To be mildly gutted about primark?!

[NothingIsGoing2GetBetterItsNot]

As in that apparently it won't be amongst the 'non essential' shops opening June 15th....

I know they're doing what they think is the right thing (& at this stage in the proceedings non of us know for sure what's best) but I for one am seeing them as pretty darn Essential right now, especially as all my pre lockdown clothes seem to have inexplicably and simultaneously shrunk!

So many places online seem to have sold out of decent but reasonably priced cotton shorts in my size (newly acquired 12 - apparently - so fairly average) and till today I'd kind of been pinning my hopes on a brief stock up at my local in a week or two but alas it seems its not too be...

Anyone else a bit peeved it's going to have to be either immediate diet or the drastic measure of the shoe horn (resulting in horrific double - ended muffin top, no doubt)?! And also recommend anywhere online I can get some cotton, preferably cotton linen blend, elasticated waist shorts??
I can't be only Lockdown Lardy out there?

I'm currently wearing a t-shirt from Primark that I bought about 3 years ago and wear at least once a week it still looks like new. They are not as cheap as they used to be but the quality is better.

Well said @IndiaMay, Primark don't spend millions on advertising and they don't buy ahead. Most shops predict a trend, have stuff made and stash it in the warehouses until it comes out later on.

Primark see the current trend and respond to that, no warehouse storage, no advertising.

Next spent £36 million on digital advertising in 2019 and planned to increase that to £46 million.

My Dad worked in textiles all his life, went to all countries all over the world and saw stuff first hand. You are deluding yourselves if you think that high street shops do not use cheap labour.

How about trying Matalan. I ordered online recently. Great service

I just paid £12.50 for a pair of average flip flops elsewhere knowing I could've bought a lovely pair in Primark for a fiver

Or 90p if you get their basic ones!

Will not be rushing to queue anywhere with no loos open and having the bladder of a gnat, with my luck by the time I got to the front of the queue I would be standing there with legs crossed hoping I can get back to the car in time.

But what is it with people wanting shops/restaurants/cafes/takeaways to reopen and put the staff at risk so they can get their fix?

You do know that some people are dependent on the hospitality industry for their livelihoods, don't you?

OP, have you tried Tesco?

Supermarket clothes are horrible. Primark is much nicer, and cheaper. I urgently need some basics

I just need primark underwear. You know the lace thongs that are ridiculously comfortable and are seam free. Sigh 😔

I've yanbu'd despite it not being the best place for social distancing.

And because several of my bras broke at the start of lockdown and I needed a pair of shorts which aren't borderline indecent (I'd love to be 'bopo' but it's not just that I'm a 24, it's that I can't shave the horrid black hairs which randomly grow up the back of my thighs...)

Not cheap like Primark, but I can recommend looking at the SimplyBe site - you're not plus sized but they don't just cater for puddings like me and you don't have to pay it all straight away. I've been using them for nearly a year and my partner has been using the Jacamo site (they're connected) for years. Always good service and no issues.

I'm sure there will be other places which cater to people of your size and not mine, I just haven't ever used any others.

Sorry. I was trying to be helpful. I don't buy clothes at supermarkets or at Primark, but I walk through the clothes aisles in my local big Tesco, so I know they sell them. I also noticed they had a half-price sale the other day.

Looks like you're not alone OP.....

Every time Primark bus mentioned on Mn the sweatshop comes out . Are people really so naive they think the other high street shops clothes are not produced in sweatshops.

Me too OP, ditto hoping for a sale!

Not everybody can afford the more expensive high street shops, misguided and plt certainly isn't cheap in comparison.

I'm a mum of two small children who is out of work thanks to this pandemic, I wish I could afford to kit my children out in lovely summer clothes from better places.

That being said I did pass our local Primark yesterday when collecting my glasses from Specsavers and for the first time in months the shutters were up and staff were inside.

I do reckon they're gearing up to open soon.

Loving those arket ones, chocolate!

Matalan have a perrrrrfect pair of linen-viscose blend but they are out of stock 😕

I do actually agree with PPs that primark quality isn't that bad, certainly not "throwaway"... I have had several Tees, vests and jeans that I've had a few years now! In any case like I've said it's really not about needing cheap just basic decent simple non plastic and in stock!

Might wander over to eBay actually...
Thanks everyone!

campervan 🤣🤣 yep that's me!!

another vote for matalan or even try new look - they are my go tos when i need stuff and cant get to a primark

I'm not a Primark fan myself and get most of DCs clothes from the supermarkets, but I'm sure the OP didn't actually ask for people's opinions on whether she should actually be shopping at Primark.

Primark are one of the retailers who cancelled contracts during covid-19 leaving factories in Bangladesh with tons of clothes and no money. They backtracked bit still didn't settle the full bill.

Please don't buy cheap crappy fast fashion, this isn't just Primark but most high street stores. There are lots of clothes for sale that have barely been worn on eBay. There are also ethical retailers.

www.independent.co.uk/news/business/analysis-and-features/coronavirus-clothes-workers-bangladesh-high-street-shut-a9500111.html

Linen blend? Not sure how short you're happy to go:

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/143614650892

Quite like shopping for someone else! I'm a total eBay convert since having my DS - not buying him a whole new wardrobe new every 6 months!

Maybe wait for charity shops to open

After the scandal a few years ago Primark got really hot on ethics and making sure people worked in good conditions. They send out auditors to all companies they work for to make sure everything is above board and ethical. I don’t work for Primark, but for one of the companies they audited and was interviewed as part of it.
They’re brilliant for the basics I’m in need of ankle socks and knickers!

www.sportsdirect.com/la-gear-lightweight-shorts-ladies-576024#colcode=57602403

I bought 2 pairs of these and they came pretty quickly, just plain old soft cotton shorts, with pockets. Comfortable around the house.

I’ve made do with Asda for shorts and T-shirt’s for DS who’s grown like a weed and I hadn’t got him much summer stuff before lockdown, and for some shirts and vest tops for me to wear in the garden. I found some nice Bardot type dresses as well, £8 each. They’ve washed well and were cheap. I found going at about 8pm means it’s pretty empty and it’s a very big store.

shorts for me not shirts