Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Joules clothing middle class

123 replies

Grumps1 · 12/09/2023 19:54

Aibu to think it’s middle class? Someone at work told me they wouldn’t shop there as it’s too low brow and badly made 🙄

OP posts:
Legale · 12/09/2023 20:14

It's always come across as what people wear instead of simply screaming "look how middle class I am!" Like quite try-hard, and the clothes are nothing special.

jolaylasofia · 12/09/2023 20:17

oh christ this thread is so cringey

Flickersy · 12/09/2023 20:18

I've got some battered old tweed jackets which will probably outlive me the way they're going. They're still my go to for being outside in winter.

Bought some t-shirts a couple of years ago which were a bit disappointing for the price.

Still have a look every now and then though, I'm not that put off by the t-shirts.

For good country clothing I tend to go for Schoffel, Rydale, and Brocklehursts.

10HailMarys · 12/09/2023 20:20

I’ve never shopped there so don’t know about prices or quality but it’s totally middle class. You can tell just from the locations of their stores and the style of their clothes. It’s not my thing at all, but each to their own! I certainly wouldn’t call it ‘low brow’.

Elphame · 12/09/2023 20:21

It used to be great but then they cheapened the brand and started selling a lot of lower quality items.

I don't know anyone who still shops there.

AndIKnewYouMeantIt · 12/09/2023 20:21

Big fan of their midi dresses. I wore this today.

https://www.next.at/en/style/st710223/622003

It depends what you mean by "last". I don't wear things over and over again for years. I sell on after a couple of seasons.

Buy Joules Blue Josie Frill Elasticated Waist Dress from Next Austria

Shop for Joules Blue Josie Frill Elasticated Waist Dress at Next Austria. International shipping and returns available. Buy now!

https://www.next.at/en/style/st710223/622003

Missingmyusername · 12/09/2023 20:29

Bought a kids waterproof jacket in there, only been worn this week so we’ll see.
Seems ok though, fits well. No idea if middle class or not.

Nanny0gg · 12/09/2023 20:34

I have a lovely waterproof jacket from there, bought about 6 years ago

But it has spots on it, not flowers

Redlarge · 12/09/2023 20:39

None of it is particular nice, classy or stylish. Very samey and and not much shape to it, not particularly amazing quality. Boring and frumpy.

My little girl had a nice snowsuit from there when she was 6 months old. I think the prints are best suited to that age range tbh.

Tothepoint99 · 12/09/2023 20:43

Grumps1 · 12/09/2023 19:55

Anyone own anything from there that’s lasted!?

Yes, but hand me downs only. Actually, quite well made stuff!

TheSnootiestFox · 12/09/2023 20:44

I also have ancient tweed jackets from Joules that I expect to pass on to my granddaughters. But the quality hasn't been right for years, and I knew it was no longer my sort of thing when 'The Factory Shop' in the northern seaside town my mum lives in started selling their gilets and wellies for a few quid each. So YABU I'm afraid!

LolaSmiles · 12/09/2023 20:49

It was a middle class brand and used to be reasonable quality. The womenswear wasn't my style but the children's clothing was excellent.

In the last few years though I thought it started to become a downmarket version of itself. The quality declined and everything was stripey with annoying bees and dogs on it.

cocksstrideintheevening · 12/09/2023 20:49

Maybe about 20 years ago

Barleysugar86 · 12/09/2023 20:49

I was disappointed with their womans tunic top (washed horribly). Their kids trainers weren't cheap but lasted well.

I suppose I assumed they were a bit yummy mummy wannabe, lower middle class. Happy to shop there but don't really seek them out.

thecatinthetwat · 12/09/2023 20:57

It’s the tacky end of horsey brand I think. Probably a bit naff. Like white stuff is to snow boarders.

blueraininlondon · 12/09/2023 21:03

I wouldn't say that it's middle class!

Ponoka7 · 12/09/2023 21:19

It is middle class, you don't see their shops or clothing in shops that you see Roman etc in. As her does she know the origin of low brow and how it was used to justify eugenics and used in nazi policies.

AmazingSnakeHead · 12/09/2023 21:41

Yeah of course it's middle class. That doesn't mean it's good ! It means that realistically unless you're earning a middle class wage, you probably cannot afford to spend £70 on a shapeless pastel tunic.

AmazingSnakeHead · 12/09/2023 21:42

@thecatinthetwat Life changing comment, seeing both of those in a new light! What is sea salt in this?

misssunshine4040 · 12/09/2023 21:44

Grumps1 · 12/09/2023 19:54

Aibu to think it’s middle class? Someone at work told me they wouldn’t shop there as it’s too low brow and badly made 🙄

Wouldn't buy joules as it's too low brow? What a raging snob!!
I mean badly made fine but to say it's low brow?
I used to live in joules in my horse days but not their regular clothes.
Equestrian range used to be amazing but it's not very popular now

declutteringmymind · 12/09/2023 21:47

I'd say it's aspirational middle class. Pretty inoffensive though. It used to be worn as a sort of uniform in our village, esp at the school gates.

Not my style but I have some cotton flannel pyjamas from there which i treasure and haven't been able to replace.

Dramatic · 12/09/2023 21:50

Oh yeah definitely middle class. They are too high brow for me. I dread to think what your friend thinks of where I shop.

misssunshine4040 · 12/09/2023 21:50

They did to use to do the softest fluffy striped socks ever. I can't find a pair as soft and lovely.

continentallentil · 12/09/2023 21:51

Clefable · 12/09/2023 19:56

I love their wellibobs!

Tell me they don’t actually call them that?

WedRine · 12/09/2023 21:56

I stopped buying from Joules about 5 years ago because their dresses just always shrunk in the wash.