What's happened to Hobbs?

[florencedombey]

For the last few years Hobbs has been my "go to" shop for smart work outfits. I liked the classic styles and the fact that their suits were such good quality they lasted for years. This meant that even though they cost an arm and a leg, they were good value on a cost per wear basis.

I've just looked at the new season stuff. It's vile! Horrible colours and nasty unflattering boxy cuts. And it's all manmade fabrics. It's one thing paying £200 for a pure wool suit but I'm not paying that for polyester.

This skirt, for example, surely belongs in Per Una:

m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0114-7856-9085L00&productvarid=0114-7856-9085L00-DARK%20TEAL%20BLUE-16&refpage=new-arrivals/just-in&view=2&searchpage=1&pagesize=18

I agree.

I bought a few things there before Christmas and I was very disappointed. I bought a shirt for £89 and it was polyester it was a nice fit so I kept it but I didn't think it was worth the money.

I agree. Hobbs was also my go-to shop for work clothes about 5 years ago - I could guarantee to go in there and find something suitable that would give me plenty of wear and would last well. I still like the shoes and some of the coats, but that's about it.

The skirts for the most part are way too short (I have several of their cord knee length skirts from some years back, but they've stopped doing them now); a lot of the jackets and sweaters are short and boxy; the fabrics are increasingly man-made and, I agree, hideous prints; the NW3 range is obviously aimed at the younger market (why would they pay Hobbs prices? Surely they'll stick to Top Shop and the like?); I'm mid-40's and struggle to know where to shop now.

It used to be proper classic clothes with a bit of a twist - I'm not sure who it's aimed at any more. I seldom bother to even go in there now - just look at the shoes on-line, and that's it.

I have never been in a Hobbs shop.
That skirt is boak.

If you can dodge the polyester stuff, there are some lovely things, like this wool / viscose green dress (£160, so not cheap) m.hobbs.co.uk/product-detail?productid=0114-5847-9037L00&productvarid=0114-5847-9037L00-DK%20APPLE%20GREEN-10&EL_COUNTRY=GB&EL_CURR=GBP&EL_LANG=EN

But it's £159 and it's two-thirds viscose. Viscose is a cheap material.....

....and it snags like hell and looks cheap quickly.....

the NW3 range is obviously aimed at the younger market (why would they pay Hobbs prices? Surely they'll stick to Top Shop and the like?

I'm 25 and I wouldn't go into Topshop. I'm happy to pay Hobbs prices, just not for polyester and viscose.

They are not the only ones. The idea of reducing the quality without reducing the prices is spreading like a plague. Paying more is no guarantee of quality. I shop everywhere and read the labels on everything now. You have to really search to find a few gems in natural fibres.

I

I'm 37 and prefer the NW3 range to their other lines. Admittedly I don't need suits in my line of work.

Agree about skimping on quality for same price. I'm fed up of it. Not only Hobbs though.

Yes me too. This is why online shopping can beat looking around in RL. We can see what it's made from and search accordingly!

I have an NW3 jumper and got a Hobbs dress in the sale. I'm early 30s. The dress is ok.

I'm glad it's not just me! Hobbs was always my go-to for smart, non-frumpy workwear. I still like their wool sweaters but everything else is pretty horrible these days. Synthetic fabrics, cheap buttons, terrible colours, hideous prints. Where shall I go now? I will eventually need some new clothes!

Viscose does not, of itself snag. It might if it was woven into a crepe fabric, but that is true of most crepes. Viscose does, however, crease badly. The 40% wool will help with that. I haven't bought the dress, by the way, was offering it as an example.

I love that skirt, actually.

I like the skirt . I wouldn't pay £79 though.

If I was buying workwear, I would still look at Hobbs, but be ready to dodge the synthetics. Banana Republic uses a lot of natural fibres, but a head to toe outfit from BR might be a bit dull. Massimo Dutti has good fibres, ditto some Cos. Jaeger seems a bit polyester "rich" at the moment. Gerard Darel has beautiful pieces, but not cheap. Same for LK Bennett.

I have a viscose dress from Jigsaw - bought a couple of years ago - which has an area on it which has pulled and bobbled really badly; maybe I caught it on something? Not sure. It also shrank by about 2 inches when I washed it (according to the instructions) but the lining didn't shrink as much, rendering it pretty much unwearable. On the other hand, I do have some older viscose dresses from the likes of Phase Eight which have actually worn really well (I thought they were cotton jersey - what do I know, eh? ).

I like the skirt and it would suit me. Not worth the price though.

I've got a few really nice things from Hobbs sales. The only thing I buy at non-sale prices there = t-shirts. I find most of the dresses and skirts about a foot too long though, and their sizing isn't great for me - I'm a 10-12 but sometimes have to go to a large in their tops to fit norks in, and of course they are way too big on the back and shoulders then.

I am reading a book about fabric at the moment, thus the pernickety post about fibres etc. Viscose is cheap and it does bobble. As to pulling, though, I understand that depends on how the fibre is woven or knitted. It's all a bit complicated, but I think crepe can catch and pull, but crepe can be wool (my wool crepe coat has a few pulls). And viscose can certainly bobble and it creases badly. God, the more I read and learn the more I realise I am turning into becoming quite boring obsessive.

I looked at a jumper in jaeger sale recently, and swiftly put it back again, when I saw thee price tag, and realised that it was only 10% wool, rest man made. I have a thing about wool in jumpers, will not buy viscose/ polyester. By contrast bought a longish grey cardigan in the reiss sale for £27.00. 100% wool, but wouldn't have paid full price.
Similar problems with M&S. £50 for a 100% polyester jumper, no chance!

Topshop's on its way out. It looks cheap, it's cheap looking hipster, but with ridiculous prices.

That's interesting bunnymother I will avoid viscose (if possible) from now on! I've started taking more notice of materials recently because so few things wash well these days and many garments just feel (and look) so cheap.

Never shopped in Hobbs tbh but noticed a yukky bomber jacket from their new collection in a magazine today for £229!!

i love that skirt, not at that price though! i get what you mean about the per una-y look.

Agree that viscose creases terribly which is no good for work wear.

There is still the odd thing in Hobbs which is made from natural fibres but the majority is now manmade. A year or two back the balance was the other way round with most things being made from wool, cotton or silk.

I must have spent a fortune on work clothes in Hobbs over the last ten years. I am a mid thirties professional woman who needs to look smart for work. I want to wear natural fibres. It annoys me that Hobbs thinks its ok to suddenly change their stock to viscose and polyester tat but leave the prices sky high and hope that their loyal customers won't notice.