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Original poster

Do you agree that some brands have become very pricy? And why?

50 replies

JinglingHellsBells · 16/05/2021 16:28

I have stuff from Boden, Jigsaw, Whistles, Hush, some White Company, some Mint Velvet (I don't buy many clothes) but am shocked at how prices have shot up.

Jigsaw dresses are £165 (and nothing I like anyway), but other medium-high High St brands are £100+ for a simple viscose dress.

Do you agree?

OP posts:
pinotschmino · 16/05/2021 16:32

Yes, Boden and baukjen although always fairly pricey have shot up considerably - I now wouldn't consider buying from either.
Went on Clark's website earlier, cost of their summer sandals were ££'s!

Original poster
JinglingHellsBells · 16/05/2021 16:36

In the old days ( a year or so back) any dress at £100+ would have been 'wedding' territory or something really special. I don't see how these prices are justified (and I wait for sales .)

OP posts:
pinotschmino · 20/05/2021 22:30

There's a report on the bbc news currently about it "why are clothes more expensive"....take a look it's interesting :-)

ChubbyLittleManInACampervan · 20/05/2021 22:41

I was literally just wondering this, as Baukjen has priced itself out of my budget now

StCharlotte · 20/05/2021 22:52

Agree about Clarks. Ditto Birkenstocks. Suddenly unaffordable.

ToManderleyAgain · 20/05/2021 23:00

@pinotschmino

There's a report on the bbc news currently about it "why are clothes more expensive"....take a look it's interesting :-)
@pinotschmino I’d be interested to read this, could you please share a link?
Snally82 · 20/05/2021 23:15

I thought this the other day about a couple of brands! Great time to discover I’m able to get a discount at quite a few stores however (charity worker scheme)

pinotschmino · 20/05/2021 23:18

Bummer I can't find it again...I'll keep looking...

pinotschmino · 20/05/2021 23:19

Yeh with baukjen I was about to order a blouse the other day, added it to my basket expecting the usual extortionate £75 or something but NO it was £99!!!!

Oly4 · 20/05/2021 23:25

Yep, Boden and White Company have got ridiculous

Fashio · 20/05/2021 23:28

Jigsaw. £100 for acrylic.

lalafafa · 20/05/2021 23:40

Also the price increase in Tiffany jewellery, I would normally buy a £145 necklace,for a teen gift, They’ve gone up to £210 now!

lottielimejuice · 21/05/2021 00:13

@lalafafa I noticed this aswell. You see quite a few young girls with the double heart pendants. Don’t think so many will be buying them for over £200. A necklace my husband bought me for a (special) birthday has increased from £500 ish to over £700.

SionnachRua · 21/05/2021 00:18

@pinotschmino

Bummer I can't find it again...I'll keep looking...
I'd love to see it too, sounds interesting. I googled that phrase "why are clothes more expensive" but couldn't find anything. No worries if you can't find it again. Smile
PickAChew · 21/05/2021 00:26

It's not that they're expensive, it's that the trend for clothes being dirt cheap hasn't been sustainable.

I still have a M&S sweatshirt I bought in their sale in the mid 90s, for £25.

MrsMaizel · 21/05/2021 01:29

@pinotschmino

Bummer I can't find it again...I'll keep looking...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-55841048

Is it this ?

ChiefInspectorParker · 21/05/2021 07:40

This reply has been withdrawn

Message from MNHQ: This post has been withdrawn

NeedWineNow · 21/05/2021 09:02

I'm glad to read this thread as I thought it was just me. I popped into Mint Velvet last week and was stunned at some of the prices for polyester! Similarly just yesterday I had catalogues through the door from Baujken, Biden and Aspiga - nice stuff but ££!!!

brakespeare · 21/05/2021 09:42

And that Boden 10quid voucher even more meaningless!

Fferny1 · 21/05/2021 09:42

I went into Jigsaw for the first time in months and liked the look of a turquoise Linen T Shirt. I was horrified to find it was £70.00. So that will be he sticking to my beloved H&M ones then for £9.99.

I've never minded paying more for Silk or Cashmere or a really good coat. But T shirts just don't last for years and tend to need replacing regularly.

UniBallEye · 21/05/2021 09:48

Yes! And then try adding in the 'mark up' if you're thinking about buying any of these clothes in Ireland! I found ME+EM to be the worst for this, a dress that might be £150 would become €230, that's some difference, even allowing for exchange and Brexit charges. I just don't shop in any of these shops anymore.

It's a pity and I wonder if they'll all survive with such competition for the European market now. I used to buy a LOT from Whistles / Jigsaw but I have on'y bought 1 thing since Jan from the UK and have found really nice alternatives.

BlairWaldorfLovesShopping · 21/05/2021 10:06

It is a mixture of factors.

  1. Clothes should not be cheap (although I doubt that fair wages in factories are the reason that these brands are charging more).
  2. Brexit.
  3. Sometimes companies get bought out by private equity firms who then wish to squeeze their customers for as much profit as possible while reducing costs. Not sure if this is the case for any of the mentioned brands. Possibly Whistles had new ownership at some point in recent years?
  4. Brands will set a high price but release regular discount codes (Boden).
  5. Brands will set a high price and then expect to reduce heavily in regular sales (Baukjen do this I think).
ChubbyLittleManInACampervan · 21/05/2021 13:04

I’ve gone back to eBay

£90 for a Baukjen t-shirt, OR E-bag a Bnwt cashmere jumper + boho top + silk skirt for less than £90 , more fun (but no returns I guess! So only buy brands I know fit me)

covetingthepreciousthings · 21/05/2021 13:31

Yes I've been thinking about this recently too, a PP is right that clothes shouldn't always be cheap, but I don't think the price hikes are down to ethics and fairer wages.

Boden used to just about be affordable for me as a treat, and the childrens wear too, but it's too expensive now.

beguilingeyes · 21/05/2021 14:02

I get pretty much everything except underwear and shoes on ebay now. I can't believe the prices I see in shops now.

Brexit eh? The gift that keeps on giving.