to feel annoyed that clothes in shops are so crap

[soggydigestive]

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?

The sizing is small. Their Large is more like a medium in UK sizing. Think they have a Size Guide on the site.

*Skiiltan 'But you're happy with the fact that growing cotton accounts for the use of more pesticides than any other crop?'

Of course not. However, I wasn't aware of that until your post and then I looked it up. Still does not minimize the impact that lint from our synthetic clothes is having on our oceans and the fact that fish and other sea creatures have been found to have been affected by it.
Since I learnt something new from you, you could drop the angry attitude and learn something new from me *

You need hemp clothes! Fast growing, sustainable, and you can make everything from fabric to bricks to 'plastic' like material from it!

Agree. I now gravitate to Anthropology their stuff way over priced full price but look at their sale section

I think it's an effect of fast fashion. When m&s stock basic t-shirts for £4.50, but cotton jersey costs around £10 per meter, it's such a surprise that the quality is shit really.

For three years now I’ve searched and searched for a suitable length, non white or black, sleeveless, plain lightweight cardigan I can’t find anything. They’re either too long or short or only black or white. I’m a size 20 on top and like to cover up, but still remain cool in the warm weather.

I don't mind Per Una trousers or shorts as they fit me but not the tops

Boden has gone downhill sharply, quality wise. I’m coming to the conclusion that the way fashion works these days is that you get a decent label coming along, then it becomes popular, then under pressure to generate ever increasing returns the quality goes downhill and you have to look for the new kid on the block again.

It’s frustrating.

Fast fashion is fine for teenagers and young people. But when you get to a certain age you no longer want that.

maudlinmews I agree with you, although would add in crew necks too. Otherwise yes to everything you've listed. There is a gap in the market, it's baffling. People shouldn't have to search the whole high st to find one or two nice things, it never used to be like this. I think gap and m&s used to do normal good quality basics, once, in plain colours.
What seems odd is that shops presumably want to sell stuff and plenty of people eg on here want to buy stuff, but it doesn't match up.

I've ordered some basic tee shirts from Bon Marche on line would you believe. 100% cotton and £8. Fingers crossed they are decent weight/thickness when they turn up.

soggy I think its a combination of cost and standing in the fashion world. Its all about making as much noise and money as possible so “Look! New Trends! Only £30! A must have!”
Nobody really wants to be the provider of sensible clothes that last for years as theyd get no investment to do it and definitely no return on their investment due to low purchase numbers, as far as I can work out anyway.

A few start out with good intentions but pretty soon, the polyester creeps in together with the whacky prints and before you know it, theyre just another shit shop selling cheap clothes. Another poster got it when ghey said that a brand starts out well then the quality starts to slide and before you know it, everyone’s wondering what happened (the investors made a mint then bailed is what happened but they dont care because they wear designer).

I looked at Boden today noticing the sizing e.g s,xs rather than 10,12 for T-shirt then 50% modal on proper sized ones with Voop neckline

I'm so glad you posted this OP ad this is a real issue for me currently. I will only wear natural fibres and I have more to spend than ever before - I am actually happy to pay £££'a for a nice 100% cotton top but they are becoming like bloody hens teeth. I no longer shop looking for what I want as such but disregard 99% based on fabric content then end up with the only top that is linen or cotton but it's becoming harder and harder.

Someone mentioned this company on another thread www.oliveclothing.com Seems to be a lot of natural fibres.

That olive clothing site doesn’t appear to do different sizes all the tops just show ‘one size’ in the size box. What good is that?

Am not surprised M & S is in trouble, they ranges the lat couple of years have been revolting, the "capsule" wardrobe last year, looked cheap nasty, funny length sleeves, with flares on the end, hated them in the 60s, they arent any better now, I had a bra fitting in there, complained how many I had to try on, was told its because they arent british made any more, so the sizes vary, I found years ago, the only way to get exactly what I wanted was to make it myself, or find a good dressmaker. I have a friend who uses a site in China, where you send your exactly measurements, garments are made for you, costing less than a lot of high street shops, beautifully made and fit.Even in M & S, you have threads, that havent been finnished off properly, seams not properly overlocked.

Agreed, I haven’t bought any clothes for aaaaggggessss. I hate shopping now. Everything I look at is shit and even in more pricey shops the quality has gone down. I used to love clothes, so it really says something if even I can’t be convinced to make a purchase!

I used to rate uniqlo for basics, but haven’t been there for ages so I have no idea if the quality stayed ok.

Agree - it’s a nightmare. Nothing is a good quality these days even more expensive shops. I hand washed 3 items over the weekend from Boden, Phase 8 and Mi t Velvet (as the label said) and they ALL shrunk as a result of this. A complete pain as I’ve only worn them once and now won’t be able to wear them again. Waste of money

TheGlitterFairy
Boden will refund you up to a year I think if stuff shrinks etc. worth sending it back

I went shopping yesterday and came home with nothing. I only wanted a few items for my holiday and found the same problems as most of you.
Gaudy prints.
Polyester - to be worn in 30 degree heat?
Off the bloody shoulder
Cold bloody shoulder.
I have given up!

How about James Lakeland. I was a fan of Windsmoor but unfortunately they went bust last year. There are still a few good boutiques around but unfortunately even these are closing. I like Devernois and Carrol in France. Devernois is available in the UK. My pet hate is everything is short ie thigh skimming so even if I find a dress I like I look like I’m trying to be 16 again.

I bought a black and cream print shirt waisted from M&S Autograph for an evening out 2 years ago. I think it was £69. I put it on and it felt like the material of my nan’s old housework overalls. Like bri-nylon it was horrible I would probably have gotten electrocuted wearing it! Needless to say I refused to wear it and returned for a refund. It was a good dress except the fabric was vile.