Have you fallen out of “love” with a shop you previously loved?

[Britpopbaby]

For me it’s &Other Stories. Granted I looked in yesterday and did try something in but there’s been a change of direction and Inam not liking it.

Everywhere has got worse, anywhere decent is bought by private equity and margins squeezed and quality vanishes. I used to love Wyse London but the stuff this season and last has been really disappointing and unimaginative. Boden I haven't looked at for around 15 years.

I went into Other Stories on Oxford Street the other day and it felt like I was in some sample sale warehouse: tat randomly scattered around.

I have enough clothes. Time to stop buying.

I’ve only just found Snag but I’ve only bought bras ans a towel from them although I did get a free gift of some chub shorts but have not worn them yet.

I loved Hush from c2012 for a few years. Genuinely looked forward to their new season releases, it was small, gave out good discounts and sweet free gifts. It then hugely expanded to a dizzying amount of the same shapeless stuff, rocketed up in price and down in quality. Haven’t bought from there in a long time now. Sizing was always dreadful and over generous which I could cope with when it was free delivery and returns but now it’s not there is no way I’m paying.
I miss Whistles of the late 90s and early 00’s - the lovely pink carrier bags and the gorgeous clothes all beautifully finished, even the linings. After the sainted Jane from top shop woman took over it became drab, hugely overpriced and again the quality dropped.
Although it could be wannabe footballers wife at times I also miss Karen Millen of the same era, gorgeous embroidery, made of silk and quality fabrics and really well made. Could always find the perfect going out outfit in there.

Maybe it's just nostalgia, but the 90s and noughties seemed to be a golden age for retail. I always knew I'd find something I liked and could afford at Jigsaw, Zara, Boden, Uniqlo, Next and Hennes (H&M). And in the sales at places like Liberty, Massimo Dutti, Joseph and Hoss Intropia. Department stores like Debenhams and House of Fraser sold interesting brands and had great sales too.

Ok I was 30 years younger, at peak earning power, and the cost of living was much lower (not that you realised it at the time of course). But clothes shopping has been grim for years now, all yawnsome stretchy brown, cream, beige and black; or the opposite extreme of weird colours, prints and shapes.

Guess I'm still stuck in my era of 'classics with a twist'...

increase the width of the gusset on the knickers while your at it
Similar problem in mens underwear as well. No support.
I thought they had young women designing the Y fronts who did not understand the anatomy.

Jigsaw and Whistles. Whistles quality is crap and Jigsaw I just don’t think it’s worth the price anymore.

Am a lazy shopper, not keen in looking around endlessly so used to buy some stuff from FF mainly. Not into totally casual gear but they did used to do some nice dresses and floaty tops and quality jumpers. Now it's all really drab, every single top/jumper they sell is too short and the quality is pants. Material that shrinks or bobbles on 1st wash. Since NEXT took over really.

Oh and M&S for jeans. None of them fit anymore - skinnies that are baggy on the legs or jeans that stretch as soon as bend my knees and doesn't go back to a good shape until washed. I just think nearly all clothing in the UK has gone downhill in quality and up in price.

I was a fan of Cosmetics to go and early days of Lush as well as the Body Shop. Lush is just a glittery, expensive poor quality slush that stains everything and the Body Shop is far too expensive for run of the mill products. Don't bother with either anymore.

I loved Monsoon about 15 to 20 years ago. I had some silk and linen trousers which were the nicest trousers I’ve ever owned. And a fine merino jumper with a pleat in the back that I wore to death. I stalked those jumpers on Vinted and had about five of them.

Yep horrific, how they keep going is beyond me. I remember the heady days of going there on a Saturday with my friends, you could buy small bottles if you wanted and the product range was brilliant, Japanese washing grains, Passion fruit face wash, Banana shampoo, powder pouff (spelling?) sheets that had a picture of an 18th century woman on the front, carrot moisture cream...happy days, I knew from the second Loreal bought it it would become a shit show. It was a business formula that worked really well and Loreal fucked it up

I agree with pretty much all of the above. I used to adore Lush, but they put sulphate in their hair products. Bring back Rainbath shampoo & conditioner please Body Shop!

I would like to add Crew to the ever-growing list. I still wear the well made, well cut wardrobe essentials I bought from Crew years ago. They last because they’re made of good quality cotton. I have stopped even looking at their clothes now as they never had anything I liked.

One thing that occurred to me very recently is that I used to feel a bit embarrassed about how old some of my clothes are. Now I can just say, “It’s vintage.” With a modicum of pride!

And me, I feel so much better now!

Thank you!!

Monsoon. Used to be amazing, now I can't find anything I like.

I started buying men's wool cardigans and cotton shirts for around the house, but they're creeping into my outdoor wear too... fine, suits my 'gentlewoman' tendencies, and I'm old and chunky enough to care about comfort and quality over fit now... so much easier to find plain cuts and natural fabrics at a reasonable price.

I fondly remember Next in the 80s... it was a revelation... a bit expensive but they made quality classics... I still pine for a pair of tartan wool peg trousers that went everywhere, lasted years, and a simple navy wool dress that was good enough quality that I could have it altered when I lost weight... the catalogue was to drool over... 🥹

I used to love it too

so sad it closed

Can I add charity shops into the mix? Ridiculously overpriced nowadays and I've had twice in different shops in recent weeks 'would you like to add a £1 donation' when paying. Well. I'm buying stuff, isn't that enough?. I get everything on Vinted now and I sell on there too, which is great for fickle me who loooves a dress for 2 wears and then goes off it, I just sell on and feel slightly less consumery about it. I know that's not a word but it should be, I like it.

& Other Stories for me too. 8-12 years ago I bought loads there, and lots of it still going strong (like machine washable cashmere sweaters).

Now it’s all tat that I wore first time round in the 90s. That’s partly what’s in, of course, but the quality and variety is gone.

I want to go back to Chelsea Girl and Mark One. Maybe the oldies will understand ;-)

Boots ridiculous prices compared to other similar shops
many clothing shops the quality just is not as good, some new items fall apart after one wash. I presume it’s worth paying more but is it??

Oh that comment brings back memories of lying on a beach when a friend came over to talk to us, he squatted down on his haunches and let's just say that the swimming shorts he was wearing didn't contain what they should have contained! Someone told him to put it back in the net, apparently swimming shorts have a net to hold things tight!

Laura Ashley is still going as is Debenhams. Next are handling Laura Ashley. You can still get wallpaper, accessories for the home online on their own website

Yes! This is true. And very poor quality now too it seems.
Not bought anything from them in years but I bought a kaftan this year, £85 and on first wash it developed 2 holes and was coming apart at the stitching. Took it back. So back to not buying anything again from them.

Yes!

Laura Ashley® Furniture, Wallpaper, Bedding UK Official Website https://share.google/JbSopPvQyh2mYoqip

30 years or so ago I liked Monsoon for browsing and for children's clothes for my daughters. It was a triumph if I found a garment that wasn't far too long for me. I still have some rather nice dresses from those days.

Hotel Chocolat! There's something that used to be fabulous and is now totally blah.