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Original poster

Whistles' outrageously high prices

26 replies

Saurus72 · 10/04/2014 15:34

I just went to the 'New In' section on the Whistles website, and saw a lovely white dungaree dress. Now, I understand this will not be to everyone's taste, but I like it. Until I see the price - £295!!!!

So then I think, ok, maybe it's leather. Nope - cotton polyester mix. Whistles' pricing this season is beyond ridiculous, which I feel sad about as I do like their clothes. But even at 50% reduction in the sale! I don't think I could justify paying £150 for that dress. No more Whistles for me I guess Confused.

It feels like Whistles maybe going the same way as Mulberry - pricing themselves out of their core market. Or is it just me?!

OP posts:
capet · 10/04/2014 16:17

Yes I agree, I used to buy a good amount of whistles stuff and it definitely seemed more reasonably priced in the past.
That dress you described sounds pretty ridiculously priced.

I mainly shop from there in the sales now, although I bought one of the famed tube skirts for summer recently. And even that I thought was a bit expensive, so I hope it is as amazing as everyone professes!

AnnabelleDarling · 10/04/2014 16:21

I agree, their prices have jumped up in the last few seasons, and the quality does not justify the higher prices

libertychick · 10/04/2014 16:24

They are hugely overpriced - I think this is lovely and it's silk but it's £350. For that money I could get 2 DVF silk dresses in the sales.

MrsCampbellBlack · 10/04/2014 16:30

I saw a polyester cami on the site yesterday for I think 70'ish - asos et al doing them for about 10.

OK I guess whistles will be bestest ever french polyester but still . . .

Original poster
Saurus72 · 10/04/2014 16:48

MrsCB totally don't get me started in the whole 'luxe crepe' descriptions Whistles uses - it's freakin plastic polyester!

OP posts:
Quangle · 10/04/2014 16:56

Don't get Whistles. My only ever purchase from there - a sweater - went bobbly almost immediately and was thrown within the year.

AmethystMoon · 10/04/2014 17:18

Agree about their knit wear. I ought a silk mix jumper which went badly bobbly after one wear.... Not even washed!!! £69 it was. Love their tube skirts but only with a code.

justasecond · 10/04/2014 17:18

That dress is lovely Liberty but Shock at the price
I like Whistles and have quite a few things from there but always bought in the sale or with discount. I agree their prices have gone up a lot in the last year or so. They are now in the same price bracket as I Marant Etoile, Acne, Vanessa Bruno Athe etc but without the originality of design those labels have.

SpringItOn · 10/04/2014 17:34

It is outrageously expensive and a lot of it just looks cheap. No better than Warehouse.

mrscumberbatch · 10/04/2014 18:03

I don't even look in Whistles anymore- the cuts might be ok but the price/fabric is woeful.

serendipityspeaks · 10/04/2014 18:12

I just got into Whistles, this makes me sad. What's a good alternative?

expatinscotland · 10/04/2014 18:14

Have never bothered with that over-priced fabric.

chipshop · 10/04/2014 18:22

Some of their stuff does seem ridiculously overpriced, I've been looking for a dress for a wedding and the likes of Reiss and Hobbs are much cheaper.

Their £75 sweaters are great though, DP bought me the Comme Ci Comme Ca one for Christmas and I've worn it non stop. Just treated myself to a Je Voudrais one.

FrancesFarmer · 10/04/2014 18:23

They are aiming at Fash-un types rather than ordinary women :(

Quangle · 10/04/2014 18:42

Quite impressed with Cos atm for slightly fashioned-up core stuff in nice fabrics.

Original poster
Saurus72 · 10/04/2014 18:45

I agree re: Cos. I tried on 5 dresses there yesterday, and to be honest I could easily have bought 4 of them, which is a very high hit rate for me in Cos. I limited myself to just one, but am planning to buy another after next payday Grin

OP posts:
MarshaBrady · 10/04/2014 18:46

Yep it's too expensive.

lurkingaround · 10/04/2014 19:20

And their website is shit poor.

capet · 10/04/2014 19:34

Their website certainly doesn't portray their clothing in its best light.
It always seems as though their clothes are ill fitting on grumpy models. Their clothes look better in real life.

lurkingaround · 10/04/2014 19:43

I like their designs, i just think they're overpriced and like others say they use A LOT of polyester.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 10/04/2014 19:55

I love the tube skirts, but I bought a jersey biker jacket last summer and it's already gone very bobbly (a shame as it is lovely and v versatile).

MrPop · 10/04/2014 20:40

If anyone likes whistles stuff but not the price, there is usually quite a lot of it (factory seconds mostly) on oxfam online

DIddled · 10/04/2014 22:39

I love Whistles styling. I have a cardi from there (100% cashmere ) that I bought in the sale a lifetime ago- wore it to death- price per wear about .00001 pence. I buy a lot of stuff, mostly in the sale.

Contrast with- Bought a dress 3 weeks ago full price £125- worn for work once and for a night out 4 hours. Pilled terribly- not even washed. I took it back this week- apparently the label said it would be 'prone to pilling' and so they will try and make it a bit better with their 'shaver'.

Not best pleased to be honest!!!

Original poster
Saurus72 · 16/04/2014 19:11

There is a pair of espadrilles on the 'new in' section of their website - £95! WTF! I don't know why I feel so annoyed with Whistles - possibly because it feels like they are pricing according to what they can get away with, not what things are worth (just like other retailers I guess, although Whistles were mysteriously able to price lower for many years!).

OP posts:
BeginnerSAHM · 16/04/2014 19:50

Agree! Like the Adrianne dress in green but it's )£115. Should be about £70, I think...