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Original poster

Pepperberry - still poor quality?

51 replies

SpaghettiMeatballs · 15/04/2015 15:02

Has anyone ordered from here recently? I haven't had anything from them in ages as the quality isn't great. There are a couple of summer day dresses in the catalogue that I really like though!

Everything appears to be viscose. Am I right to recall that is the clingy material that gets little holes in it almost immediately?

OP posts:
OOAOML · 16/04/2015 10:20

Thanks Stats are they listed as factory seconds?

Zorion · 16/04/2015 10:49

Legally they aren't meant to use the name but they often do! Or Bravissimo.

OOAOML · 16/04/2015 10:57

Thanks (plans lunchtime ebay surf)

StatisticallyChallenged · 16/04/2015 11:07

They tend to just be listed as Bravissimo or Pepperberry, or try searching the PB size like "12sc" as nobody else uses those sizes anyway! They don't always declare factory second IME though - the tell tale is usually a seller selling new PB stuff in lots of sizes!

BaronessBomburst · 16/04/2015 13:50

OutletEngland is pretty much the only seller who actually declares slight seconds. They often have different stock, and I think they've had samples too. I've never bought from them though. I won't pay over a tenner for anything. Blush

BaronessBomburst · 16/04/2015 13:51

I don't check eBay everyday, oh no, not me!

AWholeLottaNosy · 17/04/2015 11:55

I've just received the new Pepperberry catalogue and I've come to the conclusion that the clothes are designed for slim women who have had a boob job, not naturally big boobed women. Looking at the styles in the catalogue I think they are the only body shapes those dresses could possibly look good on. Definitely not me as a 34g apple shape!

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 13:14

Their clothes are all so low cut, even the ones advertised as work dresses. There are not that many offices where cleavage on display is appropriate. And half the shirts are see-through.
I also don't get why they choose to concentrate on all the bottoms and stretchy tops and sweaters? I don't need a different skirt because of my boobs, and can fit into normal cardigans just fine - it's the non-stretchy but fitted stuff that's the problem.

StatisticallyChallenged · 17/04/2015 13:28

The only bottoms they need to make are to go with smart suit type jackets I think. Admittedly I've not had cleavage problems but I'm not that bothered

Miggsie · 17/04/2015 13:30

I think Pepperberry design for the Bernadette character out of Big Bang theory...short dresses for a slim short woman with massive boobs.

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 13:32

ah yes and that's the other thing - I'm just 5'6 and most of their work dresses are nowhere near long enough. I don't think the average British woman is 5ft..

OOAOML · 17/04/2015 13:43

Yes I think all the emphasis on jeans, skirts, scarves etc is a bit weird. Fair enough if you're doing a suit with a jacket designed for large boobs, matching skirt or trousers is a good idea.

And absolutely agree with WholeLotta on body shapes!

OOAOML · 17/04/2015 13:47

I'm 5'2" and the dresses are probably an ok length, but they tend to show far too much bosom. I have one tailored one for work which is ok although do need to wear a slip just in case. Have tried on others and they're too low, as are most of their tops. And I'm not a fan of underbust ruching.

So, any wonderful recommendations on where we should be shopping for clothes that will fit our bust without showing most of it?

OOAOML · 17/04/2015 13:49

I do keep wanting to buy stuff from there, but very rarely do. I love the one dress I have, and recently bought a shirt. I see something I like in the catalogue, go to try it on and realise I am flashing far too much. Lucky I work near the shop!

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 14:16

there's Biubiu.pl that does clothes for busty women as well, their shirts are much nicer.

BaronessBomburst · 17/04/2015 14:19

I just picked up a nice dress from Debehhams. eBay, £3.99 price tag still attached
It was from the Matthew Williams collection and fitted me perfectly with no cleavage on display. I'm a RC and it's just my regular size. Still a bit short though, at just above the knee.

BaronessBomburst · 17/04/2015 14:23

I've had success with Esprit too, H&M (although a size up), and a few forrin brands. It's very much trial and error - a lot like Pepperberry really. Hmm

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 15:02

I have several Phase Eight dresses. Agree that Esprit is good, even can fit into some of their buttoned shirts. S.Oliver as well.
From other foreign brands, recently bought this from Street One, and it zips beautifully and is very flattering www.street-one.de/All-Styles/Jacken-Indoor-Outdoor/Indoorjacken-Blazer/Jackenblazer/Bikerjacke-Karlie-infinity-blue.html#WyJodHRwOlwvL3d3dy5zdHJlZXQtb25lLmRlL0FsbC1TdHlsZXMvSmFja2VuLUluZG9vci1PdXRkb29yLyNyZWZSb3cxIl0=

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 15:07

ah sorry I was thinking about S.oliver shirts, not Esprit. This type:
www.amazon.co.uk/SIR-Oliver-Womens-Regular-Melange/dp/B00I3WE0D0/ref=sr_1_3?s=clothing&ie=UTF8&qid=1429279610&sr=1-3&keywords=sir+oliver+shirt

BaronessBomburst · 17/04/2015 15:10

Yes, I've got a few Street One tops too.

Delphine31 · 17/04/2015 15:23

I've got some lovely dresses from Pepperberry. Obviously it depends on the style, but the ones I bought do not show too much cleavage.

I am very fussy about clothes and one of the reasons I shop at Pepperberry is that they still use lovely quality cotton for a lot of their clothes whereas many shops have moved over to polyester.

I find the quality of the clothes is generally superior to the majority of the mainstream highstreet brands and that is reflected in the price.

The fit is good on me, though I think they've got their sizing wrong. I tend to have to go down a dress size to get the waist etc. to fit me.

Bravissimo on the other hand... I've given up buying bras there now as I think they're stocking their own brand in favour of Freya etc. and the quality isn't what it was.

HazleNutt · 17/04/2015 17:24

under workwear, pepper berry has for example this: www.bravissimo.com/pepperberry/products/dresses/work-dresses/gypsy-crochet-dress/plum/pd416plu/

I'm not really sure what they understand as "work"..

OOAOML · 17/04/2015 20:25

Thanks for suggestions.

BaronessBomburst · 17/04/2015 23:43

I laughed at that HazleNutt ! I'm trying to figure out where you could wear that to work.
As an escort maybe? Grin
Bit long?

ImpatientGriselda2 · 18/04/2015 15:48

I tried a Pepperberry shirt, and it was the best fitting off-the shelf shirt I've worn as an adult. Probably wouldn't have tried it in the first place if I hadn't looked at mumsnet and seen this thread. The fabric certainly could have been better at the price, but at this point I'm just enjoying the novelty of a shirt that fits well. I had been thinking of getting made to measure ones on Sumissura - the price is about the same, but this was much quicker to arrive and less of a commitment.

A friend who does dressmaking reckons that the shoulders and chest can sort of 'steal' space from each other in shirts, so giving the chest ample room means my shoulders aren't constricted. (The Really Curvy is about right but perhaps marginally too roomy at the lower bust; still haven't found a bra that fits really well yet, next stage is trying 30F/32Es in more styles) .