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AIBU?

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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:
Eolian · 29/05/2018 07:59

I bought a few things in Laura Ashley the other day, having not set foot in there in decades. I was pleassntly surprised - few frills and blousy prints, and the clothes felt and looked a lot better quality than in many other shops. I like Phase Eight's designs, but I find their stuff goes bobbly and shapeless even faster than some cheaper brands.
I really want to embrace the 'buy less but more expensive' thing, but the thing is, I already buy clothes pretty rarely, and when I do really need some new clothes, it's depressing to come back with only one or two items when you need more! Will have a look at Uniqlo, but agree with others about the ghastly Toast dresses!

Clionba · 29/05/2018 08:02

I agree with everything you have all said!
So true, dinajermina about everything polyester - even more expensive items. Ridiculous in the heat. I don't want to wear cold shoulder tops or Bardot tops either.
There is definitely a market not being catered to here.

sherazade · 29/05/2018 08:02

I agree . Recently bought a load of t shirts for my toddler from hm online - the conscious collection . They were so , so thin I returned them as i doubt they'd survive toddler worthy laundying.

TheGlitterFairy · 29/05/2018 08:30

LightAsTheBreeze I’ll be emailing them today about sending it back! Smile

ProperLavs · 29/05/2018 09:03

I agree, it's mosrtly all crap. I only ever buy from the reduced rail- ever. yesterday in Gap I got a rather nice, thick cotton, navy jumper, £5.99.
I remember when Gap's jumpers were excellent quality- we're talking 1990's here.
I mostly buy from charity shops and eBay- but it is getting harder and harder to find decent clothes.
I am a small size and pretty rectangular n shape with no bust. I hate the way the shirts are square cut, I need something more fitted otherwise I look even more shapeless.
I find Primark brilliant for basic t-shirts and vests though. I have the same ones that I've worn for years.
I went into Riess the other week to get an idea of sizing and I'm and XS which is utterly ridiculous. In Zara a lot of the stuff is too big for me even the xs. I like a lot of the look of Zara clothes but the quality can be shocking. I've had the odd gem though it must be said.

ProperLavs · 29/05/2018 09:09

Jeans-wise I have found that Levis last me. I know some of the quality isn't as good as years ago but I have had my jeans for a few years and they are still going strong. I prefer those with minimal elastane.
I also get good wear out of gap trousers. I have a pair of skinny highways ones that I have worn to death for over 2 years and they are still fine.

woodhill · 29/05/2018 11:27

Is Lands End any good despite being a bit frumpy?

thedevilinablackdress · 29/05/2018 12:09

Have had some good shirts from Land's End (via eBay)

MaudlinMews · 29/05/2018 12:51

I agree that Laura Ashkey quality is very good, its just not my style - too feminine. I find Boden good quality too, again, not my style or suited to my straight shape but I choose carefully. Xara is poor quality on the whole but I do find a few gems. I love their blazers and the cut of their trousers. Shoes are tiny though!

Sadly, I dont think there’s a viable business in providing what we’re looking for. Those days have gone. I tried to find local dressmakers to make a few dresses but theyre all in wedding dress fever and fully booked until September. The good ones that is.

I do agree that bamboo clothing is fantastic but they only do sports/casual/utility wear. Lovely though. I had high hopes for WALL London when they launched & bought a few gorgeous things but they went bust last year.

Movablefeast · 29/05/2018 15:23

Those Toast dresses are like something they would've worn in the Magdalene Laundries. They all look absolutely miserable too. Probably been shopping for new clothes all day and just came home and put their Toast dress back on.

I find clothes in Holland high quality, colorful and fashionable but not so "on trend" that they date very quickly.

LighthouseSouth · 29/05/2018 15:28

oh I'm so hearing you OP

we are very frugal so haven't bought anything for years. someone mentioned thin fabric - DD said to me "oh but surely that's meant to have something under it?" - I really don't think it is. I think it's just crap fabric. You don't buy a standard top expecting to have to wear a vest top underneath it, do you? Or do you and I'm hopelessly out of date.

just had some stuff arrive from House of Fraser from their sale. The jacket was such poor quality I couldn't believe it.

there does seem to be tons and tons of stuff to choose from but it's all shite. I would be happy with one shop that does basics.

thedevilinablackdress · 29/05/2018 16:00

I keep seeing tops that don't even look like they're made from fabric, but more like some sort of plasticky paper. Just cut at the edges, no seams. Some cut out holes for detailing. Awful, awful, awful.

Movablefeast · 29/05/2018 16:18

It's a dangerous move as I think it is training us to do LESS clothes shopping. I hardly ever shop for regular clothes anymore and for my everyday clothes I have taken a leaf out of my two teen dds book. We live in the US and they are both athletic. I now buy NorthFace and other decent sports brands as the clothes are fashionable, sturdy and last. My "uniform" is athletic wear. I also like Ralph Lauren at Macys as they are fashionable clothes that are well made, really like their jeans. This is the mid-range line not super high end. Some of the stuff is frumpy but mixed in with some great lines with good shapes and fabrics.

LaLaLolly · 29/05/2018 16:23

I'm Mediterranean and I can tell you that in Spain, Portugal and Italy people don't tend to buy clothes every month (except for teenagers who shop at H&M etc.)

So when they buy something, they want it to last and wouldn't expect to pay as little as €40/£30 for a dress.

You also don't tend to see people wearing fake leather shoes/bags/belts; which again is more expensive.

It follows that the taste is more classic and lends itself to a capsule wardrobe approach with (maybe) a couple of seasonal cheap tops thrown in.

As demand dictates supply, the offerings are classic, generally well made, in neutral tones.

I find it hard to shop in the UK, especially for the DC clothes.

Movablefeast · 29/05/2018 16:30

Sounds ideal LaLaLolly. I lived in Germany for six years and there were a lot of high quality boutique stores catering to just what you have described.

Jozxyqk · 29/05/2018 16:36

I think in the last two years, I've bought one item of clothing - a pair of jeans, because I'd ripped my others, as they were about 10 years old, washed & worn almost continually, & absolutely paper thin at the knees. The choice in shops recently has been most depressing. I knit my own jumpers, & am trying to learn how to sew my own clothes.

I really must lose the last bit of baby weight - my pre-baby clothes are so much nicer than all the crap I've had to buy in the last few years.

woodhill · 29/05/2018 17:37

Went to flagship John Lewis, HOF and Debenhams- no 20% off offers after
BH.

Horrible garish tops with notch necks or crew neck, so unflattering on my slightly larger than average bust. Principles used to be fab

Linea hideous polyester £40. Couldn't see any quality t-shirts.

No spend or will wait for sale

TeisanLap · 29/05/2018 18:36

Sounds ideal LaLaLolly. I lived in Germany for six years and there were a lot of high quality boutique stores catering to just what you have described

This was my experience in a very small German town just last week. Just wonderful.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheChips · 30/05/2018 17:38

Has anyone bought anything (for themselves, not kids) from Hatley?

Looks nice but hesitant to order as I have no idea of quality.

www.hatley.com/en_uk/women/shop-all/tops.html

Ducksarsehead · 30/05/2018 19:51

I havent bought a tshirt in about 4 years because i couldnt find one that wasnt see through, didnt sit above my belly button and was affordable.
However a few weeks ago I bought one royal blue low crew neck 100% cotton from next for i think £8.
So far its washed 3x perfectly is long enough!!! I have an 8, id say im more a 12

AnxiousKatie · 30/05/2018 20:33

Agree with what people said - it's hard to find decent clothes that are not polyester and fit & wash well.

MaudlinMews · 31/05/2018 10:38

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheChips never heard of Hatley but love the look of them and they make stuff in ... COTTON! Unheard of normally. Thanks for that pointer.

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheChips · 31/05/2018 12:44

I think they are Canadian

expatinscotland · 31/05/2018 12:58

All those synthetic fabrics! Yuk!

Clionba · 01/06/2018 14:08

I actually found some good tee shirts today! M&S, 100% cotton, not see- through, not low necked, not skin tight!! I honestly wanted to cheer Smile £4.50 each.