I just can't stand anything in any shop

[WeirdArchitecture]

I decided to spend some money, haven't shopped for new clothes for a few years (apart from the occasional replacement), so luckily i have the choice and the cash to pick and choose at the moment.

But it is dire out there. I just don't get it. Physical stores are a clusterfuck of thin, creased shite (H&M, Next, etc) with 'knitwear' that looks like it is made out of some shabby, crushed up webbing - i am presuming it is the sheer amount of elastane mixed in with poor quality acrylic and stretched up polyester.....they look and feel allergy inducing. Who is buying this shit and why?

But the real issue is higher end stores - Brora, White Co, Toast, and so on - i used to like these and purchase from them but now it seems everything is overly trend focused and either whoppingly huge or cropped to oblivion (no proper basics to speak of, just odd shapes and stuff that will date very, very quickly at £200 a pop!)
And don't get me started on sleeve length. Unless the arm is described as cropped then even long limbed models have cuffs trailing a foot longer than their hands! (yes Cos i am looking at you!)

I just wanted a loose fit, luxurious cashmere jumper or cardi that was fluid over the hips, not with a standard fitted hem. I think the shapes of a hem really help to update a garment but the 'quality' shops are still only selling stolid shapes that are a bit office-wear 2003.

So here i am with the money and freedom to choose but.. nothing! I cant find one damn store apart from Poetry that has interestingly created knits, and they never have what i want in stock for months ahead. It is depressing. I needed a handful of new jumpers and a couple of skirts/tops. Haven't managed to find a single one that isnt badly made, ludicrously long or insanely patterned (cottage core can step the fuck back a bit ok)....

The entire market is flooded with overly trend focused crap. No brand is safe from it, i cant even just find a simple cardi in a good wool that drapes well and ISN'T 4 feet wide.

@WeirdArchitecture

Me & Em, I like dresses and skirts and am seeing a lot of 100% polyester for nearly £200. Even if they are good quality, i just cant process why it would cost that much to make it.

All dresses and skirts called 'midi' are so long i would have to have them altered, too. I wish stores would quit masquerading maxi's as midi's. I'm not even petite so god knows where anyone under 5'5 are getting theirs from.

They had cashmere last time I looked. 🙂

I can recommend Scott & Scott for cashmere on Brand Alley. & Daughters is fantastic quality Cashmere. But it's a fortune at full price. I was lucky to pick up my Cashmere Coatigan in Tk Maxx a couple of years ago.
Whistles, Poetry & Wrap Cashmere can be rubbish but some pieces are good. It's so variable.
Can I put up my hand and say I love H&M for it's cotton items ( it's crinkle cotton shirts I don't have to iron). Plus the odd brilliant ( crinkle column) skirt.
Wild dogs wouldn't force me to buy the largely plastic knitwear.

You’re a bit late to the party on this one…. This has been widely debated on here over the course of the year. Lots of recommendations for smaller brands like Community Clothing so it might be worth looking for those threads ( I’ll try and link) . Personally if you know you like Jaeger or Max Mara etc and you’re looking for quite classic shapes I’d shop preloved.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/4210905-Why-is-the-quality-of-everything-so-shit

Here we go. There was also a thread about smaller British brands

Tescos have a couple of nice cashmere slouchy jumpers. Sadly the colours are too light for me but I you're blonde should be fine

&Daughter, Moss&Cable, Knotty Ones, Weekend Max Mara, Ami Amalia…. Loads of great knitwear out there. Your mistake was looking at H&M and Next. They’re hardly good quality!

Oh, and Genevieve Sweeney. And Oubas.

www.and-daughter.com/

mossandcable.com/

www.theknottyones.com/

gb.weekendmaxmara.com/

amiamalia.com/

www.genevievesweeney.com/

www.oubasknitwear.co.uk/

Honestly, the high street isn’t the place I’d go for stylish or quality items. There’s so many amazing designers out there - you just need to find them.

I dont shop at next or h&m, i see this shit when i am walking around town.

Will check the thread, looks like a good one!

As for tesco, i dont trust them. I dont trust any of these corporate idiots anymore.
When i look at smaller shops, ethically focused, etc, the stuff is either ludicrously long or not my style. I like the COS/Poetry/White Co, or a subtle Dark Academia style (but with skirts not trousers).
Nothing too flamboyant, just floaty and a bit dreamy in charcoals, navy or cream. So yeh, i am better off on ebay!

This is the kind of thing i love (pics)

Thanks so much for these links - i am gong to get a warm drink and have a mooch :)

@WeirdArchitecture ah ok - read your initial post as you’d been looking at H&M and we’re disappointed in the quality. There’s often good recommendations for small brands here - I’ve found jeans brand Hiut to be great, for example, or shoes from Solovair or Grenson. Coats from Shop the Curated…. I think the trick is finding who does what well - I don’t tend to find much I like from companies that do loads of different things and churn out what’s essentially fast fashion (even if not always at fast fashion prices). I’ve had much more luck buying knitwear from a British knitwear designer or jeans from a jeans maker, if that makes sense.

You know, a lot of these very expensive stores are lovely and i am sure the items are beautifully crafted, but they all seem to follow the same trends - balloon effect sleeves, super chunky, wide fit. Not one had a longer length or fine knit amongst them.

I guess the stuff im into (sleeker knits, fine and fluid) are just not in fashion at the moment. I think because i like to wear full or longer skirts i prefer a knit that is either shortish and fitted or longer and slim.
I need to get a coat over it, too.

I do appreciate everyone's help there, i am obviously a complicated customer

Yes, it makes sense. I have a pair of Grensons and several pairs of Solovairs, and they will outlast fashion but remain usable.

I buy classics that have been made for a function.

I wear jeans that suit me and look after them.

Jumpers - good old M&S for lambswool or acrylic or Uniqlo/charity shop for merino.

John Smedley might work for you then - I'd say it was classic with a contemporary twist (rather than the other way round) and they do some slim fitting, fine knit jumpers, although I don't know if they do cashmere or whether it's mostly merino.

I really liked Pure and I once went to a fantastic sale in London and bought 2 beautiful classic cardigans, they are still going strong and were £25 each

John Smedley very nice, thanks.

Woodhill, do you mean Pure Collection?

As sensibly priced as cashmere is going to get. Other styles light weight and fitted are available.
www.houseofbruar.com/scot-cash-crew-tunic-pink/?src=webshp

thanks:)

anyone know how decent Pure collection wool is? The web format is identical to Woolovers.

Totally agree OP, just been having the same rant after my second shopping trip this week. We have no high end shops in my area so H&M, Next and New Look is pretty much it and to makes matters worse I am “petite” ☹️

I'm having this exact issue with maternity wear. It's all shit unless you want to look like a slob or Kate Middleton

Slightly off the point OP but I love the two photos you posted above. This was very much my style when I was a student in the early 80s and it's still my favourite look.

During lockdown I have started knitting again and recently dressmaking classes too, inspired by watching Sewing Bee. I'm planning to make some of my own clothes and have started searching for small independent wool and cloth producers. Not a cheap solution at all but I'm hoping to end up with some high quality clothes that I love.

I wear fine knit slim fit turtlenecks - haven’t bought any this year as have all the ones I want but in the past bought them from massimo Dutti I think, they used to have a good colour range. And maybe Mango. All relatively cheap of course but they seem to have lasted fine.

One of those heck they stock 600 brands sites but might be useful
www.thread.com/gb/shop/women/knitwear?requiredIds=U3R5bGVEZXRhaWw6MTk4OA%3D%3D

My Boden cashmere has held up very well, but it's not light, it's quite heavy.

J Crew and Banana Republic have some lovely knitwear at the moment.

I hear you and have struggled with the same issues. I found the following shops to be very good for knitwear:

NavyGrey
&Daughter (good promotion at the moment)
Joseph (very luxurious and excellent quality, good Black Friday discounts)
Jigsaw (not everything, needs careful sifting, but some knitwear is excellent)
American Vintage (don't buy from the website as horrible costumer service, but several shops in the UK stock it)
Toast (very hit and miss at the moment for knitwear, some of it is rough and scratchy, cashmere and alpaca blend are good)

@WeirdArchitecture Ami Amalia which I linked to definitely do have some finer knits and plainer designs - but appreciate that yes chunky knits seem to be more popular at the mo!