The absurdity of Next

[leccybill]

How do they get away with it? And why is still so popular?

I did use to like it. And yes, the baby and toddler clothes are still gorgeous. But I stopped ordering for me from the website or directory because the items were NOTHING like those pictured - different cuts, different fabrics, more see through etc.
Plus everything went boxy, the vanity sizing is confusing, and there's very little cotton or natural fibres to be seen.
Plus I hate the whole 'Next sale' VIP drama when it's clearly 90% bought-in sale horridness.

But - I got a giftcard for my birthday so just been to the website for a browse. Saw a few tops I quite liked but the pricing is a bit stealthy now - as in, a top in a plain colour will be £12 but the same top in a print might be £18 or even £25. What's that all about?
The only decent things I saw were sold out in mainstream sizes - there's no 'email me when back in stock' option, even Matalan offer this.
I just don't get the popularity of it at all!

I only look in there at the baby stuff.. Still very pretty. But for adults it's very hit and miss.. Mostly miss.

God, no, the children's stuff is dire!
Always has been.
Next has always been for 80s wannabes.

They have some useful linen dresses for summer but that's about it. I can't buy their kids stuff anymore, my ds is 8 and their boys range for that age is just awful.

I go there to buy birthday card, 4 for £3. Never looked at the clothes. I did buy a swimming costume there at the airport in a pickle in around 2007 and it's still going strong!

I was just thinking of doing an order from there! Mainly because its so much cheaper than where I live and they actually send abroad unlike many other companies. Beware of buying any kids t-shirt with a shiny glitter design...the glitter does not stay on during the wash! (Although I can't complain as they did refund me when I complained to them)

What are their (adult women) jeans like? Generous or stingy sizing and do they have pockets that fit more than 2p?

Yes, DD is 7 and I've all but given up on it, it's all too black, or too try-hard. TU a thousand times better, even M&Co has some great stuff.

Look at this top. It's nice, I like it. Now look again. The blush is £12 (and sold out), the coral, ecru and black are £18, the grey is £20 and the pink print is £25! Wtf - it's the same top!!!

Next have some nice accessories, make up bags, perfume, socks etc are all nice stuff but agree the clothes are shit.

I've never liked their clothes but my mum was a huge fan and would drag me around, she couldn't understand why I didn't like their florally print tshirts and khaki skinny jeans with side pockets...

But that I can understand. The plain monocolour fabrics are the same price. The black/white print one is slightly more and the coloured prints are the same but more still. (I'm not looking at the uk site). That seems fair to me.

I like it for DS because I can get cheap character stuff there. Don't like the stuff for DD's age range this season, but got some lovely stuff for her last year.

I like their toddler stuff. They do lots of clothes that are not too gendered and they fit true to size. But I hate their adult range. Their black work trousers belong back in the 90s.

I used to love next with ds 5 but now they've opened in our small town you see the same outfit in every baby group I go to with ds2 who is 6mo

And yes to vanity sizing I bought a jacket from there last week in a size 12 I'm still carrying a lot of baby weight there's no way in the world I'm a 12

If you are desperate to use that gift card I'd look at women's shoes and underwear . Or sportswear if, erm, you do sport .

It's the home section that's most upsetting.If I have to look at one more piece of tat with nauseating slogans on it I may just strangle myself with one of their ill fitting bras

Sarasue

I've actually bought some good work dresses from Next and a couple of bikinis. I agree that a lot of it is dross, but that goes for many shops.

I bought a clock for £16 in Next then went to b and m and saw an exact copy for £5.99!

My love affair with next is over. I mean that, I really did love the place. I bought everything there, kids clothes, my clothes and the homeware. Last time I got anything decent in it was a few years ago, I bought some lovely polo necked fitted dresses and I got them in the 4 colours they came in. But I don't even look anymore. What the hell happened to the place?

Some things from next that have been good for me are jersey hareems, linen trousers and long sleeved white t shirts.

I did get some lovely lamps from there too.

It's not all bad but it is hit and miss. A lot of their tops are made from poor quality material and are patterned in the rankest way.

However the signature shoes and boots they do are very good quality and good value when bought in clearance.

Also worthwhile this season is the khaki utility jacket, the linen wide leg trousers if you are apple shaped and the make me beautiful matte red lipstick. The longline vests are also great as are their denim pull on leggings. The leggings hold everything in and look like jeans and don't go baggy- again good for apples. I also recommend their slim leg enhancer jeans for being good quality and keeping their shape. I wear mine rolled up. So for some basics it is good.

So there is some good stuff it is just the vast majority of it is poor.

I find the bras are utterly rubbish too. The perfumes are fine for the price and usually reasonable dupes.

Tbf, I've found them true to my size which I can't say of any other retailer.
Also, their nail varnish is lush

Next is naff. Has been for the last 20 years. I just don't get it when I see folk queueing up for those 5am sales. To rummage through a sea of tat? They can keep it...

Next has always been a shop with ideas above it's station in my head. MOR clothes, swanky (for bog standard high st) shops.They seem to specialise is Per Una style clothes, plain looking stuff with random detailing, bit of embroiderey here, bit of lace there. I don't get it.

I have something from next every birthday and Christmas from my PIL. Every time without fail I take it back and get a voucher. I eventually used my collection of gift cards and bought some bedding which to be fair is very nice, washes well etc. I now have another gift card languishing in my purse, but every time I go in and look there's nothing at all I like. I browse the home stuff, but then like a pp said, it's identical and cheaper in the range or b&m. I think I'll get a swimming costume as I need a new one, but then come July I'll have another voucher as PIL have zero imagination. I even say to them I don't like next stuff but it falls on deaf ears!

Usually have a quick wander around, but just nothing tempts me to buy. Most if the stuff is made of cheap looking and feeling fabric. Used to have some really good items, not sure what happened.

I work there, imagine trying to buy the stuff for uniform!!!!

I like their pjs, slippers and toddler/baby stuff. Otherwise avoid.