What do people think of & Other Stories

[Clotheswoe]

I wondered what people think of the shop & Other Stories.

I always go in when I pass. I love the layout. I have bought jewellry and bags. But I find the clothes are either an odd fit on me, or are too 'out there' (e.g. massive statement frills).

About 10 years ago I got some nice summer tops from there, which I still wear. But have hardly bought anything since then.

I find the quality generally average, but knitwear is poor quality. Arket is better in fit and quality for a similar price.

I want to like but nothing has ever stood out enough for me to try on. Maybe it's just not the right style for me.

I love their plain cotton t shirts. I have 6 in different colours.

Nothing fits me well in there. Plus it seems over overpriced. Isn't it part of h and m. COS?

The quality doesn't match the price point IMO.

Some of the basics are nice but the dresses and knitwear is similar quality to H&M but 4x the price.

I buy online from there quite often. Always been happy with the quality and price.

I also want to like it but rarely find anything I really like. I do like the boxy jumpers and cardis and I like some of the make up and perfume. Accessories too.
I often pop in but usually only buy in the sale.

Hit and miss. My first online order arrived fine. Second online order (a bikini) arrived with one of the bikini straps missing. I made my third online order a few days ago. I've received no order confirmation (despite a reminder via the online chat facility). Fingers crossed it arrives ok!

I have a stylish SIL who wears their stuff and looks great but she’s very tall. I can’t make anything work, it just looks ridiculous on 5 ft 1 me.

They were definitely better many years ago, before they were bought by H&M.

I like their jewellery and sunglasses more than I like their clothes

I used to like it but the quality declined a few years ago and the materials started to feel cheap and scratchy. It also feels a bit 'young' for me now

One of my least favourite shops together with Cos. Everything appears to be designed for really slim, tall people. I am neither.

@zaxxon & Other Stories launched in 2013 and has always been part of H&M.

I seem to buy a lot of socks from there, hair accessories too. Have never really got on with the fit of their clothing although a few years ago, I did buy the most beautiful cotton sundress which fits perfectly.

What I loathe about them is their marketing speak and the fact they refer to their items as treasures. Utterly cringeworthy.

I used to like it when they first appeared. I bought dresses, the odd top and jumpers. Then their prices increased so I bought in sales if at all. Now I’ve gone off them.

Loved them at first but the quality/price just don’t match up these days.

Also find some of the items quite “meh”, as others have said, only look good if you’re a wafer thin Amazon.

It seems really expensive ! I’m also 6ft 2 and it’s all too short for me (and I’m pushing the wrong size of a size 16…. ). I do like their toiletries, I pick up the ‘coco Le mer’ (think that’s what it is called) shower stuff as it’s a dupe for Laura Mercier.

Same, I love their aesthetic and keep wanting to find something to wear but the actual pieces are overpriced, weirdly cut and just don't fit or feel very nice. They also don't look very timeless so there's no point spending tons on a weird 90s looking dress to wear for one summer. For the same price, you can get much better, classic pieces from Abercrombie & Fitch or J.Crew

I’ve got some really great bits from there, I’m 5’11 with stupidly long arms and their sleeve length is great on me 😊 tend to buy in sales, so it makes the price ok (I do think it’s pricey for what it is)

I'm 57 and about 5ft9 and I love a lot of their stuff.

I've got the flared jeans with the patch pockets and they are absolutely the best jeans ever. And they fit me properly without all that weird gaping at the back that you get with a lot of M&S jeans.

And I've got a few of their blazers which again I really love. I think the quality is a lot better than a standard M&S polyester blazer. And the fit is so much better. Often I find with blazers that the sleeves are too short, or if the body fits then the arms and shoulders are too tight. But if you size up then the body is absolutely ridiculously big. (And I don't mind a bit oversized.) But the fit of the Other Stories blazers is perfect for me.

And I'm always lusting over their coats and jackets.

I'm more 'elder emo' than 'wafty gazelle who looks good in shades of slate and charcoal' so have never seen anything I even really wanted to try on.

Didn't know it was owned by h and m actually - although I can see it now you've said it.

I often like the designs, but fit and quality are unpredictable. A few of my favourite items come from there, so I am always keen to have a look when I pass, but I wouldn't shop there for basics. If I wanted an outfit for a wedding, I'd look there as they often have great dresses. Like everywhere, prices have gone up.

I agree it can be expensive for what it is. They have nice accessories but I’ve never bought clothes in there. I think some of them must look better on - on the hangers a lot of them seem massive, both lengthwise and width wise. Maybe pps are right it better suits taller women like Cos.

I often LOVE their bags. I find Stories, Arket and COS great for expensive looking leather bags at a reasonable price point.

I think their jewellery is lovely too, often simple with some nice trend led pieces.

However I think their clothes are not designed for me anymore. My friend and I were discussing this the other day. I feel like they used to pitch for 35+ and now it feels a lot younger. Agree that anyone over a size 10 isn't going to feel mega comfy in their clothes either. Too many cut outs, crops and skinny straps!

But the bags? Chef's kiss!

(Also, I'm 5'3 and find their clothes fit me fine. Although I do have weird orang-utan arms.)

I have a pair of cropped jeans from there that I would rescue from a fire, the fit on my 'comfortable' bum is a wonder. I like their shoes too, and have a couple of jumpers that are decent for the price, one is from 2019 and still looks good. Their dresses and blouses I am less keen on, they are a bit frilly and love a giant sleeve. That's just personal taste though.

I don't buy online from them though, like all shops these days their sizing is a gamble.