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

It is nice to see others care about fabric .

I don 't buy polyester, nylon or acetate. I do sometimes buy viscose, as a good heavy quality one can look ok and viscose is not sweaty or plasticy.

Mint velvet do quite a lig in natural fabrics , as do White Company, but sadly even there polyester mixes are creeping in !

Funnily enough, I have bought more Hobbs clothes in the past year than the previous 10 years combined. I agree re: increasing amounts if polyester/acrylic being used, but I just look out for the silk and cotton. I have numerous silk tops from Hobbs which are absolutely gorgeous, bought in the sales only though, and I really like some if their dresses.

One thing I always do in the reviews I leave on their website is mention the fabric - either that the fabric (if it is natural), was one of my main reasons for buying it, or if the fabric is synthetic, I make a point of saying that I tried the item on, but chose not to buy it because of the horrible fabric. I just hope (probably in vain), that if enough people do this, companies will realise that women who have a decent amount to spend on clothes do not want polyester or acrylic, and will not be fooled into buying it.

Hi bunnymother, can you share the title of the book you're reading about fabric? TIA!

I love that skirt and the red jacket in the same fabric. You're right about viscose, though. There comes an age when a girl doesn't want to spend the day conducting her business in non-natural fibres. With age comes wisdom: we know the results will be unfortunate , uncomfortable and do nothing for ou reputations as icons of competence and allure.
Compromise de cotonniers are great for naturals.

In the same pattern ... No idea as to the fabric. Phone has auto-corrected comptoir too

Ha ha ha - I love auto correct!!

The book I bought is "The Fashion Designer's Textile Directory", as it's about £15 from Amazon. However, I saw another that might be better but it's £40 and is huge. I just wanted to learn about fabrics, not design with them etc so it's probably all overkill!

I will be back with links.

The book I bought: The Fashion Designer's Textile Directory: The Creative Use of Fabrics in Design
amazon.co.uk/dp/0500289220

What seems to be a fabric bible: Classic and Modern Fabrics: The Complete Illustrated Sourcebook
amazon.co.uk/dp/0500515077

There are probably much shorter books that don't go into all the, sometimes confusing, detail, but this is what I have bought and also seen.

I'm glad it's not just me. The inexorable march of synthetic fibres into the top end of the high street makes me furious. Do they think we won't notice? Hobbs are particularly bad, Florence, I agree.

I used to like some French Connection things. Not any more. They had a nice pussy bow blouse last spring, coral coloured leopard print (yes, sounds vile, but trust me), and when I checked it was polyester chiffon for £70. £70 for polyester!! They are having a laugh. I'd happily pay a premium for silk, cotton and wool.

The Kooples is another shop where you have to be careful of sparking from the synthetic fibres.

Also, what's with the plastic shoes? Kurt Geiger are starting to lose their way. Lots of their KG range shoes are now plastic inside and out, but remain ambitiously priced. I'll only buy Kurt Geiger mainline now; expensive, but guaranteed leather with a leather lining. When will shops twig that we'd pay an extra £5 for leather lined shoes?

"inexorable march of synthetic fibres into the top end of the high street" - love it.

Many thanks, bunnymother. I love "compromise de cotonniers" - it could be C de C's diffusion line!

Financeptincess, I only buy leather inside and out shoes.

Preferably Italian made.

It is not random snobbery, but I need to be able to WALK in my shoes.

I have two Reiss skirts, pure heavy silk, 10 years ago. Can't find that quality now.,sadly.

Oh yes, shoes are another bugbear of mine. I have a beautiful pair of boots from Jones, about 8 years old. They are leather lined. I looked in Jones for a replacement pair this season and couldn't work out why they all wrinkled on the ankle. Then I realised that none of them were leather lined, instead they had this low quality fabric lining. One thing Hobbs do still do is leather line their shoes.

Brilliant thread, am so pleased I am not alone in leaving reviews on quality of fabric. Get really p----d off when I see a gorgeous item of clothing in cotton or another natural fabric to then find it is lined with polyester or such like huge put off.

bawabod yes! There are few things more utterly asinine than having a beautiful silk dress lined with polyester. I mean, really, has no thought at all gone into it..?!

I think the same thing has happened with bags, they have fabric linings now when it would have been suede or nubuck. I was really disappointed with the interior of the Victoria Beckham bags - fabric lined.

At least they are lined though. I just cannot understand buying a Mulberry without a lining at all. I can't understand them making the bags like that in the first place.

I too am so glad I am not the only one who hates polyester linings!! Everything has to be cotton or silk for me :-)

They have started using far worse materials I think and also things just aren't as nice as they used to be.

It's a shame. We have only got an outlet shop here now. It used to be a proper Hobbs. I suspect they are in some degree of trouble.

maybe we should start a pressure group - I feel really disappointed in clothes at the moment and Hobbs is horrid at the moment. But I got some great stuff in jigsaw - I now go for People tree.

I agree - last year bought 2 jumpers both ok but not 100% wool/cashmere etc and seemed just OK.

I do like some of their NW1 stuff but otherwise bloody expensive and boring.

In fact I liked some of their old Marilyn Anselm for Hobbs range showing my age

ah NW3 range...

MrsMarigold I like the sound of that perhaps a new thread !!!!. There seems to be a lot of us feeling the same about poor quality and still the prices keep going up.

I think you just have to keep changing to newish brands, same with food!

Brands start out being different and really good quality. Then, once they reach a good market share the growth stops, but profit has to keep growing, so the obvious way is to use cheaper fabric. ( or in case of food: ingredients)

It has taken me years to figure this out !

Think perhaps they are in trouble. Our local branch in Richmond, which should be ideal location for them, closed down