Why all the Roman love?

[anon2022anon]

I've only ever been in once, and it looked like Select but aimed at people who go on cruises, instead of teens.

I've seen so many links, and most look like they're made of bad fabric. The dresses that get static-y and stick to your legs.

What am I missing? Why are they shared so often? It's a similar price point to new look, it looks like similar quality, but new look almost never get shared, I've seen Roman mentioned on just about every 'I need a wedding guest dress' thread this summer.

@FancyFanny I can't wear florals because I look like a sofa in them, but that is a nice dress. Looks a lot more expensive than it is.

I have a cotton top from Roman, recommended by someone on MN. It's been very useful this summer. I agree brand is no longer a guarantee of quality. I have bought stuff from Reiss and Whistles which I had to return.

My favourite summer t-shirt of the year was from the Factory Shop 😂 It's good-quality cotton, in an Aztec print I've not seen anywhere else, and even has appropriate embroidery on the shoulders. £5.50 👏

@BansheeofInisherin Is it the green one? If so, it's served me well too!

That cotton dress is pretty.

Because the finish and fabric on their things is higher quality than New Look - I've bought both. Yes, there is the stuff aimed at women who like cruises, as that was their original target demographic, but there are also some things that are suitable for work and, unlike many shops who all seem to think that working in a professional situation carries the requirement to wear things as close to gym wear, pyjamas or as skimpy as possible, there's a significant proportion of those items that aren't sleeveless, low cut necklines or 3/4 of the way up your thighs but labelled Midi (M&S, I'm looking at you there). Oh, and it isn't transparent unless it is specifically labelled as such.

I'm not a fan of their search function, as you can't eliminate all patterns and then search for long sleeved (or vice versa), but it is there. And there are a lot of petite fitted things in both small and larger sizes, which isn't that common in the other shops in that price range.

It's not a brand that I think anybody would obsess about like some do about other very well marketed ones, but it's reasonable quality for a relatively low cost.

I've got several pairs of their summer crop trousers (and one pair of full length black trousers) and they're great. I've also got a couple of tops which hang really nicely. So it's a 👍 from me.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie Yes, it is! Flowy loose green cotton with half sleeves, but not puff sleeves. Must have been you who posted it. Many thanks! I find it so hard to find cotton tops in summer.

Roman's summer crop trousers and culottes look fine to me too. Might try them.

I've never been to an actual shop and I don't love some of the tacky patterns or the frumpy feeling of the web site, but I have bought several things online over the years that I have absolutely LOVED because they fit my body type so well. Some of the dresses and skirts are insanely flattering (on me; I'm short & curvy/chubby). And I feel the quality is more often than not superior to other brands in the same price range.

I had a pair of long evening trousers from Roman that looked like a split skirt. (Think black floaty but good drape)
I got a lot of wear out of them until I hit the menopause and couldn’t even look at polyester.

Not wanting to derail the thread but Cotton Traders occasionally have the odd gem.

I've just ordered some jeans from Roman, I've not had anything before but they were a decent price so I'm hoping they're also decent quality.

Funnily enough, I've seen a lot of the Roman cardigans on Next and thought "oh that looks nice" and then seen them on the Roman website and think they don't look as good.

I agree with the sentiment of brand doesn't determine quality. I bought a half zip striped jumper from Primark for £19 and it's actually a very nice knit, very heavy and thick. It doesn't feel cheap or like it would bobble easily.
I bought a Joules dress last year for around £70 and had to return it because the quality was horrendous, I would have found better on a market stall!

I like how their dresses come out of the washing machine practically dry already because they’re so plastic 🤣

but seriously, I don’t want to like it but they seem to do a variety of dress shapes not just high fashion and with a figure that’s hard to find dresses to suit, some of their fit and flare or ruched waist dresses do just work on me.

The only time I bought something online from Roman, it was too big, and it cost me £3.00 to return it, which they took off my refund. I won’t shop with them again.
I’m not sure if they still charge for returns.

I've had some great bits from Roman. A tunic dress that fit like a glove and washed like a rag that I wore for years. An evening dress that was really dramatic.

I think they use enough fabric- it doesn't feel skimpy on. Perhaps cut for an older woman's shape, more generous arms perhaps? Bigger darts?

It's also quite bold- bold designs, colours and patterns- which I like. I find a lot of clothes really meh- just so bland.

I don't like most items in the shop- lots of it is too blingy, that cruisewear, embroidered and sequinned T-shirt feel.

But there's usually something gorgeous lurking about.

I would have loved a white one and a black one. It’s so hard to find pretty cotton summer tops in black.

@Ohyeahwaitaminute totally with you on Cotton Traders! Got some lovely easy comfy and FLATTERING summer dresses this year that wash really well.

I bought some t-shirts from them. I washed them as per instructions and they smelt of sweat down the front) after they were washed. (They were not sweaty, were the only things that did. )They had been washed in an Aeriel washing pod. I then washed them in powder no softener and they were fine. They were practically dry after washing like a PP said.

Plus, they do charge for returns. When I returned something before it took weeks for me to get a refund.

To be honest, there is such a lack of physical shops and a plethora of bad quality that I wouldn't use them unless I was desperate. Desperate times, desperate measured.

I don't like the stores but I have loads of their tops and I love their stretch trousers that I've bought online

I have a few of their items and really like them, nice patterns, the sizing is consistent, the dresses are all good quality and wash well. Good for work and I had a few compliments.