Which brands/designers/shops do other people seem to really rate but you don't like, and why?

[Greenmug]

Can be clothing, bags, shoes anything. Just being nosy really!

[whereisshe]

thinking if it could be described as "cute" or a sized down version would look age-appropriate on a pre-schooler, avoid! Try finding some jackets / blazers you like instead - tailoring is great on curves as long as you emphasise your waist and don't lean towards the Hilary Clinton end of things... Ruching just looks like you're trying to hide it.

[rookiemater]

Thinking - personally I think Phase Eight has some great work stuff, particularly for those of us that are well endowed, but you do need to fight your way through the Mother of the bride/cruise wear to get there.

I have some stuff from fat face and White Stuff as well but I avoid the overly patterned stuff or the really frumpy knits.

Like anything it's a balance, I take from it that people don't like the pre-defined White stuff look, which usually involves sweater dress with layered t-shirt underneath, leggings or cords and jangly jewellery, rather than meaning they have analysed every item of clothing in the shop and have rejected them all.

Agree with whereishe about the cute clothing, it's the modern day equivalent of an adult female wearing a winnie the pooh sweatshirt ( quite common in the 80s/90s)

[MarshaBrady]

Ally Capellino - meant to be good solid bags, but I got one which got all scratched and beat up in no time. Loathed that bag by the end of it.

LK Bennett - no way can I wear that stuff.

Zara - it looks good online but I always find the Covent Garden store such a shambles.

[EyelinerQueen]

YY to Orla Kiely. The patterns are so naff and there's so much orange .

thinking - like rookie says it's about avoiding the obvious signature looks of any brand. I appreciate that occasional perfectly nice things turn up in all shops!

When I talk about Fat Face I mean those ubiquitous patterned tunics that seem to be a mummy staple worn with leggings and sensible shoes.

In answer to your question, with the exception of an occasional dress from Topshop or Primark, I mostly wear vintage or vintage inspired. The vintage from local vintage shops and Ebay and the vintage inspired from lesser known online boutiques and a few American sites.

I'm not skinny or rich but still have a unique sense of style. It's not everyone's cup of tea though. And I envy women who look all sleek and well put together and grown up. I never look like a laydee. Just like a 5 year old who's been in the dressing up box .

[thinking101]

where ok I'll bare that in mind,
It would be interesting to know the ages of some of the views on here as what i think at 39 is ok is not going to be shared by a 25 to 30 year old say.

It's funny because when I buy my DD(2) clothes I avoid her looking like a mini me and a little fashion victim. I like her to look like a little girl. Seems I need to apply the reverse logic

rookie im glad you support certain purchases in Phase8. I avoid patter. I have a charcol wrap over day dress I wear with a choice of three pairs of knee boots and a couple of long cardigans. I lift it all with coloured scarf OR earrings. Its my base stapleand so esy to wash and wear.

I do love my mint velvet though -quite happy in dark neutrals with accents where appropriate.

[Bunbaker]

"Zara....if you have tits you are stuffed"

I had better get myself down there then. Unfortunately I have never seen anything I want to buy there.

[StatisticallyChallenged]

Agreed re phase 8 workwear - they do the occasional work dress which is fabulous and come nice non frumpy tops. But there is also some absolutely godawful stuff. It seems to have a bit of an identity crisis IMO.

I have a red dress from there - fitted, almost Nigella type style with a cowl neck. Has some slight ruching/gathers but in the right way. Looks stunning and could never be called frumpy IMO.

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

Fat face-the most miserable frumpy clothes ever. White stuff but watered down.

All of the designers at Debenhams gear-super chav

Next

[ihatethecold]

Bloody hell, this thread is going to insult a lot of people.

Most of the high street has been mentioned.

[Stokey]

Well I love Zara, great shirts and jackets. Definitely not designed to last but I nearly always find something I like in there.

The one I can't do, which is generally raved about, is Whistles. Don't know why, just never find their clothes very flattering. And agree with Cos, too boxy and shapeless for me.

[Shimmyshimmy]

Don't like Cos because they are designed for an apple shape - I am hourglass.
Phase eight are too frumpy
Boden are a bit too obviously overly fun
Whistles never fit my hourglass figure either
Gap - mostly shit quality except for straight jeans, kids stuff is good though.
Even in shops I dislike I find things I love, never say never!

[Financeprincess]

Agree with everybody who says that White Stuff/Fat Face is frumpy. The clothes are a real yawn. Perfect for anybody who wants to look inoffensive and not risk looking attractive, though.

Joules/Cath Kidston. Twee, twee, twee.

Designers at Debo's: dull styles, and the fabrics are so cheap and synthetic that I worry about sparking.

[OhTheDrama]

Zara - really funny fit on me, don't think they design for hourglass shapes.

River Island - have never been able to find anything I like in there, others look lovely but whenever I go there is nothing.

White stuff and fat face - I see some nice things in there but something always stops me buying.

Boden - looks nice online but frumpy when it arrives.

Topshop - used to love this shop but lately it just makes me feel really old.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

I love Whistles stuff, but it is v hit and miss in terms of fit. The skirts are fine but the dresses are generally terrible on me, and the tops don't often work for me, either.

Oh and another one that doesn't work for me at all in terms of fit is Coast. Way too big on back and shoulders but then squeeze my norks flat. A shame as I do like some of their dresses.

[BuzzardBird]

I had never heard of 'Cos' before so I just Googled. They look like they have been dressed by Chairman Mao! Over-priced and flammable looking for people who don't want to look like women.

[CockBollocks]

[EyelinerQueen]

at Chairman Mao

[ListenToTheLady]

Joules - makes me think of Jenny Darling out of the Archers in her wellies and headscarf.

Fat face - weird, slubby fabrics for everything and nothing is long enough

White company - boring, expensive and poor quality

Anything obviously "Bodeny" from Boden but I like some of their other stuff.

I also like Gap for basics, but can't fathom why anyone would buy a "G A P" t-shirt or sweatshirt, just why? I also hate branded LV stuff, but at least I can see why people would buy it to show off that they have money. With Gap it's just showing off that you are a sheep.

Cos have some nice things, you just can't tell from their website and zombie-style model poses.

[RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie]

It's worth trying things on in Cos. Most of it is totally wrong for me (short hour-glass) but I have some really good basics from there, that have become absolute favourites. And most of the fabric is good.

[lucyintheskywithdinos]

I'm rectangular and 29.

I don't get...

Boden
Ted Baker
Warehouse (expensive for what it is!)
Coast is just a bit too ubiquitous. My Mum was one of five women wearing the same coast dress at a wedding last year!

I find Topshop a horrible place to shop (old before my time!) the music is just stressful. Do like some of the clothes though.

I'm a vintage plus high street basics sort of person. I have a serious addiction to blazers. Especially slightly bonkers ones.

[RockMummy]

Dislike anywhere that just sell black, navy or grey or a combination of these. Exceedingly dull! Mint Velvet fits in this category. Want to like their clothes but just can't!
Cos is definitely the Emperors new clothes. Have looked in there a couple of time but found it quite boring.
Find Karen Millen a bit tarty tbh.
Primark is just cheap and tatty.
Top Shop is full of ridiculousy shaped clothes designed for teenagers.
Joules feels like aspiring Tory Councillor clothes.
Have some beautiful flattering clothes from Boden in great colours which really suit me.

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

I hate

Cath fucking kidston
Boden and all those random catalogues shoved in with magazines. Expensive stuff I can get better in tesco.

I hate much stuff loved on here I find the clothes snobbery very dull here. It ain't where I look for fashion put it that way

[happyyonisleepyyoni]

Zara and Mango -hideous synthetic fibres, cheap and nasty looking clothes, terrible fit. I bought a pretty shirt from Zara once which shrunk horrendously the first time I washed it.

Primark/New Look-lots of people on MN rave about their tshirts and skinnies but they do nothing for me, and the rest of their stuff is vile.

I have about 5 dresses from Phase 8 for work, so that probably makes me a social pariah :)

[RonaldMcDonald]

Ted Baker
River Island
Bleugh to White Stuff although no one I know wears it, ditto Jack Wills, hollister, super dry

Never see anything in Primark/Debenhams/newLook
Oasis grim, ditto Dotty P

[scottishmummy]

I cannot see how this thread would insult anyone,people aren't that thin skinned