To think Next are up their own arse

[Rawtinhail]

I swear Next used to be pretty well rated, decent quality. Now it's just a load of over priced, cheaply made tat.
I have to shop in the petite section, which is a joke because at 5"2 (not that short I don't think), I still struggle to find any jeans/trousers that aren't a good few inches too long still. But it's so hit and miss because even in identical styles the sizing is all over the place. I can fit in a size 14 in one colour and the size 18 is too tight in another colour but has a saggy crotch chucked in for good measure or a waist so high I could tuck it under my tits.
This is the same even with their exclusive brands. Bought two identical Lipsy dresses in different colours. One fit ok but a little loose around the bum. I couldn't even get the other over my head for fear of ripping the waistband.
Their own clothing is so often just frumpy crap in horrible fabric with some big tacky sparkly star shoved on the front to "jazz it up". The stuff that is actually nice is horrendously overpriced.
Then you get to the furniture. It's all MDF and oak veneer. AKA cheap tat. But it's not cheap, it's expensive. You could literally buy the same quality of furniture for half the price in Argos.
And there are never any discount codes available or cash back affiliations like Quidco. (other than their quarterly sales where they roll out the extra crap crap). Even John Lewis isn't so stuck up that they aren't willing to chuck out some cash back offers or release little discount codes.
Oh, and you can't review anything, you have to be invited to leave reviews!
I get this is first world problems but Next happens to the be only department type shop anywhere near where I live and I keep trying with them, but I'm hacked off that I can't find a single pair of trousers that fits my dumpy ass properly.
Is it just me? Am I just being to unrealistic about what to expect from a major retailer?

I've never liked the square cut of Next and their sizing is mad, but their kids stuff used to be decent.

'Twas a mismash of unicorns and frills in the girls section last time I was there.

Where do people in their late 30s/early 40s buy clothes nowadays?

I'm not talking about the boden/joules crew, but if (like me) you used to buy a lot from Oasis/Warehouse, where do you buy from now?

Obviously Zara will come up, but I only occasionally get on with Zara. I like H&M but sometimes want something a bit less basic.

I haven't shopped in Next for myself for years. However they do do some good basics for kids, ie multi-packs of bright plain T-shirts & DD rates the thermal tights for school. I actually got a £10 off a £25 shop voucher emailed from them the other day so used it to buy more thermal tights as school is freezing atm.

I agree with you but I'm tall and now find that their x-long range are too short for me, I definitely haven't had a growth spurt!
I used to buy all my work trousers and jeans from next, even their summer maxi dresses are too short.

@Theworldisfullofgs

It's not you. I'm old enough to remember Next from the late 80s and early 90s when their stuff was great. I still have a pure wool jumper that I bought then.

Me too . I had lots of their beautiful cardigans and jumpers. They had some lovely dresses. I haven't bought anything from there for years. The jumpers they have in this time are cheap and tacky looking. I like their deck shoes for the summer ,but they seem to be more hit and miss these days. I am a size 5 and, in other places where I am a regular shopper, a size 5 will fit me without fail. I wouldn't buy a deck shoe in Next without trying it on first.

I was asking a friend who's worked in Next for more than 20 yrs about the quality of the clothing.

She said something about containers being held up due to covid and the stock being completely depleted.

It just seems like they are getting rid of stuff they haven't been able to sell - stuff that's not sold in clearance sales. It's all tat.

M&S is the same - particularly with baby/children clothing. The quality has really gone downhill.

It's bad when supermarket clothing is the same or superior quality to high street stores who once had a good reputation for quality products.

I’m 5ft 2 and their petite range fits me perfectly. I love the fact they stock more brands now and I do use them as my “go to”, especially for workwear. I have comically big (natural) breasts and I’m a size 10 so designer shops are generally out of the question for me.
Also their super soft pyjamas are indeed super soft

I used to get all my jeans from next as I'm tall and I find it hard to get any that fit, I don't bother now as they last a few months before wearing out or getting a hole in. Plus they fit weird?

I'm a larger woman and I love their jeans...haven't shopped anywhere else for them for years.

Have never bought large furniture/household items as it's all a bit beige and generic for my taste. The one thing I liked in there was a dining set last years but although it was in the catalogue it never became available to purchase online .

@Howshouldibehave

When I first joined Mumsnet about 12 years ago, I remember a post saying exactly what you are saying…that Next was nice ten years before but isn’t now and there were no discount codes. Clearly nothing has changed

Haha, I guess some things never change!

I’ve found that if you want a brand, then go directly to their website for a deal. Boden can be selling items half price or 30% off whilst the exact same item is on the Next website full price. Same with Frugi.

The Next sale online sucks too and I’ll never be one of those queuing for the Boxing Day sale.

Their only saving grace is they usually have items in stock ready for next day delivery so I guess that convenience is their selling point 🙄

I have never found any item of clothing in Next that fits me. I assume everything is designed for short size 8 people who like a bare midriff.

Trousers all too short - I'm 5'8" so not that unusual.

I think the menswear is ok, both DS's buy work clothes, t shirts and jeans there. They are in their 20s.

@Crowdfundingforcake

I'm old enough to remember Next opening - to great excitement! It was quite expensive, but good quality, and great for office work wear. I stopped buying there almost twenty years ago because of the godawful fabrics and the poor quality of the make. Why slippery man made fabrics are so popular I have no idea. Well, I do, it's because they're cheap and encourage people to buy five things when one would do.

I remember my sister buying her work suits from Next and thinking she looked so glam and smart. It wouldn't be so bad if the price of their clothing reflected the quality, but if I wanted to pay for cheap rubbish I would go to Primark where they are realistic about the tat they sell.

@Theworldisfullofgs

It's not you. I'm old enough to remember Next from the late 80s and early 90s when their stuff was great. I still have a pure wool jumper that I bought then.

Do you remember when they brought out the Directory? It was very swanky with fabric swatches etc. My mum still has a few things from there that must be 25+ years old and still look good I never go in Next now at all

@Christmas1988

You are 5”2 and wear the Pettit range I’m only 5”7 and have to wear the long range, who on earth is the ‘regular’ range aimed at?

This made me laugh but you're right. How does anyone actually find clothes the right length for them?

I used to buy from Next a lot, but I can't remember the last time I got something other than pants and socks for DS2 there now.
Jeans have gone down in quality, or are inconsistent within the exact same item.
You might see a nice colour, or style then realise it's got frills, buttons etc. Yuck.

I have bought a lot from Uniqglo, Zara and Mango recently.

They send far too many e mails as well!

@Overandout1

I agree, Next just seems to sell cheap tat these days. To be honest, I think the high street is a bit of a disaster and I don't really know where to shop anymore (suggestions welcome). I quite liked Warehouse and Oasis years ago but now they are just Boohoo in disguise (same as Karen Millen, Coast etc).

Totally agree. Oasis and Warehouse were one of my go-to shops because I was happy to pay a little extra for the better fabric and quality. They had some gorgeous designs that I felt were more suited to my age range. As soon as Boohoo bought them it's just awful. I don't even bother looking now now. Aside from the quality and style of their ranges now, the last few orders I had absolutely stank when they arrived.

I used to buy everything from Next but haven't done for about a decade. It used to be reasonable quality and I wore it to death but now it's tat as you say.

It wouldn't be so sad if they and New Look were not literally the last man standing on our High Street.

I used to buy all of my 'smart' work clothes from Next. The quality of the trousers and blouses now is nowhere near what it was 10 years ago.

The current range is just vile. I don't want to look like I am an extra in Little House on the Prairie. Horrible fabrics, terrible fussy patters, everything has a flounce or a bow on it. Dresses so long that they will sweep the floor on anyone under 5 foot 10. Just terrible and so sad.

YANBU that Next is tat but in pretty much every shop 'petite' is 5ft3" and under. 5ft2" is pretty short!

In terms of suggestions, I buy from places that MNers take the mick out of - like Crew, Seasalt and Fat Face so probably not much help. I mainly buy from ebay though as you can get "new with tags" returns for half price and it saves them from landfill.

All their profit previously was from their credit charges and revolving credit. The likes of klarna have knocked thar out of the water (thank god).
They could still do well but there are no branches here now. Agree that the offer for short women is poor.

@WindyState

Could it possibly be that 10 years later Next are now aimed at the demographic 10 years younger than you...?

Just a thought.

10 years younger than me would be people in their 20's and I promise you 20-something women aren't walking around in the stuff that Next tries to pass off as stylish.

Regarding jeans, I would go to TKMAXX, try on lots in your waist size then if they’re a good deal, buy and pay to get them taken up. Might still come out cheaper than Next.