To be shocked that you can buy a pair if shoes for £4

[Bemyclementine]

In primark? I saw someone post on a Facebook group, lots of people raving about them. A couple if people questioning ut.

I kniw good shoes can be expensive, and I know the saying (not exactly...)that a poor man pays £10 for boots that last 6 months, a rich man pays £50 and they last 10 years.

But still, they must be crap, they can't be comfortable or good fir your feet, not to mention the conditions if the people making them?

I know there's a cost if living crisis, I am struggling very much myself. I'm lucky that in years gone by I bought decent shoes that I can still wear.

Absolutely. I said similar on Style and Beauty and got torn apart for suggesting poor people (me included) especially those over a size 18, couldn’t afford to shop in ethical companies or just pop into charity shop and know you’ll find something in your size. Despite being one disaster away from homeless, I was the devil for using sheik to buy a new dress for a job interview 😂 out of touch rich people sure have the BEST morals .

I bought a pair 2 years ago and still wear them (although I think they are coming to the end of their life). They have done me very well. At the time it was those or barefoot for a month or so, they lasted much better than anticipated.

My clarks shoes are more heavy duty but the lightweight shoes are my go to.

The thing is, even the more expensive shoes are shite quality.
I'm sick and tired of spending £50 on shoes for them to wear the same as the primark ones.
It's really difficult to find decent leather shoes.
I used to live in DMs
The production got moved to China, they reduced the quality and now they wear out within months. I used to get years out of a pair. For over £100 a pair I'm livid

Ridiculous.
The most expensive women's shoes are certainly not good for the feet. In fact they are crippling, toe hammering, centre of balance fuckering nightmares.

@SpiceRat

is there a problem with charity shops?

@Mistlewoeandwhine Well I'm definitely not middle class or well off but I understand I might be privileged fir having g previously been able to spend more on shoes.

And absolutely people should have more to live on, that was part of my point.

Also no one commenting on the post appeared to be struggling- all buying multiple pairs to go with their many £40 dresses.

I do understand there are people who can only afford £4 for shoes.

@Giraffesandbottoms I often go to charity shops, and would prefer to, but you can't guarantee they'll have what you want in your size.

Also no one commenting on the post appeared to be struggling- all buying multiple pairs to go with their many £40 dresses

I can well believe this. I agree with a PP that shopping at primark etc is the equivalent of buying battery eggs knowingly. Most people aren’t doing it because they are cripplingly poor and need a single pair of shoes, they are doing it because they want lots of clothes, never mind the actually poor souls who are making them.

Senreve Maestra (there are discount codes, and there is also a great sale where you can buy bags with tiny flaws). I bought a laptop sleeve/envelope clutch from senreve for 50% off (and i couldn't tell you what the flaw is).

. I also have a fossil camilla backpack which is more reasonably priced but you need to unhook the straps to wear it on your shoulder. I also connect both straps to make it possible for me to wear crossbody (or i guess you can buy a crossbody strap!)

Loads of shoes for £5 mark on everything5pounds. Also Vinted has some right bargains if you're quick (just be careful with who you buy from). I got a brand new pair of Clarks sandals there for £10. (Plus postage of course).

You can get a pair of flip-flops in Primark/Penneys for 90p!
www.primark.com/en-gb/p/classic-flip-flops-991023602505

£4 for a pair of broderie anglaise traininers:
www.primark.com/en-gb/p/broderie-anglaise-canvas-trainers-991037417504

@JustFrustrated I think you're missing the point. People with barely any money can't afford to save.

My gripe with fast fashion is that it's getting harder and harder to find good quality products any more.

Even the quality brands are switching to inferior materials and construction methods. My original pair of Hunter wellies lasted nearly 30 years. You're lucky to get 2 years out of a pair now - you're paying for the brand and not the quality. The pair of Clark's shoes that were passed down between siblings lasts a term. A basic M&S tshirt lasts a season or two.

There's no incentive to pay more for quality. We've become used to throwing things away.

Unless you buy ethical you are naive to think more expensive brands pay factory workers more. They just have tighter profit margins and need to sell lots.

Lots of PPs saying that factory conditions can't be good if they're making shoes for £4. This is probably true. But it's also worth noting that plenty of expensive clothes and shoes are also being made by workers who are paid a pittance and working in terrible conditions, so simply buying more expensive items doesn't mean you're making a more ethical or sustainable choice. I'm all for fast fashion practices being called out, but a lot of people (not saying it's anyone here - just generally) seem to think that they can shift all the guilt on to people who are buying clothes on a budget from Primark, Asos and H&M when their own higher-priced items are equally to blame.

The most ethical way is to buy second hand or buy from a niche independent ethical brand with solid 'green' credentials. The former can be hit or miss; the latter is expensive. But the easiest way is to buy less

and anyone can buy less. Someone with a capsule Primark wardrobe is doing more for the planet than someone with a shopping addiction and a walk in closet of ethical clothing.

@Giraffesandbottoms There's nothing wrong with charity shops if you're looking for very general items (or are just browsing on spec) and are in the 8-16 size range. I browse charity shops a lot, but I'm a size 12 and I'm just buying things I like as and when I spot them.

If you need something very specific (say, a smart black knee-length dress/skirt in a 22 for a funeral next week, or a size 6 petite length suit for an interview, or a pair of wide-fit black lace-up flats for your new waitressing job) then the chances of finding what you need are minuscule unless you've got months of time to search in every shop within a 20 miles radius.

I wanted to get a smart winter coat from a charity shop last year and after going into 13 shops in two towns and finding nothing remotely suitable, I ended up going in Primark because I was all out of options. Buying second-hand online wasn't going to work because I really needed to try on whatever I bought.

Last summer I was out shopping and my feet were absolutely boiling. I was going to have to walk home (20 minutes walk, no bus as it was Sunday) and I thought my feet were actually going to burst.
I went into Pep and Co and got a pair of sliders from the boys section for about £3 and walked home wearing them.
Best pair of shoes ever. So comfy. I have worn them almost all the time - even in winter (I just put socks on - classy look 🤣).

Most people aren’t doing it because they are cripplingly poor and need a single pair of shoes, they are doing it because they want lots of clothes

But the fact that some people buy cheap clothes they don't need doesn't mean that cheap clothes shouldn't exist for the people who DO need them.

But expensive doesn't mean better working conditions, either.

It's not as simple as saying Primark = poor conditions, Gucci = good conditions.

Pretty sure I know which group, I saw the same post and also despaired at the people buying every colour to go with their dozens of dresses, cardigans and tights (that they then go on to sell 'preloved' because they need the money to fix their car / feed their kids 🙄).

Personally I walk so much I destroy all
my shoes within 6 months even the over £100 ones. However, I need comfort as I am getting bunions. If it is all you can afford and you really need shoes then what can you do I suppose. I really don’t think expensive guarantees quality if the shoes are more fashionable rather than made to last comfy ones.

All neatly sewn together by 8 year old children in a Vietnamese sweatshop no doubt 🤬