Is there any quality left?

[Tsukiko]

I have been searching for a couple of new jumpers and trousers for 3 months and not having any joy because I don't much like current shapes and also due to quality concerns.
I have always avoided buying cheap turnover fashion items, so used to purchase from the middle ground, but in recent years I notice the quality of these items has also plummeted, whilst the pricetags keep increasing.

I am willing to buy one or two higher priced items if I can guarantee quality, but such stores are not within my area or would take a heck of a lot of time to visit.

Is there any truly good cashmere out there now? I used to trust John Lewis, Poetry, etc but something has definitely changed. Wool trousers are all crazy trend shapes with clown legs or voluminous crotches, and I can't find anything suitable.

It is the wool I am bothered about most. The mid range (£200-£300) bracket such as White Co, Reiss and Whistles are not what they used to be, regardless the cost.

I kind of want to give up, just buy utilitarian stuff from Carrier Company but I know such masculine shapes don't suit me. I wish they did.

Any advice or tips regarding where to look would be fantastic. There's so much choice out there now but so much crap. Buying clothes used to be really simple. Even when you get used to a brand now it will do a sudden lurch and the sizing and quality will fly off!

@Floisme I agree about Seasalt, bar my beloved Breton long sleeve T, most things I've tried have something off about the shape. I also agree about the 80s acrylic, the difference being that, while they have withstood 40 years (and will likely outlive us all) the ones I see in the shops this year don't look they'd survive one wash.

Yeah one day, when the sun goes out on our solar system, 80s acrylic will be all that's left.

I've been reading this thread but without much to contribute beyond more handwringing at the decline of the high street since its 00s peak. But want to point out as a UK knitter I can buy a jumper's worth of the best quality cashmere (ex Loro Piana, Johnston's, and other Italian/Scottish mills) deadstock from colourmart and other similar companies, for £50. For extra-fine merino from Zegna Baruffa (many microns finer than most RTW) easily for £20.
For (non-merino) wool in general the UK is one of the best and cheapest places in the world for it, unsurprisingly given our economic history.

Sorry, I know it's still not that helpful as OP hasn't indicated any ability or desire to learn to make her own clothes. As another with a mid-range budget but super-snob tastes I make about 2/3rds of my clothes these days. And I like the current boxy/oversized cuts, so don't even share OP's struggles there.

Aethel does good quality cashmere

@Floisme , I haven't worn it. I've bought plenty for my fussy ex-ragtrade mother.
I'm going by the fabric and construction not by personally wearing it.

I thought the same.

Thanks for the heads-up on the Carrier Company OP. Never heard of it but exactly the style and quality I've been looking for.

I think Seasalt is one of the most frustrating brands on the high street. I like a lot of their colours, it looks well made and yet their prices are within my reach, their linen in particular looks a decent weight... but I can't say how long it keeps its shape because, as soon as I try it on, I look in the mirror and my heart sinks. Every time. I don't know how they do it.

From what I’m reading about Jo Sykes leaving I worry that Jigsaw is about to go down that road as well.

@Floisme , it might be that you and the brand aren't compatible.

I seem to be incompatible with Monsoon. The cut is all wrong on me but
a friend looks amazing in it. We're both the same sort of height but my body is more angular and hers is softer.

I was just popping back in to post that! You have saved me a copy/paste job

Over all what we are seeing is a huge swing downwards, I suppose in an effort to create the illusion that all income brackets can access 'luxury', which is simply not true, and helping no one.
Perhaps the lower income brackets spend more, incrementally, on the whole than higher brackets. I am certain 'capitalism' (if we can use it as an entity in itself) is aware of this. The endless drip of cheap purchases and fast fashion hauls probably result in more profit over all than occasional higher priced luxuries.

It's a facade, especially the fast-cashmere industry, and disastrous for the environment.

The same goes for food and general tat. In my old home town, which seemed to change radically within the space of 5 years, the only stores left are giant box stores with different tenants each year, selling miles upon miles of plastic crap. There are constant closures and openings, large spaces filled to the brim with expendable, seasonal rubbish. After Debenhams closed this enormous plot has housed several new ventures, all in a race to the bottom. There isn't one middling quality shop left in a borough of over 300,00 people.
And I think the people want that back, it was once a town people came to visit just to shop. A terrible loss for the residents. The tired excuse of 'everyone's gone online!' doesn't reflect reality. Many shoppers are getting the train to other towns that have managed to keep some identity.

I am often tempted to believe the internet excuse is a deliberate falsehood, covering the more glaring issue of lack of investment and high rents, with many of the town centre properties having been sold to overseas investors who leave them to rot.

When I was young, I only knew about cashmere because a posh girl at uni got some for her 21st. It's supposed to be from the undercoat of a Kashmir goat. I've read you have to comb four goats to get enough for one jumper. I mean really, the idea of buying it at high street prices should be preposterous. And yet here we are, me included.

Sorry for some reason, I could only see half your post at first so that last post might feel a bit out of context!

I miss real shops dreadfully but, at the same time, I'm trying to move on, because I don't think they're coming back. Plus if I'm honest, my own high street has been poor for a good couple of decades so I can't only blame the internet.

Over all what we are seeing is a huge swing downwards, I suppose in an effort to create the illusion that all income brackets can access 'luxury', which is simply not true, and helping no one.

@Tsukiko, don't worry MN is here to drum it home that we certainly can't!

Do you know sometimes I actually enjoy looking at old adverts from the 70s and 80s. And why? Because the 'luxurious' products are so accessible! All that's required to be 'cultured' is a box of 'After Eights'!

And I'd really rather be happy with something that is not going to bankrupt us. Because there's more of a chance that way I will be happy.🙂

And for those who hate synthetic materials what on earth do you wear to work out in?

Don't get me wrong I've plenty of cotton and wool in my wardrobe but a bit of viscose or synthetic in a mix really doesn't bother me. Technically it can really work, Lycra certainly has a place in clothes, especially tights.

And I was so thankful for internet shopping when I was undergoing cancer treatment. Actually meant I could do some shopping. I could do my Xmas shopping. (I had so be so careful because if I had caught any viruses it have could been life threatening).

I’m in the curious position of agreeing with everyone on this thread. Everyone has a point here. Maybe I am fantasising about a beautiful bygone ( late 80s) era when I could pop down down to Portobello market and pick up vintage cashmere for £20 ( well actually I could) and bag beautifully crafted clothes at every jumble sale. Maybe its retrospecs. There certainly was less self consciousness about consuming back then, less knowledge and less choice too. There was a restfulness about that. It’s also a fact that the price of cotton has risen sharply, a lot of fabrics have got thinner and synthetics more ubiquitous.

@heyhohello , just cotton t-shirt and cotton-lycra leggings.

@KirstenBlest, ok. I suppose it might vary between sports. I run a lot and certainly appreciate the more technical materials.

Me too, and a good sports bra.
Do not wear cotton in the rain - yoga style trousers grow longer.

Years ago I moved from a city to an unfashionable town where the only shops I can remember (although I'm sure there must have been others) were a poxy branch of M&S, a Top Shop and a Freeman, Hardy & Willis. I would like to apologise to everyone who knew me then for being such a spoilt, moany pain in the arse about it, but it was a shock. And if I were still living there now, I'd be thrilled to have the opportunity to shop online. So yeah it's complicated.

Interesting. Many many moons ago, I worked with Hash Ladha at the now defunct BHS, and IIRC, he was in charge of menswear, and have crossed paths with him at various points over the years.

It is the end of Jigsaw as we know it, I will bet my life on it.

Cos is the answer. There is a 6 ply neutral cashmere jumper in there at the moment which I'm considering buying a second version of as it's utterly perfect, other than the price tag. I wear it on repeat. I've also had success with Zara and Hush.

Cheap quality cashmere is horrible to wear. Clingy, static-creating nastiness. Agree that White company is an offender here.

I don't think I've ever typed anything which sounds as privileged but never mind.

Thank you so much for reminding me of them! Completely forgot about colourmart.