Ted Baker in administration

[Solonomi]

I used to like this brand back in the early 2000’s. The quality was good and nice styles. For years it’s been going downhill, dreadful manmade fabrics. Prices going stupidly high. The outlet at Bicester actually reeks of plastic.

Whistles has gone the same way (crap fabrics etc). I hope retailers can wake up & realise we’re not mugs & won’t buy crap - I know energy prices increasing etc doesn’t help but I really hope the high street changes back to what it was one day!!

I have a Ted Baker handbag - it's really nice quality (good strong chain, nice leather). Sorry to see this happening to them. Although I don't really buy from them, so I can see why they are struggling - they don't really sell anything that you can't buy in 100s of other places.
If quality has declined, but prices haven't, that's a problem - I think it's priced at a point where people expect good materials.

Does that include the Ted Baker products that Boots sells? Ive noticed the mens scents e.g. Graphite Black , Vintage Amber etc were knocked right down in price recently, The whole lot was way less than half price, the body sprays, deodarant, hair and body wash.

I think the brand has become devalued in recent years, eg with Boots products mentioned above. It used to be quite high end but now it feels like the prices are still high but the products are not good quality.

It's also on the smarter/dressier side and people don't necessarily need smart stuff anymore not for work and not even for special occasions. As Ted Baker falls, Varley rises.

Was never for me although I quite liked the aesthetic. Don't think they cut for large busts, and everything seems really small in there. Another reason why it's out of step with trends.

It'll probably carry on one way or another, like Karen Millen has.

It was recognizable and predictable and in the end, not fashionable. Stuck in a giant rut. Their clothes barely changed for 15 years. Firms need to be far more up
to date.

I’ve got lots of TB clothes - they fit me really well and I’ve been a fan for years but they’ve really struggled with their identity.

half the shop is cheap looking skater dresses in weird scuba fabric and nasty polyester cold should tops and then they have some great tailored items, luxe fabrics and interesting prints.

everyone expresses surprise when I disclose that an outfit they have complimented is from there.

Too floral
too fitted
too frumpy
The purses and bags are worn by the older ladies at work.
Its just not fashionable
Also haven’t seen any great social media campaigns …

I like the Ted Baker products that Boots sells.

Meanwhile my hairdresser had a Ted Baker purse , the zip broke after two weeks. Ive had purses from New Look that have lasted me years. Am using a clasp purse of theirs now. Also have had purses from Shoezone that have lasted ages.

I agree on the verdict on their women's clothes but I've still managed to pick up a few decent things for DH (although some of it definitely has a stag-do on the Costa Del Sol vibe about it)

I'm buying way less since covid but I agree it was a smarter brand ( thinking of their kids clothes)..we have nothing to dress for. When I go to the theatre or dinner it's a nice top and jeans or a tea dress. Friends stopped night out since covid. I could cover my entire life with one particular Fatface dress if I had to. Same for the kids. I'm getting old clearly. Unless it's Ascot or a wedding I'm pretty much dressed causal.

My favourite purse is from there bought in 2002! But it’s leather and nicely made. Nothing in the store is leather now, maybe the shoes I’m not sure. Last time I went in I saw a dress I liked, just a plain black shift dress - it was £165 and polyester. Such a shame that brands can’t provide decent fabrics anymore and if they do it costs £££.

@Solonomi Decent fabrics cost more! Always have. This company is yet another caught between cheap throw away fashion and the pricier ones. You can get decent fabrics at Cos, Arket, and others but they don’t style like TB. Scandinavian stores do have decent fabrics. So do M&S for basics like cashmere. TB looks dated and consumers clearly have moved on.

Ted Baker, in the noughties, used to be so much more reasonably priced. In the past ten years or so it's been way over-priced for what it is so haven't gone near them. They lost sight of who they were, their brand and their price point and this is the consequence! I'm not ensure sure they were fully aware who their customer base were.

What is it with that weird scuba fabric! It's horrible.

@FizzyDucks I agree. It’s used a lot by them. In the high street, Coast, Oasis, LK Bennett, Laura Ashley, Jaeger, and so many more have had problems. We don’t want to pay for the best fabrics so offshoots of H&M and Zara are the only ones left offering premium fabrics at a half decent price. They have huge buying power snd can keep costs down. Others like Toast and Brora have to charge more.

I haven't bought from TB in years, probably 20 years. Just very outdated imo.