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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:
BellaAndDave · 12/09/2023 21:57

continentallentil · 12/09/2023 21:51

Tell me they don’t actually call them that?

Show quote history

They used to have wellibobs I’m not sure about now.

I’ve never rated Joules clothing, where I live it was always the mothers of the kids that brought them for riding lessons that wore Joules. I’ve received a few bits and pieces for gifts and didn’t like the quality, it also faded quickly.

supertiredallthetime · 12/09/2023 21:58

I wouldn't shop in there as it's awful.

fyn · 12/09/2023 22:02

I work in an agricultural industry and went to an ag uni. 10/12 years ago everyone wore Joules whilst I was at uni, now nobody would be seen dead in it. Brands like Schoffel, Holland and Cooper and Fairfax and Favor are what I see! They’ve definitely lost that demographic, they stopped doing tweeds and shirts with hunt prints on I think.

Willyoujustbequiet · 12/09/2023 22:07

Absolutely middle class.

Not particularly my taste but definitely middle class. One of their coats was immaculate 10 years later though.

asterel · 12/09/2023 22:08

They were v middle class 10-15 years ago. When DD was small I had several gorgeous dresses for her from them which were genuinely fantastic quality - lined heavy cotton and linen with gorgeous toile de jouy prints. They were originally very Bodenesque/Hatley/middle class country horsey style - particularly when that stripy Breton-skinny jeans Kate Middleton look started to be fashionable - but the womenswear was as a consequence always a bit deliberately frumpy in a preppy minor Royals type way. (I could never find anything in the women’s range that I liked, even though the kids’ stuff was nice).

The quality really plummeted about 5/6 years ago though, and they started selling on shopping channels like QVC. That was the real kiss of death, because that flowers-on-stripes look became less upmarket country style and more the kind of thing that pensioner ladies started to like. And QVC is definitely NOT a middle class shopping vehicle.

The stripes and flowers thing is really looking very very “last decade” now - the clothes equivalent of a grey corner sofa with a feature wallpaper wall that has started to scream “so 2015” 😂

Beezknees · 12/09/2023 22:09

I'm at the lower end of working class and I've got no idea what Joules clothing looks like.

CruCru · 13/09/2023 13:55

I think Fat Face are more middle class than Joules

User19543785 · 13/09/2023 13:59

Seasalt is better quality. Joules cottons shrink

superplumb · 13/09/2023 14:07

I have idea but it's awful, esp those yellow raincoats

mondaytosunday · 13/09/2023 14:13

I love Joules and have bought plenty for my daughter over the years. They wear and wash well. No complaints and the sales are good.

ActDottie · 13/09/2023 14:25

I wouldn’t say it’s low brow! Definitely middle class based on the prices.

Whitewolf2 · 13/09/2023 14:43

I’ve got a raincoat and wellies from Joules stills going fine after 5 years, so I think the quality is decent but I always get stuff in sales. I would say they are now more casual older middle class - like over 50s maybe.

Puddycatfan · 13/09/2023 14:49

I used to buy riding clothes there including breeches, it was great quality. Then they stopped selling it and the quality went to crap as they tried to appeal to people who've never walked in a field in their life. Shame really.

MrsMiddleMother · 13/09/2023 14:56

Very middle class. I've never bought anything from there and never will. Makes me cringe when I see someone in their clothes as its so obvious

Fatpigsinblankets · 13/09/2023 14:57

I always think it’s a bit 2012. Like Cath Kidston, ‘shabby chic’ type era. It was always a bit Zara Phillips for me - not my style, but my mum gave me a Breton top from there about 12 years ago and this quality’s amazing - so thick and never lost its shape.

Mercurial123 · 13/09/2023 15:01

Will MN ever run out of ways to ask if someone or something is middle class?

SweetPetrichor · 13/09/2023 15:05

I think they’re decent enough for their price range. I find their jeans to be very comfy and they last pretty well. Their gilets are good too. I don’t know what class I’d call it though.

TodayInahurry · 13/09/2023 15:15

I used to buy a lot about 10 years ago, then the quality went downhill. I still have one polo shirt left I wear for gardening

User19543785 · 13/09/2023 15:19

There's loads on Next clearance pages so you can look middle class at half the price

Original poster
Grumps1 · 13/09/2023 19:06

@User19543785 lmao

OP posts:
bombastix · 13/09/2023 19:11

Quite good kids costs for the money.

I would not wear it myself

TrishTrix · 13/09/2023 19:24

Dated. Seasalt is going the same way.

Hush/Scamp & Dude/ Toast/ Cos/ Arket are the new brands.

Those that are still into Huntin' Shootin' Fishin' wear more obscure brands I don't know about. Maybe Orvis. Crew is still solidly middle class I think despite it's frequent appearance at outlet centres.

M&S is having a resurgence. I bought a lot of stuff there this summer and I used to be wall to wall Boden/ Gap/ Fat Face/ White Stuff for casual wear.

Escapefromhell · 13/09/2023 19:32

It is a like Boden. For people who want to dress like a toddler and never have sex again.

dikwad · 13/09/2023 19:34

Not sure what class it is but it's bloody ugly stuff!

Maray1967 · 13/09/2023 19:41

I have one of the nautical style hooded jackets with striped lining - love it and it’s worn very well. The sweatshirts tend to pill a bit but so do everyone else’s on me. Must be what I do with my arms.