Has anyone bought anything from Unfolded?

[igivein]

I really like the concept.
I know they're not high fashion, but neither am I 😂
I was scrolling through reading about how they make everything to order to cut down on waste etc and then started looking at the clothes.
They've got some things I could imagine myself wearing, I quite liked a quilted jacket. But when I clicked on it there were only certain sizes available, and I'm not sure how that can be if they're making everything to order.
The 'unavailable' sizes were the larger sizes, and I can understand if they're running a certain fabric out the larger sizes might not fit for cutting on what they have left. But I don't get how they could supply a size 16 or a 20, but not an 18? If you could fit a size 20 pattern on the available fabric, you could fit a size 18 on it.
As it happens, I'm not any of those sizes, and my size was available. It just felt a bit 'off' when they make such a big deal out of making to order. I'd quite like to support them, but don't want to give them my money if it's all just a marketing ploy.

I bought some wide legged linen trousers last year. They took ages to arrive, but this is part of the made to order process. So you have to be happy to wait. Part of the attraction for me was being able to have a particular leg length as I am short. I got two pairs. The fabric was very thin. The leg length was accurate but they are not petite sized so the waist to crotch is too long and high waisted. The waist elastic is tighter on one pair and not entirely comfortable. I have never felt right in them so don’t wear them much. Overall they were cheap but I’m not likely to get anything else.

They resell returns at a discount so it might be worth trying something from the returns first.

I have bought from them before. My understanding is that it’s not made to order in the sense that you place an order then they make it. Rather they take pre orders for items, and then get those made plus some extras on top. I’m on their mailing list so I get told when a new “release” is coming out and I can put an order in. What’s on their website are those extras plus whatever’s been returned.

As an example (because I’ve probably not explained it well), a high street retailer might buy 2000 skirts and hope they sell them all. Unfolded will take say 1500 orders for a skirt and then make them and buy say another 500 on top. The difference being Unfolded know that 1500 of those skirts will sell and only 500 might be wasted, whereas for the high street retailer nearly all 2000 might be wasted if they don’t sell well.

Thanks @mrssquidink , that makes sense. How have you found the quality? As @EastCoastDweller (thanks for posting) doesn't seem too impressed.

I don’t think you can do returns with them, is that correct? There’s always a lot in Vinted so may be worth a look there.

I bought a skirt and a pair of trousers from them. The skirt fitted really well but was incredibly thin fabric so was see through and washed badly - it was supposed to be pleated and the pleats came out in washing.

The trousers were much better quality but the waist band was 3 inches smaller than the skirt waist (although supposed to be the same size) so just about did up but were very uncomfortable. The skirt went in the clothes recycling bin after 3 wears. The trousers went on vinted.

I'm on a bit of a mission to cut down on waste, so I'm aiming to buy good quality clothes that will last. Sounds like Unfolded may not be for me...
I'm open to other suggestions though.

My usual suggestion for good quality, ethically made is Community Clothing Here:
Basics only though, nothing fashion forward or fancy here.

I thought unfolded looked good. I don't see the love for community clothing as although they may be ethical but my God it's all so boring.

I've just come across them and they are very 'norm core ', but love their ethos!

I bought a sweatshirt- slightly too long but washes well and doesn't need ironing.

Knowing who owns the company and the shit show he caused with the previous clothing company he had go under (Lost Stock), I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole. I was one of the people stung by his last set up.

Palava is one of the most ethical brands going. Everything made in the UK except cotton knitwear from one trusted supplier in Turkey.

I don't like Unfolded's clothes or its marketing techniques.

Community clothing are definitely for your basic items although they do have some cheerful colours. I'm so impressed by my jeans. They are literally twice the weight of a pair of Levi's. They look like they will last for ever.

They apparently try to discourage returns but they can't refuse returns. That's the law.

I find the quality really good. The dresses are fully lined. They are better quality than my Toast ones which cost 4 x as much! Give them a go.

I bought two dresses. I knew there would be a wait but one dress took three months to arrive. I didn’t like either of them. The first dress was sold as a shirt dress but has an elastic waist which does not suit me. The second dress made from was incredibly thin and cheap material and I returned it.

I wasn't hugely impressed with the quality or fit. Zips went and the fabric belt frayed in one dress. And the other was very tight over the bust. The returns was complicated. I wouldn't bother again. It's a shame as I like the concept and some of styles.

I bought a lovely lined cotton dree from Unfolded last year, I thought the quality was good. I haven't seen anything since I like the look of.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle

Well now I've fallen in love with all their knitwear, especially this cardigan. I think you may have cost me a small fortune!

palava.co/products/heritage-knitwear-corvette-green-cardigan

aesthetic laundry is ethical made to order www.aesthetic-laundry.co.uk

Oh my goodness @IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle I love Palava - you’re going to be responsible for me spending so much money! 😂

If you do buy that cardigan, if you don't already know this (or believe it) it doesn't need to be washed (hand wash only) more than once a year. Air it after wears and store with lavender or moth product or drops of tea tree oil, wrapped bar of soap as takes your fancy.

Apologies if you know all that- clothes care is being discussed on another thread.

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle

I'm not an over washer of clothes but that's good to know, thank you

Ordered a dress in August for an event in December, it arrived literally a couple of days before when I had already gone out and bought something else, I get that you might have a bit of a wait but it's no good for special occasions. The dress was ok, reasonable quality, lined but didn't fit great, would have sent it back to any other company!