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Original poster

JIgsaw - changing- is it just me?

44 replies

honestfriend · 27/10/2008 08:52

I used to walk into Jigsaw and want to buy almost everything- especially the lovely cardis and tops and some dresses. Now it all looks so different. Baggy dresses and smock tops and hardly and nice cardis at all. They also seem to have put up their prices- £95 for an ordinary wooly jumper I saw last week. Same price for cotton trousers etc.
I heard they had anew designer last year- is that it?

OP posts:
jimmyjammys · 27/10/2008 11:36

i agree with you! i used to love jigsaw but its awful and overpriced now.

traceybath · 27/10/2008 14:21

Also agree - its all just so generally shapeless. Fine if you're a tall twig but even then its not exactly glam or flattering.

Also i don't find their clothes wash or wear well for the price.

Original poster
honestfriend · 27/10/2008 16:15

Shame isn't it?

They are supposed to be having a website for online buying-or browsing- out mid October, but it is not there yet.

I think they have lost the plot a bit- those awful shift/baggy dresses.

I know they were always high end of High Street prices, but now they seem crazily over priced.

I hope they go back to how they were- they used to be my staple shop for winter woolies and the odd nice skirt/dress.

OP posts:
alittleteapot · 27/10/2008 16:43

totally agree - used to have a jigsaw binge about twice a year. now go in there and just feel depressed. So drab! Kew is the same bunch and a bit lighter and more fun but i don't reallly feel like i've found anywhere else to buy clothes that feel me, not that i get to go shopping much these days but it's annoying htat when i do there's nothing to be had that i like...

Original poster
honestfriend · 27/10/2008 18:16

I do Kew too and get quite a few staples, but liked the slight quirkiness of Jigsaw.

OP posts:
pippibluestocking · 27/10/2008 18:20

Yes, agree and quality of knitwear, is atrocious (same with Kew)

mazzystartled · 27/10/2008 18:21

i found a couple of ok t-shirts, but was very unimpressed by the knitwear and dresses. dullsville. always used to love the accessories too,

i have defected to whistles

fruitstick · 27/10/2008 18:25

I had to stop shopping at Jigsaw after I had DS as I couldn't afford it anymore (and too much was hand wash or dry clean)

But I have to say the few times I have been in there I haven't seen anything to yearn for. I do shop in Kew but it is very dull.

is there anywhere that compares? There seems to be a big jump down to Next/M&S.

pippibluestocking · 27/10/2008 18:28

Dare I say Boden, Fruitstock (Pippi ducks!)

Original poster
honestfriend · 27/10/2008 18:33

I have recently picked up a couple of tops and jumpers from White Stuff- no good for smart or sexy, but okay for casual.

Do Boden too, but it is so obviously Boden and I liked Jigsaw's more subtle colours etc etc- guess it's time to ebay for them!

OP posts:
alittleteapot · 27/10/2008 18:46

I find whistles has gone a bit off too - and also hugely overpriced. i also indulge in the odd boden but feel it is so obvious and for some reason slightly embarassing.

joliejolie · 28/10/2008 09:49

I got a lovely long navy cardigan last week. I took it to the till and almost collapsed at the price. I ended up walking out of the shop feeling a bit ripped off and embarrassed at my reaction to the price.

It is shapeless, but nice for slinging on when it's chilly. I really miss all the pretty, girly cardi's they have done in the past. Even the pointelle.

The only cardi that I really loved was the this gorgeous purple colour cashmere that I saw when I was walking out. I did check the price then...and you don't even want to know!!!

CorpseBrideOfJohnCusack · 28/10/2008 09:59

oh good
I went to one in Melbourne the other week, was so excited to go into one again - and it was shit. my sister agreed. And SO EXPENSIVE. didn't know if it was just because it was an Oz one, seems it isn't

Heated · 28/10/2008 10:07

I have a gorgeous winter coat from Jigsaw but haven't splurged in there for ages. I do like whitestuff but it's not quite the same. Am lusting over something in White Company but can't reasonably justify the price. Sometimes Warehouse in John Lewis do some tops that wouldn't look out of place in Jigsaw-of-old.

katch · 28/10/2008 10:07

I've felt like this for ages about Jigsaw - drab, shapeless and overpriced. Don't know what the alternative is - sometimes I find nice trousers in Kookai but they're generally a bit young for me.

joliejolie · 28/10/2008 10:44

That's the problem, none of us know an alternative to old Jigsaw.
I wear Boden, but I agree that it can be so obvious that it is embarrassing.

Horton · 28/10/2008 14:56

I really miss proper Jigsaw, too. I quite like Boden but it doesn't have the unusual stuff that Jigsaw used to have. All the Boden stuff it just a bit too middle of the road for me.

Jigsaw seems to have fallen into the trap of trying to keep up with the latest trends when what it always did well was things that weren't necessarily the most up to the minute fashionable stuff but were instead interesting and quirky and well-made and beautiful colours.

I haven't been in Whistles for years. I used to love it but then it all went a bit odd. Has it improved recently?

Original poster
honestfriend · 28/10/2008 18:15

I looked at all the Jigsaw stuff today in John Lewis and it was AWFUL- they have a Jigsaw concession in their now- not as much as in Jigsaw itself, though I was in there too last week!

Nothing "ethnicy"- all plain and droopy.

I really hope they get their act together- It was the one shop I could rely on to find lovely things!!!

Boden agree is very middle of the road. I used to love Jigsaw cardis that had a "twist" etc etc.

OP posts:
janeite · 28/10/2008 18:19

I looked in Whistles yesterday and wasn't impressed - it all looked a bit shapeless and in strangely insipid colours like lavender and peach.

Horton · 28/10/2008 19:40

Ew. Me and peach is not a good combination.

Original poster
honestfriend · 28/10/2008 20:30

Agree- don't get Whistles- too middle of road and not good quality.

OP posts:
Blondilocks · 28/10/2008 20:36

My friend used to love Jigsaw but she feels the same to you now.

It is blooming expensive! I have a few things from there & am not that impressed with the quality of them considering the price. Have some cute little cardis/jumpers/vest tops but I have some Primark items which have actually washed better!

I've found lately that the colours aren't that exciting, but not been in for ages.

I also heard that they were changing the sizes to make them smaller - so friends who wore large now can't fit in them etc, but not sure if that's true or not.

domesticslattern · 28/10/2008 20:57

It's so drab. I bet their sales are falling through the floor.

What's with Whistles too, it was meant to be getting so much better this Autumn?

Where are we ex-Jigsawers meant to shop? - Any ideas?

alittleteapot · 30/10/2008 08:34

Sometimes these shops are ok: Noa Noa, Phase 8. Thinking of investing in something from Brora for the winter tho really can't afford it but feel in need of a woolly treat. Monsoon always looks nice in theory but just a bit too hobbs/laura ashley. Wish Monsoon made their baby knits for adults. I just wear Top Shop jeans and a mix on top of v old Jigsaw v old Agnes B v old Whistles (from when i was childless and working all hours) and a bit of Boden.

whistles was meant to be getting better because the top shop whiz kid was joining but...

i do think there are some good things to be had from top shop but it involves going very early before the crowds and having a thorough browse as a lot of it is just too young.

SilentTerror · 30/10/2008 09:03

Agree with Noa Noa,but no actual shops in the north except for York,otherwise just a few things in little boutiques.Phase e ight can have good cardis,but sometimes very staid.Avoca,again in little boutiques,do 'quirky' but very expensive,I usually buy in sale!
So
Noa Noa
Sandwich
Phase e ight
Kew(plain)
Hobbs
Nougat(expensive)
Boden,I buy less 'obvious' items.
Agree Jigsaw was great for cute little cardigans/tops.