Why is the quality of everything so shit?

[Notcontent]

So tired of this. For example, recently bought sine flannel pyjamas from Hush. They arrived and looked lovely and cosy - great, these will last me for years, I thought... I look after my clothes - wash at low temperature, low spin and air dry. I have washed these 3 or 4 times and the fabric has become really rough and slightly bobbled - they look like I have washed and tumble dried them about 100 times.... Same with a jumper I bought in uniqlo.

This did not happen with clothes I bought 20 years ago. I know it’s the quality of the fabric. Grrr...

Cos do the best t shirts. They do them in a heavier fabric.

I remember C&A. They completely lost their way regarding fashion. Clockhouse was their younger offering, like Miss Selfridge. I think they were/are a Dutch company.

The Guardian did a list of 10 excellent second hand sites. It’s also very easy to find shops. HEWI (Hardly Ever Worn It) is used by DD, plus Lyst and Vestiaire. Unfortunately you have to be aware of import costs and delays now!

At 17 I would have taken in a skirt myself. Good skill to learn if you buy secondhand.

@PresentingPercy

The Guardian did a list of 10 excellent second hand sites. It’s also very easy to find shops. HEWI (Hardly Ever Worn It) is used by DD, plus Lyst and Vestiaire. Unfortunately you have to be aware of import costs and delays now!

At 17 I would have taken in a skirt myself. Good skill to learn if you buy secondhand.

Yh, and she does actually have her own sewing machine, although to be fair it was for school and needed to look half decent, so I did a proper job. I took off the waistband and shortened that separately, redid the seam allowances and took out all the extra bulk and finished the edges. It was very satisfying . I fit loads of my own clothes (short arms!) which is why I notice when things are well made originally or not. Usually I’m grappling with thin slippy fabric, tiny seam allowances and crazy overlooking where everything unravels as soon as one thread is cut. This one was a real pleasure to work with.

It was a sort of 90s style (preppy, with kick pleats) and I assumed C&A were dead and gone by the 90s but clearly not.

I don’t think White Stuff are small. They have a fair amount of purchasing power. The quality of their stuff has always been crap.

I remember buying the only thing I’ve ever bought from them about 12 years ago. A linen tunic that was as thin as a teabag and transparent.

When I first came across White Stuff it was a shop in Cornwall that ran a mail order catalogue. Must have been 20 years ago at least. It was great quality then. I remember being really pleased when they started opening shops around the country but no doubt they'd had to sell their soul to some venture capitalist to finance it, so the rot probably started right there. I don't know if the original owners are still involved.

I’d like to see the photos @Shannith! I bought a top from Cos recently and I’m so impressed. It’s made from thick, heavy fabric and hangs beautifully.

I remember buying a cardigan from White Stuff about ten years ago and it had a separate label on it saying 'I'm prone to bobbling' in that slightly cheery/twee way they tend to market things. Seemed a bit of a cop out even then.

My Community Clothing order is due imminently. I shall report back on the quality.

White Stuff are VERY small when compared to H&M and Zara. Simply not in the same international league. Therefore cannot have the same buying power or design teams. They have also barely ever changed what they do. That is OK, and you know what yopu are gettiong, but it is not really fashion.

H&M and Zara are the best at copying runway fashion very quickly. Changing it if need be for a mass market. Arket, Cos and Massimo Dutti are their better quality offerings. Cos is minimalist but good quality (I buy a lot from them) and MD does look more Italian although, of couse, it is Spanish. They do channel a very chic, put together, look which I love. Cos has fantastic wool coats for winter (always) and the best cotton t shirts and tops. MD has fantastic leather and wide trousers. Good patterns in their shirts and really good handbags. Arket shoes and boots are exceptional quality. Usually copies of ones costing £ hundreds and hundreds more.

I bought a Tu blouse, lovely fabric but hideous style with billowing sleeves. I thought I might get away with it but it was so unflattering and made my bust look enormous

@PresentingPercy Zara also have a high end brand called Uterque, you might want to check it out. I’ve only ever bought shoes from there but the quality and designs are excellent.

I have their shoes but haven’t seen the clothes. I’ll take a look. Thanks.

I have a Uterqüe coat. I love the design but the quality isn't great.

I often keep clothes for years (decades!!) if they wear well etc. Having a clear out a while back I came across an M&S blazer I bought in the early 90s. It can’t have cost much as I didn’t have much surplus money then . Classic navy with gold buttons. I was shocked to see it was 100% wool, a really lovely fine quality wool. It’s highly unlikely you could even buy a 100% wool blazer in marks now, let alone for a very reasonable price

[quote TheBullfinch]@Eyevorbig0ne I'm the same. Hardly ever see anything I like, that would suit me, i.e. v-neck, quite straight, plain colours, natural fabric etc.. It's all mustard flares or polyester tops with balloon sleeves and high necks with frills. Like the worst of 1970s fashion - anyone remember crimpolene floral nighties?[/quote]
Kettlewell
As others have said, their USP is the plain colours, and they do a variety of different necks and sleeve lengths. The items wash very well.