I'm thinking the high street deserves to die?

[highstreetdiestreet]

Urgently need a black dress for a funeral, looked around the whole of York, nothing.

Utter dross.

Is it covid/brexit/mid-season/my being pregnant's fault?

YANBU. Everything has become cheap scratchy fast fashion at boutique prices.

Having my own challenges today - trying to finish some crafting and every craft shop in a 15 mile radius is closed on Sundays. Like we're all able to pop in between 10-4 on a Monday. I'll end up either at amazon or John Lewis

I've ended up on ASOS, next day delivery even if I order today on a Sunday!

I've had to order 4 things and hope for the best.

YANBU. Everything has become cheap scratchy fast fashion at boutique prices.

Because the majority of shoppers want qty over quality.

I really want to say YABU...

But after some very disappointing shopping experiences recently, I actually think many stores are no longer interested in providing a direct service. They stock 12 items of a garment, all in size 18, and then shrug and say you can order it online. Even the more expensive brands are using nasty 100% synthetics. It is difficult to see how many of these stores are surviving tbh.

Haven't got anything on high street for years....only reason I made an effect is that once a six months to poundland or the works...

Of course there are black dresses on the high st

Just not to your taste!

As I was looking around I was wondering where the hell people buy their smart clothes from?

All I need is a respectable, black dress that's suitable for my grandmother's funeral.

@gardeninggirl68

Of course there are black dresses on the high st

Just not to your taste!

Not a single black, respectable in Zara, Hobbs, Marks and Spencer or Mango.

Didn't bother with H&M because they're generally see-through rubbish.

Bit of a dramatic title because you can’t find what you want. Where did you go exactly ? I can’t believe John Lewis or another department store wouldn’t have a single suitable option.

I had the same thing, wanted a black dress for a funeral - nothing! M&S and Next used to do decent staples but now it’s a mishmash of everything.

I buy all my clothes in physical shops. I need to try stuff on to get anything that looks half decent on me.

JL is closed.

Marks and Spencer had no plain black dresses at all.

@Tibtab

I had the same thing, wanted a black dress for a funeral - nothing! M&S and Next used to do decent staples but now it’s a mishmash of everything.

Oh gosh, yes I went into next and it was hideous

My local high street is dead, all the decent shops have shut and now it’s just weird tacky £5 clothes shops called “diva” and such like 🤢

Too many high street retailers refuse to accept things have changed. They haven’t upped their game service-wise, even though online shopping has become immeasurably more convenient in the last 10 years.

I needed to pop in to Wilko the other day. They close at 7pm, supposedly. It was barely quarter to and the grill was halfway down. After doing some bizarre limbo dance to actually get in, a staff member at the door said ‘We’re closing in 15 minutes’. (Funny way to pronounce ‘Hello’…) Has no one told shops that having customers is supposed to be a good thing?

@DocAutumn

I buy all my clothes in physical shops. I need to try stuff on to get anything that looks half decent on me.

Same.

Unlike many mumsnetters I don't want the high street to die. I want to be able to mooch around clothes shops, see and feel the fabrics and enjoy the instant gratification of buying something straight away instead of ordering several sizes then spending hours queueing in our tiny post office to send stuff back.

I know that some people dislike shopping, and some don't have the time to mooch, but I sometimes get the impression that some think that enjoying clothes shopping is a moral failing that only shallow and vain people enjoy.

@RampantIvy

That's not my view at all

Hobbs - beautiful dresses in every colour you want, including black.

@TurnUpTurnip

My local high street is dead, all the decent shops have shut and now it’s just weird tacky £5 clothes shops called “diva” and such like 🤢

Yes! Where have they all come from? Surely they have to be a front for something else 🤔

@highstreetdiestreet I didn't think it was, but there have so many threads on mumsnet in the past full of posters full of glee that yet another retailer has gone bust.

Have you been to the retail outlet by the A64?

I'm sorry for your loss

I remember the joy of high st shopping in the 70's, 80's and 90's. I would get the early bus to leeds or train to York on a saturday morning. and be overwhelmed with the choice of shops - chains and independents alike. I'd have a brief stop for lunch then carry on throughout the afternoon trying on and buying a wide range of clothes, with an ever increasing bags of swag on my arms, until I finally ran for my transport home after hearing the 'store closing' announcements.
Everywhere would be buzzing with atmosphere, the pavements crowded, lights and music coming from the stores, and I'd have the feeling of success at finding what I wanted.

I still have - and wear some of those clothes as they're so beautifully made, gorgeous to wear and are full of memories.

These days I go into town maybe once every 3 months to look at the charity shops and that's it, as there is nothing else there. So sad and depressing.

@DocAutumn

I buy all my clothes in physical shops. I need to try stuff on to get anything that looks half decent on me.

Also the same. But I'm more and more discovering that high street shops don't want to cater for people like me. Their stock levels are woeful and they generally only have a random selection of sizes.

I've found the shops to be woefully understocked for the last year or more.

But I'm more and more discovering that high street shops don't want to cater for people like me. Their stock levels are woeful and they generally only have a random selection of sizes.

I'm finding the same. I went to Matalan the other day and the 3 things I liked and wanted to buy weren't available in my size. When I asked if they had anymore, I was told I could order online.

I don’t think anywhere does maternity in physical stores anymore, all online