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Me + Em. £350 for something that is 62% polyester!!

295 replies

pomeglamate · 27/07/2026 21:39

I’ve been on the lookout for one of their oversized blazers in a colour/material I like and was foaming at the mouth when I clicked on this but then looked at the garment composition… 62% polyester! £350 for something that is 62% polyester!! Luxury heritage-inspired tweedy 62% polyester!! Deranged. Not sure what my point is with this thread really but I mean… wow.

www.meandem.com/intelligently-oversized-jacket-pecan-brown-multi

OP posts:
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6
LooksLikeIPickedTheWrongWeekToQuitDrinking · 28/07/2026 09:25

Ha, I don’t often come on S&B as I used to be incredulous at the suggestions of £150 polyester dresses for wedding guests when I saw similar in Primark for £18!

Polyester clothing is a scourge but increasingly common. I’m finding polyester mix T-shirts these days. T-shirts! T-shirts are cotton; it’s practically part of their definition!

I buy pretty much exclusively second hand now and always check the fabric composition.

OnlyUsername · 28/07/2026 09:26

EleanorMc67 · 27/07/2026 22:52

What used to be commonly known as polyurethane or PVC!!!

Yes! Bloody "vegan leather" - "Ooh it's so soft." Yes, because it is fabric covered in a layer of very thin plastic.

If you really want a vegan bag, buy canvas.

As for Me+Em - in fairness, in terms of rising clothing prices, the cost of the materials, the fuel to ship it here from overseas, the packaging, wages for their staff and office rent have all increased. However the actual items will cost them no more than a brand like Zara or Mango so they are likely to be whacking a great chunk on to cover their expensive influencer campaigns and marketing costs.

MadeInGrimsby · 28/07/2026 09:30

YellowSpade · 28/07/2026 08:54

I have a few cotton skirts from Uniqlo that have a nasty static-y polyester lining. I like them because they do petite sizing.I don’t want to waste them and throw them away, but I also can’t afford a replacement lining. Do you think I can just cut out the lining and buy a cotton slip to wear under the skirts?

That's what I do.

Iaeve · 28/07/2026 09:32

That would be a hard NO from me too. It’s robbery and almost false advertising. I won’t buy anything polyester, it’s an environmental nightmare. Shame on these companies, especially the ones that charge hundreds and think it’s ok.

OnlyUsername · 28/07/2026 09:37

OnlyUsername · 28/07/2026 09:26

Yes! Bloody "vegan leather" - "Ooh it's so soft." Yes, because it is fabric covered in a layer of very thin plastic.

If you really want a vegan bag, buy canvas.

As for Me+Em - in fairness, in terms of rising clothing prices, the cost of the materials, the fuel to ship it here from overseas, the packaging, wages for their staff and office rent have all increased. However the actual items will cost them no more than a brand like Zara or Mango so they are likely to be whacking a great chunk on to cover their expensive influencer campaigns and marketing costs.

Quoting myself - sorry, I should say won't cost much more than those brands I mentioned. The trouble is you need to charge about 70% above cost price to make a profit and obviously that increases exponentially if the cost price of a Me + Em t shirt is say £8 more.

CinderellaParker · 28/07/2026 09:38

ClaudiaCasswell · 28/07/2026 08:30

Love all those posters falling over themselves to say the rest of us are too thick/poor/uncultured to recognise high quality polyester 🙄

Quite. I went into the shop, found the skirt and as soon as I touched it I could tell it was plasticy. My grandmother was a seamstress and I was brought up to assess quality of fabric and workmanship

I’m not looking down on people who find synthetic fibres acceptable, just shocked that a brand that paints themselves as being the upper end of the high street thinks that they can get away with it. Clearly some customers are happy with that. It doesn’t mean that the rest of us are wrong.

HollyhocksandPeons · 28/07/2026 09:42

And oversized jackets look OK only on the tallest skinniest models - they look so funny on anyone who has female shape.

Cherrytree86 · 28/07/2026 09:42

It’s a SHIT brand. So emperors new clothes.

I love Free People but they can take the piss with materials too. I recently bought a cardigan from them that isn’t even natural fibres for over £100 but I went ahead as I just loved the cut of it 🤷‍♀️

hashisucks · 28/07/2026 09:45

TheRealGoose · 28/07/2026 09:16

I think it depends on whay is your personal criteria.

as you can see for some, people don’t understand different variations of material. Some feel only natural fibres is acceptable. Some don’t understand why certain materials are used and want more natural fibres, some the cut and finish isn’t relevant. For many it is simply outside their budget, and they can’t afford it, some don’t understand it. Others just actually don’t know their clothes, never seen them in real life. The comments on cutting corners validated that.

for me, yes it’s worth it, this is the brand I wear the most of the clothes look excellent quality material, the finish is fabulous. The cut, the way the material hangs, even simple things, like I have a pair of cream trousers from them, the pockets are one continual pouch right across the front inside , with just the pocket areas lightly sewn, done in a wavy curved edging for the whole thing , meaning when wearing the trousers there is no way to see the pockets outline as you do often in cheaper trouers.

another example is a dress where it’s a slight puff short sleeve, inside there is a sort of little fan of material, which ensures the sleeve always sits as it should. But like the pocket completely hidden.

they aren’t cutting corners, yes the price has gone up. Most things have right now.

everyone has their own criteria, for me yes absolutely worth it. For the quality, the cut, the finish, the very beautiful materials, even the polyester looks and feels like Silk or wool , but performs and hangs much better, due to the quality of the raw material

so one persons worth it, is another persons no. And that’s ok. They are growing hugely but will never be mass market like primark or markies.

I do have the budget for Me+Em and I do shop there (choosing carefully) - and yes the cuts and finishing is very good, and the poly is objectively much "better" quality i.e. thicker, heavier and drapes better than you'll find elsewhere on the high street. However from an environmental perspective the use of large amounts of polyester in clothing is just indefensible. Even "recycled". And Me+Em and retailers like it (Wyse who are probably the most close competitor though a more casual brand are equally guilty) should be leading the way on this.

YellowSpade · 28/07/2026 10:06

hashisucks · 28/07/2026 09:45

I do have the budget for Me+Em and I do shop there (choosing carefully) - and yes the cuts and finishing is very good, and the poly is objectively much "better" quality i.e. thicker, heavier and drapes better than you'll find elsewhere on the high street. However from an environmental perspective the use of large amounts of polyester in clothing is just indefensible. Even "recycled". And Me+Em and retailers like it (Wyse who are probably the most close competitor though a more casual brand are equally guilty) should be leading the way on this.

Quite. I have a great Me and Em heavy cotton skirt which will last me forever. And a black top I love. Doesn’t mean it gets away with the polyester content. Or maybe I just don’t ‘understand’ my clothes ;-)

friedaklein · 28/07/2026 10:09

I know this is lowering the tone and not in the least bit stylish, but I don't need to ' know my clothes' to understand that polyester makes me sweat and feels unpleasant on my skin in 35 C.

SEPMum · 28/07/2026 10:23

ALIGNE is another brand with high notions and terrible quality...Emperors New Clothes stuff..

TheRealGoose · 28/07/2026 10:26

CinderellaParker · 28/07/2026 09:38

Quite. I went into the shop, found the skirt and as soon as I touched it I could tell it was plasticy. My grandmother was a seamstress and I was brought up to assess quality of fabric and workmanship

I’m not looking down on people who find synthetic fibres acceptable, just shocked that a brand that paints themselves as being the upper end of the high street thinks that they can get away with it. Clearly some customers are happy with that. It doesn’t mean that the rest of us are wrong.

I am really not sure I beleive you. I’ve never touched anything of theirs that feels plasticky,

for some reason I think people take real issue with brands they can’t afford.

ClippyMuldoon · 28/07/2026 10:26

To go back to my Reiss example - same price range but much better fabric in the menswear. How do they explain that?

My experience with Me & Em is mixed. I have trousers and some of their layering tops that I love. I also had two blouses that were not at all well made, and a jumper that was an absolute disgrace the way it pilled. All good fabrics but simply not well made enough to justify the price.

OnlyUsername · 28/07/2026 10:36

TheRealGoose · 28/07/2026 10:26

I am really not sure I beleive you. I’ve never touched anything of theirs that feels plasticky,

for some reason I think people take real issue with brands they can’t afford.

Oh my word. Claws out!

CinderellaParker · 28/07/2026 10:38

TheRealGoose · 28/07/2026 10:26

I am really not sure I beleive you. I’ve never touched anything of theirs that feels plasticky,

for some reason I think people take real issue with brands they can’t afford.

I can afford Me and Em just fine. I’m not sure how to prove to I’ve been in there - it was the shop on George street in Edinburgh and the skirt was in front section about halfway down on the left if that helps.

Mostly, high street wise, I prefer Toast or Sahara. For my son’s wedding next year I might go to Terry Macey but I think they would be a bit too out-there for a Me & Em shopper. I’ll probably have something bespoke made by a Scottish designer who’s a good friend.

But it’s horses for courses, isn’t it? You like their stuff and are happy with man made fibres. Some of us aren’t and consider them over-priced.

Personally I think you protest so much that I suspect you work for them in some capacity.

YellowSpade · 28/07/2026 10:44

CinderellaParker · 28/07/2026 10:38

I can afford Me and Em just fine. I’m not sure how to prove to I’ve been in there - it was the shop on George street in Edinburgh and the skirt was in front section about halfway down on the left if that helps.

Mostly, high street wise, I prefer Toast or Sahara. For my son’s wedding next year I might go to Terry Macey but I think they would be a bit too out-there for a Me & Em shopper. I’ll probably have something bespoke made by a Scottish designer who’s a good friend.

But it’s horses for courses, isn’t it? You like their stuff and are happy with man made fibres. Some of us aren’t and consider them over-priced.

Personally I think you protest so much that I suspect you work for them in some capacity.

Yes. I think Me and Em are the type of company to send down a minion to defend their reputation.

I can afford Me and Em, and have some clothes, but I don’t want to buy polyester. It’s hardly that controversial!

The thing is, I love hearing from experts in certain areas. It’s one of the things I like about MN. I also share information from my own professional field. But it has to be done in a collaborative and informative way. That poster is being extremely condescending, patronising and dismissive so I am not interested in hearing any more she has to say on this matter!

LatteLady · 28/07/2026 10:59

I went to see the exhibition of the QEII clothing exhibition at the King's Gallery... it was interesting to note how much of her 1960/70/80s clothing was in what I think was a heavy duty Courtelle. Took me a moment to realise that as she would have been travelling she would not want to emerge in need of a good iron.

Yes, there was a lot of genuine tweed and wool from her down time, plus silks and brocades for evening wear but I have to say I was bemused by the Courtelle dresses and coats, and two pieces.

friedaklein · 28/07/2026 11:00

" Brands they can't afford"? 🙄
I can afford them.

But quite often I don't want to. I would rather buy old stuff on Vinted that is good quality- I am quite eco-conscious- and not be taken for a ride.

RoxyFrances · 28/07/2026 11:05

This honestly drives me mad! That's why I only sell organic cottons at afforable prices. I know fast fashion is bad, but high end brands having this high of a blend is just crazy :(

PhaedraTwo · 28/07/2026 11:19

CinderellaParker · 28/07/2026 10:38

I can afford Me and Em just fine. I’m not sure how to prove to I’ve been in there - it was the shop on George street in Edinburgh and the skirt was in front section about halfway down on the left if that helps.

Mostly, high street wise, I prefer Toast or Sahara. For my son’s wedding next year I might go to Terry Macey but I think they would be a bit too out-there for a Me & Em shopper. I’ll probably have something bespoke made by a Scottish designer who’s a good friend.

But it’s horses for courses, isn’t it? You like their stuff and are happy with man made fibres. Some of us aren’t and consider them over-priced.

Personally I think you protest so much that I suspect you work for them in some capacity.

Oh goodness I just love it when this accusation appears . I've been "outed" as being in the pay of Klements, Palava, Sister Jane, Joannie, Batsheva and Cabbages and Roses.

MyCrushWithEyeliner · 28/07/2026 11:29

But, it has ‘intelligent sleeves’

Upskittled · 28/07/2026 11:29

Not sure if PP have come across Palome. Has an ethos of using natural fibres only. Not a huge range and mainly classic clothing rather than high fashion. I have bought a couple of pieces from them recently and have been very impressed by the quality and price. Items I will wear for years I think.

https://palome.com/pages/material-philosophy

Palome | Material Philosophy

Discover curated lifestyle pages and resources from Palome — essentials designed for everyday comfort and beauty.

https://palome.com/pages/material-philosophy

Switchnow · 28/07/2026 11:36

YellowSpade · 28/07/2026 08:33

Quite. I have been reading Patrick Grant’s book and he seems knowledgeable. He does not recommend recycled polyester at all. He speaks about the microplastics being released and how uneconomically viable it is.

That’s interesting to know - I haven’t read up on it but assumed recycled polyester would be better overall.

PlantainArama · 28/07/2026 11:42

Ugh yes I'm with you.

I was in a biggish H&M the other day. Grateful for the Aircon. And looking for a top. So many different items but after a few minutes I realised I don't have the time to go through checking the labels for the composition of all of them so I left. Crazy how many summer styles were all or part synthetic. I think they should have to group the cotton stuff together by law!

Its not just the lack of breathability, I hate how polyester needs washing more often AND then puts microplastics in the waste water.