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Original poster

Whats so good about the White Company?

33 replies

kittya · 17/12/2010 19:14

I went in there today and I cannot beleive the money people were spending. £28 for a pair of socks!! the smell was over powering and, it all looked abit bland to me.
I dont know where people get their money from.

Am I missing something?

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 17/12/2010 19:18

I have always found it an over-rated rip-off. You'd only get away with a shop like that in the UK, where people seem to think there is virtue in being taken for mugs.

I went in there a few weeks ago.

They were selling a bag of wee bells for £8 that's £4 in Hobbycraft.

I guess some fools have more money than sense.

Original poster
kittya · 17/12/2010 19:23

Totally. Im sure Ive seen the same cushions in Primark.

I thought the kids stuff was bland and in some kind of holier than thou time warp.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 17/12/2010 19:25

I thought it was all ridiculous. As I said, if that shop had tried to start somewhere else it wouldn't have lasted a quarter.

You can find all the same quality stuff in there elsewhere for far, far cheaper.

Even in John Lewis.

BelligerentYhoULE · 17/12/2010 19:30

I've got a dress, a blouse and a vest from there - all bought in the sales.

The quality is good, the clothes are made to flatter real shapes and the styles are sort of timeless and tasteful.

They were bargainous in the sale - I wouldn't pay full price for them.

vanitypear · 17/12/2010 19:41

I like the kids' stuff but then some people's bland is another person's classic (joules, boden girls and the bright spots n stripes stuff is not my cup of tea).

it does lovely bed linen, I have a few sets from there 500 or 600 thread count, I don't know a lot of other places that do that for reasonable money.

I always buy online with 15-20% discount.

I like the nightwear (kids and ladies) but have been disappointed with the ladieswear - don't really buy it any more.

I buy loads from John Lewis as well but do think with TWC the styling is just a bit better.

I like the room scents - though you can get better quality elsewhere I do like the Winter scent at Christmas.

jalopy · 17/12/2010 20:14

Too white. I get headaches on entering the shop.

merryxmaswidow · 17/12/2010 22:16

its all white..... bad, bad joke; I know..

Original poster
kittya · 18/12/2010 16:48

I would hate to work there, I couldnt stand the whiteness of it all or, the smell.

OP posts:
TigerseyeMum · 18/12/2010 17:16

I was given a candle of theirs and it is lovely, the smell is very light and natural, far superior to cheapy scented things.

I have never had any of their clothes but I have seen a few bits I like the look of, the nightwear seems quite cute, but I would only buy it in the sales. Seems overpriced tbh.

ValiumShimmer · 18/12/2010 17:29

Nothing,totally overpriced emperor's clothes... it's an even bigger con than boden. the clothes are really shapeless and the colours are boring. might look 'ok' on sombody tall and thin, but only in the way that everything looks good on the tall and the thin.

mousymouse · 18/12/2010 17:37

we had really nice leather slippers from them foe the dc. lasted ages and kept their feet cosy. tbh, I only bought them because they had them and all other shops didn*t stock slippers in the summer...

Georgimama · 18/12/2010 17:43

DS has a pair of their PJs which on a pay per wear basis are much cheaper than anything in Primark - really good quality cotton and they still look brand new. I love the place, frankly. But then I long to live in a house that is completely white.

TurkeyMartini · 18/12/2010 17:45

It is very bland, but occasionally they have something really nice that jumps out at me, and then it's perhaps worth using a discount code.

In all of their thick catalogues this year I have seen just one thing I really would like: a navy bathrobe with white stars on it for DS. Principally because it appears to be made of nice thick velvety cotton pile, rather than fleecy polyester, which I hate. He would be soooo cuddly in it.

I haven't actually bought it, though. And I probably won't, because if it gets reduced a lot in the sale, someone more avid will get there first.

traceybath · 18/12/2010 17:46

Same here Georgi Smile

They do good sales as belligerent said and I buy for DD in them for the year ahead.

Also good quality bed linen - again in sales or with 20% off.

madammecholet · 18/12/2010 17:50

I love their candles and also buy childrens PJ's when on sale.....

I did buy a pair of 'lounge'trousers about 6 years ago which shrunk badly on first wash, took them back, never bought for myself again...

I do fancy some 500/600 thread count sheets though vanity, can you honestly tell the difference?

Original poster
kittya · 18/12/2010 18:01

the children's clothes look tiny to me. What age do they go up to? How many children to you know that could keep them so white and pristine?!!

People do pay full pop for their goods, I saw it with my own eyes!

OP posts:
Georgimama · 18/12/2010 18:10

Don't know, DS is only 3. I think they go to about 10 in PJs. He is tall and v skinny so they are ideal.

vanitypear · 18/12/2010 18:13

The kids' clothes are average size compared to what I usually buy, up to 7-8 I think. My kids are normal messy kids and they are fine in it (it's not all white, but more classic colours, grey, navy, lilac etc in winter).

Yes madamecholet - I think you can tell the difference between high thread count and bog standard cotton 200 tc, it feels very smooth and soft, like in a nice hotel, although I couldn't tell between 500 and 600! I just buy what I think will look and feel nice, and make sure I get a decent discount.

I think it's like any other shop - some hits; some misses. But if anyone knows where I can get similar quality/style stuff for less I am all ears!

EdgarAleNPie · 18/12/2010 18:18

all their clothing is staggeringly unspecial.

purplepeony · 18/12/2010 18:26

I buy maybe 1 item a season- knitwear with 20% off This year I bough the ribbed tunic and it is lovely. Sold out now in Otter marl.
I also like their nightwear and have a couple of nighties- the silk is great- same price with discount as La Senza.

Agree that dresses are drab on the whole and designed mainly for middle aged, middle class mummies, with tummies! But they fly out the shops...!!!

thinkingaboutschools · 18/12/2010 19:21

Their sheets really are a lot better than some cheaper ones. I have had some for about 10 years and they are still lovely.

marilynwhirlwind · 18/12/2010 20:31

I buy their boys woven pj bottoms for ds and they wash really well. I normally buy cheaper t-shirts or long sleeved vests from other places to go with them.
They generally last around 2 years as when they get too short he wears them in the summer as 3/4 length.
I've never been in one of their shops but I've found the customer services are excellent when I've bought online

higgle · 19/12/2010 14:01

I have had one of their duvet covers for 14 years and it still looks like new.

HollyBollyBooBoo · 19/12/2010 15:20

I love it! Their baby clothes are very cute and kinda old fashioned which is quite a rare find.

Their bedding is such good quality, can't get enough of it and have recommended it to family and friends who have also been really pleased with it.

Can honestly say I've never paid full price for anything as they permanently have 15% offer codes out there and free p&P.

Original poster
kittya · 19/12/2010 15:32

how much do they get reduced in the sales (see, how Im getting sucked in?Wink)

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