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Original poster

What is it with today's clothes?

38 replies

aftermay · 21/03/2013 18:54

I had a few hours for shopping today for an interview coming up.

Rubbish fabrics. I went everywhere. Looked at cheap, looked at expensive clothes. Poorly made, strident colours (even the dark ones) and all bloody polyester. Having a rant here, but where else is there to look?

OP posts:
mingfudge · 21/03/2013 19:03

The quality and cuts are terrible at the minute. I was looking for a dress for Saturday night yesterday and struggled to find anything that didn't look like it should cost less than a fiver. I ended up buying from Dorothy Perkins as everything in Debenhams, H&M, New Look, River Island, Topshop and TK Maxx was just cheap and nasty, or very badly fitting.

PretzelTime · 21/03/2013 19:04

Sorry I don't know where you can find clothes for the interview OP but I can say that the problem is well-known on S&B! It's much more difficult to find quality clothing now.

Original poster
aftermay · 21/03/2013 19:09

It may be an age thing too. Maybe I just didn't notice this a few years ago as I could still carry it off with confidence. Now I feel I have to look really groomed and I don't know how to do that in a jacquard polyester blazer. Whereas a younger person may be able to make even that look funky and up-to-date. Argh...

OP posts:
Bunbaker · 21/03/2013 21:02

One of the most noticeable things today is how thin all the materials are, especially cotton. You could read a newspaper through some of today's T-shirts.

mejon · 21/03/2013 21:20

I agree about the t-shirts. I've just returned 4 I'd bought in the Gap sale online. I've no idea what they've done to their clothes but these were ridiculously thin, seemingly cut on a bias so would undoubtedly twist out of shape when they're washed and a very odd shape - very baggy at the top.

babySophieRose · 21/03/2013 21:25

COAST have some very good stuff, but a bit expensive

Original poster
aftermay · 21/03/2013 21:33

I had a look in Coast too and you're right, they were slightly better made. There was a sale on for some of the items and I might in fact go back and get one of the tops (marked down to £60, still a ridiculous price for a top).

OP posts:
LeChatRouge · 21/03/2013 21:35

Despite being a regular poster on this board, I actually haven't bought one single item of clothing this year so far!!! Unheard of.

Reason being, as we were lamenting on here recently, is the quality is just so poor. I would normally have a typical Saturday shop once a month, normal high street shops, but not this year. I'm on strike....do you think Inditex or Arcadia will notice!? Grin

Back to your question aftermay, what are your interview outfit requirements and budget?

TigerseyeMum · 21/03/2013 21:56

I stick to Coast and Brora at the moment. I agree the high street is awash with polyester, one match and whole cities could burn.

I also love People Tree which has good quality organic fair trade cotton, some dresses suitable for workwear. Good sale too.

It seems you have to go quite upmarket to get decent materials. It's like Victorian times all over again.

SizzleSazz · 21/03/2013 21:58

Phase 8 usually has nice stuff, but you need a sale!

I did get a lovely dress in Sainsbo's the other week

LaurieFairyCake · 21/03/2013 22:01

I've realised this is why all the second hand stuff I'm buying on eBay has gone up so much in price

janji · 22/03/2013 03:04

Always get my interview/work suits from planet or Hobbs. Planet in particular seem well cut and classics (so should last a while). I update with different tops/jewellery etc.

Panzee · 22/03/2013 03:36

I think I remember someone saying there was a worldwide cotton shortage. Hence the crap synthetic fabrics. :(

Lavenderhoney · 22/03/2013 05:19

I think this all the time! Thin t shirts really annoy me, Zara etc. I found a heavy quality one in monsoon, just white though. I don't want to show off my bra:)

I haven't been clothes shopping for months, except essentials like replacing a white t shirt. I have a coat from libertys ( young, single, money) that is over 10 years old and I wheel it out every winter. With the boots I bought at the time to go with it..

armagh · 22/03/2013 07:47

All the plastic shoes depress me. Cheap and nasty looking but often not that cheap!

NotQuitePerfect · 22/03/2013 09:28

I agree. Hate polyester - why would I want to look/feel/smell like my MIL?

Phase Eight good, but like somebody else said, wait for the (frequent) sales.

I've had a couple of really nice, thick, well fitting tee shirts from White Stuff recently. I know MNs generally HATE WS but I think they're good for certain things (bags, leggings, tunics). But probably not great for workwear.

Gap are rubbish these days - t-shirts like dishrags and jeans go baggy & scruffy really quickly.

Longdistance · 22/03/2013 09:37

Well it's lucky you don't live in Oz.

I find the clothes here dreadful. But, it is the same cheap fabrics, poorly made, awful prints. Just yuck.

I normally get money sent to me for Xmas and birthday (January) and I still have the money Confused

Dire doesn't cover it.

I too would like some stuff for interviews. Just some nice quality smart clothes/ shoes living in flip flops, doesn't constitute for smart

olgaga · 22/03/2013 09:48

Demand is outstripping supply, and cotton prices have soared.

I couldn't believe I handed over £8 for the thinnest, tackiest Tshirt in New Look last week for DD, but she had her heart set on it.

To be honest, I do very little shopping in shops nowadays. As long as you know what size you are in a particular make, ebay is great. I've bought some really nice new or very nearly new M&S/Per Una/Next etc jackets/trousers on ebay.

FrugalFashionista · 22/03/2013 10:15

The era of good quality fast fashion is over for now because of rising commodity prices, supply problems and increasing demand from emerging economies (they use the cotton they cultivate locally).

There has been a huge investment in polyester production infrastructure in Asia - it's very cheap to produce. Viscose (a synthetic cellulose fiber) has replaced cotton in high street shops. It drapes well but feels flimsier and requires continuous ironing.

The cotton shortage has influenced fashion too. We have gotten cropped, skinny, sheer and semi-transparent trends because these styles require less raw materials and are cheaper for the manufacturers to produce.

You either have to buy higher-end to get quality fibers or hold on to your old clothes and embrace charity shopping. Vintage connoisseurs say that good quality items are increasingly rare in 2nd hand shops too - imagine the time when all of it will be depressing viscose and polyester tat...

tomatoplantproject · 22/03/2013 10:30

Tis a terrible state of affairs. A few years ago I decided to swap quantity for quality and am finding it increasingly hard. All my work clothes are Hobbs and muddled through at weekends but I'm now on mat leave and needed more relaxed clothes that could cope with baby sick etc. Have discovered baukjman online, mixed with gap for some bits. Also recently found duo for boots. Finishing everything off with scarves for brightening up. I'm justifying it by not having bought much for ages cos had a tiny capsule wardrobe when pregnant. I used to love places like oasis and monsoon but hate everything in there at the moment.

alemci · 22/03/2013 10:38

yes I agree. everything is viscose and I find I sweat more in it than cotton even though it is supposedly a natural fibre. I do try and buy cotton as much as possible and buy some stuff from John Lewis's own ranges and phase 8 which seem quite reasonable quality. Also East in the sale is quite nice, I know some of it is a bit frumpy but some of it is lovely.

Also any jumper I buy including expensive makes bobble. My M&S cardigan and jumper bobbled on the arms the minute I put them on on the inside of the arms especially.

Also Laura Ashley tended to be reasonable and Boden in the past. I did buy a wrap top from Boden which was Viscose but it is lovely and drapes well.

I won't buy cheap stuff now. I would rather not bother.

Bunbaker · 22/03/2013 10:40

"To be honest, I do very little shopping in shops nowadays. As long as you know what size you are in a particular make, ebay is great. I've bought some really nice new or very nearly new M&S/Per Una/Next etc jackets/trousers on ebay."

I find clothes sizing is so inconsistent these days. Whenever I try clothes on in shops I always have to take two sizes into the changing room. I would be a permanent fixture at the post office if I ordered online and would pay a fortune in postage.

olgaga · 22/03/2013 12:47

Bun I do tend to stick to the brands which I know will fit me, and if I'm not sure I'll ask sellers to post measurements. That way you can compare it with stuff you already have which fits you well.

I absolutely despise having to try on clothes in the store!

herbaceous · 22/03/2013 12:57

Can I also moan about the shapes? Everything is designed for cylindrical women with no tits or waist but good legs. The fact that I go in (slightly) at the waist is my one redeeming feature, and I don't want to wear something that hangs lifelessly from my ample norks, disguises my best asset, then finishes at my thunder thighs and fat knees.

There are only so many occasions a wrap dress is suitable for.

katrinefonsmark · 22/03/2013 13:08

I agree herbaceous. I go in a little at the waist and am shortish. I so envy people who can shop based on whether they like the clothes. It's all very well Gok saying buy for you shape when you can't. You have to be medium heightwith out much waist definition then the worlds your oyster.