Quality clothing without the expense.

[RomanyRoots]

Why is it so hard to find clothing of better quality than Primark but not the overly expensive prices of Debenhams, Top Shop and the like.

I can't afford the higher prices, as need a new capsule wardrobe.

Any ideas? I've tried New Look, they are too expensive for the lack of quality, not much better than Primark.

Forgot to say I've been given cash, not cash in hand it was a present.
I prefer to try as well, so internet shopping not suitable for this time, need them for weekend too.

Second hand. eBay, charity shops, vintage sales.

Also dress agencies, if you're lucky enough to have one near you. More expensive than charity shops, but they've done the weeding out first!

i think the supermarkets are quite good value for money - Tesco (F&F) and Sainsburys (Tu) and Asda (George) and are usually pretty up date with some fashionable pieces thrown in

Yes, supermarkets, and shop during sales. Charity shops in swanky areas!

As a long term plan I agree about buying second hand. But it’s hit and miss and takes time to build up a wardrobe that way - not much help if you need stuff for the weekend.

I don’t know whether Uniqlo is within budget or whether you live near a branch but, all things considered, I’d say it’s about the best balance I know of price and quality.

If that’s a non starter then Sainsbury’s have had good reports on here lately.

I always used to be able to find good stuff at H&M and though I think they’ve gone downhill they might be worth a rummage if you can get to a branch.

Matalan seem good quality.

H&M is the only one of the lower-end outlets that I think has decent stuff, and they often have a sale rail which can yield some good stuff. I got a lovely dress with a wrap-style bodice for a tenner the other week, black with white polka dots, and I just put a couple of stitches in the neckline so that I wouldn't have to put a vest under it/flash my bra.

I don't like the supermarkets for quality at all. Can only echo pp's suggestions to try charity shops. If you live somewhere naice, or can get to somewhere, you might be surprised at what people give away - I've had designer pieces from Mind before.

Buy second hand - I set up alerts for specific things on my size on eBay and have picked up some brilliant condition and at really good price items this way eg North Face Arctic parka, Hobbs, Whistles, Boden dresses etc. Uniqlo are very good for good quality basics.

A lot of places are hit and miss. For example I've had a lot of crap from H&M but after a recommendation on here bought a couple of really good dresses.

Just got to keep looking I'm afraid

M&Co has some nice, reasonably priced reasonable quality work-style clothes. Often they have reductions and / or discount codes
eg these navy trousers look to be similar to ones I have from there that are very good quality www.mandco.com/tapered-trousers-navy/1011502.html?cgid=10010050&dwvar_1011502_color=0103#start=1

I started with some basics from there and have added from the charity shops, M&S have had some nice tops too.

You won't find quality new clothes at Primark prices. It's not possible to make quality clothes that cheaply.

Unfortunately there's no such thing -mid range stores like Debenhams, M&S, John Lewis etc have good sales but otherwise secondhand is your best option. The quality in primark etc is appalling as is the prices they pay their suppliers overseas - I won't shop there

You won't find quality new clothes at Primark prices. It's not possible to make quality clothes that cheaply.

Absolutely-I just came on here to write that.

Charity shops or eBay are the only sort of place where you’ll get cheap well-made clothes.

You can make quality clothes cheaply providing you can buy 100,000pcs a go AND your customer base expects things to last.

So Uniqlo does really good basics that last - because that's what their fashionably conservative base expects, and H+M doesn't, because theirs wants something different every six weeks.

Unfortunately uniqlo is the only company I can think of that has literally bought millions of the same thing from the same factory for a very long time, which means they've built up a good relationship with their suppliers and had the correct R+D.

The supermarkets are getting better. I bought a lovely coat from Tesco a couple of months ago and although I expected nothing for £40, it still looks great.

Tu isn't bad quality, it's just a shame the design is so old lady.

George is rubbish at the moment.

It's not quality clothes at Primark prices I want, but somewhere mid range between Primark and Debenhams.

I went to Debenhams and even with 20% off some things, it was just a bit too much.
I went to New Look, prices in between but quality no better than Primark.
All the other High street shops are a bit expensive too or out of my age range stuff.

I bought some cords for £20 from M&S, a reduced long sleeve top from Debs, in purple, some tights from Primark and that's it.

Agree with previous posters that you won’t find quality clothes at Primark prices - corners are cut at every stage of the manufacturing process to allow the clothes to be sold that cheaply. Fabric quality, cutting too many garments at a time (which stresses the fabric and causes sizing inconsistencies), labour (particularly machining, which used to be a skilled job)...tbh all fast fashion high street stores are similar, so the quality at mid-range places is not necessarily that much better, they just have different branding to the Primark “pile em high sell em cheap” approach.

H&M are pretty cheap and IME do a bit better on quality and “conscience” than Primark, though they certainly don’t always get it right. I’d try H&M, but be prepared to rummage, and have a proper look at items before you buy. Are there loose threads, are the hems straight, are the stitches neat and even, does the fabric feel flimsy or have any pills, etc. The fact you want to shop in store is an advantage 😊.

2nd hand has been mentioned and is a good idea but probably won’t get you a capsule wardrobe quickly. But try eBay as well as charity shops.

TK Max is worth a rummage (try online as well as in-store). Prices won’t be Primark level but they often have great quality knitwear that’s very heavily reduced.

What kind of things do you want?

I think a big problem here is you've given yourself no time. Finding stuff for the weekend in three days and not shopping on line or second hand will really limit your access to better quality.

Research every shop you like. Include those slightly above budget in preparation for the sales. Different shops excel at certain things better than others, touch and feel fabrics and compare them in different places. Sign up to emails for discount codes and sale notifications. Even if you don't actually shop online, visit your favourite shop sites and make a wish list so when they have a discount you'll know in advance of leaving for the real life shop and what you might get for your money. That might stop panic buying, or spending all your money in one place and missing out elsewhere.

Next have a good clearance site on their website. You can often pick up some good buys on there.

M and m direct - another online store that does discounted branded products.

Outlet centres - Cheshire oaks, Bicester, Ashford etc

MrsMara

Thank you very much, that was good advice.
My dil also told me to put things in an online basket and forget about it and they'll send a reminder with a reduction.

A pp asked what I was looking for.

Firstly some nice blouses that aren't mainly black or white background.
I like Red, but don't suit the scarlet type that's about, more of a pillar box red.
I've seen lots of the wrong type of design and colour I think I'm being too fussy.
Maybe the best idea is to travel to our nearest city and look in charity shops. Ours are rubbish and sell cheap Primark stuff at a higher price than when they were new

I find outlet shops really good if you’re not bothered about the most recent fashion - for example, I got a coat from the Mango outlet for about £30 that’s really nice quality. FatFace stuff is good and the tops are under £20 at the outlet. You need some time to browse but they often have French’s Connection, Next (hit and miss for quality but worth a look), Gap, Ted Baker etc, all of whom do better quality stuff.

Another vote for Uniqlo. I've just bought four new dresses for work, warm, smart enough, will be just right for through the winter and spent £85. Three of the dresses were £14.90 each. Have a browse.

Lindex - my recent ‘find’. I found some lovely blouses heavily discounted to £3.45 in the sale.
Also watch anthropology when they reach 80% off, I got some of my best pieces from there.