Highest quality shops, can we make a list?

[beatrixpotterspencil]

Regardless of whether you personally like the styles, etc.
I would love to hear people's opinions on which stores still create good quality garments, no matter the price.

Just been reading this thread:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4484809-To-think-that-clothes-are-such-poor-quality-now?pg=8

....and thought it would be an idea to compile a resource for those of us wishing to buy less but at better quality. And I mean actual good quality clothes, not just 'the best for less', or bargains. Preferably easily accessible to the UK without enormous customs charges.

Many of us are aware of the race to the bottom, that the mid range high street went to hell in a handbasket years ago, so we are left with either the dross at the bottom (boohoo, primark) or else a huge leap in price for anything decent (margaret howell, Brora). I appreciate that many people don't have to choice of whether to choose one or the other, but it helps to be aware, so that those on a lower budget can perhaps search for the good stuff second hand.

Collectif - have several tops and dresses as well as a pair of trousers. All the fabric is thick and good quality at a decent price

I find Roman is good quality
And M&Co

My work wardrobe is 90% Theory and Max Mara with a bit of Hobbs for basic good quality trousers and skirts. I also like the quality of Raey. High street I think Oliver bobas is pretty good quality although their scarves are shitty quality.

Brora, the cashmere is lovely and doesn’t bobble too much.I love their their Liberty print tops. Knitted cotton tops are lovely, although made in China so don’t warrant the price.
Baukjen, although a bit fussy
Whistles cashmere
Hobbs have the odd nice piece. Quality always good.
Jaeger, part of M&S now I think
Russell and Bromley.

Sweaty Betty lasts for ages and washes well. I never pay full price
Didrikson coats
Seasalt cotton jersey pyjamas

At the reasonably priced end, I'm really impressed by Uniqlo - I've got cotton/denim shirts, t-shirts and sweatshirts from there which have lasted for years, and recent purchases seem as good.

Sweaty Betty leggings survive millions of washes, they are brilliant. I have a hoodie from them that I must have bought 15 years ago that is still going strong.

Massimo Dutti knitwear is lovely and lasts beautifully, I barely buy knitwear anywhere else now. T shirts are good there too.

Cos is always good

Uniqlo kids’ stuff wears particularly well, I’ve noticed. John Lewis and Boden NOT so much…

Mango is decent, I find, at the cheaper end.

Agree about Baukjen quality but I’m not keen on their styles any more. It’s too expensive for me to be unsure!!

Hush gets a lot of criticism and I’ve had some duds (and haven’t bought from them for a couple of years now) but I have a utility jacket that has been a wardrobe miracle for 4-5 years, and their viscose dresses (I only ever bought in the sale) used to be nice. I don’t imagine they are worth the prices they charge now.

I'd second Rapanui for t-shirts / hoodies and Brora for knitwear (lambswool) I've never bought anything from Finisterre that I haven't worn and worn, but I'm not sure their quality is quite as good now as it used to be.

At the affordable end I've been very impressed by Forgotten Tribes quality at very reasonable prices if you like their style.

Again a bit niche in style but Cyberdog quality is really fantastic, I've got tops from there I've had for 10 years plus that have been worn & worn without losing their shape or fading and I have a recently bought t-shirt that feels equally good quality.

I don't think scamp and dude is great quality at all , it's expensive because she is a small business but it's only after a couple of washes and it shrinks . I like the design though which is why I buy it .

I stopped going to Reiss years ago as it was full of polyester. Has it improved?

At the risk of getting slated again. I started my own thread saying how impressed I was with reebok by Victoria Beckham (on sale) and the quality. I was basically told it was crap and overpriced. I stand by what I said. For those willing to pay sweaty Betty prices have a look on Outnet. I was asked if get commission on recommending them but I have seen a Toast thread going for years without them being accused of receiving commission.

I thought of another one for the list - French brand A.P.C. I bought a fab and very versatile denim skirt from there last year and have stuff from them that has lasted years.

I agree with @gunnersgold about Scamp and Dude - the piping has unravelled on all three pairs of tracksuit bottoms that I bought from them during lockdown, despite the fact that I wash everything in laundry bags and don't have a tumble drier.

@Delphigirl please can you let me know how Theory sizing comes up, particularly in trousers? There is always quite a lot on The Outnet, but they are so slow to refund at the moment that I would like to get things right first time! I am a size 8 but straight up and down so often have to go to a size 10 in trousers/skirts in brands that cut for small waists.

Also agree with whoever said you can get the odd gem in H&M. I always find it better to go in store to inspect fabric up close but if I have to shop online I search using terms like 'cotton dress' or 'cotton blouse' then filter by size, length of skirt, length of sleeves etc.

Sezane

Hobbs. Not much of it fits me because I'm too small, but I have bought the occasional thing there and the quality is generally good.

M&S cashmere.

One of my DC has a Superdry anorak thing which is now 8 years old and still going strong (now used for camping, wet walking etc). I thought it would last a year or two.

@whiskeyfoxtrotcharlie

I thought of another one for the list - French brand A.P.C. I bought a fab and very versatile denim skirt from there last year and have stuff from them that has lasted years.

I agree with @gunnersgold about Scamp and Dude - the piping has unravelled on all three pairs of tracksuit bottoms that I bought from them during lockdown, despite the fact that I wash everything in laundry bags and don't have a tumble drier.

@Delphigirl please can you let me know how Theory sizing comes up, particularly in trousers? There is always quite a lot on The Outnet, but they are so slow to refund at the moment that I would like to get things right first time! I am a size 8 but straight up and down so often have to go to a size 10 in trousers/skirts in brands that cut for small waists.

Hi yes I agree about APC, and they have really nice good value bags as well. I don’t buy trousers from theory because they don’t work for me. I’m short backed (ie not narrow waisted) and hippy and trousers are tricky for me. I buy tops and jackets from theory and their double faces cashmere is excellent and particularly great value in the sales.

Don’t have really anything new to add but camping here in hopes of more recommendations!

Agree that Margaret Howell is great, I have a few bits second hand. Likewise Malene Birger. (All of my ‘nice’ stuff is second hand!)

I’m a fan of Cos, although I do find it is significantly better to buy in person to ensure a reasonable fit.

I’ve had ups and downs with Uniqlo t shirts unfortunately. I do however really like their Relaco 3/4 wide leg trousers for lounging.

I get the occasional dress in Hobbs as they sometimes have things I like and they usually do well.

As others have mentioned the big issue is the wall of polyester we are often confronted with even at higher price points.

Massimo Dutti - great linen and some pretty dresses
Cos
Diane V F

@SushiShopSearch

I stopped going to Reiss years ago as it was full of polyester. Has it improved?

No. I saw what I thought was a lovely jumper in the window, but it turned out to be 100% acrylic. For £149. Not bloody likely!

I tried on a blazer in Reiss the other week. It was absolutely lovely and very well cut, but it was 50% wool and 50% acrylic and nearly £300 which felt like quite a lot.

Actually has anyone said Uniqlo? I don't have much from there but the bits I do have are great and have lasted and washed brilliantly. My husband buys jeans from there, he gets super skinny ones with elastane and they do eventually go a bit baggy and/or he wears the knees through but he's very hard on jeans and they last much better than any others he's had.

I still love the quality of:
Reiss
Jigsaw
Baukjen
Hobbs
Sezane
Russell and Bromley

@Lovinglife45

Jackiedaws I had no idea. How long ago?

Last year sometime. I've noticed the prices have gone up a lot as well.