Active discussions

Help end medical misogyny. Sign our petition.

Help end medical misogyny.
Sign our petition.

Sign the petition

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Original poster

Cath Kidston ...what are your thoughts?

72 replies

noisyrice · 22/06/2016 18:35

Personally I like a lot of the prints, mainly floral but some others like gnomes, Cowboys, sausage dogs and kittens.

However, I do think it is incredibly overpriced for the level of quality, in recent years. On Facebook groups and on reviews of Cath Kidston products, there seems to be many customers complaining of faulty stitching on purses/bags and about clothing items (possible sizing issues im not sure).

I can't remember the name of the person/company who took over from Cath, herself, but IMO they are ruining the brand by not being consistent with product quality.

Anyway, what are your thoughts when you heard the name Cath Kidston or see someone with the brand over their shoulder or in their bags, etc?

OP posts:
havalina1 · 22/06/2016 20:49

I hate the bags, really hate them. But I like some of the clothing. It reminds me of Japanese stuff - really girly. I have two dresses and an oversized jumper with three ducks lined up on it. Have trainers and what else... a few babygros for the kids... And three cardigans... They are poor quality though they balled up very fast.

The dresses I have are super kitsch (one is (green with tractors) and I've worn them pregnant and after - theyowe me nothing at this point! The sales are good in there.

BennyTheBall · 22/06/2016 20:53

Ghastly - twee and utterly naff.

Someone bought my ds the cowboy print sleeping bag which is just about bearable.

My friend however, loves it. I bought her some crockery for her birthday. I felt it necessary to say, 'IT'S NOT FOR ME!' at the checkout.

WeDoNotTalktoPennilynLott · 22/06/2016 22:05

I love it, and being a vintage lover there's nothing wrong with looking like you're from the 1950s. it's the look I strive for most days.
I bought a skirt from there about 3 of 4 years ago with trains on. I love my train skirt. Wear it about once a week and still in excellent condition

Waterlemon · 22/06/2016 22:11

Everything ends up on sale as some point - so there is no need to buy it when it's overpriced!

Kirriemuir · 22/06/2016 22:11

Yuk.

LastGirlOnTheLeft · 22/06/2016 22:16

Pretentious.

scrivette · 22/06/2016 22:20

DS has a lovely dressing gown that was a gift in a Cowboy print.

I like their stationery but think their bags are very Mumsy.

maggiethemagpie · 22/06/2016 22:33

I used to like it but it's gone downhill lately. I get my bags from Nicky James now, a bit less twee and a lot more reasonably priced too.

nickyjames.co.uk/

StillMedusa · 22/06/2016 23:01

My friend dragged me round Bicester Village and threatened to tie me up like a dog outside the CK shop as I was making 'twee shite' remarks while she was browsing and cooing over the spots and awful patterns.

Think that says it all Grin

tilder · 22/06/2016 23:06

Bleurgh

SorryBlush

Ladybird08 · 22/06/2016 23:08

Love Cath Kidston. Have 2 bags (1spotty, 1 floral). My DD has a backpack from there and DS had the most gorgeous baby blanket from there. All bought in sales Grin

polyhymnia · 23/06/2016 00:23

Another who finds them ghastly and twee. The shops always remind me of those in theme parks.

MouldyPeach · 23/06/2016 00:27

Over exposure killed it. Rip offs everywhere. Will always have a soft spot for the cowboy print tho.

chickettychick · 23/06/2016 07:04

My mum has been collecting Cath Kidston for years. The items that were designed and made when Cath actually owned the company and had any say are all so pretty and excellent quality. Since it was taken over the quality is complete shite and tbh the patterns are very unimaginative and boring. It's also far too over priced. I bought a diary from the shop which was supposed to be £15 (I got it for £1 in the sale)

HappenstanceMarmite · 26/06/2016 20:20

Since it first came out I've been astonished that anyone would pay good money for shiny plastic bags. Beyond naff.

Madbengalmum · 26/06/2016 20:21

I just think its been done to death.

ppeatfruit · 27/06/2016 13:36

I don't mind it, our GD LOVES it, she's 9 which is probably round the age group it seems aimed at. The old fashioned look is right for them.

I was surprised at the bad quality of the clothes, especially, considering they're no doubt paying nothing to the chinese workers, someone's making a fat profit out of it.

WellTidy · 27/06/2016 13:44

I like their stuff for kids especially. DS has an old school satchel from there with trains on, and he loves it. He also has a Velcro wallet, notebook, pencil case and some pants. And he has had t-shirts there in the past too, but I find that their kids tops come up short and wide. I always buy in the sale.

I like their large wallets, they last me a whole year which I think is really good as I am heavy on them. Again, I always buy in the sale.

I also have their Christmas organizer which I think is excellent, some hand cream and a random mug.

But as for their adult womens clothes, they never fit me, so I don't have any.

LunaLoveg00d · 27/06/2016 13:51

I like the bags. I have a strawberry print oilcloth tote bag which I got in the outlet at Bicester Village about 12 years ago, use it for all of my knitting projects and the quality is FAB. We also have some bedding bought around the same time which is still lovely.

Not a fan of much of the clothing. Cath Kidston's main market is the Far East anyway, and they seem to love the traditiona British soldiers and London themes.

BoSelectaBigBiff · 27/06/2016 14:55

I have a flowery Cath Kidston umbrella that I love for 2 reasons:

  1. It's grey and depressing enough when it rains, without making it worse by using a black umbrella. Whereas mine is all lovely and pretty and cheerful.
  1. DH will NEVER borrow it and leave it on a train like he did with my previous one

I've never been interested in the clothes or bags, though.

ppeatfruit · 27/06/2016 15:30

She just jumped on the Laura Ashley bandwagon, but that stuff was well made.

minipie · 27/06/2016 15:57

Looks lovely on my children and their bags are very practical but I wouldn't wear it.

cosmicglittergirl · 27/06/2016 16:21

I'm drinking tea from a strawberry patterned Cath mug as I type. I like the mug cos it's nice and big. I once made the mistake of saying I liked the mugs and for a couple of birthday and Christmases I received quite a bit of Cath stuff which I wasn't too delighted at as I didn't want my house to have that 'look'. My Oyster card holder and an oil skin purse have held up well, but are now in the kid's dressing up box. Wouldn't wear the clothes.

My SIL worked with Cath years ago and revealed that Cath doesn't like floral print or bunting!

EmpressTomatoKetchup · 27/06/2016 20:58

I don't like what the brand represents, it sort of fetishises 50s housewife chic, it's all keep calm and carry on buntingy aprony crap. some of the non floral prints are ok though

CallarMorvern · 28/06/2016 10:07

Some harsh stuff up there ⬆ . I like some of the bags, though I don't like oil cloth. I have 3 messenger bags, one in black velvet, one red spot and one country scenes. I do think the quality has gone downhill though. As for mumsy, wtf does that mean, supposed to be insulting I guess.