American clothes are just better than in the UK

[msrisotto]

I've just got back from holidaying in the US and have come back feeling like I'll have to return there the next time I want to buy clothes! I preferred the styles and the clothes just fit me in a way that clothes here never do! The trousers sit on my hips perfectly, here (UK) trousers are either a bit tight (giving a bit of muffin top) or too loose AND all the shops seemed to offer free alterations. I am tall so don't need to have trousers taken up ever, but I did notice that the hem of the trousers I bought, were a good couple of inches whereas the hems here are closer to 1cm.

Playing devils advocate, I am now broke as I hardly ever buy clothes in the UK....

Btw I will exclude the shop American Apparel which is a bargain basement of poorly made crap.

You might be right. Banana Republic trousers and skirt don't cut in. Stuff bought from here always cuts in in the hips regardless if it's the right size, too small or too big .

i always regard them like Liz claibourne - rather frumpy and demure

When i went on a work thing with H all the women there my age were VERY safe

I still have some 'in between' size jeans I bought from Macy's years ago! I'm a size 13 so that would be a luxury over here!!
Oddly enough I found their children's clothes to be quite small fitting (possibly because I was in cheaper shops like Old Navy) but fortunately I had the sense to up size on everything anyway.

DrinkFeckArseGirls (Awesome name!) I was talking about Banana Republic! I bought 2 pairs of smart trousers from there (and tops and cardigans...). I also got jeans from Levis, shirt from J.Crew, dress and cardi from GAP (which had the same thing in cheap and more expensive fabric for customers to choose from!). T'was heaven.

All i know is, the UK has become a joke.
Prices constantly rising, quality likewise plummeting.

About 18 months ago I bought a cotton summer parka in Primark for £8.
This year the SAME cotton parka (trust me) is back at £22.

This is happening everywhere in my opinion. The manufacturers will keep at it as long as we fall for it. Topshop are especially guilty of this. I think the UK gained a bit of street cred around 2011 that went to its head - A Chung, Kate Moss, etc. The high street is still leaning on this to overcharge.

And of rant

Banana Republic, J Crew, Ann Taylor, Gap all well made, understated clothes. I used to live in the US years ago and I still have a few things from then. The clothes just last and last.

I found for basic knits,cottons etc the US great.Classic cuts better made.

Wash so well,and as they tumble dry everything very hardy.

I didn't find that anything on trend,very well trendy.I find the clothes quite uniformed.
But yes, for quality.
I had the opposite problem with sizing,I was between a 4 and a 6 in the US and some shops did the elusive 5 which was a great fit.

Seeing as we are excluding,I exclude Hollister/A&F

I ound you could get real bargains in the US as well. I was glad that we checked out the high street versions of stores instead of relying on he outlets as several of the shops had better offers in the regular store as opposed to the outlet?

DS1 is 15 and unfortunately heavily into Hollister a&f and aeropostale. Aeropostale t-shirts were roughly $12 each in the outlet but in the regular mall store, the same -shirts were on a 3 for $12 offer.

Ralph lauren polo shirts $34 in the outlet but 2 for $40 in the regular store, also sunglasses were $112 in the outlet but very similar pair in regular store for $96.

Also the gap clothing I brought for the dd's seems a thicker cotton, could just be my imagination but they have washed better than the gap items I have brought here. For my younger dc the clothing in Childrens Place, Old Navy, Gap and PS21 have all been fab and half the price at least of the preferred Boden and Fat Face that we buy at home. Even target had some fab pieces in amongst the cheaper tatt.

Agreed It'sinthebag. I did go into A&F and Hollister but felt utterly ridiculous and out of place. Flimsy tiny clothes. Stupid stores!

oh an I agree totally about Primark, they are no longer cheap for a lot of items. You can get better quality and prices in the supermarkets. The childrens £1.50 t-shirts are almost like single use only items as one wash and they are misshapen and develop holes at the seams.

i have some american friends who rave about M&S ,and whenever they visit the UK, the stock up on underwear ,shoes,knitwear! they fill suitcases with their stuff.i kid you not!
but i totally agree,there is a wider range in the U.S,j.crew and madewell are fab, very well made clothes and on trend, and brands like velvet,james perse, are great for basics ,i cant seem to find an equivalent to them in the UK. there is a big gap here between high street and high end stores,which the U.S are exceptionally good at.

M&S!!! Of ALL places! Shocker. That makes me feel like going back to check it out but last time I looked, I'm pretty sure it was shit!

I get all my clothes from the US.

I like that many american clothes are understated and "safe" as I hate things that date quickly.

My problem is that I am fat and need plus sizes. In the UK most stores do not do good larger sizes, they are hard to find and often just wider versions of their small sizes which don't lie well, etc (Yes M&S I am looking at you! ). I love that in the USA I can go into "normal" shops and find nice clothes.

Since Ann Harvey shut down (that was the plus size bit of Alexon so reasonable quality, classic stuff) I am limited to Evans which is cheap tat at inflated prices, Asda's Moda range or Bon Marche which is mostly far too old and frumpy.

I like that many american clothes are understated and "safe" as I hate things that date quickly.

I certainly agree although I would like to have the choice of both!

Timid - Have you tried Lands End? They do stuff in plus sizes, and their gear is very good - albeit a bit 'safe' for me.

I buy t-shirts and cashmere sweaters. Their quality is excellent

Agree that Topshop has got a bit big for its boots. Way more expensive than it was, and what they've done to Baxter jeans is criminal! I want jeans with proper bloody denim, not overpriced, cellulite loving jeggings. Grr.

Thanks blue2 I have just looked at Lands End and may be a possibility for some casual stuff but I still miss Ann Harvey!

I love American clothes, I love the fact I can now order things from over there and get them posted here, but hate the extra cost!
Can't wait till j crew open here :)

Can we get Aeropostale in the UK or would I have to get it shipped from the US?

Aeropostale ships from the us so quite expensive that way. Although I ordered three t shirts for ds1 and it worked out about £12 a shirt which isn't too bad. The only other way would be ebay.

american apparel stuff i buy isn't a barrel load of crap, they wear quite boring clothes in the US don't they, their high st stuff looks run of the mill hence why places like topshop are doing a bomb over there

i thought the overcharging was down to the price of cotton?