Defunct/forgotten brands to buy secondhand

[flaks]

Most of my clothes and bags are thrifted and I recently discovered vinted. I wonder if there are brands that are particularly high quality that I am missing out on because I don't know what I am looking for. In particular I was thinking of brands that are gone (UK or abroad) that may not have been on my radar. I used to find obscure brands in charity shops but for online it would be nice to know to what search for.

Does anyone remember the Roberto Vianni footwear in Debenhams, I used to buy their ankle boots, they were good quality and made in Spain If I remember

agnes b and Comptoir des Cotonniers are stillaround. In the same vein, Isabel Marant Etoile.

@HundredMilesAnHour the shirts don’t look too bad, they are cotton but probably not a high thread count (if that applies to shirts and is not exclusive to bedding ?) they look as though they would be like school uniform shirt texture and could probably see your bra through them (.) (.)

I’ve just remembered Past Times. I used to get a lot of my jewellery from there. It was devastating when they closed down.

There was a shop in York when I was at Uni and I used to buy my Mums bday and Xmas presents from there

Ah Past Times was amazing. Their posey / poesy (?) rings were beautiful. I've still got a few bits from there and have just had a quick scroll on Vinted which is full of old stuff and worth another good look later. Museum Selection sells similar stuff these days.

I did the same when I was in Durham. Off to look at vinted now!

@RainbowZebraWarrior , you might like Museum Selection | Collection of Home Accessories, Jewellery, Gifts and Cards

@PullTheBricksDown I do remember that Brand Duffer of St George but only because Paul Simonon of The Clash used to model for them.
I remember how nice the Principles for Men clothes were

@Gowlett yes the shirts were lovely colours, soft lilacs and powder blues and striped too. Looked so smart with the suits

I had a great blue and white stripped suit from Mexx, bought in a shop in St Christopher's Place, if memory serves

I've remembered more brands, as I've read through this thread - Alexon, Jump / Louis Caring, Oui Set, Joseph Janard, all brands I could buy shopping in the West End.

Monsoon used to be better quality than it is now. Also Fenn, Wright, Manson: how could I have forgotten them?

I bought a lot from English Eccentrics, a 'quirky' brand from designer Helen David, making small runs of beautiful clothes in superb fabrics using traditional methods.

I recall interesting purchases from (John) Richmond & Cornejo, John Galliano ... and I'll think of more later. British designers were more affordable while still starting out; there are probably quite a few of their early works still knocking around in people's lofts.

Am I just old and out of touch, or was fashion more exciting in 1980-90s UK? Admittedly I had more money then, was working in the business and was thinner! For all I know, I might be missing a whole slew of adventurous 2020s design.

I bought a few outfits from Next when it first opened in my nearest town 1984 (with their store card) Turquoise wool duffle coat, fuchsia pink cotton jumper and a heavy cable knit cotton yellow & white argyll jumper. Next door was Benetton so bought pink jean and yellow jeans from there! Fab quality

I used to love Benetton. Really good quality clothes. Also Morgan de Toi

For me it was fashion in the 70s and 80s that was exciting. Less so the 90s, much of which was basically a repeat of the 70s.

The 90s was also when it started to dawn on me that most of fashion is cyclical and that, aside from technical innovations - e.g. lycra - I'd probably seen all the new things I was going to see. That pissed me off at the time, but I'm more reconciled to it now and even feel quite fondly towards old trends when they come around again.

I think it's also worth remembering that clothes were way more expensive than they are now, and also that, if you didn't live in or near a big city, it was pretty slim pickings before the Internet (aside from the fabulous Next catalogue).

Really wish Racing Green was still around, but at 1997 quality. Probably unrealistic…

This is a great trip down memory lane… I loved Warehouse silk combats, French Connection wide legged trouser suits and knitwear (ditto Great Plains). I also used to get things from Tanya Sarne era Ghost - I had viscose bias cut tank tops in a range of colours - I wore them all out and have never found anything as good since.

What a great thread. I sell vintage from the 80s forwards clothing on eBAY and have all these brands except two danes which I don't recognise. Duffer Jasper Conran infact all the designers at Debenhams, 6th sense at c and A white stuff, Laura Ashley Cath Kidson all fly out the shop. Toast, Chico and Mad in Italy along with Max Mara and Sezane oh and Brora seem to be the modern day classics. I also have Lotus, Pierre Cardin and other period shoes. The quality is so much better than today.

@Doggymummar the Conrans are a ‘Dynasty’ now really, the Father of Sebastian and Jasper, Terence Conran launched Habitat back in the 60’s. They’re a very creative and successful family.

and yes it is a wonderful thread ❤️

Gosh I'd completely forgotten about Mexx but I used to love it too, and always felt very chic and European in anything from Esprit

The NW3 range that Hobbs did a few years ago had some lovely things, as did Aubin and Wills which was like the grown up version of Jack Wills, pre-Mike Ashley. Looks like they're still around but only do menswear these days

One of the support acts at Coldplay the other night had a pair of Miss Sixty denim shorts on. Took me right back 😫

I still have my habitat bent wood nest of tables which were a wedding present in 1989

What’s so sad is the likes of Ms Selfridge weren’t really that high quality then. And yet l’d compare them with Cos now.

Pockets in all dresses, proper hems, natural fabrics.

@Doggymummar currently they have a range of some really funky pieces to celebrate Habitat at 60 designed by some very respected designers
keep those tables, they are probably already collectible, like the Habitat Fitz Lamp ❤️

https://www.habitat.co.uk/inspiration/celebrating-60-years