Which brands do you think still make quality clothes?

[BoogleMcGroogle]

Inspired a little by the British (un)style thread. It's really hard to look stylish when you have paid sixty quid for what is essentially hankie fabric with holes (I'm looking at you Hush) or an item that gives a mild static shock if you move too much (Next, and doubly sad when I compare it with the lovely cashmere cardi I got there seventeen years ago, still going strong).

Pottering along the high street of an unremarkable French provincial town was a very different story. I expensively updated my knicker collection and the quality and level of service were a joy!

Are there any UK (or available in the UK) brands that you think still make quality clothes? I am sure that there are lots of us who would rather wear classic, stylish clothes, even if they are not the height of fashion

I think that Hobbs is still pretty reliable for quality, although I'm sure it's very un-cool. I've also been impressed with Cos and got some nice cotton summer clothes (shorts, pima cotton t-shirts) from Fat Face this year. I also have some nice items by Jigsaw, including a lovely coat.

Any thoughts?

Uniqlo
Massimo Dutti
Arket
COS

Used to be a big Boden fan but saw their stuff in John Lewis this week and was horrified.

I like Jigsaw but it's out of my price range.

Great posts here!!

I need something in my wardrobe other than Boden. I saw a lady wearing one if my boden dresses this week and it had all the obvious problems I’ve noticed- colour faded right out when still new and looking cheaper than the money I paid for it.

The older but plainer Boden stuff used to be very good quality. I had a pair of twill, pinstripe trousers for work which were beautifully made.

MidLife most of the Jigsaw stuff I have is secondhand, the only way I can afford it.

I don't think that Jigsaw is much more expensive than Boden now. I don't think they'd run with, say, a flimsy unloved dress, so their clothes look more expensive but see similarly priced for comparable quality. I'm on my third iteration of the button back, drop-hem sweater and it's lovely. Sadly my mum put the last two in a towels wash 🙄

Another mention for Hobbs. I was in the other week and the quality seems as good as ever.

I can't believe I'm saying this but I've been really impressed with the quality of Tesco stuff in comparison to the price. I'm wearing a breton top today that I must have had for four years, and one of my winter coats which cost me about £15 in a sale will be out for its fifth or sixth winter this year. I feel like it should be much shitter than it actually is.

OMG whoever said J Crew on here I love you! Ordered three pairs of jeans and a couple of tops from them with a bit of wishful thinking. Never bought from them before so was a bit nervous about what sizes to get. All three jeans are fab. I was expecting to have to send some back but definitely keeping them all. Fit beautifully, shape my (not insubstantial!) tummy nicely and are the perfect length for me. Despite being 5ft 6 so pretty average height jeans are always way too long on me. Thank you

Someone asked about Agnès B. Yes she's still around with shops in London and a concession in Fenwick on Bond St. and sells online.

I rate the quality - even the polyester is good and lasts well. Excellent value as the clothes last so well.

Maybe Agnes B could do something about their shops? I used to buy from there years ago but hadn’t revisited until the past year or so. Rather depressing places - dated decor, empty right before Christmas. Nothing encouraged me to actually look at the clothes.

Same could be said of Toast in Marylebone. Cramped and dowdy. Whereas the Oxford branch is glorious and makes me want to buy everything.

Now I shop mostly online (and mostly not the shops bring discussed here) I’d almost forgotten how influential the concrete shopping environment can be.

Community Clothing make really good quality classics communityclothing.co.uk/ I tend to trawl eBay for 'older' Hobbs, Boden, Jaeger pieces that are better quality. Picked up some really nice dresses in COS and Arket sale but do find their sizing and consistency of quality hit and miss. Love Uniqlo for basics.

Mudd and Water is great quality and good value in the sale

I think Hobbs make really good quality clothes. Fenn Wright Manson, John Lewis also seem good. Most shops have disposable fashion it's very wasteful.

I've bought loads from new online brand Palones. They've only been around a month or two so are still fairly under the radar but their fabrics are good quality and their cut is wonderful. I get lots of compliments wearing their clothes. The downside is that they tend to be designed for tall women (their models are almost 6 feet tall!) and I think most of their styles will swamp shorter women. But if you're tall, they're well worth a look. I'm 5'9 so it works well for me.

I also like Cos. They seem to be the clear winner on this thread.

I'm less of a fan of J.Crew but maybe I'm too old as I remember how much cheaper they used to be years ago when they were just in the US. Same for Banana Republic. I don't think either are value for money in the U.K.

Debenhams has a new inhouse brand called Kley which I just bought a lovely 100% silk shirt from that was very reasonably priced and is good quality. Definitely a good deal.

Asos White is generally decent quality but you pay a premium and some of the styles are just a little too odd.

I also like Uniqlo. Their latest J W Anderson collaboration released this week is pretty good value and well made for the price. And coats/jackets are lined! I'm sure they'll sell out fairly quickly though.

I try to buy a lot from sample sales. I love clothes from Christopher Raeburn but can't afford full price so I wait for their sample sale. The quality is fantastic - and it's all ethically produced/recycled/sustainable. Never before has a simple sweatshirt felt so good and so soft!!! He's just opened a shop on Carnaby St for anyone shopping in the West End who wants a look.

To the person who said everything is available via the Internet, it probably is but some people prefer to try things on before you try rather than buy before you try and then have to return it. If you can't afford to buy several items at one time to only keep the one you like you can end up with nothing after looking for ages.