunics.htm

LightAsTheBreeze · 26/05/2018 17:10

I like Seasalt, I'm tall and I bought some of their tunics, I also bought a dress from there and a pair of boots, I generally look at what they have in the sale and have bought some nice things

LegallyBrunet · 26/05/2018 17:17

I got a lovely dinosaur pinafore today from a little independent clothes store. The quality is great

WingsOnMyBoots · 26/05/2018 17:21

I'm a dress person. I've just checked out Seasalt and yes I have seen some I really quite like. Good prices as well. Not so keen on tunics - somehow look like artist's smocks.

BexConnor · 26/05/2018 17:22

I agree - glad it's not just me, I thought I was being fussy! I hate shopping on the high street. The clothes always seem boring, unflattering, poor quality and fit badly (but maybe I'm just a weird shape.)

I've been looking for a pair of nice, comfortable trousers for weeks now. Nothing fancy - just trousers that don't make me look like I'm off to join a circus. Can I find them? Argh!!

Original poster
soggydigestive · 26/05/2018 18:51

Thanks for all the contributions to this thread and theres a few shops I hadn't heard of that I'll take a look at. I agree about maybe paying more for good quality but its hard to determine really till you've spent it.
So charity shops, eBay, shopping abroad Shock might get some results. Like lots of pp I haven't bought anything for ages. As for shops taking note its baffling.

OP posts:
thedevilinablackdress · 26/05/2018 18:56

I love Toast Wings and would wear all of those 😀

It's good that we don't all like the same things. How dull would that be!

silverpenguin · 26/05/2018 19:00

Definitely in the minority but I like shopping in the UK! I buy things from Uniqlo, Esprit, Dorothy Perkins, Boden and H&M and often get complimented on my style. I do agree that clothing in continental Europe can be better quality but it can also be a bit frumpy...

Camomila · 26/05/2018 19:20

Matalan of all places has some good cotton tee shirts atm.

I think clothes in the UK tend to be funkier but European clothes fit me better (am European, short and flat chested)

English kids clothes are better than a lot of European high street stuff, my cousins always ooh and aah over things I bring their DC from Asda!

Jonbb · 26/05/2018 20:05

Matalan are good for bikinis and sometimes you can find a gem in there. A very stylish halter neck evening dress for 40 pounds and looks very expensive. Otherwise, Cos and Toast are my go to these days, but Toast is getting very frumpy apart from a couple of things like their Apron dresses and cropped jeans.

MaudlinMews · 26/05/2018 21:26

WingsOnMyBoots

Oh my god. I just googled Toast as not seen their site before. The dresses????Is this seriously what is considered as good style? It's like something you'd be forced to wear as a punishment for doing something wrong in the old days!

Grin this made me laugh out loud. I agree - i just dont get the Toast love shown on these threads. To me theyre a bit ‘nuns day wear’ which really isnt a look I can carry off. I feel the same about Lindybop too - no idea why people want to look like theyre an extra from a wartime film. As for dinosaur pinafores ... WTF???

Lolly49 · 27/05/2018 08:47

I got some very nice t shirts in Pull and Bear in Tenerife 100% cotton good length proper sizing and made in Turkey.They cost about 6.00 pounds each bargain and excellent quality.

500BusStops · 27/05/2018 09:13

Agreeing with everything said here!
I recently bought some plain t shirts from uniqlo and the quality is fantastic- thick non- see through cotton and nice colours. May have to order several more white t shirts before they change supplier (t shirts from 2 years ago are thin and flimsy in comparison).
Also second Cos and Arket if you can avoid the tents. Not sure about Massimo Dutti, looks lovely online but was v disappointed with fit (I'm a pear shape) and fabric quality when I tried on in store.
Also what people have said about price. I sew my own when I have time and buying decent fabric is not always cheap. So I don't expect nice fabric from super cheap clothes

500BusStops · 27/05/2018 09:15

Also had some good work trousers and skirts from banana republic lightweight wool range. Sizing seems a bit odd these days but still wearing things I bought 6 years ago

Seriousquestion09 · 27/05/2018 09:26

I disagree but now shop in Reiss, Whistles, All Saints, TB and Zara...

I think it depends on your size in the nicest possible way I just feel if you are slim clothes look better as that’s what I’ve found after being size 10 and previously 14

NigellasGuest · 27/05/2018 09:39

I normally spend quite a lot on clothes although not over £300 for any single piece. I had in my head the kind of dress I wanted to buy not long ago, but the only ones that came close were in the thousands! I ended up with this £17 dress from a shop my daugters use that id never tried before - i was pleasantly surprised! Yes its polyester but actually it didn't make me sweat. No loose threads, not see through, fitted well. I guess was lucky - and yes its patterned but I don't mind that!

This

firsttimemum889 · 27/05/2018 09:43

Zara is my go to place i find the quality decent and i love the simple chic style ! The prices are ok not too expensive but not cheap either .

I never buy anything from primark other than baby onesies that are 100% cotton . Adult clothes are just awful .

Gwenhwyfar · 27/05/2018 15:49

"mid range, think white stuff, fat face, jigsaw"

I consider those expensive. What is top rage then, designer I suppose, but then it's not high street.