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Original poster

What do you think of Jigsaw?

42 replies

Onlyconnect · 01/05/2014 13:49

Just that really. I shop there a lot, so obviously like some of their stuff but sometimes I think I'm stuck in a Jigsaw-rutt because I struggle to find much elsewhere that I really like. I wonder what other people think because it doesn't seem to get much mention on here.

OP posts:
Twinklestein · 01/05/2014 14:14

In the 80s and 90s it was fabulous - always had the key trends for each season, classics and gorgeous prints. I was teen and 20something then and it was always on trend.

Then suddenly it went dowdy and depressing with dull prints in olive and burgundy, stuff that's too old for me at 43. I haven't bought anything there for years. I still have some gorgeous dresses from my 20s that I've kept looking nice - they don't have anything like that now.

I don't know what went wrong, but I shifted to LK Bennett and J Crew.

BelindaAllWorkedOut · 01/05/2014 14:24

I think it's a bit dated. Has some lovely things (Jane heels, camp scarf, pom pom scarf, silk camis, pencil skirts, cotton jacket), but the suiting needs to improve a bit. Better for pear shapes, perhaps (MrsCB made that comment! and I agree)

Stokey · 01/05/2014 14:27

Strangely I was just in there for the first time in years. I tried on a pencil skirt and blue silk top (chosen by the SA) which were lovely.
But I balked slightly at the price tag which would have come to £180 for the two pieces. I was in Oasis before and had tried on a pencil skirt there for half the price, but not much difference in quality, in fact the material is exactly the same.

And there wasn't much else in there that appealed, so a mixed bag.

Blackjackcrossed · 01/05/2014 14:32

Some very frumpy, work wear orientated clothes...still worth a look as occasionally something will appeal, but it's so pricey that it has to be major love. Their knitwear shrinks!

Original poster
Onlyconnect · 01/05/2014 14:38

I am pear-shaped so maybe that's partly why it suits me. On the knitwear, I have quite a bit and although some of it looks good, and sometimes they have cardis in great colours, I find the quality really pretty shoddy. Other stuff from there lasts very well, I have some things I've had for years, but the knitwear gets holes very quickly. Just put a cardi in the bin this week that I have had fours years and not worn that much but it was full of holes.

OP posts:
rootypig · 01/05/2014 14:39

A bit froofy, everything cut on the bias, with ribbon trim on all the cardis

Yes as you can tell, I haven't been in in ten years Grin

rootypig · 01/05/2014 14:40

Do you have moths OP? [side note]
if you spend a lot on knitwear it is worth storing it carefully, and put it in the freezer overnight once a year
I am serious! kills moth eggs

boatcanal · 01/05/2014 14:41

Frumpy, and poorer quality in recent years. Though worth a look as there is an occasional item worth buying.

The children's clothes look like they belong in a different, earlier obviously, decade.

Rooble · 01/05/2014 14:45

The shop assistants are really full-on and appear desperate for commission to the extent that I've occasionally almost bought something but then decided not to because of their desperation for me to get the scarf, belt, shoes, top etc that will go perfectly. (Going from spending £100 to £450 in thirty seconds)
Quality is really mediocre given the price tag.
Some of the clothes are quite nice though

Blackjackcrossed · 01/05/2014 14:48

Nothing makes me move out of a shop quicker than overly enthusiastic shop assistants, I think I'm not alone in this feeling.

boatcanal · 01/05/2014 14:53

In fact, the women's clothes are a bit dated too.

Blackjackcrossed · 01/05/2014 15:02

Men's stuff is good though, I got lots of really good bits for dh in the sale section online, no flashy labels either.

NellieSocks · 01/05/2014 15:07

Pushy sales people put me off. Some clothes are lovely, but STOP upselling - I didn't choose that other stuff because I don't WANT it!

MarshaBrady · 01/05/2014 15:09

I remember coveting some stuff from Jigsaw back in the 90s.

I think it's gone off the boil a bit now, although I haven't been in for ages.

PasswordProtected · 01/05/2014 15:30

I have just discovered Jigsaw online, as am not in UK. Some of the things are lovely & the stuff I bought was very nice, good quality, well made and looks fab on. Just curious to see how well it lasts.

Original poster
Onlyconnect · 01/05/2014 15:47

Rootypig I will give that a try with the knitwear. I have never heard of that before and do sometimes wonder if I might have moths- never seen any though.

OP posts:
domesticslattern · 01/05/2014 16:43

I went in Jigsaw yesterday and this season's stuff is noticeably better than usual.
Didn't buy anything though!

ManicMinor · 01/05/2014 16:48

They've got a bit better in the last couple of years imo, having finally come out of the bias cut, unfinished hem, crumpled, mud coloured phase that seemed to go on for years. Expensive for what it is, but then I think that about Whistles, Reiss and Toast as well, which are probably their natural competitors.

MrsMarigold · 01/05/2014 17:27

I like jigsaw it is the only place I can ever buy trousers and coats as the shoulders are quite small but the thighs also fit me well. Also less natural fabric than before but still good. There is a pregnant sales assistant in Covent Garden who is lovely and has really helped me, but they can be pushy.

Quangle · 01/05/2014 17:35

colours are too sludgy for me (yy to olive and burgundy..)

Shame as it was all the rage (that dates me in itself, that phrase Grin ) when I were a lad in the 80s Wink . I had a totally cool (for then) pale pink cable knit sweater from there that was honestly the most fashionable thing ever. OK so you wouldn't wear it now but the point is it used to be more fashiony than it is now.

Corygal · 01/05/2014 18:30

The drear shades and limpness put me off - and I normally love a bit of neutral drape, too.

I don't think Jigsaw is modern - it belongs back in the days of boho, and when you can buy Vince and Theory and Cos and Jaeger for the same price, why would you go to Jigsaw. Plus some of the quality is annoyingly bad.

Having said that, they do get how to flatter most figures with their clothes. Which some of the modernists don't.

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/05/2014 18:35

Honestly, this season is the best for years. The silk camis for 39 are fab - better than my j crew or tibi ones.

Also some nice knitwear and they thankfully seem to have gone fairly polyester free this season.

And my local shop is large with books/colouring books for the children.

So a year ago I would have agreed with the naysayers but I really think its got a lot lot better. I suspect there's a new designer there as the colour palette has changed as well.

MrsCampbellBlack · 01/05/2014 18:36

Where as whistles gets worse by the day - 79 for a polyester cami - I don't think so.

Twinklestein · 01/05/2014 18:52

Whistles used to be good too, now it's just an expensive version of Topshop...

Dunno why I'm moaning so much today...

BillStickersIsInnocent · 01/05/2014 19:08

My most flattering pair of work trousers are from Jigsaw, silly money at £100 but I wore them all last summer, washed after every wear and they have kept their colour and shape.

Also have a great jacket from there.

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