This top would have been £20 cheaper a year or so back

[TheOGCCL]

https://www.esprit.co.uk/p/jersey-top-with-a-soft-touch-073EO1K302_680.html#cgid=1340

It’s part polyester.

Maths never my strong point but this top would have been £29.99 so now it’s 40% dearer. Not sure Esprit are going to be viable soon, same way Maison du Monde (homewares) had to pull out of the UK.

They do good discounts eventually.

What’s made you realise how expensive clothes are now?

I feel frozen whenever I attempt to buy clothes now. I used to buy work dresses from phase eight in the sales at about £40 max each. Now they're £80 in the sales. I just can't get my head around paying £80 for one item that I will probably over wash and bobble in a few wears so I don't buy anything.

I think have two pregnancies and mat leaves in the last 8 years meant I missed almost a decade of price rises for proper (not leggings and a Primark top) clothes so my brain is still in 2013 work wear mode.

The only thing I buy new now is underwear. For everything else, there's Vinted.

I agree.

I've just been to Turkey and bought the most beautiful 100% cotton shirts for about £20 each. I was in heaven.

I'm perimeno and need my clothes to be breathable. Basic cotton now is something for the rich.

I do a capsule wardrobe and don't buy clothes very often so the price rises have seemed very noticeable to me vs what I'd have paid a year or two ago. At the same time it strangely helps me to decide how much I really want or need it or make myself choose one thing rather than two or so on. Not good for the retailer obviously but good for my own finances.

Ultimately it is what is is, some form if pricrusise is to be expected; retail is a very difficult industry in the current climate. I can't say I've ever shopped or browsed at Esprit. Re: Maison du Monde, I do remember them - primarily because I cancelled an order once after seeing so many absolutely appalling reviews from UK customers that it was hard to find a good one and didn't seem worth the risk of buying.

I'm an ebay girl now. The price of new clothes horrifies me. Plus the really ropey quality/styling. Who wan't cut-outs in everything?
Last summer I bought a couple of linen shirts new and that was it.

Yeah I can't get my head round how expensive even cheap stuff is this days

I dont really buy new but even second hand stuff is often silly prices. I never thought I would be waiting for second hand sales to buy clothes.

(And I have a fair amount of disposable income)