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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think the price of clothing has soared!

159 replies

Orangegreen · 12/04/2024 20:39

Not talking particularly high end brands. Even supermarket clothing lines, historically cheaper shops, ASOS etc. Hard to find a dress for under £30 and that is often pushing it, usually they are in the £40-60 bracket just for an every day type dress. Occasion wear is probably much more but I’m not in the habit of buying this!

I nipped into Primark the other day thinking they would be cheaper but not anymore.

Why has it gone so crazy?

OP posts:
Pavolvaa · 12/04/2024 20:51

100% I have been shopping for spring and it’s about 50% more - “sale” on asos atm and the prices are above what they were full price around 2yrs ago. £100 for 2 basic items.

Pavolvaa · 12/04/2024 20:52

£50 for decent dress on m&s

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 12/04/2024 20:53

It's crazy because they want you to buy less. In times of high inflation prices rise so that people spend less and the economy stabilises.

MidnightPatrol · 12/04/2024 20:54

Agreed!

In some of the high street shops things like blouses can be £80-120 (!) - and dresses which I’d previously have bought without thinking too much getting on for £200 (or more).

Even in H&M sometimes it’s £40+ for a top.

Bluevelvetsofa · 12/04/2024 21:14

I look at sites like Brand Alley. Probably not the current season, but I don’t mind.

Orangegreen · 12/04/2024 21:15

MidnightPatrol · 12/04/2024 20:54

Agreed!

In some of the high street shops things like blouses can be £80-120 (!) - and dresses which I’d previously have bought without thinking too much getting on for £200 (or more).

Even in H&M sometimes it’s £40+ for a top.

It’s just crazy. H&M used to be really affordable but I don’t see how people find the money now. 5 years ago I could take £100 to the shop and come out with 2 dresses, two nice tops and then probably have change for some new undies and socks. Now with £100 you could probably buy half - if - that.

OP posts:
WaltzingWaters · 12/04/2024 21:17

Just bought some heels for a wedding from New Look at £40, returned as they looked so cheap and tacky.

Mimrr · 12/04/2024 21:23

My DD is after a wedding guest dress. As a skinny teenager I thought she could pick up some cotton floral basic thing for under £40. There’s nothing. She found a simple dress in super dry she liked. £100. For an 100% polyester basic sack thing.

I don’t mind paying properly but everything is just limp badly sewn rags in polyester and acrylic. Knitwear especially only looks good for about three wears.

Orangegreen · 12/04/2024 21:24

Mimrr · 12/04/2024 21:23

My DD is after a wedding guest dress. As a skinny teenager I thought she could pick up some cotton floral basic thing for under £40. There’s nothing. She found a simple dress in super dry she liked. £100. For an 100% polyester basic sack thing.

I don’t mind paying properly but everything is just limp badly sewn rags in polyester and acrylic. Knitwear especially only looks good for about three wears.

That’s exactly the issue. Not a problem in paying £40+ for something to last more than a few wears, but nothing seems to wash well anymore which makes it all the more ££££

OP posts:
Mimrr · 12/04/2024 21:25

WaltzingWaters · 12/04/2024 21:17

Just bought some heels for a wedding from New Look at £40, returned as they looked so cheap and tacky.

Same! I bought some very basic block heel synthetic sandals. £30. They would have been £19.99 a couple of years ago from New Look.

Supersimkin2 · 12/04/2024 21:34

Prices up, quality down. Love clothes, and I’m demoralised by the sagging rows of tat on offer.

Local TK Maxx very unappetising once you get in - racks of yellowing acrylic vests reduced to only £39.

Clothing sales are down 10 per cent - you don’t say.

malificent7 · 12/04/2024 21:56

Vinted is great...better for the planet too. Most stuff I get on there is great quality.
Next jeans for £3.
Bnwt uniqie paisley jumper £10.
Cord bootcuts £4.
Etc.

malificent7 · 12/04/2024 21:56

Joe Browns tweed coat for £10. I could go on...all in great condition.

PickAChew · 12/04/2024 22:00

The cost of production and materials and shipping it over from where it's made has gone up, like everything.

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 12/04/2024 22:02

Vinted can be hit and miss - for every great experience there's a terrible one!

worldwidetravel2017 · 12/04/2024 22:05

I bought a cute black dress in peacocks
Last month

Was 14 gbp ish
But then i added an additional 10 percent off as joined the mailing list

TheFormidableMrsC · 12/04/2024 22:07

I have been pretty shocked at the significant price increases in Primark. For example a jumper that would have cost £8 a couple of years ago is now £17. I very often put things back now but rarely did that before.

Fr7fr6 · 12/04/2024 22:08

I've noticed this too. For example. Fat Face is now selling dresses for over £100. I was honestly shocked.

knightsinwhitesatin · 12/04/2024 22:10

Charity shops have loads of decent stuff by me. Some never worn. Got a brand new full length gown to wear to an event next week for £6. Worth a look

Fr7fr6 · 12/04/2024 22:11

KeinLiebeslied54321 · 12/04/2024 22:02

Vinted can be hit and miss - for every great experience there's a terrible one!

A bit of an exaggeration. I've bought at least 50 things on Vinted now for me and my child. I've had one really bad experience and a few duds, but I'd say I've been really pleased with 80% of the clothes I've bought.

weareallqueens · 12/04/2024 22:12

I bought DD (5) a 'Stitch' dress from Primark. £13! But she loved it and I've found kids clothes from Primark to be quite good quality in the past. It immediately started falling to bits, frills detaching, the works. 13 bloody quid. No increase in quality but probably double the price it'd have been a couple of years ago.

malificent7 · 12/04/2024 22:15

Fat Face has always been on the expensive side bit it is ridiculous now.
I wouldn't mind so much if the increase in price is matched by increase in quality.

user1497787065 · 12/04/2024 22:15

Shoes have most definitely increased enormously. £95 for 'vegan leather' which I assume means man made flip flop style sandals.

Copperoliverbear · 12/04/2024 22:15

Everything has gone up too much.

IDontHateRainbows · 12/04/2024 22:16

The quality of clothing has really gone downhill too.

I bought a coat from the rebranded oasis/ debenhams in January and it's bobbed beyond recognition 3 months later.
Contrast with a lovely wool coat bought 10 years ago at M and S for a similar price which still looks good as new.

It really does put you off buying anything at all