What brands/ designers are good value for money?

[whostimeisitanyway]

I have been thinking about this and wondering whether it really pays to spend more on clothes, shoes, accessories, etc.

Are the more expensive brands better quality, do they last longer/ look better, etc?

I have clothes from inexpensive brands such as H&M and Uniqlo that were reasonably priced and have lasted v well and more expensive clothes that haven't.

I don't have a designer budget but could invest in the occasional v expensive thing if I cut down on something else.

So, which brands are good value for money, are designer goods necessarily 'better' and are there certain items that it might be worth spending more on and others that it is a waste of money?

Oh, always in the sale
Polyester - not especially fond of it but it tends to wash and wear easily. Again, as with any fabric it depends on the quality. I looked at wool wraps yesterday, 100% wool (from some north eastern cow or some such) and the quality was thin, rough and itchy. Looked at a tartan one in new look and it was thin but at least it was soft!

i can't afford lots of money for clothes but love american apparel for basics and they just wash well and last. i have tshirts that i bought 8 years ago that still look good.

french connection is also a brand i buy alot from but we have an outlet near so get alot of bargains. Uniqlo is good too.

don't shop at H and M etc as i love the things i buy and want them to last.

think if you're young now it's pretty good as the cheaper choices are there, when i was younger i used to make alot of clothes as you just couldn't buy what you wanted.

Definitely jaeger for workwear or dressier tops.

I love Me and Em, I have five year old tops that look new.

White company used to be great, but the quality of their Jersey has gone down. I have tops from five years ago that are in better condition than those 6 months old.

J brand jeans are amazing denim too that lasts really well.

I would say Hobbs, Boden and Joules.

Interesting re the Acne Pistols toptrumps- I was wondering whether they might be an expensive purchase that might be worth it but you have put me off now.

Some more expensive brands/ designers add a massive mark up just for the name rather than because of a better product. It takes a bit of effort to figure out what is worth paying more for and what is not.

Another vote for French Connection, especially their coats. I have three that look more expensive than they are, due to the lovely way they weave their (often, virgin) wool. Also, they have worn well and fit my shape really well.

I'm going to stick up for H&M - kind of. I've had some great things from them and the quality can be really good. The trouble is, they're unpredictable. With their stuff, I never know whether it's going to last till I've washed it a couple of times. But on the whole I think they're better than Top Shop, River Island etc.

My H&M cotton stuff has worn well. It's the viscose that hasn't. I have a cashmere scarf and am thinking of getting a cashmere knit from H&M, but not sure how well the knit will wear. It certainly looks good.

Since I am talking about knits, my Gap merino has always washed and worn well, as has my Pure Collection and Uniqlo cashmere.

I don't mind a bit of polyester at the right price, e.g. for a going out top or dress that will only be worn for a few hours at a time, as at least it won't crease. What I hate though are these knitwear mixes that make you think you are buying a luxury material but in fact the majority content is acrylic. M&S have "cashmilon" can't remember Jigsaws version, and most Toast wool is mixed with viscose. Problem is the price is commensurate with the luxury fibre content in most cases.

Cashmillon et al gives me the creeps. Looks and feels awful quite quickly - have a look at it in a charity shop. As you said, too, toptrumps it's often the same price as natural fibres, too.

mary portas for house of fraser is good if you like dresses cut like vivienne westwood, and a fraction of the price, even better is to look in the online sale. fabrics are good quality too.

Brora knitwear is amazing. I love the nightwear and socks too. Liberty print dresses are made of lovely Jersey.

For handbags I love Anya Hindmarch, they fit on my shoulder and don't fall down.

For shoes I can't wear high heels anymore so I like proper dance shoes as they're balanced or block heeled Chie Mihara ones.

I love Anya bags too but I'm not sure about value for money, going back to the original point of the thread!

I have to say Primark for cotton/elastane vests, t-shirts and long sleeved tops is unbeatable in terms of value. They wash well and about £2 each. Loads of colours, stripes etc. Probably not very ethical , but in reality high at shops from expensive to cheap use the same suppliers, I don't think paying more guarantees more ethical conditions.

Also Tesco has some great tops at the moment, naice polyester shell tops in lovely autumnal colours that would pass for Whistles. And polyester is polyester, washes fine etc.

I bought the worlds best soft grey maxi zip Anya bag from EBay for £200 last month - I seriously think it's good value (obviously not at £800 full price) but at discount it's brilliant.

Also agree with Jaeger and Whistles at discount - I've half a dozen Jersey wrap dresses bought from EBay at less than £30 each and their original prices were £100 upwards.

I've got a Nicole Farhi winter coat that has lasted years and is still going strong. It's a classic style, so doesn't look dated.

I'm also wearing a sweater that I bought from Other Stories and have worn and worn it and it looks fabulous.

A quick glance, I see that under the sweater, I'm wearing an ancient East silk shirt.That's been very good value too.

I buy cheapish knickers, then I throw them out when they start to look grey and I don't feel bad. Most of my t shirts come from Tesco as well.

Interesting re Stories. It always seems v reasonably priced but I haven't tried anything from there, partly because of v high postal costs.

Ebay can be fantastic or terrible. I also find that I sometimes buy things that I don't actually need as it seems v good value, defeating the saving money object!