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Original poster

Please tell me where I can buy clothes that won't look like crap after 2 months?

26 replies

lottieandmia · 31/08/2013 12:51

I buy my tops from Warehouse and Oasis and the knitwear is rubbish and looks as if it should be thrown away after not even a seasons wearing. Boden doesn't suit me although the quality is really good. I compared one of my dd's cardigans that I bought from there with one of mine and the difference in quality was so obvious.

Any ideas? TIA

OP posts:
AmberNectarine · 31/08/2013 12:53

I quite like Uniqlo knitwear, and have just got a really good Merino jumper from Gap. Boden have some great, plain styles this season too, so even if you're not the archetypal Boden customer you might find something.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 31/08/2013 12:55

Than you Amber - I will go and have a look.

OP posts:
practicality · 31/08/2013 13:50

Woolovers merino and cashmere blend hoodie is a good buy. It is really soft and not boxy like some of their other wares. Medium fits a size 12-14 as a guide. It is low cut so looks great layered or chucked over a vest style maxi-but is really flattering .

I too have to be really careful with Boden knitwear as the cut seems to add inches on some of their items or look boxy and pull at the bust on others. I think they are cut for tall people. They rarely get the neckline right on a lot of items.

Autograph and John Lewis cashmere wear well. I like the cut of the Autograph stuff but the JL has the edge ref durability.

practicality · 31/08/2013 13:57

I know it is unpopular on here but I have some peruna plain jumpers that are deep scoop in style and 3/4 sleeve and have proved to be excellent in terms of durability and keeping their shape/colour. There are no flouncy details on them.

Primark v-necks in a viscose mix are good value( the ones that are really stretchy) and wear well. Avoid the acrylic like the plague as they are stiff and turn crunchy when washed.

DesperateHousewife21 · 31/08/2013 14:23

OP they're the type of places I shop too. I think its more what you buy rather than where. Boden/ m&s etc aren't really my thing either.

I now look on the labels. If they have at least some natural fibres eg cotton/ wool etc they'll generally last better.

I went in Mango the other day and so much of their stuff although looked really nice was all 100% viscose so I couldn't justify £40 on a jumper.

Original poster
lottieandmia · 31/08/2013 14:27

Thanks for the suggestions - this has really helped. Gap has loads and I remember their stuff washing well so perhaps I'll go back to that. Also I do find M&S has many more nice looking things than years ago.

OP posts:
Kezztrel · 31/08/2013 14:34

I know what you mean OP I always like the look of oasis and warehouse knitwear but the materials just rubbish! I try to just buy wool or cashmere if I want jumpers to last now, or at least make sure the majority material in them is wool or cashmere. So uniqlo, Boden, gap, some topshop, jack wills, is wear I mainly shop for jumpers.

Aquelven · 31/08/2013 15:17

I second Woolovers & M&S cashmere is good. The main thing is to look for natural fibres rather than acrylic, which goes hard after a few washes.
Do you knit or could you learn to? The yarns used in high street knitwear bear no comparison to those to be found in most decent yarn shops for variety & quality.

BitchyRestingFace · 31/08/2013 20:12

I get most knits from Boden so no help really! I was browsing Woolovers today as decided to treat myself to one really warm item, but I could easily have bought half a dozen - lots of nice things and no acrylic or polyester whatsoever. They helpfully categorise their items into Lambswool, Merino / Cashmere (it's 70/30 blended), Silk / Merino and Silk / Cotton. There is also "British wool" which I assume is fairly rugged and coarse and hardy.

Went for a lambswool zip-up hoody in the end but was v tempted by stripy merino / cashmere hoody. Prices are excellent.

Deathbyladybirds · 31/08/2013 21:07

Boden, cath kidston, seasalt, great plains

snowlie · 31/08/2013 21:26

Who knows? Boden knitwear always shrinks and goes misshapen on me, as does Jigsaw. I've followed washing instructions but managed to shrink cashmere from M&S. I find very few clothes last....certainly for me investment pieces are always a bit of a joke.

catham · 31/08/2013 21:30

gap jumpers i have got have gone really bobbly watch out for gap stuff

orangeandemons · 31/08/2013 21:33

Wrap has some gorgeous stuff. Celtic knitwear is good but lots of pennies. Uniqlo and Woolovers great for basics. Pure collection have a nice boxy cashmere boyfriend jumper, but again not cheap.

holidaybug · 31/08/2013 22:00

I've had great knitwear from Karen Millen. I'm not normally a fan of theirs but have picked up knitwear in the sales that I'm still wearing over 10 years on Blush

chickydoo · 31/08/2013 23:09

Brora.... You need to take out a small mortgage to buy from there... But sale items can be good value. I have a few very lovely items from there that I have had for years.

Ubud · 01/09/2013 05:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

DesperateHousewife21 · 01/09/2013 07:16

This thread made me want to see what my knitwear was made of so I had a look at some jumpers in my wardrobe.

Pleasingly they had at least 50% cotton/ linen if not all and they are from Warehouse, Zara, Esprit etc so was quite pleased to find it wasnt just all viscose. I obv have a feel for natural materials Grin

turkeyboots · 01/09/2013 07:19

H&M often have pure cotton knitwear. I have a few cardigans which are 5 years old now. Can be hard to find in store though and don't love their website.

KosherBacon · 01/09/2013 07:22

I'm having this issue too. So much of it it is viscose or acrylic. Don't even get me on the fake acrylic that they call "cashmillion" in M&S.

Kezztrel · 01/09/2013 14:07

Viscose is quite a nice material - it's made out of wood pulp so it's natural, absorbant and not sweaty. It's nowhere near as nasty as polyester and acrylic. It makes nice drapey material, good for dresses. Doesn't offer warmth in a jumper though.

Roshbegosh · 01/09/2013 14:13

kezztrel I had no idea, I've avoided viscose for years thinking it was synthetic. It does shrink at first wash though. Thanks for that advice, it is another option for me.
Those of you that suggested woolover, I have just done a mad shop there, brilliant, thanks MNers. Slow website though.

cafenoir · 01/09/2013 15:39

Ive found fat face woolens wash well and dont look like rags after a few months/

mamijacacalys · 01/09/2013 17:55
  1. Always buy natural fibres - doesn't matter from which shop as long as it fits properly and is mainly cotton, wool, silk etc.
  2. Don't wash knits at all - sponge stains etc. If you must, hand wash and gentle spin. No machine washing under any circumstances, even on gentle cycle. Washing kills clothes.
  3. Buy fewer fabulous clothes of the best quality you can afford rather than having loads of mediocre tat which does not flatter. Look on the S&B boards for advice on capsule wardrobes, wardrobe culling, good websites for quality gear etc.
  4. Some brands, such as White Stuff, I have found to be of very poor quality for the price, so I would avoid at all costs.
HTH Smile
Roshbegosh · 01/09/2013 18:02

Don't wash! You have to be kidding, they need to look good but not stink. Hand washing and drying flat is fine.

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