Me and Em

[MsDastardley]

Just been looking at new season arrivals, and there are a couple of things I like... Me and EM market themselves as British designer clothing, but both things I have picked are made in China and this puts me right off. The shirt I was looking at is £165 so not cheap. The dresses I liked are made in India.

I have bought quite a bit of stuff from Baukjen, and the reason I was happy to pay more than usual was because they are B Corp company and most of their stuff is made in Europe. I like the idea that they pay a fair wage, there's less carbon footprint etc, and I am trying to shop more sustainably now I can afford to. I'm not tempted by any of their latest offerings though.

Interested to hear about quality of Me and Em clothing, and any ideas about ethical companies.

I think they style their products to make them incredibly desirable looking. In real life I have 3 large chunky jumpers that I love. The other stuff is not nearly as well made as the price would suggest. I always do long to spend a lot of money at the beginning of each collection, but I try to resist. They have reasonable reductions in the sale - but not amazing. Stuff also quite expensive resold on ebay or Vinted

I have a couple of pairs of trousers which are very well made and flattering. However I'm also disappointed that the clothes are often made in China, these days I'm trying to avoid this.

friendlyflicka I agree about the styling. I was tempted but another blouse last season but was disappointed when in saw it in the store. I did buy a cashmere jumper in the sale, and the design is very nice but again made in China and not worth the full price. I’ll save my money for now, don’t need new clothes!

I think their quality has gone down and that their sales are rubbish compared to their old ones.

@Ponks

I have a couple of pairs of trousers which are very well made and flattering. However I'm also disappointed that the clothes are often made in China, these days I'm trying to avoid this.

I’m looking for nice trousers too. I do like the styling, they are a bigger different/smarter but way too expensive for stuff manufactured in China

I agree OP. I started buying Me&Em about five years ago, loved their pieces - I remember going into the shop near Ladbroke Grove when it opened and the feeling of wanting everything in the shop 😂

I’m wearing a layering shirt today from that time and it is great, I have a few of them. However, I feel now that they have so many shops in most expensive parts of London and the rent is a huge part of their pricing but the quality is so poor now. The last few orders were just shocking material for the price, customer service is completely absent. Such a shame.

More recently

I get the odd things from Hobbs and they are now selling more sustainable offerings. Most of the items I have are manufactured in Europe. It is hit and miss for me though, I find most of their stuff too fussy. Have bought some nice skirts and trousers though.

I have a few pieces that I love (cashmere jumpers) but tend to get things in the sale as I don’t feel they are worth full price. Agree quality has gone down - more man made fabrics, etc. I would happily buy from Baukjen because of their ethical credentials, but sadly their pieces these days are so bloomin boring and not my thing at all.

Purplecatshopaholic I agree re Baukjen, love their ethical credentials. Hardly anything for me in their latest collection.

I have a jumper from them and I honestly can't wear it anywhere. It's a cotton knit and anything and everything causes it to pull. An expensive mistake.

@superdupertruper

I have a jumper from them and I honestly can't wear it anywhere. It's a cotton knit and anything and everything causes it to pull. An expensive mistake.

Oh no, one of the items I wanted was a cotton jumper :(

It was this one

I agree the quality is not great. I bought a pair of trousers and the zip pull came off after I'd worn them a few times - couldnt take them back as I'd had them taken up. I got a jeans style zip put in instead which looks much better than the original - I assume that not putting in a decent zip was a cost cutting corner.

Worse though was a dress I bought that was made in Vietnam - wore it twice and it split down the centre back. The exact same thing happened with the replacement. Made in Vietnam from a fabric which frayed when you looked at it and the seams were badly sewn on an overlocker - such a shame as it was a great design and would have been lovely if it had been properly made in a better fabric.

Have you looked at Sézane? Also a B-Corp company and most things are made in Europe. There are sooo many beautiful things in their latest collection.

Refunds are quick too, unlike Baukyen which is appaling at the moment.

@chloechloe

Have you looked at Sézane? Also a B-Corp company and most things are made in Europe. There are sooo many beautiful things in their latest collection.

Refunds are quick too, unlike Baukyen which is appaling at the moment.

Thanks, I’ve just had a browse and seen quite a few things I like. I’ve never ordered from them so unsure about sizing though. I agree the returns at Baukjen are diabolical at the moment, puts me right off.

Where oh where can we buy good clothes that are not made in China!?

The website is really helpful - it tells you whether things are true to size or to size up/down if between sizes.

Being a French brand I would say the sizes are true to size or on the small size - definitely no vanity sizing.

Whereas at Hush or M&S for example I would order a 10 or small, and at Uniqlo medium or large, I would order 12 or medium at Sézane.