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Original poster

White Stuff- is there any hope?

103 replies

QueenoftheNights · 09/08/2018 07:35

About 10 years ago I loved WS. Not the droopy skirts, but they did do some nice tops, cardis and jumpers.

Now, I rarely buy anything because it's all overpriced and usually full of garish prints in weird colours. My local store is inhabited by women aged 70+ who browse the racks with their bored husbands looking on!

Last week I spotted a nice sleeveless cotton top for this hot weather- a cotton jersey vest- £30! Every cardi is at least £45 but the quality isn't there - they bobble or go out of shape and develop holes on the seams. Anyone else share my disappointment?

OP posts:
YessicaHaircut · 09/08/2018 07:41

I agree OP, the quality has definitely got worse and some of the prints they use now are pretty horrible. eBay is your friend here - I got a really lovely brand new striped WS cotton dress for under £15 including postage yesterday. Sadly I’m not prepared to pay much more than that for their clothes any more.

PrincessoftheSea · 09/08/2018 07:51

A few years ago I wanted everything in the shop. Now I want nothing.

NicoAndTheNiners · 09/08/2018 07:52

I share your pain. It used to be nice now it’s frumpy and overpriced and poor quality.

prampushingdownthehighst · 09/08/2018 08:08

Agree with previous posters, it used to be good quality and something smart casual but a little different from other stores.
The prices seem to have risen as the quality has dropped. It's a shame but I never visit the shop now.

neveradullmoment99 · 09/08/2018 08:09

I used to love it. I rarely see anything now. The prints ate awful, The colours are also awful. I used to defend whitestuff on mumsnet. Now i agree their stuff is dreadful. Such a shame. Surprised they arent closing.

PerverseConverse · 09/08/2018 08:26

I feel the same about Fat Face. Used to want everything in the shop and now want nothing. Strange how two similar brands have gone downhill. Maybe they use the same supplier/factory. eBay is definitely your friend here.

Radyward · 09/08/2018 08:28

The quality is just awful. I spent about 40 pounds on a blouse which faded after about 6 months. I would only by swimwear but its ridiculously over priced. Sales online the only way

OlderThanAverageforMN · 09/08/2018 08:33

Agreed. I ordered some stuff this year, all returned. The shapes are all really odd too. The tops are all completely square.......I am not square, I have curves, I don't want to look like a paper bag. I complained to the girl at the till when I returned my stuff and she said everyone was saying the same. I put a bad review on their website too. I wonder whether they actually ever listen to their staff or customers?

Processedpea · 09/08/2018 08:34

Go to uniqlo instead superior design and cardis in lovely colours

chuckiecheese · 09/08/2018 08:43

Agree with previous posts, and the sizing is all over the place. I even recently bought a size 10 and a 16 and both fittedGrin

WatermelonGlitter · 09/08/2018 08:46

I recently tried on a WS top in TK Maxx. It was gorgeous, but THE most bizarre shape. Weirdly tightly cut arms. Can't imagine who it would have fitted well.

justforareply · 09/08/2018 08:51

Not bothered going in for 3 years. I think it's awful.

PrimalLass · 09/08/2018 08:51

I feel the same about Fat Face. Used to want everything in the shop and now want nothing. Strange how two similar brands have gone downhill.

It's because they still sell the same styles 10 years on.

Ellapaella · 09/08/2018 09:09

I read on a similar thread a while back that White Stuff was taken over by a different company about 3 years ago which might explain why its changed so much.

Original poster
QueenoftheNights · 09/08/2018 09:11

I also hate the sales pressure. I sometimes buy online but collect from the store.If and when I return something, every single bloody time they ask 'Do you want to choose something else'. Like I've not had the sense to have a look first. Hmm

Last week I collected some jeans, tried on and returned (they were tiny in a 10 yet I have other WS trousers that fit in a 10) and the asst said 'It's better to try in the store with trousers rather than buy online'. Errr...it's not like I am 16, I'm over 50!

I also had a 'row' with them years ago because they wanted my post code at the till when I was buying something. They asked as if it was mandatory when of course it's not, it's data collection / profiling and email lists. Why should I have to reveal my ID just to buy a sodding top!

OP posts:
Butterfly1975 · 09/08/2018 09:31

The best thing about GDPR is that I haven't been asked for my postcode at the till for a while! That used to wind me up too Queen!

Our local White Stuff is still rammed with sale items which clearly even the demographic they are now aiming at (still not sure who that is Hmm) aren't buying.

There is a cardigan I have my eye on, but the sale price is more than I'd pay full price! Ridiculous prices for the quality - it's sad really as used to be good for nice patterns and basics.

MsOliphant · 09/08/2018 09:39

I have a Fat Face flowery smock dress bought this season apparently made of cotton but is the least breathable garment ever Confused just felt like cheap polyester. It's rank by the end of a hot day. I have a Boden dress made of viscose that is lovely and cool. So I don't know what's going on.

Back to White stuff, I bought a sleeveless cotton blouse thing in te sale, the PP is totally right about the square shape, it's very odd. I'm a size ten and it makes me look like a bag of Maris Pipers.

Ocies · 09/08/2018 10:11

I used to buy lots of White Stuff too. I've had some plain white linen tops over the last couple of years which have been great but apart from that I haven't bought anything.

MadMaryBoddington · 09/08/2018 10:17

They were always overpriced. But at least the stuff was nice. Now they’ve lost their way.

I like the Fat Face kids’ range though.

Clionba · 09/08/2018 11:20

I buy White Stuff and Fat Face because I can buy 100% cotton there. I agree about the quality and style, but am struggling with shops selling polyester and I can't cope in this heat! I had the devil's own job trying to find an outfit for a wedding that wasn't polyester. Went back to WS and got a dress and jacket, both pure cotton. Disappointing style, but didn't sweat buckets.

Crusoe · 09/08/2018 11:31

Think I have to agree. When WS first appeared on the high street I wanted almost everything in the shop but now it is getting increasingly hard to find anything nice.
Some patterns are very garish, their cardies and jumpers bobble terribly, the sizing is all over the place and often the cut is just plain odd.
The pricing annoys me too as basically you shouldn’t ever pay full price as undoubtedly if you do the following week every thing will be 20% off.
Such a shame they are loosing their way.

RoseWhiteTips · 09/08/2018 11:32

It really screams WHITE STUFF at you now. I would hate to be associated with that “style”.

TeacupDrama · 09/08/2018 11:38

who sells stuff like fat face and white stuff did 10 years ago?

is seasalt any good?

FloralCup · 09/08/2018 11:48

I always found the tops to be too low cut - have to wear a vest under them.

Timefortea99 · 09/08/2018 11:55

I bought a great cross body bag in suede in the sale. But their clothes are very hit and miss. More miss than hit. Fat Face is worse in my opinion.

Great bit of casual ageism in the OP though.