Premium brands taking the piss?

[HannahHannahAnna]

Off the back of the thread about the Toast jumper, I went to check out a few of their items and their clothes are made in Romania, Turkey, Lithuania...

The other day I ordered something from a French brand in a very similar vein, also made in Lithuania.

I just clicked on the first dress that comes up on Sezane and it's made in Bulgaria.

House of Bruar doesn't give info on where it's stuff is made which doesn't bode well

Why are these companies charging a massive premium when they're using the same eastern European countries to manufacture as Primark?

At £200 for a jumper, I expect it to be made in England, no? Or is that wildly optimistic of me?

Very few clothes are made in the UK. We are, relatively speaking, uncompetitive in manufacturing terms. We have a high earning, high cost economy - why would I pay minimum wage of £10.50 an hour (roughly) when I can pay £2.50 an hour for the same quality of stitching and finish. If you want a jumper from a Scottish company that’s actually made in Scotland (e.g. Mackies, beloved of the Scottish aristos) then you’re looking at £700-£800+.

Lithuania is known for its high quality linen. Why do you think everything out if Eastern Europe is poor quality. Just because a low cost company gets stuff produced in a country, it doesn't mean everything that country produces is low quality.

How many knitwear manufacturers are there left in England?
I can only think of John Smedley.

If I extend it to Great Britain, I know of a small number in Scotland (Community Clothing and Carrier Company use them I believe).

And then ermm..

@drowningfrowning
Projecting much? Who said things from Eastern Europe are lower quality? My point is that charging £200 for a machine made piece, shouldn't you be able to make it for that price in the UK (or France in the case of French brands).

There are two I know locally. John Smedley and Crystal BN ‘Richmond’.

Don't be obtuse. You complained about buying things from the same countries as Prinark uses so you obviously have some issue with things being produced in these countries. You need to get over yourself.

Lithuania is not in Eastern Europe, it is in Northern Europe, google the UN country classification and get out of your Cold War mentality. Educate yourself on the country's culture. It is a well-developed country and doesn't have worse manufacturing standards than the UK.

I'd love to see the UK manufacturing more of their own clothes again, but I think most of that infrastructure, including the skillset, has long gone. We didn't keep up with the technology and the workforce who had the skills are mostly retired. I think it would take massive investment to revive it now and I just can't see it happening.

& Daughter are , as far as I know made in the UK and Ireland. Eribé in Scotland.

Palava's heritage knitwear is made in Yorkshire and its cotton knitwear in Turkey in a factory which they claim they inspect. All of Palava clothes with the exception of one linen dress (made in Lithuania)is made in the UK.

Harley knitwear is made in Peterhead
Innis Mean in Ireland
Begg & Co in Scotland.

Lithuania is the country Palava use for the only dress in its range which isn't made in the UK.

Lithuania is in the EU and doesn't deserve being lumped in with sweatshop countries.

Palava made in Lithuania dress.

i don’t shop in Primark (although have been to the store a few times) but I would be very surprised if many items they sell were made anywhere in Europe? I thought it was mainly places such as Vietnam and Bangladesh?

I am always pleasantly surprised when something is still actually made in Europe because so few things are.

Many years ago, when I didn’t have DC I once splurged on a beautiful coat from Miu Miu. Beautiful cut and fabric and actually made in Italy!! And the price was not crazy - around £800. That kind of coat is now made from very average fabric, made in China, much more expensive and you are basically paying for the label rather than the quality. Very sad.

OP probably believes that countries in Europe other than the UK still don't have electricity and the clothing is made using candlelight so in no way can they compete with the standards of the the magnificent UK. Tell me you are a xenophobe without telling me you are a xenophobe.

All Johnson’s of Elgin‘s products are made in Scotland. There’s a good sale on atm.

Both the scarves I’ve had from there have been excellent quality.

Exactly. There's no need to scoff at Lithuania.

It would be nice if more clothes were made in the UK. Some brands are- a lot of Cabbages and Roses is (but not all but they clearly identify where clothes are made) the vast majority of Palava is, and clearly mentioned if not, all of Community Clothing is, as far as I know all of Colenimo is and most of Klements.

Or is that wildly optimistic of me?
You do sound as though you've either not shopped for clothes for the last 30 years, or given any of this a second thought until very recently.

How about boohoo, made in our very own great British sweatshops?

Eastern / Northern Europe is where more premium stuff is made! Cheapo is made in bangladesh or china. Also there has been modern slavery in UK factories! Its 2023

Mulberry handbags- made in a factory, using machines for everything from the first cut of the leather hides. (I've been to the factory).

Turkey has great quality textile production.its one of the best. You're lucky you got it made there. It's not Bangladesh hun.

I have some Lithuanian linen… it’s absolutely beautiful.

Getting a little plug in here for Jumping Ships - designed and made in England, high quality, and very affordable. Not exactly cutting-edge fashion but they're versatile and willing to customise things further if you ask.

https://jumpingships.com/our-story/

Their "Hamnish" jackets in boiled wool or corduroy are rather nice and a great price.

Their corduroy pinafores are very "Toasty" but far cheaper.

There are smaller brands that do manufacture in the UK.

Have a look at Quinton & Chadwick or Oubas for knitwear. Roake Studio clothing is also all handmade to order in the UK.

I'd rather anywhere in Europe rather China Indonesia etc. The airfreight is apalling from so far away.

The community clothing company Patrick grant runs is all made in the UK. Classics.
communityclothing.co.uk/

Community Clothing manufacture in the UK but it’s quite sporty, not such a Toast vibe. Decent prices for the quality.

There are more skilled garment workers and specialised factories in eg Portugal and Lithuania than in the UK, working to high standards and for relatively decent wages, but which will still produce a product which is affordable-ish over here. Everything else you buy comes from a globalised market too!

Hiut for denim are amazing, just the most incredible quality and fit. It’s hard to find good raw denim for women. Made in Wales!