Where oh where do good quality clothes come from ???? !!

[ginorwine]

I need to invest in good basics .
Jeans .jumpers .shoes .boots.bags.blouses .trousers .
I'm an hourglass shape so things like co s - hangy clothes - which I love - look terrible on me !!!!!!
Thanks wize ones !

The Hush sale seems to be on now online, although they're calling it the pre-sale (until midnight tonight) so not sure if stuff will be more marked down tomorrow.

Personally I don't rate the quality of Hush clothes - think it's often quite poor. I have had two viscose dresses from there, both of which are very thin and crease badly, and the knitwear I have bought from there bobbles. Maybe I bought a couple of random duds but I won't be going back for more. The harem trousers are good quality though so perhaps the rest of the cotton jersey is good too? I had a flyer for their sale I think it starts at 12.01am Tuesday morning??

I absolutely agree re. the excellent quality MaxMara coats but if you can't afford the £££ and want 100% wool, try Jaeger - quality is good and they often have price reductions/good sales. I bought a black coat from there at the beginning of the winter and it is beautifully made both inside and out. Also bought a coat from Maje, which cost the same but is 70% wool/30% polyamide and the quality doesn't feel that much better than Zara tbh.

I'm another one who thinks Uniqlo cashmere is excellent for the price.

Shops I think offer disappointing quality for the price point are The White Company and Whistles.

Thank you so much OP for this thread...I agree with lots of the labels suggested.

I had never bought from
Jaeger though (I actually thought it was a label my mum wears so had stayed away!!!!). Had a browse at the outlet and bought a lovely classic black wool coat for an absolute bargain. Excited to see how good the quality is!

Another vote for H&M basic cotton vests. They are excellent.

I've had success recently with M&S Autograph black skinnies. They don't seem to be fading yet. I also got some decent 100% cotton tops there.

Hobbs stuff is good quality but a lot of it isn't to my taste and their sizing is a bit odd. Need to search the natural fibres out now too. I'd only buy their stuff in the sales.

Agree that the quality of White Company stuff has gone down substantially.

Howies are great for jeans/t shirts/knitwear casual wear

I get work dresses from Phase 8

Jigsaw bits and pieces in sales

Woolovers for plain knitwear. The cashmere/merino mix stuff is lovely.

Cotton Traders do really basic shirts and things in 100% cotton.

Lands End quality is great and their sales are good. If you can find styles you like, they last for years. I like printed cotton shirts, down filled jackets and cashmere cardigans.

This year I have 3 wool jumpers from Cos, have good quality coat from Hobbs, jumpers and cotton tops from Uniqlo and silk from Other Stories. Other bits and pieces from Gap, Jigsaw, Marks and Spencer and H&M. John Lewis own brands often also good.

What's Jaegar like for sizing?

Cotton tshirts and tops from American apparel- they last for ages. Their tshirts are fantastic.

Does anyone else think Carvela/Kurt Geiger quality has nose dived? I've bought beautiful leather shoes from them in the past, but in the recent sales all their heels were made of fabric. £100 for faux leather shoes is ridiculous IMO. Might as well go to new look.

Having spent two days trawling the shops for good quality wardrobe basics the best quality items I came across are from:

Jaegar
John Lewis capsule ( like the White Company use to be)
Phase Eight
Autograph
Hobbs

I have been disappointed by the quality of items I have bought in Mint Velvet, Boden, Toast and The White Company.

Jaeger

I'm a big fan of Uniqlo.

I've had some good things from Woolovers

I like the hemp Ts and tunics from Poetry (hang/drape well)

Always worth looking at Lands End for down coats and for swimwear, and checking for other basics whilst you're there. I think they've become comparatively pricier, but the quality is very good.

Great thread. I like Cos - not all of it is shapeless, great accessories and coats.
Whistles dresses though most need dry cleaning.
M&S have some gems amidst much that isn't quite right, jeans are great.
Reiss tops can be good quality but I only ever buy in the sales as it is expensive and they don't always wash well.

You have ruined me, just spent £313 at Jaegar! To be fair, that was for x10 items including a coat which is incredible value and not sure of the sizing so assuming some of it will end up going back.

Also realised (annoyingly) that Russell & Bromley don't have a sale online (bizarre in 2016 ) but will be near a store next weekend.

In my (reasonably limited) experience, Hobbs has always worn well, Boden, Jigsaw and Monsoon (natural fabrics) have been good and there have been some great bits from Zara& M&S but some stinkers too so I guess it depends on fabric etc.

Margaret Howell t shirts - they are expensive, but they are so beautiful. The fabric is soft and drapes and they last & last. I buy one a year, it works out less than lots of cheaper ones.

I agree that Jigsaw and Hobbs are reliable. I've got a work dress from Hobbs that's 75% acetate, 25% polyester - really heavy fabric. It's been worn and machine washed (despite saying Dry Clean only) weekly for about five years and still looks exactly the same as it did when I bought it, and the beauty of hard core artificial fibres is that the black is still jet black.

I've got Jigsaw suits which are really starting to show their age after being worn and dry cleaned regularly for over a decade.

I always stick everything in the wash! I always used to wash 'dry clean only' by hand but them got lazy and now all goes in a standard 30 wash (touch wood all fine so far). Exceptions are a lace dress from Coast which I truly love and would be terrified it 'clicked' and a boiled wool too from Hobbs which is beautiful but looks like it would shrink if you even glanced at it the wrong way.

Would never ever have looked at jaeger before seeing this thread. Gosh they have some lovely things. Unfortunately I am a SAHM to a toddler so the vast majority would be an absolute waste in my daily life but will def look again the next time I need a smart dress.

Unfortunately I fell in love with a duffle coat in the sale but it's out in my size

I agree with whomever said Benetton for sweaters- I have a couple that are probably ten years old, but really lasted well, one is merino, one pure lambswool.

OP-Brora should be good, AFAIK they are a brand well-known for their quality.

My favourite White Company top went squiffy and misshapen after about ten washes. I wasn't impressed. The linen items I have from there have lasted v well though.

Bamboo clothing for basics and sports clothes, especially the Enduro weight fabric.

Brora dresses are good if they work but the owner/designer is tall and slender & doesn't allow much space for breasts. My Brora cashmere cardigans look good and are almost 13 years old. I have been disappointed with White Company. Used to buy lots of tops in Joseph but haven't bought anything from there in a while.

Interesting Uniqlo gets a good rating for cashmeres. I bought a cotton blazer from there last year and it lasted about a month of occasional wear before the buttons fell off...

I think it can be hit and miss as I have a few cheaper things that have lasted very well and some expensive things that have not.