Are Next clothes poor quality, or have I just been unlucky?

Posted by Jocky8691@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 30 comments

Hello all,

Over the last year or so, I've bought five shirts from Next, three of which have developed small holes and/or tears in the fabric within a few washes. As I'm paying a little more for their so-called "Next Signature" range, surely, you'd expect them to last longer than that? They were a minimum of £50 each and, whilst Next were (more than) happy to refund the first two, they stated that I must be doing something wrong when I tried to return the third, offering me just a £10 "goodwill gesture", rather than a full refund. I told them just to bin the shirt, and that I wouldn't be buying anymore from them.

Oddly enough, I've bought numerous shirts from elsewhere, such as M&S, all of which are perfectly fine, so I wonder if anyone else might be having these issues with products from this company? Upon checking the labels, they appeared to be made in Cambodia etc, could this be the reason why? I'm at a loss as to what I might be doing wrong with their clothing, it just doesn't seem to last at all.

Thank you..

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amitsr80@reddit

Just filled in a complaint,

I've been a loyal customer, purchasing the essential tee for years. This year, I decided to buy several tees, only to find the quality has drastically declined.

You've switched to cheaper materials, and it shows. The L size is now saggy, the cloth is thin, rough, and far from the smooth texture it used to have.

Something has definitely changed for the worse. I understand saving money, but this is outright cheating! If I wanted cheap materials, I could buy from any Chinese website for a third of the price.

You used to be my go-to site, but no longer. Your greed has ruined what was once a quality product.

I demand a refund for my last two orders (10 tees, all of which are going in the trash).

Unfortunately, I discarded the return bags before realizing the scam, so I can't return them. Trust me, they’re going in the trash.

Sorry for the bluntness, but it's the only way to convey my frustration.

Attached is a picture of the old tee from last year, showcasing the previous quality. I’ve also included a recent review confirming that I’m not alone in noticing this decline.

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Same-Ad3162@reddit

Just had quick Google which led to this thread, because I've experienced similar.

Next have been my go to for t shirts for years. Nice tailored fit and decent quality. In the last year something changed. They're flimsier material, and loosely shaped. Just feel cheap.

I put on an older one this morning and it looks like a different brand entirely. Looks like I'm buying elsewhere from now on.

SteakNo6304@reddit

The quality of Next clothing is dreadful. I remember back in 1982 when they first appeared on our high street, the quality was really good, very well made, and the clothes lasted, in fact I still have a pair of linen trousers I bought back in the mid 80's, and I still wear them today.. I had a beautiful soft suede (real) skirt and top to match, the quality was beautiful. I have just returned from next to return items, the sizing was all wrong, and the material was shockingly thin and see through. Much of their clothing now looks cheap and tatty. Shame really, they had the market covered back in the 80's/90's, but no longer. Not worth the money anymore.

Unhappy_Clue701@reddit

Like any other retailer, they do differing levels of quality. Some products are cheap and not very good. Other products are more expensive and are better. This isn’t news.

MembershipPrimary580@reddit

I found that Next clothing for babies and toddlers hold up very well in the wash (we don’t use a dryer) but adult clothing is a complete hit or miss even off the rack. I’d only buy the womens clothes on a deep discount.

Left_Chemist_8198@reddit

Next is awful quality now. The last three online orders I have made I have returned everything I have purchased. I’ve had expensive items damaged, purchased sets with pieces missing. Sizing all over the place. I bought two bras in the same size and I kid you not one cup was at least 3 sizes bigger than the other. Crazy. I also found a lot of the shoes I bought were extremely narrow, I couldn’t even get my toes in some heels I bought, the dresses I bought though expensive were extremely poor quality material too. I used to shop from next at least once a month but I can’t find anything these days. I’ve resigned to not bothering anymore it’s just a waste of my time

Fuzzy-Library2211@reddit

I have purchased around 20 t shirts from next in the past 2 years. But they are getting holes in really quickly. Im always having to throw them out. The latest one I noticed these holes on the second day wearing it.

Kingsworth@reddit

Shop at next fairly regularly and have always been happy with the quality.

When this sort of question is asked, the default response is always ‘used to be okay but quality has gone downhill last few years. People have been saying the same thing for 10+ years and will be saying the same in another 10.

Next have always filled that ‘mid price, mid quality’ bracket and I don’t see it changing.

krell_154@reddit

Yeah, for every clothing brand people ask about, the response is either ''utter shit'' or ''used to be good, but utter shit now''.

What I want to know is where do all these people buy their clothes from? Sure, if you have a lot of money, you can buy from an Italian family that has been making premium clothes for 300 years now...but if you're not that rich, where do you buy your basic t shirts or sweaters? I really do wonder

BADG3R_19@reddit

I bought 2 pairs of trousers from them about a year or two ago, they've completely worn through. Won't be buying from them again. It's a shame, because their stuff has always fitted really well.

Prestigious-Ad246@reddit

I’ve literally just done a big order and sent every single item back. The quality was horrendous. The fitment was awful on every single thing. I will never order from there again. Terrible.

noodlyman@reddit

I used to get all my trousers at Next because I knew they stocked a size that fits me

Then I noticed that all the pockets would wear through on no time at all so my keys dropped out, because they had such cheap thin material, just for the pockets. Almost as though it was deliberate.

penguin17077@reddit

I have loads of next trousers and wear them daily, not once has this happened. Perhaps you have put something on your keyring or something because it's definitely not normal

sprucay@reddit

They used to be good but over the last few years they've gone to shit

teerbigear@reddit

Someone should write a bot that says exactly that in response to every question on this sub 🤣

Jocky8691@reddit (OP)

Sadly, that's been my experience, too.

Talking_Nowt@reddit

The UK has generally seen price up and quality down. Next is the same.

Puzzleheaded_Drink76@reddit

The thing is, the price hasn't really gone up. It's dropped.

I worked for them around the turn of the century when they were slightly more expensive than the mainstream high street. A thick ribbed polo was £30, a chunky handknit was £50. Here's the page of jumpers now - the price hasn't changed which is mad when you look at other prices in the same gap. (I want a pint for £2, and a Mars bar for 30p!)

https://www.next.co.uk/shop/gender-women-productaffiliation-knitwear-0?p=2#1140.9047317504883

Production has moved to cheaper countries, seam allowances have reduced, threads are shorter in the weave so fabric wears worse. High street clothing has definitely gone down in quality, but it's cheap.

On a practical note, where are the holes, OP? Is it possible the top is rubbing against a belt buckle and the table when you sit? I've made a lot of holes that way.

samg3881@reddit

They're better quality than your primarks and H&Ms but you could find much better quality for probably a similar price if you look around. They are expensive for what they are.

Saying that though, I have had some things in the last couple of years that have really lasted.

Oh, do you have any suggestions, please? 😊👍

No worries ☺️

PureDeidBrilliant@reddit

Next used to be good for work shirts and the such back around the turn of the century (LOL) but the quality has definitely dropped off a cliff over the past few years.

Thank you for letting me know, the shirts I bought were certainly not worth the money. 😊👍

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