White Stuff- is there any hope?

[QueenoftheNights]

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?

I agree totally when my frumpy over 60 work colleague said white stuff was her fave shop I started shopping else where. I use to love their skirts

I'm sure she's not frumpy because she's over 60?

And what do you wear then, mrscee

Mantaray at Debenhams was always the 'poor (wo)man's white stuff' (even though it's not cheap.) I now think it is actually the better of the two.

WS, Seasalt and Fatface have always been for 60+ age group, likewise Landsend, they are not places you would shop if you are 40-50. I used to shop at Boden but now I am oldish my favourite is Seasalt but they are expensive so I buy in the sales as they don’t have codes like Boden

Don't agree about WS and FatFace being specifically for the 60's age demographic at all. I thought they used to be generally quite surfy, Cornwall/country inspired clothes. I don't know a huge about of sixty year olds who would walk around in a fatface hoody.

Maybe not so much FF but I have got a couple of cardigans from there and a couple of patterned tops, not something I would have worn when I was younger. I never feel old in WS it’s all older folks in there.

You stopped shopping there - even though you liked the skirts - because someone over 60 shopped there?

My yd bought a fat face gillet and sometimes liked WS, it just depends what the item is

I'm 50and will look at these ranges and have done since they were first on the market

White Stuff has always been poor quality, imo

But now is "dated" as well, with that early noughties primary teacher tunic look

I got a massive guilt trip when I returned an online purchase in store. Apparently when you do that, it gets taken off the shop’s sales figures -“and we’re only a small store, you know!”. They wanted to post the package back instead. I insisted on being refunded then and there (as their website states I am allowed to be), and the sales assistant did so very sulkily. So now I just can’t be arsed shopping with them any more.

I always return in store I can’t be arsed posting stuff when I pass the shop, it’s not the customers fault if they have a poor business model. They should change the website T and C if they want to post it

There's a lot of ageism on this thread! Shop where you want, wear what you feel good in.

No WS in the local John Lewis but still online

Went to FF - nice things but so expensive. Cotton sleeveless top £40 and nice sundress in viscose £52

Yes, those tops, trousers and dresses are see through, so it's not great quality, either.

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!

I always say I prefer not to, they rarely persist. White Company is the worst for stating they need to have it, I’ve found.

FF and WS I have to agree. Poorer quality yet more expensive. And the designs, well...

Have just ordered a FF top

In the sale of course

Monsoon is even worse

That used to be nice

I disagree. Monsoon has some lovely beachwear in the sale. I’ve bought loads.
I used to love White Stuff but haven’t shopped there for years. Likewise the others.

Yes saw beachwear in Monsoon - that looked nice

However, went on their website and everything that looked promising was made of viscose. I do not want a sundress made of that fabric

OP, I wouldn't worry about the "ageism" dig. I think there's only one person who thought that. There's ALWAYS one.

The dresses and skirts I’ve bought are all cotton but are mostly sold out now.
I did stop shopping in Monsoon for a few years though because everything was made from that really heavy rough synthetic feeling viscose.
I even bought some things in M&S recently because they did a lot of linen this year. I also love the plain silk tops they are doing and bought a couple of the blue silk in the sale.

Yes, I used to shop at Monsoon, they used to have some lovely cotton skirts and dresses, nice colours. Clothes shops are so disappointing! Lots of polyester in drab colours

Bought two pairs of jeans from WS, both the belt buckles ripped off. I did return and get a refund but won't be buying from them again.

I used to love monsoon - approx. 10 years ago .
Now it is total frumps ville
White Stuff and Seasalt the same.
Boden isn't quite so bad and seems to try to come up with something new and edgier.