Quality not quantity clothes

[sugar4eva]

Saw this referred to on a s b thread. Please advise on line quality clothes source? Also is it possible to get quality stuff on high street at cheaper places if clever ? If so how can one tell what is and what isn't? For example , on one thread I read that primark spray t shirts with something to make them sit nice on hanger but after a was they are dishrag s!yet
Another report in a mag said that their t shirts beat other s , even £ 3o t shirts. I don't believe in throw away fashion so want to choose wisely but in that study an expensive t shirt was poorer quality ; they tested by 30 washes, so the expensive one was actually poor quality and throw away and all a customer must have been doing is lining pocket of the more expensive retailer! It so confusing!

[BikeRunSki]

M&S Limited Collection has dome decent stuff too.

[cartoontrickster]

how do I tell if they fabric is cut do as the seams won't twist this is a pet hate of mine, I find new look really bad with this.
I agree that my primark stretchy vests and tops are really good, I've been wearing and washing them constantly through out my pregnancy, I am about to pop and they are still in great condition.

[vitaminC]

cartoon, hold the item in your hands and stretch it slightly to get a good look at the knit. If the rows are horizontal, it's fine, but if they are diagonal, or even just slightly out of line, the garment will twist!

[aoife24]

I really like Toast. I think their quality and fabrics are great but it is expensive so I wait for the sale. Coats will last you years.

[carrie74]

TBH, I find High st shopping pretty depressing these days: there seems to be little difference in quality and vast differences in price.

I do find Gap excellent for their cotton (after a blip of a few years where they must have been using inferior cotton), and have had a lot of success with their knitwear over the last few years: not very bobbly, good cut and designs and wash well.

I like Banana Republic for work trousers, and would buy more but find they're a little too conservative for my tastes. Some fantastic silk blouses and the like, and their sales are excellent.

I now find myself buying more and more from Me&Em online. Good sales, and excellent quality fabrics. Unfortunately (for me) their reputation seems to be gaining so much ground, often their stock sells out before I can get my grubby hands on it.

Denim I tend to favour premium: I wear my jeans a lot, so I pay more (although still look online and in sales as there are plenty of bargains to be had). This gives me a better cut (less hitching up through out the day, softer denim so no rubbing, better wash effects to flatter etc etc). On denim though I don't think there is a definitive best brand, it's all done to trying hundreds of pairs on until you find the right pair.

I'm still wearing Primark strappy vests from a couple of summers ago, and they have washed brilliantly. Nothing else from Primark has lasted. I have a few Baukjen long Ts for layering, and they have also been brilliant (buy in sales). I've yet to try much Hush stuff, but bought some cashmere last year that has worn very well, so I'll likely go back to them for more as and when I need it.

My biggest issue is footwear: I don't buy loads of shoes, so am happy to spend more on what I do buy, but demand comfort with style, and that's so so hard to find. Still on the hunt for the perfect pair of ankle boots...

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

M&S Limited was brilliant when it started. All polyester now though, except the occasional decent t-shirt.

Gap terrible now imho, except for socks and denim jackets.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I can usually get good boots in either Dune or Clarks.

[cartoontrickster]

thanks vitamin much simpler than I thought it would be!
I regularly look at the hush website after seeing it mentioned here so often but have never ordered, I think it looks a bit expensive for what it is. but worth it if the quality is really amazing, I may try when the sales are on.
I find river island high waisted leggings are the best and had some pairs for years only getting rid if them because I lost weight so they kept falling down!

[Floisme]

VitaminC, that is a really helpful tip, thank you.

Another vote here for Me and Em. They are £££s but everything I have bought from them has worn and washed brilliantly. And their sales are great.

[LaurieFairyCake]

I think the problem is that it's different for every garment and you can't rely on a label.

I've got Boden jersey tops from 5 years ago that are still good but jersey dresses from this year that are like rags.

I am useless at sending stuff back that's crap so I can easily waste 60/80 quid on a dress and wash it and then just wear it for scruffy afterwards.

I hate the way you can never tell which items will go bobbly after a couple of washes