Let’s talk about White stuff

[Coddy]

Was passing today and I saw this lovely pair of glittery socks in the window suitable for a Christmas present.
Went in there to buy them and remembered what a pile of old shit it is.
Back in the early 2000s it was the place to go for young mums- , who remembers the velvet coats, the a line printed skirts, endless layering , the knitted tights that was quite the look then?

However, it does not seem to have moved on at all. Whilst there is the odd nice thing in there, glittery socks and a lovely gold bag I saw (can’t afford mustn’t buy) It’s just a riot of print with no kind of theme and really poor display.

Do you go to White stuff? What do you rate in there, do you think it’s lost its way?

I’m 53 and get the odd compliment about my outfits. I’m sure having daughters in their late teens and early 20’s helps as they are good (occasionally mean) critics!
I shop in andotherstories, COS, Uniqlo, Arket, Mint Velvet and nowadays get quite a lot from Marksies. I’d love to afford ME&EM and WYSE. There are a few bits I can get my size 16 arse in from Zara and H&M.
I remember White Stuff 30 years ago when it was ‘ski bum’ clothes and became pretty cool!

my daughter is 28 and a primary school teacher loves these kind of shops!!
I'm 55 and can't stand them just so frumpy. I did buy one dress from oliver bonas in the sale though and some nice jewellery
I like zara but it is so small forme
I much prefe New Look
Next
Peacocks
Marks
etc etc
I do like the white company though I know that's not what we are talking about!! glad I'm not the only one who gets the two confused!!

If I needed clothes to wear that indicated that I'm pleasant and inoffensive, I'd go for White Stuff. I think it has its place; it's just that that place is not on my body! I'm not looking to offend; equally, it's the clothing equivalent of a 🙂 and I'm not there yet!

I love their jersey dresses with pockets and have about 6. As long as you choose the print and patterns that you like then that's all that matters. I don't like florals but love their geometric prints.

😂.
So ageist !
I'm 60 & wear Free People, Cashmere & anything I want to wear.... apart from the above aforementioned retailers.

I remember White Stuff 30 years ago when it was ‘ski bum’ clothes and became pretty cool!
I didn't know it that far back @Putkettleonlove but I do remember discovering it around 2000 when it was still a shop in Cornwall that did mail order. And I remember being pleased initially when they started opening more stores. I'd say their problem is that they haven't figured out a way of retaining that distinctive look they had then while still keeping it current. (Maintaining that early 2000s quality would also have been nice but they're hardly the only culprits in that respect.)

I think it's always a tricky balancing act for stores that don't just replicate trends but try to establish their own identity too. A lot don't manage it.

I shop mostly pre-loved and vintage, but have bought some great wide- legged, cropped jeans and dungarees from White Stuff recently.
I used to love their long sleeved t-shirts but not since they cut the arm length down to three-quarters (like many brands). This gives me the rage! My arms are full length, thanks!!

I agree but on style and beauty it's a comment that's handed out like smarties, usually about things I like, and often the things touted as stylish are boxy dull coloured things from Toast which, if frumpy is where fashion died, then Toast is where you buy the sackcloth and ashes funery clothing. IMO.
I do like eg The Vampires Wife stuff but that look never suited me and I have decided I like what I like and those who think it's frumpy can FOTTFSOFOTFOSM, with my blessing.

Woman from WS today: purple/grey shirt with tree pattern, long sleeved purple t shirt and purple cardigan. The cardigan is a Vinted replacement, mine was worn out. I think it's c2010.

I agree, but as the thread title is Let's talk about White Stuff ' I think it's unlikely to happen!

They are very middle-age GP and young and slightly unstylish primary school teacher. Exactly that is their usp

I like it. Overpriced though.

Their material quality is pretty good. Not as much cheap acrylic etc.

I like their shirts for work, cut well and not all baggy like other brands. I also bought an amazing pair of jeans and a couple of summer t shirts there last year. It’s hit and miss but I definitely have a space for some pieces in my wardrobe and I’m not frumpy at all.

I'm not adverse to being frumpy, in fact I recently bought 2 of the ugliest pairs of shoes I've ever seen from Joanie for the very reason that they are deliberately clunky and anachronistic. I also rather like the current Dark Academia vibe too. If dressing like a tweedy Edwardian professor isn't frumpy then what is?

However, the stuff in White Stuff reminds me of the clothes my Nan used to make me when I was little, and she'd make bigger versions for herself so I find them hideous.

I really hope they change direction because I rather liked the fun prints they did. I wore one of my favourite dresses today which is from White Stuff a few years ago, yellow and grey seagulls. A lady in her 20s stopped me in the street last time I wore it to ask where it was from as she loved it so much. If they return to form, I'll be the first through the door but their current stuff's not for me!

My mum is 59 and recently stopped shopping there as "it's really for old people now". I feel this says it all. I remember her shopping there when I was a teen and even then there were some things that 17yr old me quite liked. Now it's all twee prints and unflattering tunic shapes.

Ooh Toast! If WS is frumpy (enjoying saying this now), then Toast is aggressively, expensively frumpy.

But with brilliant marketing.

I occasionally see something nice in the window, but whenever I've looked, it's been SO expensive. so now, on those occasions I spot something, I don't even bother looking to see the price

I really like their stuff. I'm mid 30s with a wobbly mum-bod. It's flattering, without looking like you've completely given up on life. I buy it on Vinted though!

I'm 29 and find it really good for quality basics like plain tshirts, cotton cardigans and in the summer I live in their cropped linen trousers - I have them in multiple colours. I've got a couple of dresses from there too that are nice and have pockets. I don't do big patterns (delicate colouring that is easily overwhelmed), that isn't everything they do by any means. The colour palette is also a lot more friendly to my colouring than Fat Face which is almost all autumnal colours or places like & Other Stories which are all creams/beiges which wash me out.

I worked at Fat Face as a student in the mid noughties, back when it was a ski/surfer bum brand trying to be like a British version of O’ Neill/ Billabong/ Quiksilver. They had some gorgeous prints, really nice quality basics in vibrant colours, lovely accessories. I still have a lot of the stuff I bought with my uniform allowance nearly 20 years later! They got bought out and the whole vibe and ethos completely changed. Now whenever I go in there it’s a depressing sea of maroon, mustard and khaki, and just drab prints and boring styles. White Stuff was considered the closest sort of rival company back then and appears to have gone much the same way.

What do White Stuff, Fat Face and Seasalt have against bright colours?

As a jewel winter I only suit bright colours.

I’ve loved their clothes for years before they headed towards the East of England. Made a point of shopping in Padstow and other West Country places when I could when on hols down there. Got mega excited when they came up here.

BUT

i adore their beautiful tops, but they are sooooo blooming thin, my Jean button wreaks them in a couple of wears. I even ironed fabric lining behind the place the button rubs and it just doesn’t last.
so I’ve not bought them for a few years unless they are under £20 in the sale and then really only to wear with my pinafore dresses.

I buy lots of Tallie dresses, often wait for them to come up in a sale. The dresses often are only a few quid more than a top so much more cost effective plus pop on tights and a cardi and you’re ready to go.

I can’t stand all the blooming frills on dresses, so bloody frumpy imo

I loved the soft sparkly tights until recently- they are different, possibly more polyester than cotton soft. Big shame, so am on the hunt for something else.

DH got me a voucher for my September birthday and I’ve seen nothing I want. He was a bit upset because literally the day after he’d got it but before my birthday I said I hope no one get me a WS voucher.

I often see things I like in fat face. I might defect.

Not RTFT, and WS is not to my taste as I am not keen on prints, but I saw this dress on a woman the other day, and it looked great. Lucy Midi Printed Dress in TEAL PRINT | White Stuff

What is the difference between old fashioned and frumpy and retro?