Joules - yes or no?

[biffytutu]

There is going to be one of those big bunfights sales here next week and I wondered whether a) you can recommend their clothes, and b) whether the sales are any good?

I have previously bought a Joules coat for DD2 before which was good quality if a little small (she wore it at 3 but it was age 5) and some slipper boots for the DC but that is the extent of it - they were from a children's shop not a Joules one so I know little about them.

The dresses have huge patterns- chintz sofa overs come to mind- or spots as well. And they are what I'd expect to see worn by a certain mum at a prep school sports day- trying to look trendy.
They are- are they not- aimed at the horsey , upper middle class set?

Got 2 pairs of leggings for my daughter. The stitching (where the label is inside) came loose/ made a hole. Wasn't impressed with that.

Occasionally.

The sizing is quite odd and their tops are always shapeless, but I bought a cute blue bird-print dress and a gilet from them last autumn that both get many compliments.

Baby clothes are £££ but lovely.

I like some of the dresses and skirts, if worn in a sort of slightly retro/vintagey way. Their dress sizing is difficult for me though - 12 often too big everywhere except the nork area but ten too small on norks. Hate their tops/hoodies etc.

Thank you all for your replies. On your advice I will go and check it out, but look for the DDs rather than myself.

I'm a recent Joules convert as I always thought of them as a mad floral 'granny's curtains' type of brand and avoided like the plague. I saw some kids stuff I loved a couple of years ago and now it's the first place I look. I think the stuff is nice for kids to wear as well as being practical. Looking for the DDs led on to me noticing some stuff for me I actually liked and they've turned out to be the things i wear most. Am really not a 'gold button' kind of person though and that rules out about 75% of their stock for me!

I never buy anything full price through and after a few weeks of sales, they normally have huge reductions - can be more than at the warehouse sales.

I was at the VIP afternoon at the Edinburgh sale the other week and it was ok. Prices more than the last year and hardly any boys clothes but it was good enough for me to feel it was worth a short car journey. Wouldn't have been worth a long trip IMO tho.

I'm a big fan of their baby/toddler clothes and they do have great sales.

Their adult stuff is a bit meh...

I went on the website after my post earlier to see if my idea of Jules was a bit dated and perhaps I may need a re think.
It just confirmed my thoughts. Hideous polo shirts and body warmers, twee dresses.
Equally as stuffy and frumpy as Boden.

Oh - there are some seriously hideous ladies dresses this year, weird patterns and colours that surely could flatter no one, would not recommend!

Bought loads of stuff for DS in the last on site sale. Don't much like the womans stuff - apart from some socks I got at christmas which are very comfy.

Cannot see the appeal of Joules at all. There isn't a single item from their children's range that I would buy. Ditto for the womans stuff.
Boden has gone down, but atleast there are bits and pieces I like, esp. Mini Boden.