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AIBU?

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Original poster

to say that Next clothing quality has plummeted?

72 replies

MidsomerBurgers · 22/04/2019 13:54

Went in to our local branch today looking for summer tops and everything was some sort of polyester or viscose mix. Yuck!

I ended up buying a linen top in Marks.

Is it because I'm getting older or has their quality gone off a cliff edge?

I vaguely recall a profit warning recently is this why they've cut back? Or is the profit warning because of the drop in quality?

OP posts:
Marinated · 22/04/2019 13:57

Bought a top that looked amazing in Next. Holes started appearing in the seams and in the actual fabric within 6 weeks. Jeans now sag badly after a couple of wears - think you're right, quality is down but prices stay the same!

CarpeVitam · 22/04/2019 13:58

Absolutely OP, the quality is nothing like it used to be!

trumptrump · 22/04/2019 13:59

It's always been shite and boring. I only buy it when I find it in the charity shops.

lostelephant · 22/04/2019 14:00

I get my Next clothing from charity shops now, cheaper and better quality!

bigbluebus · 22/04/2019 14:02

Bought DS some PJ's there before Christmas. Washed them on a normal wash (as per the label) and they shrank in the legs by about 4 inches. Took them back and they did exchange for something else with no quibbling though. (I had bought a different type of PJ's as well which were fine after washing)

Theyellowsquare · 22/04/2019 14:02

I automatically thought that you were talking about kids clothes because I gave up on the adult clothes a couple of years ago. Nothing seemed to fit correctly and the quality was much the same as New Look. Prices weren't at New Look levels though Angry

user1457017537 · 22/04/2019 14:06

I agree not much to inspire in Next currently and the summer collection looked very boring and had no weight to it, very cheap fabrics. Could normally always buy a few items. Even the plain linen shift dress is impossible to find in white, navy or black but hundreds available in dodgy prints.

hellenbackagen · 22/04/2019 14:06

What's th alternative to next now then? I used to shop a lot there and just have a basket filled with £300 women's clothes poised to hit pay and wondering if I should try elsewhere first ?

I like lazy internet shopping....

Spinnaret · 22/04/2019 14:12

About 10 years ago. Not recently. But maybe there has been a further decline. Haven't bought anything from Next for about a decade because it was so poor.

AllTheFunAndGames · 22/04/2019 14:14

Next's quality has gone really bad with a few years. I got a jumper on sale and it baubled after a couple of washes. It's a pity because it used to be my favourite shop to get my clothes.

MotherOfMinions · 22/04/2019 14:17

The quality deteriorated about 10 years ago which is when I stopped shopping there. I can remember when it was considered to be very good quality and quite an aspirational brand. Not now

Lllot5 · 22/04/2019 14:23

Yes I agree was my go to shop especially for working bits but last couple of years it’s been really bad. Household bits still ok bed linen towels etc.

Original poster
MidsomerBurgers · 22/04/2019 14:41

I pretty much stopped buying there about 5 or 6 years ago. Before that, pretty much everything I wore was from there. I loved their jeans and their basic tshirts. I think Primark quality is the same, but for a fraction of the price.

I want better quality stuff that lasts at least the whole season though. In sensible, muted prints or preferably plain.

OP posts:
flumpybear · 22/04/2019 14:49

The quality is very poor compared to what it used to be - I've started shopping elsewhere on the whole

BlackCatSleeping · 22/04/2019 14:53

My Next jeans used to last about a year, but my last pair wore through in only three months. Trousers wore through after 6 wears. It’s shit and I’ve also stopped shopping there. It’s such a shame as they can obviously make clothes that last longer, but are going for cheap and crap.

Fiveexclamationmarks · 22/04/2019 15:52

Haven't shopped there in years but have just got back from a marathon collection and return session today!

The quality was extremely poor, sizing was off (one pair of linen trousers were a snug but acceptable fit on the waist, another had at least three inches of space, huge!) and the cuts themselves were not good. Everything was thin / sheer and hung badly, seams were poor, lumpy pocket linings showed through etc. Returned the lot.

As OP said, the quality feels more Primark but the price point certainly doesn't!

Had far more luck recently with M&S. Sizing can be hit or miss (including shoes), but at a similar price point the quality seems to be better. Some of their shoes are amazingly comfortable too! Phase Eight have always been pretty good, including sale items.

As with PP would love to hear recommendations for other brands...

Ohhellothereladyface · 22/04/2019 15:57

Re Next kidswear - what is with all the random, weird slogans!!!!
An otherwise pretty T-shirt is ruined with stupid phrases/words such as (actual examples) “yeah...ok”, “whatever”

chrispenrallt1 · 22/04/2019 16:01

The linen shift dresses used to be fun for holidays but now they have put the pockets on the side seam instead of the front it makes the dress hang in a strange manner. Imagine handles on the side! Not a good look for us hippy chicks !

chrispenrallt1 · 22/04/2019 16:02

You can buy similar without the hip handles at Principles in Debenhams

TheCatDidSay · 22/04/2019 16:04

I try every so often but I find their tops rather lacking for those in the bigger breast Club. Once again I’ve had to return a lovely swimming costume as if I simply moved I would of fallen out. It seemed to be good quality material however. Unlike a lipsy item I tried which felt no better that cheap tops I could grab in a pound shop.

BarkandCheese · 22/04/2019 16:12

I don’t know how Next are still going, their quality is no better than supermarket clothes but their prices are double. I shop in charity shops a lot and Next clothes are rarely even worth second hand prices. I’m pretty sure the only things in my wardrobe from there are a plain white shirt and a Christmas jumper.

I’m old enough to remember Next in its heyday, it really was considered a smart, high end high street shop. Now it’s a shop I don’t even bother to go into.

OrangeJuiceandArmchairs · 22/04/2019 16:24

I bought some clothes there a few years ago. They wore through really quickly. Customer services were really helpful. I actually posted some to them for some testing IIRC and they gave me full refunds. Odd.

tinyme77 · 22/04/2019 16:26

I have heard that all clothing stores are using cheaper materials because they are struggling and people don't want to pay more.

BackInTime · 22/04/2019 16:28

Quality has definitely gone downhill while prices are steep in comparison with some other stores. Zara and H&M have a lot more to offer for both kids and adults.

MatchSetPoint · 22/04/2019 16:30

It’s just cheap and cheerful clothing to last one season, if your paying £20 for a top it’s nit going to be high end material or made to last, I Love next for everyday bits and pieces.