What shops / brands are actually worth spending money on?

[Lottapianos]

So much rubbish quality in the shops. I have money to spend, but it's hard to find decent quality. I mean fabrics with a bit of stretch that don't fall to bits after three washes.

Where would you recommend spending money on half decent clothes, casual not fancy, that last more than one season? Ta

Passenger

What type of clothes do you like?
Baukjen, Me+Em, Toast, Hobb's, Poetry etc are said to be good.
I buy second hand and old M&S, Boden, and similar are good.
If you like the styles, SeaSalt, FatFace and WhiteStuff are decent.

Maybe the women’s clothing from Passenger lasts better than the men’s, but I’ve been pretty appalled by how quickly my dh’s purchases from Passenger deteriorated.

Brands that have served me well this year are Sezane, Baukjen, Brora, NRBY and Sweaty Betty.

Uniqlo is good value for money for casual clothes.

Uniqlo is good quality. T-shirts last for ages.

What d’you mean by fabrics with a bit of stretch? I ask because the brands I’m fond of that are known for their quality tend to use natural fabrics that don’t ‘stretch’.

(You also don’t give a budget, so inevitably, by the time I’ve written a list, you’ll have come back to say you won’t spend more than £15 on any item …)

Anyway:

Acne Studios
American Vintage
Community Clothing
La Fetiche
Margaret Howell
MaxMara
Raey at Matches Fashion
Studio Nicholson

It is possible to buy pretty good quality from more run of the mill High St shops - particularly if you sort from highest to lowest price. (Really wish I could do this on the Zara site.)

I highly rate Boden - I get years out of their tops, they keep their shape and the colours remain vibrant. I also like Sugarhill Brighton jumpers, the Rita style in particular.

Whistles, Uniqlo.

'You also don’t give a budget, so inevitably, by the time I’ve written a list, you’ll have come back to say you won’t spend more than £15 on any item'

I didn't give a budget because budget is negotiable. Please feel free not to post on threads if you find it too much hassle

'I also like Sugarhill Brighton jumpers, the Rita style in particular.'

Thanks for this - they look fab but wasn't sure about the quality

Have seen Uniqlo recommended on several other threads. Their prices are pretty reasonable too

I buy a lot from Arket, &otherstories, and Cos, often via Depop.

I like Esprit - but only online, can never find any styles I like in store. Also Uniqlo as mentioned before. Fatface are also good but some of the clothes are a bit bohemian for me.

All saints
360 cashmere
John Smedley
Some M&S and Next
I buy quite a bit from local boutiques now - different brands.
Superdry for casual/gym etc
I used to like Hobbs for work stuff but am retired now.

Uniqlo, Sezane, Whistles, Sweaty Betty, Lululemon, Varley, Grenson. All brands that have impressed me recently with their quality. That's my price point. Someone up thread gave brands from a much higher price point. You haven't given one, but you know what yours is.

Also CK for underwear and other bits
Levi's
Docs
Superga
DKNY

Please feel free not to post on threads if you find it too much hassle

Oh. It’s always a surprise when tone doesn’t translate on screen - but I’m sorry if that’s how you interpreted my relatively lengthy and carefully compiled post!

There are plenty of good quality natural fabrics that stretch, look for bamboo or organic cotton.

I haven’t found Uniqlo to be very good quality at all, but they are inexpensive. Try Cos, Arket, Me & Em, Community Clothing, there’s a great company called Nearly New Cashmere who restore cashmere pieces, prices are very reasonable I recently bought a cardigan for around £40.

I clicked on this thread purely for my Vinted searches

MuddlerInLaw wasn't rude. The OP hadn't given an indication of budget or which shops she already found poor quality. Any regular readers of S&B threads will know that some people think £90 for a full price dress from Boden is expensive, and in a recent thread about Dorothy Perkins pricing I think it was £40 that was considered expensive.

The OP was unhelpful in not setting parameters and is wasting people's time if they helpfully suggest brands the OP already considers low quality. Ironically the OP is probably closer to MudderInLaw's budget and suggestions than the people suggesting Uniqlo etc.

Afaik only available online in the UK but the American company Land’s End has excellent quality casual clothes which are very durable and wash well without falling apart. Great customer service and highly rated on Trustpilot too.

www.landsend.co.uk

Ive noticed a general increase in recommendations for brands like Shein on S&B so I think it’s reasonable to question what the budget is and also where you normally like to shop, where you’ve found poor quality and what your general style is. ( that way posters don’t waste their time thinking of recommendations for Raey if you’re more flowery type of dresser )
I personally like Arket and Cos for the price point but I’ve noticed some colour fade in recent years with Cos fabrics. The fact I generally go for plain fabrics means I’ve been able to re-dye in those cases but I do question it a bit.

I’ve been a bit frustrated with the huge blocks of colour Cos seems to have taken to lately - so I’m interested to read that you’ve dyed some of those things successfully, Divebar2021.

@MuddlerInLaw

Ive only re-dyed in the same colour I haven’t changed the colour. Rit dye do an all purpose dye that will colour synthetics which gets around the issue of natural fabrics and synthetic thread which you often find. You can dye trainers and all manner of things with it ( wigs etc) They also do a re-dye kit for black which a lot of my Cos clothing is. I’m trying to avoid using my normal washing powder too and have switched to a Waitrose liquid for black clothes ( when I remember) so it might be a laundry issue from my end.
I don’t mind seeing the colour in Cos but it’s generally quite bold hues that don’t suit my skin tone.

Thanks!

I’ve moved much more strongly towards colour since I stopped colouring my grey hair, but I prefer it in weightier fabrics - hence the inclusion of La Fetiche in my list above. Wonderful colours in Shetland wool or silk or even synthetic rainwear.

I’ve also found whistles good quality recently, baukjen ( although I find it’s for taller people generally as I’m swamped by the clothes, but they have generous amount of fabric and weight) and Jigsaw dresses and skirts I’ve bought have lasted well and again have generous amount of fabric usually ( although their price point is moving up - I don’t rate their knitwear particularly however!).