Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Help me find a ‘nice top’ that’s not £198…

87 replies

mumofboysinlondon · 11/02/2026 19:25

I have chocolate brown loafers and jeans, and I’d like to find a nice top to go with them for a birthday dinner.

I made the mistake of going into Reiss yesterday and I love this - it picks up the brown tones I’m looking for to complement my shoes but I cannot spend £198 on a top. Has anyone seen anything similar?

www.reiss.com/style/su914715/y34361

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
HippyChickMama · 11/02/2026 19:29

Similar colour shirt in Next, it’s in the sale though so not many sizes left
https://www.next.co.uk/style/su631082/f77209

CeciliaMars · 11/02/2026 19:37

£198!! Yikes.

Glitterkitten24 · 11/02/2026 20:37

The absolute audacity to charge that for 100% viscose! 🙈

anon2022anon · 11/02/2026 21:01

I don't really get the hate with viscose. It generally feels nice, it doesn't make me sweaty like acrylic, it washes well, and it's a lot cheaper than the same top would be in silk.

anon2022anon · 11/02/2026 21:02

@mumofboysinlondon
What is it you like about it?
Colour?
Graphic print?
Silky look?
Boxy fit?
A shirt?

If you narrow that down it's a lot easier to look for alternatives- a shirt with a graphic print, a boxy top in chocolate brown, a low v neck, etc.

Vitrolinsanity · 11/02/2026 21:18

Fuck it! But the one from Reiss. I bloody love their stuff and live my best life in it!

PippaToryFripp · 11/02/2026 21:33

Theres a similar shirt in Next - Love & Roses, saw it this morning

Original poster
mumofboysinlondon · 11/02/2026 21:33

SlothSpiritAnimal · 11/02/2026 20:15

Not sure why I didn’t think to check the Next sale, this might also work, thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
mumofboysinlondon · 11/02/2026 21:34

CeciliaMars · 11/02/2026 19:37

£198!! Yikes.

I KNOW. It’s lovely but just so pricey.

OP posts:
Ophy83 · 11/02/2026 22:25

Out of interest @mumofboysinlondon where are your chocolate brown loafers from? I'm looking for some flat brown shoes to go with some "ganache" coloured trousers!

Buscake · 11/02/2026 22:42

See what’s on Vinted OP. I have bought several Reiss items from there recently super cheap - suit that would be £350 for £40 and looks perfect!

sansou · 11/02/2026 23:28

Another Next sale top

PhaedraWas · 12/02/2026 00:46

anon2022anon · 11/02/2026 21:01

I don't really get the hate with viscose. It generally feels nice, it doesn't make me sweaty like acrylic, it washes well, and it's a lot cheaper than the same top would be in silk.

I sometimes think people confuse viscose with man made fibres like acrylic and polyester. Viscose is a natural fibre. Tencel by Lenzing is a premium cloth. It hangs and drapes beautifully.

Viscose is made from wood fibres that can be grown on poor quality soil, unlike cotton, and uses far less water in its production than cotton. I'd take Tencel over cheap silk or cotton.

girljulian · 12/02/2026 00:55

Glitterkitten24 · 11/02/2026 20:37

The absolute audacity to charge that for 100% viscose! 🙈

Right?? It's also...extremely ugly

Oneforallandallforone · 12/02/2026 00:57

The Reiss top is amazing. Buy it!
The Next tops look so cheap and dull in comparison.

Rafting2022 · 12/02/2026 04:22

I’m assuming it’s not wildly out of your price range otherwise you wouldn’t have gone in Reiss in the first place. Just buy it - you’ll wear it for years.

GarlicBound · 12/02/2026 04:41

Rafting2022 · 12/02/2026 04:22

I’m assuming it’s not wildly out of your price range otherwise you wouldn’t have gone in Reiss in the first place. Just buy it - you’ll wear it for years.

I regretfully agree. I've found two others that look as good, and they were over £500! It's something to do with the print placement and the seam piping.

Still, a regular check on Vinted's a good idea if you aren't in too much of a hurry. And, if your main concern is the colour and the rest is less important, get one of the Next bargains PPs have identified! ... Or, hell, get them all, you'll still be saving money.

EleanorMc67 · 12/02/2026 05:00

anon2022anon · 11/02/2026 21:01

I don't really get the hate with viscose. It generally feels nice, it doesn't make me sweaty like acrylic, it washes well, and it's a lot cheaper than the same top would be in silk.

It's not eco-friendly (see this article). But EcoVero, a variety of viscose, is - & lots of manufacturers are using it now.

https://twothirds.com/blogs/journal/why-youll-never-catch-us-using-viscose-with-one-important-exception

Why You'll Never Catch Us Using Viscose (With One Important Exception)

Viscose is a soft, versatile fibre that often wins comparisons to silk. So why do TWOTHIRDS try their best to avoid it? 

https://twothirds.com/blogs/journal/why-youll-never-catch-us-using-viscose-with-one-important-exception

SoScarletItWas · 12/02/2026 07:05

Got quite excited about this as a match but realised it was black …figured I’d post it anyway @mumofboysinlondon as you probably have some black trousers!!

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su599969/f07322