How does Reiss survive?

[donkra]

I admit, as a style it's very Italian-glam and not my cup of tea, which no doubt influences my view. But to my eye, the clothes are really overpriced for the quality of the material, although the cuts are usually decent. Anyone want to defend the brand?

I bought a wonderful top last year and wore it to work. I sweated like crazy and it made the top smell really strange, and it felt heavy. Rayon I think. Anyone else had that?

I used to love their simple, stylish, classic clothes but over the last few years, the quality has nosedived. Its all polyester now. Theyre simply trading on their good reputation built up over decades. Such a shame.

The main attraction for me was the fact that they were one of the few brands which cut straight, sharp, dramatic, plain clothes, while the rest of the high street went gaga on frills, flounces and lace. It was the manish tailoring which attracted me.

I usually find that their pieces are for tall people or people with long bodies - curves are not good with them.

Reiss is in Next Directory I noticed today

That’s what I’ve always liked about the style there too!

I have always baulked at the prices though and the style of straight cut, mannish tailoring is everywhere now.

I like Sezane as well.

Just to be fair - I have some stuff from Reiss which I absolutely love, like a beautiful wool coat which I bought ~5 years ago and still looks fantastic. So if find something made of good fabric then I will absolutely buy it. The polyester which they use is also not the same as Zara, so in my experience it does not crease, fade and loose shape as much as cheaper brands, so if bought second hand or with a good discount it can still be a value for money purchase.

I agree with this. They do a limited petite range, so trousers sometimes work, but I’ve yet to find a size 8-10 dress that doesn’t feel it’s been cut for the long of torso

Ooooh. I know the answer to this. It’s my brother. He buys so much from there that he single-handedly keeps it afloat.

I’m joking. Obviously. But I am reliably informed that menswear is ‘just sublime’. 🤣

See, that's interesting because I would describe their tailoring as overtly sexy, which is part of what not makes it my bag. (I like oversized Japanese stuff, go figure.) But I guess I agree that it is at least generally sleek and focusing more on cut than adornment.

I dont think its particularly sex, its more the way its styled, i.e. lots of skin on show.

I love the fact that they cut things properly to fit a figure, they just dont create square clothes (looking at you NEXT).

I love The Row but only buy occasionally in the sale (50-70% off) due to the high price point. Lovely clothes though.

I bought a beautiful linen dress from Reiss this summer, it isn’t all polyester. The prices have risen shockingly though. I still love their coats and wish they’d bring back the old quality then I’d buy more from them. I love the classic styles they do, yes some stuff is a bit skimpy but they do a really good cut.

I have bought from there and been disappointed with a top that had zips that were not visible in any of the photos and the material felt cheap.

I've bought their cotton v-neck t-shirts in the past, but I think they become mis-shapen.

However, I bought light cashmere jumpers in teal and camel in the Xmas sale last year and kept both. I think they were £110 each, down from £220 or so. There's no chance I would pay the full price.

I used to buy lots of workwear from them back when the suits were super fine pure wool and dresses silk. They were worth every penny. I just refuse to pay £££ for the low quality materials now though.

I’ve had nice Reiss stuff in the past but I’ve no need of smart workwear now. It is cut nicely and they used to do brilliant wool tailoring.
For occasion wear I avoid it, because it feels like the default shop for that. Like in the late nineties, where everyone went to Karen Millen, for wedding guest outfits and it was all a bit samey.
I can spot a Ted Baker dress/coat at 100 paces too. I’ve a friend who suits it and gets loads there.

Oh and my friend recently showed me her ‘only £80’ bargain from Reiss that had been £280 full price. That’s steep for polyester florals.

I’ve had a few dresses from them this year, for the first time. I’ve actually really liked them. Flattering, well cut, decent material which cannot be compared to what you get in Zara. Cheap? No, but they’ve washed well and will last I think but they weren’t really high fashion, more classics that won’t date. Having said that I bought a Reiss dress in the sale from Selfridges this weekend for £80. I bloody love it and will get loads of use out of it. One thing they do seem to be really crap at, is zips. Anything with a zip it either doesn’t work, or it stops working after 1-2 washes. I send them back then!

I like their style, (especially where so many brands focus on shapeless / boxy flowery dresses, which is not my style at all and does not suit my body shape) but I agree re quality (I also avoid polyester clothing!) and sizing seems a bit wrong?! I'm a size 8 but I can fit in their size 6 and sometimes size 4?

That said, I have some lovely trousers for work and the quality is excellent. I bought them a few years back, and only now are showing some signs of use (and I use them / wash them a lot!)

Sorry for going a bit OT, but I had wondered what was going on with Kin at John Lewis as the only non-sale stuff left online is bags and footwear. I love their clothing as well OP and while I'm glad it's not going completely, it won't be fun trying to find it now.

I know, right?! I'm glad they haven't stopped making it, at least, but why why whyyyyyyy would you start just mixing it in with the dull and safe JL main line?!? I have so many interestingly cut things from Kin. I tackled a shop assistant when I couldn't find a single Kin item of clothing on the floor.

This indirectly led to my musings on why Reiss has such a big section in there which never gets moved around despite the fact no one seems to browse it much.

It's popular with the men I know

Mens Reiss seems to be better quality, my brand loyalty has moved to me and em. Similar price but feels 10x better quality and fit.

Reiss do amazing wool jackets and coats. Really well tailored. I rarely buy anything else from there.

I recently did a job lot on there trousers. Nice cuts. Some of them are a synthetic blend but needed something loose and non creasing for long drives between meetings and they are perfect. Washed well and looks like they have put the semi permanent crease in which is nice for guide when pressing or good enough for the everyday day. They are Japanesey in shape especially if you turn the bottoms so surprised you weren’t a fan op.