Re-launched East...what do we think?

[SpongeBobJudgeyPants]

I am wondering if it has lost its way a bit.... I used to get the odd piece from there, often in the sale granted. Not that long ago, I bought a summer bag, over a couple of summers. Nice linen/hessian type with leather handles. IIRC they were about the £30 mark. I was delighted when they came back from the dead, but I have just clicked on this online
summer bag and its £79! Just raffia, no leather involved! Surely you can make and ethical bag for less than this. Is it just me, or is this going to be an own goal.

I thought it had gone bust?

The tops do seem alarmingly expensive. Like the use of a model with white hair though.

It went bust, then arose from the ashes :) It was never cheap, but I think its getting silly now...

£285.00 for a frock?

Its SO expensive! @3dogs2cats - £285 for a frock that looks like a nighty!

Can't see me buying anything anytime soon....even in the sale, there's nothing that would grab me at half or quarter the price!

We all say that we want ethically produced quality clothing in natural fabrics but the reality is that we're not prepared to pay for it.

But they seem to have doubled their prices though!

There is plenty of ethical clothing about that isn't priced as high as this.

It does look crazy expensive. Far more so than it used to be.

I used to get the occasional thing from East about 15-20 years ago. Then it went a bit frumpy. Looking at that stuff I’d probably add East to my list of places that are a bit of a long shift, but you never know.

Think they are priced so that they can do 20% off everything offers regularly, or similar. Lot of shops are like that now (White Company, Whistles). And so they still get a decent amount for a garment even in the sale, because retailers know lots of people “only ever buy in the sale”.

Long shot not long shift

It's not really my style but I agree with Molton (although I'm not sure are East ethical?). The £285 dress is silk. They've got organic cotton maxi dresses for £119 - yes that's expensive but maybe ought to be?

Anyway if you want organic, ethically produced cotton, People Tree's dresses are slightly cheaper and they've got a sale on at the moment.

@MoltonSilver agreed @PrawnoftheShed ditto the "where can I find xxx look a like, but cheaper?" threads...

Not seen East clothes in real life, but if those materials are matched by good quality construction and detailing, then the prices are about right. They've also detailed their ethical credentials pretty well, again I don't know if thats always been the case with East, but it's pretty clear where the prices derive from.

Sorry I'd missed the 'People and Planet' tab with the ethical statement. Well if they're doing what they say they're doing then those prices look pretty reasonable to me.

A new, full length, well made dress used to be something that you'd save up for. But now we're so used to fast fashion cheap prices.

The used to be cheaper but the business went under. Maybe this is the price you need to sell at to be ethical, sustainable and turn a profit.

Maybe, but the stuff doesn't seem to be as inspired as before. Could always find something I liked, if not everything. That's not the case now, so if they misjudge it, they're going to struggle. Very limited range at the moment.

Funny that, I think it’s a lot better than it was before. Slightly less Madame Arcati, bit more Jade Jagger.

They don't seem to have a lot on offer though. I do like the jewellery though.

It appeals to my hippy self. I have a couple of East items and they are well made. If I could I afford it I'd buy them

Maybe they are keeping the collection small due to the relaunch and increase in prices, to gauge the market.

It all looks a bit hippy but aimed at an older demographic. Without wanting to open the can of worms about no shop being for any age, I think that's always been it's USP, but less for younger customers because its not trend led, has a certain (hippy if you like) look, and the prices were a bit higher.

As an aside, bravo for using women of all ages (and whilst not all sizes, at least they're not stick thin). The lady with the afro is absolutely stunning!

I liked East in the past due to lovely fabrics and good colours, but their sizing was generous and as I am on the small size I could only buy knitwear. I've just looked at the new website and it seems that their usual smallest size is s10 as although it says s8 on the side bar, the clothes are in S, M, L etc and S is a 10. I will check out knitwear in the winter.