Reiss - overpriced and outdated?

[mnpeasantry]

Looking to canvass opinions. It struck me today that a few years ago I would often find really nice dresses in Reiss and some really nice boots or accessories. It felt like a sure fire place to find a knock out dress.

Now I rarely even bother visiting their website. I find their stuff overpriced and a bit, I don't know, stuffy?!

I don't want to get down on Kate Middleton because I think she seems like a great person but she seems synonymous with the brand and I feel like I don't want to dress like her. She just feels very safe and it feels fashion has moved on from the heady days of the royal wedding.

It might also be that, having young children and a mum tum, the styles don't suit me any more.

Tell me your thoughts. To Reiss or not to Reiss?

I popped in for the first time in ages last week to look at the sale and was shocked at the prices, massively overpriced, even on sale! I ended up back in Whistles and Cos as per usual.

I would have thought Whistles were in the same price range as Reiss. Another shop I like but generally wait for the 20% discount/sales.

I agree it's overpriced but still love that slim, sleek tailored look as it suits my figure. Apart from formal events though where would you wear it? It's too expensive for work (where I work anyway as I'm non customer facing) and like others have said, the quality has nose-dived over recent years.

It's such a shame that nobody on the high street is catering for the middle ground with good quality clothes that have a fashionable feel without looking ridiculous.

I would agree that is it looking a bit dated. & Other Stories and Whistles for me at the moment.

Is otherstories an actual store or online only? I've never seen them or any advertising -only heard of them on here.

There's a big & Other Stories store in Manchester. Full of wondrous things!

There's a hugely busy otherstories off regent st in London. I find it quite intimating but my very stylish friend picks up lots of bits there.

I bought loads of stuff in Reiss back in the mid noughties - a couple of dresses I still have now. They don't do stuff like that any more - used to be practical minimalist stuff with a twist, such as a black dress with a fabric belt or a 'puff ball looking skirt' which wore really well.
I think they are aimed at women outside the UK who want to dress like Kate Middleton, since she started wearing their stuff they have become boring. However saying that I did buy a silver t shirt in the sale (£20) and a black tulle skirt (in sort of scuba material) everything else was just so boring. Might as well buy in Hobbs or L K Bennett.
As I said - not aimed at UK women.

I haven't bought anything from Reid's for years, horrid nylon-y fabrics and massively overpriced IMHO.

Reid's????

Reiss I meant!

Reiss used to do beautiful, covetable clothes, pretty expensive but 'worth it' as they looked and felt amazing. Now their stuff is totally 'meh', underwhelming and on the frumpy side. The 'Kate Middleton' effect.

I like their stuff a lot, but I'm looking at their male clothes only. No clue about the 'Kate Middleton effect'.

Other stories in Oxford, plus a Cos and Uniqlo......Oxford has improved over the past year

Interesting, I used to love Reiss but stopped browsing in there a few years ago. I'm not sure why! I like Kate Middleton's look, I dont think she's hurt the brand from my POV. It's just been such a long time since I've wanted to buy anything from there - it's too short/long/plain/patterned or sleeves were at awkward lengths etc. They just aremt getting it right for me anymore whereas I can always find something overpriced that I adore/cant afford in whistles.

I am kinda jealous of you (women) in regards to clothing, as brands you suggest as alternative to Reiss (like Whistles) don't even make mens' clothes.

Their clothes bore me to tears

@SeoulSoul Whistles, Ted Baker, All Saints, Cos all do mens clothes. (confused)

emoji fail

@MrsMariaPolouvicka
Sorry, confused Whistles with &OtherStories.

Do you - personally - find Ted Baker and All Saints to bebetter alternatives to Reiss? I like the All Saints designs, but they seem to have quality issues.

I used to love Reiss, I have some items that I still wear from way back in the mists of time. They are well made and beautiful, however, the last few years have been a bit dire on the fabric front

I’ve never loved Reiss.

I keep seeing things I like the look of at Wolf & Badger, but I haven’t actually bought anything yet.

I like Reiss, I can't afford the prices now they're ridiculous, but when I walk pass I still like the look of some of their dresses. I've had a couple cocktail dresses from them they feel amazing, fabrics definitely felt expensive and naice.
It'd still be my go-to place to find a nice wedding outfit.
I know it's less fashionable than Other Stories etc, but like a PP l prefer the tailored Reiss look and find it more flattering on my figure. Yes it's conservative but I find a lot of Other Stories type 'modern' cut clothes too boxy, and I'd rather wear a good conservative fit than an unflattering trendy one.

Maybe it's 'dated' to some but to me nothing wrong with sleek and tailored. I can imagine Meghan Markle wearing some of their stuff and looking good.

I'm boring though.
Now LK Bennett and Hobbs, those are way way more conservative!
Karen Millen and Ted Baker are awful now, they are truly dated in my mind. I wince at some of their designs.

I was prepared to join in with the Reiss bashing but I just looked at their website and really liked quite a few things. Perhaps they have turned a corner: much less frumpy. I gave up going in last year because the shop always seemed to be full of dull blush pink and cream dresses, inspired by Kate bloody Middleton.

When I first started buying clothes from Reiss, 15 years ago, the styles were really chic and shopping there was a good way of looking like the best-dressed person in the room.

Back to 2018: It’s not all good news. Their shoes are still odd (perfectly ok design in proper suede or leather ruined by a frumpy detail) and they are selling an acetate pussy bow blouse that even Mrs Slocombe would have scorned, for £135!

Shopkeepers of the high end of the high street, if you are listening, please stop trying to sell us crap fabrics masquerading as silk or cotton. Just do the silk or the cotton. We’ll pay the difference. Thanks.