Is NEXT the new C&A?

[purplepeony]

NEXT used to be good about 20 years back- quality knitwear amongst other htings.

For several years now it's been going downhll- recently I walked in and could not wait to get out. Reminded me of the old C&A- wall to wall polyester, garish T shirts, and boring office suits and jeans. Doubt if there was a natural fibre in the entire store - apart from the jeans.

Well, I had a horror moment in M and S the other day. They have lots of retro stuff at the moment with old fashioned packaging and styles. It was like being trapped in the 70s. I went into the food bit and it looked tres unappetizing, all cream sauces and overpackaged junk food. Marks, what have you done, I thought.

Next has some HIDEOUS dusky pink floral tunic-y tops in at the moment....saw them today as I went up to the homeware bit to try and find a decent tray......
Problem with Next is that they put logos on everything, so anything that isn't hideously patterned (and consequently far too recognisable to want to wear it) is plain but with a logo!
Why would anyone beyond their teens choose to wear something with a logo?

I don't subscribe to the current anti Next trend on here. I remember C&A very very well and Next is nothing like. Maybe it is in your town, who knows. Our shops always have nice things as does the directory. I love their children's clothes and I always find something nice for me. The only area they could improve on is their casual menswear which is too logo'd for a 30 something bloke. But C&A, no way. Go to Primark for that.

I agree. I had some lovely wool jumpers from ther about (ahem) 20 years ago - really classic and well made. I stopped going in there a few years back as no decent wool anymore in ladies' clothes.

I did used to LOVE Clockhouse in C&A as a teenager though

cheap and awfil my granny used to say

yes! Clockhouse! That brings back memories!

Primark is much nicer than Next. At least in Primark the few gems of don't have a great big logo on them.

My DH would not wear Next either. Anything they do that is vaugely nice they ruin - shoes with weird stacked soles, jumpers with cheapo stitched in fake T shirt inserts in the neck line - their menswear is yuk.

..and the jeans always shrink!

Gawd yes, Clockhouse at Coats and ats.

Next is grim.

Next is just a disaster, everything is logoed to death or looks like something your granny would despair of wearing. And as for their "suits". Well. No it's just rubbish.

Its like most shops - some nice bits but a lot of stuff I wouldn't wear.

But really - there's no one shop that I love everything in.

The jeans DO always shrink - I thought I was just getting fatter until I twigged...

I got the new Next catalogue today (preview of Spring/Summer in November?). Although I suspect I'm not their target demographic not much appealed. Nearly all DD's stuff (2.2) comes from Next though - so convenient to have it delivered.

Reminded me of Chelsea Girl (but I suspect I'm showing my age again)!

[Clayhead basks in memories of a Chelsea Girl skirt bought circa 1986 which she thought was the dog's bollocks at the time]

Ah, Chelsea Girl.

Did that brand morph into Dorothy Perkins?

Oh no. River Island. Well there we go. I was right on another thread, River Island is too young for a 48 year old.

Don't like it as so recognisable,particularly women's clothes.
Having said that,have one grey long tunic thing from the directory this year and love it!
Otherwise,never buy for me,occasionally for DH and DCs

River Island, when it first started, was considered more of an "upmarket" store, especially with its "Charlotte Halton" range (I'm going back some years now!)but nowadays it's just the same as every other cheapy store (I went shopping with friend's teenage dd, that's my excuse for being in there!!

i like next but i absolutely hate primark, i always go in because i hear such good things about it but think it always looks like they are having a jumble sale. its full of tat and crap.

ive got some really really nice stuff from next, my 3pc worksuit is fantastic, washes and wears really well. and ive got some really nice tops, in fact one of them whenever i wear it someone asks me where i got it, its really flattering.

i like next. and i cant afford bloody boden, so there!

I thought Chelsea Girl became River Island. I certainly remember going into CG and DP on the same shopping trip to Aberdeen (early 80s),

I liked Chelsea Girl. Its a crap name though, isn't it?

not any worse than Tammy Girl!

very recognisable yes. having said that, I do have two pairs of plain trousers, one black and one grey, and a navy chunky cardigan, all very plain, not logoed... just for shlepping around in , and I'm happy wiht them.
I tell you, Next is fine for basics if you avoid the PATTERNS.

I love Next, I would go so far as to say its probably one of my favourite places to shop & I like the store and the directory, love the childrens clothes also!
Dont really remember C & A anyway.

Next = vile.
But one of my favourite skirts ever was from Clockhouse. I bought it in around 1992 and finally got rid of it last year (and it still fit!).

yep - I've also gone off it, bought loads from there 15 yrs ago now ZERO and don't even have the directory any more. Their trousers are still a good fit on me, better than anywhere else, but the need to go there is a rarity these days.