To feel so disappointed in clothes shopping now compared to what it used to be like?

[mrsgreggspastry]

AIBU to think that there used to be far more choice and just more appealing clothes than there is now? Just everything, the fabrics, not something I pay much attention to normally, but now things just seem so thin and cheap looking. The colours, styles, choice, everything. I can remember going to the shops and really struggling to choose between so many lovely things. Now it's hard to find things I like at all.

You’re lucky op, I can’t ever remember a shopping trip where I haven’t come back feeling disappointed having used the line, ‘it’s not them, it’s me’, multiple times on exiting changing rooms after handing back every single item.

I find it so hard to know where to shop, firefly for qualify but also for style. I don’t have heaps of money but I want something decent. I’m not a teenager and I really don’t want my belly out!

Would have been nice to have this thread in S&B! 🤨

England, certainly, has suffered mightily from Brexit. I no longer feel confident about ordering from Europe, and some sources now won’t ship to England at all.

The internet is a blessing and a curse. It’s mind-boggling to have access to clothes across the world in the palm of one’s hand; but (for me at least) it causes such pressure to keep up and stay aware of new and better places.

And all my window shopping is done from my sofa, or under the duvet. I’ve almost forgotten the existence of the ‘High St’. Hard to believe I’ll never again spend a happy couple of hours wandering around Top Shop.

These awful, cheap materials and the same designs in every shop was happening before Brexit. About 10 years ago, I was always picking up a top at the supermarket that was a bit different. Or going into town, I had to decide between pieces and put some back. Now there's nothing decent in the supermarket and when I go into town, with money ready to buy, there's nothing. Its just tat.
Brexit is to blame for a lot of things but this decline has been going on for ages now.

I honestly get my clothes from lidl now and it's not because I can't afford it, it's because they are cotton or linen, look nice enough and if I have to return them, then I can go next time I go food shopping. Clothes shops are full of bad designs, bad fits, bad fabrics and I cba anymore.

I'm not even joking.

@Irequireausername . Wait, what?! Lidl sells clothes? In their supermarkets? Not around me. 😔

Because we are importing more cheap stuff from China and less quality stuff from the EU. There are also fewer workers from EU countries making clothes in the UK (and Brits don't want to do it). Same story as other industries, basically.

I got 3 dresses of similar style from one shop and there is nearly a size difference 🙄 annoying

I've changed the way I shop. There are plenty of shops that do nice quality, stylish clothes in natural fibres. It's whether people are prepared to pay more.
For too long people have been buying bags full of cheap items that don't last.
I would rather have less but better things.

They sure do, have done for years. They sell clothes in europe too. Every couple of weeks they'll have new items. Like 2 or 3 pattern variations of dresses, linen trousers, skirts, shorts etc. Not a massive selection, but I don't want a massive selection to choose from anymore!

I think it’s largely a catch 22. The cheap synthetic shit sells in huge volumes, so they make more of it. So people buy it because there’s nothing else. And then buy more because it disappoints. Or they buy it because they’re young and it allows them to have a new outfit every week and they’ve been taught it’s fine to do that and bin it after one wear. Look at the difference between men’s and women’s clothing- we’re always complaining that what’s available for them is infinitely better quality.

You are right that this was happening before Brexit, and we were importing cheap low quality fashion from China etc years ago.

However, since Brexit, we now have fewer options of quality items from the EU, and those that we can buy are more expensive.

How do you think they are replacing what we have lost?

By importing even more cheap rubbish from China, of course.

Brexit has made it exponentially worse, and made it even more difficult to get quality items.

Oh, @Irequireausername . Its not faiiirrrrr! 😢😭

This is one of the reasons I buy preworn in excellent condition on Vinted
The fabric is far nicer on say, a blouse from a few years ago and the very fact it's good enough to sell on speaks for the quality

Totally agree
part of the issue is that 15-50 yr olds all shop in the same place, but I’d say 80% of clothes are targeted to the younger half of that demographic.

I thought that they sold clothes nationwide, that's a shame 🫤

Last couple of years I have been having difficulty finding t shirts that aren’t crop tops.

Yes I’m a healthy weight but no I don’t want to walk around with my gut out for all to see 🤣

Hard to believe I’ll never again spend a happy couple of hours wandering around Top Shop.

I miss Top Shop so much. In terms of price, I honestly think that even if you're spending a bit more (let's say Hush, Jigsaw type prices, not cheap) there's still nothing I'd be especially keen to buy or save up for. It's no wonder Vinted is so popular. I can remember a time when GAP was great, Next was, Top Shop, Dorothy Perkins, Miss Selfridge, so much choice.

I’ve gone the other way.
Used to buy from ASOS and La Redoute a lot plus my favourite brands from their own websites.
Now online shopping has got so hit and miss it’s not worth it. More companies are charging for returns and it’s a pain waiting for refunds. I’m back to trying on in shops now. Unfortunately my town is awash with expensive boutiques but even the quality/ styling there is dubious.

Yes, men's clothes are infinitely better quality than women's. Much thicker and warmer and less restrictive. No wonder we are so cold in the winter. 😂

My DH buys a medium in all clothes and has very rarely needed a different size. Women's sizes are all over the place.

Been like this a long while. I noticed the quality of basic t-shirts dropping for at least the last 10 years if not longer.

This cheap fashion annoys me in that the prices are often not that cheap to the people buying but within a few washes the clothing is seemingly see through without meaning to be.

I've an longline black cardigan that I paid 30 pound for. As an unpaid carer I don't think that that is a small amount when compared to my available budget (ymmv given your own incomes). It's been washed approx 5 times over the space of 2/3 months and it has thinned to the point that when it was on the washing line I could quite clearly see through it where it hasn't been like that for the first couple of washes. It's sadly not alone as I've seen it happen often to other clothes.

@SaturdayGiraffe I’ve just bought 3 plain t shirts from fat face and it’s been so long I’ve had a decent t shirt made from nice material I actually made a little ‘ooh’ as I unpacked them!

I can’t wear polyester at all, I just sweat. It’s so bizarre that so many clothes are made from it now.

Stuff is awful at the moment

I don't agree. I buy second hand COS or Whistles or J Crew as I know what size I am.

Merino wool from J Crew and Wool dresses from COS. I find COS very well priced for the quality and wears so well I have items I bought nearly 10yrs ago that I still wear.

Also Marks and Spencer are fab. Loads of their trousers. Cotton culottes for the summer from nobody's child and I have some nobody's child dresses too.

I don't have that much money to spend, but I like to spend it effectively.