what is with Mumsnetters and DEBENHAMS?

[KarlWrenbury]

This is a shop that to me is eminently forgettable and is only useful for buying branded make up, department store style.

What am I missing that so many S and B threads look there first?!

I'm guessing they don't have a John Lewis or other dept store?

Our local Debenhams is pretty dire. I don't tend to go any further than the branded make up counters, or occasionally, the homeware department. I couldn't honestly tell you the last time I bought an item of clothing there....and that goes for dp and ds's too!

Because maybe, just maybe, people have different tastes and opinions?...

they do, but the very notion that it is better for anything than Vitalumiere intrigues me.

Or rather naff MoB fascinators

I like Debenhams for formal stuff, weddings, races, show days etc. I work in agriculture so spend my life in overalls and wellies and find Debenhams easy to find things to 'scrub up' with.

I sometimes find the odd gem there, so it is one of my go to stores when mooching around the shops.

My last great buy was this bikini top with these bikini ottoms and I wore them every day on holiday. A brilliant really flattering bikini IMO.

I hate all the horrible prom style chiffon frocks that get linked on here for weddings etc. So 90's.

I do like Debenhams for underwear, make-up and the occasional Henry Holland quirky print dress.

I see things that look ok online, and then go instore and can't find the nice things. Several of dd's friends have had nice clothing on, been told its Debenhams, I go and look and can only see a pile of tat, must the stores local to me, reading and Basingstoke, but they are awful.

I used to buy a lot there for the ds' when they were toddlers and babies, but since dd was born and outgrew the baby section I've never found anything.

me too EQ

its not very organised, is it. Too many labels, too many offers etc

Many years ago when they first introduced the designers at Debenhams I bought a few things and some of it is even still wearable but if I go in now I tend to just have a quick look at leave, it's not terrible but nothing really grabs me either.

now i have got loads of debenhams adverts!! and i like these!!
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_051010220270_-1?cmp=RTG-Cr_nonb300x250B&tmad=c&tmcampid=20

There was a big anti-Debenhams thread a few months back, very vehement!

I don't mind Debenhams, but mainly because my town centre is so dire it's a beacon of relative OK-ness. I used to like their Red Herring brand when I was younger (cheap and cheerful) but rarely shop there now except for make-up bargains.

oops - didnt realise so vehrment

I think most of what they sell is awful. I have seen the odd nice thing in there, but it's rare. I also really dislike even walking through there (either Westfield or Oxford St) - I find it depressing.

I'd like to like it but both my local ones (Croydon and Wimbledon) are awful. Crowded with brands (on ground floor - eg Oasis etc).

never anything I like there, even shoes are very hit and miss. beauty/fragrance a bit better but not much.

Bras used to be ok too but then they reduced the larger sizes (Gorgeous etc) and brands! why?!

I think it's dated, which can be fine, but with Debenhams it's dated in a bad bad way. And the staff! Bought a bra a while ago and I felt like I was interrupting their day, I was being a nuisance. The assistant didn't have time because she was going on her break. Eh??? Shame cos I quite like the bra and would like more.

Flashy trashy. And simultaneously very bland and unimaginative. I find the clothes really depressing, not cheap, and more 'mumsy' and 'given up' than any amount of Fat Face / Boden.

Good for undies though, and the branch near me is small so they don't have enough staff on the makeup counters so I can browse in peace.

It's okaaay....I have a couple of decent sized braches near me. They always have a sale on, of course.

It's good for nightwear, beauty, handbags and swimwear and the occasional lovely item of clothing (depending on the concessions). DH likes the menswear, as it seems to squarely hit his demographic (unlike Topman, Burtons etc. which are full of skinny-arsed students).

Particularly rubbish shoes, though. And they need to do something about their Fitting Rooms.

CV, DH likes the menswear too. In fact I think it's the only shop he ever actually goes into and buys stuff from. And only when we are up at his parents!

Occasionally there is something that I like, but less and less...

Our local one is huge,I love a good mooch round there

I can't remember the last time I set foot in one.

I find debenhams stores (and I include the oxford street branch in this) an incredibly depressing experience. They are uniformly cramped and claustrophobic and the lighting is really harsh and unpleasant. It has the effect of making the higher-end brands that they do carry look really cheap.

There are some nice men's leather holdalls and luggage, underwear is ok, clothes pretty awful but worth a look in 70% sale in case there's a gem.