Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Whistles. Opinions?

40 replies

ToastedTeacakes · 14/01/2013 18:45

Wondered what the mumsnet folks make of Whistles?

I find myself occasionally drawn to something on the site, sometimes in store, but have never took the plunge. I kind of shudder at the prices considering they are hardly a designer brand, more like high end high street. Do you think their products are value for money, or a bit of a rip off? I still can't get my head around a floaty 100% polyester dress for £150.

Thoughts?
Shapeless shite?

OP posts:
MrsCampbellBlack · 14/01/2013 18:46

I think quite a lot of their stuff is nice and generally its good quality. I do tend to wait for a 25% off grazia offer though.

scarlet76 · 14/01/2013 18:49

I like Whistles and think in general the quality is good. Especially on knitwear. Prices quite high for me though so it has to be sale or discount.

AmberNectarine · 14/01/2013 18:54

Last year I had to return two items which started falling apart after one wear. They were exchanged without issue, but it irritated me. I do like their stuff, but if it's not as special as the price suggests. If I am going to pay £35 for a t-shirt I will wait for the sales and buy Alexander Wang or Vince. They are also terrible vanity dozers IMO.

AmberNectarine · 14/01/2013 18:54

Sizers. Thank you iPhone.

MarshaBrady · 14/01/2013 18:56

I feel the same about the prices.

MarshaBrady · 14/01/2013 18:57

Ie too high for what it is.

MooMinCow · 14/01/2013 19:06

I've never bought anything from there, but my friend does, and last time we went shopping I tried and bought this Bella dress in the sale. Is a lovely flattering fit, and silk, so didn't mind spending £95 (but not sure I would spend £150 on it).

I'm not sure about the other stuff, but will keep an eye out in the future.

MrsCampbellBlack · 14/01/2013 19:07

Their sizing is enormous - its generally cut for pear shapes so their dresses never work on me.

The tops also have very wide shoulders.

But I do still like the odd thing although most of my whistles stuff is from a couple of years back apart from my lovely Elise coat.

DizzySiddal · 14/01/2013 19:09

Well, I bought a lovely leather Whistles bag from TK Maxx last week reduced from £250 to a tenner, and it's lovely!

FrancesFarmer · 14/01/2013 19:09

I have quite a few nice dresses from Whistles from a few years back and they are great. A silk, vintage-style dress, a black and white Chanel-ish one and a gorgeous watercolour print dress are particular favourites. I also have a great olive green winter coat from two years ago.

However, I find their designs the last few months don't do anything for me. Too much leather and the dresses are so obviously trendy that they will clearly be passé soon and so, are not worth the high price e.g. the Bella dresses have a nice shape but are too obviously of their time and the rectangular designs on many of their garments will also date fast.

MarshaBrady · 14/01/2013 19:15

Also it's not really me so I'm not moved to buy it. Whereas a friend wears Whistles and it really suits her.

Stevie77 · 14/01/2013 19:32

I have a lovely Whistles dress bought for £50 in a sale. It is really flattering but a nightmare to wear and even worse to get off (basically, if I was single I'd be screwed!).

Will only pay sale/outlet prices, find it otherwise overpriced for what you get in terms of materials and quality.

EnjoyResponsibly · 14/01/2013 19:35

I and a beautiful suit pre-DS waist. I agree their sizing especially on tops is vast though. It is expensive, but if I like something I will wait and get in a discount bonanza. Assistants in Bluewater very nice IME.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/01/2013 19:37

Most of their stuff is completely the wrong shape for me, as a petite but norky hourglass. The tops are shapeless and usually far, far too big across the back and shoulders - if I go smaller then they don't fit my norks. The dresses tend to be huge on the back and too long in the waist for me too - also, lots of them are not shaped enough for me.

Have only had a couple of things from them (in sales) and tbh I didn't think the quality was great (even sale prices are still quite expensive).

sansucre · 14/01/2013 19:37

Every season, I want it to be brilliant but it's never quite hits the spot. I had such high hopes when Jane Shepherdson took over but it just doesn't seem to be working.

I used to like their dresses but I resent paying £150 for something that's polyester, so don't. Usually I wait for the Grazia coupon but I don't think I actually bought anything with their last one. In fact, despite being given a book of Whistles 'fashion rations' last Autumn which entitled me to a 25% discount, I only used a few as there was nothing I really wanted to buy and what I did buy was mostly accessories and an excellent double layer very thick lycra/jersey khaki tube skirt.

And on another note, I go to their Spitalfields branch whenever I'm passing (it's my local branch) and it's very, very disconcerting to be ignored by the staff every single time. While it's great they keep their distance, I find it rather appalling that they can't even be bothered to say hello to me, particularly as I always make sure I greet them (I work in a showroom, so it's second nature to me to say hello when I walk into a shop and I also notice !)

HomeEcoGnomist · 14/01/2013 19:40

Would sum it up as overhyped and underwhelming

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 14/01/2013 19:41

I actually think it's got worse since Jane Shepherdson took over. More shapeless, less pretty and some truly hideous trousers for example.

justasecond · 14/01/2013 20:00

It was crap this season, very run of the mill. I have a few whistles things from last year and before but always bought with discount/on sale. In general I find it overpriced and boring.

AwkwardSquad · 14/01/2013 20:08

Used to like Whistles very much, though had to wait for the sales. Lovely prints, flattering cut, good material, good knitwear and basics. But for the last few years, it's been... Meh. Bizarre shapes that make me look like an American footballer, more and more use of polyester (like Ted Baker etc) and trying too hard to be 'directional' but failing. Shame.

Can't get on with Reiss either, and loathe Zara. Overpriced tat. If only I could afford the clothes that I do like. Sigh.

MrsCampbellBlack · 14/01/2013 20:09

But its special french polyester you know Wink

Reiss is the king of overpriced tat shop - honestly you'd struggle to find a a natural fabric in that shop

AwkwardSquad · 14/01/2013 20:15

Go in wearing tackety boots and the whole place would go up Grin

FrancesFarmer · 14/01/2013 20:22

Yes, directional in a desperate, menopausal sort of way is my impression.

Original poster
ToastedTeacakes · 14/01/2013 20:43

Thanks for contributing! Mixed opinions...

There's a (what seems to be) fitted knit that I have my eye on at the moment, and not sure whether to go ahead. I do have an old tee which I purchased via asos that is quite slim fitting, but I agree that many of the items I have seen in recent collections are a bit odd looking, especially the hems of jumpers, etc. I really hate those loose, sloppy hemlines that are everywhere at the moment.

OP posts:
PlumSykes · 14/01/2013 20:58

I like a lot of Whistles, tend to buy when House of F have a 20% off event. Lovely cashmere, fab jackets. I love their dresses, but too short for me.

novelsituation · 14/01/2013 21:33

Some of my favourite dresses, t- shirts, bags and scarves come from Whistles. I think the quality is great.

Agree that Reiss quality generally isn't good ( bought a coat there this year and it is nowhere near as good quality as similar from Hobbs or Jigsaw ) but think they do good leather jackets.

Swipe left for the next trending thread