Are UK clothes shops getting worse? Trying something to find something to wear from UK clothes shops (physical stores and online)
Posted by RebeccaPolly@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 216 comments
Just browsing ASOS and New Look and everything looks so rubbish. Every top is cropped and there’s no nice colours (emerald greens, nice pinks, purples etc). Does anyone else relate? The dresses on new look are all really boring looking too. ASOS is a huge site and I find it really weird how there is litterally no practical or nice clothes on there
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Repulsive-Bar-8064@reddit
Yes and awful material blends too! I live in Lucy & Yak because I love colourful clothes and patterns!
Positive_Ad3450@reddit
You’ve hit the nail on the head. I’ve noticed that this season blue and beige seem to be the in colours and they’re my worst colours. H&M had some nice colours like navy, white and emerald green but the styles were cropped which is no good for my body shape. It’d be nice if clothes shops stocked summer clothes (that are not cropped) in jewel tones like you said, but no it has to be pastel colours, blue or beige. M&S tops are too boxy. I placed an order with Joe Browns and their £25 t-shirt was see-through and everything else was unflattering. Other websites haven’t been much better. I’ve had better luck with charity shops to be honest.
Goldfinch114@reddit
If you’re after colour I would try & Other Stories, they do it well
DeifniteProfessional@reddit
For years, I've got most of my clothes from Jacamo. I'm fat, so that's one reason, but generally the stock was alright, decently priced, and generally fit well.
But I've not been able to get a single decent pair of jeans from them in 3 years. They're either way too long, baggy legs, baggy bum, tight thighs. Not sure what the fuck happened, because used to be basically perfect
VardaElentari86@reddit
Yeh it's annoying. New Look insists on regular tops being annoyingly short, H&m always seems to be a sea of grey/beige these days.
Zanki@reddit
This. I absolutely hate it. I'm currently wearing bright yellow sweats (I haven't been outside today) and I've been wearing a yellow sweater all week (not at the same time). Where did all the colours go? I saw a video a couple of months back of people shopping for clothes in California and it was full of colour. I was like wth??? I want to shop there! But there's no Forever 21 here anymore.
pajamakitten@reddit
Grey seems to be the popular colour at the moment, as if companies want us to dress to match the weather here.
Zanki@reddit
And everyone's homes are grey as well! I hate it!
soverytiiiired@reddit
My brother recently bought a house and I said “Please don’t turn it into a sad grey home”. It was like he took that as a challenge. It’s the most depressing place I’ve ever been to
Zanki@reddit
I'm trying to buy a flat atm, well I have been for nearly two years now. I'm just done. My boyfriend likes Grey's and plain white walls. I'm having none of it. We are having colour in the flat. His house is grey, our flat will have some colour. I won't go overboard, but I will have colour.
thekittysays@reddit
Going in H&M these days is so depressing, it used to have such a wide range of different styles across the whole store and there was always fun and unique items and quite a lot in an alternative kind of style. Now it is literally just a sea of monochrome and beige, with maaayyybe the occasional bit of red. I hate it. Even the kids stuff is nowhere near as fun as it used to be.
Disastrous_Candle589@reddit
I loved H&M years ago so when one opened in my town I was really happy until i went in it. It’s a large shop but theyve gone for some posh boutique feel and it just seems empty. Everything is beige and bland and looks very samey
thekittysays@reddit
Yup, it's like a completely different shop to what it used to be, unrecognisable really.
Zanki@reddit
Wth happened. I know we hit 00s fashion but it wasn't this drab back then! I refuse to conform to the lack of colour in my clothes!
thekittysays@reddit
Idk but I hate it. I don't understand how there can be so much of basically just the same stuff and it's all sooo dull. And a million shades of beige/sand/caramel.
Zanki@reddit
I keep walking into stores, looking for cute tops and coming back empty. I like yellows and oranges damn it!
Fit_Group604@reddit
I wanted to buy some plain tops for work and the closest I got to colour was just off white.
Urgh, depressing.
thekittysays@reddit
I have some long sleeve tops from there that I've had for over 10 years and are on their very last legs, I cannot find anything similar anywhere and I'm so mad about it.
SlippersParty2024@reddit
It's that ridiculous obsession with 'old money' - hence everything is beige, camel etc. I'm Gen X and I see all these young women, 20 something, dressed like old ladies. I want to tell them 'girl, that £20 coat from Primark ain't fooling anyone, you don't look like a member of the landed gentry, you look like a 20 something in a beige Primark coat'.
one_hand_on_my_boob@reddit
I was pleasantly surprised by the range in Next when I was in the store last week! Also Apricot clothing online has some nice pieces
racloves@reddit
I used to love H&M but the last time I went in their store (towards the end of last year) I was so disappointed. It was just boring grey beige as you said. They used to have lots of fun clothes (cute going out dresses, graphic tees, frilly skirts) but now it was basically all bland office wear.
kronikler@reddit
I still get loads of nice and interesting stuff in H&M, including graphic tees and nice dresses in non-grey colours. Their website/app is a better shopping experience than their stores though
funkytroll@reddit
I'm tired of greige, it's everywhere. Clothes, underwear, shoes, house accessories, children's clothes. I miss colours and normal sized tshirt
Chunklett@reddit
H&M have an obsession with kaftans and billowy shirt dresses, it's nuts.
clsf37948@reddit
I feel like I’m in a Love Island dressing room when I walk into H&M men’s section these days
RebeccaPolly@reddit (OP)
Yes this! I used to love their basic tops in a range of lovely colours, great to wear with jeans
Andr0idUser@reddit
M&S, Uniqlo, Next, Saville Row Co, Charles Tyrhwitt etc
lost_send_berries@reddit
Yes it's skimpflation. Clothing prices have been growing slower than other prices since 2017, which has been done by reducing the quality. Less material, less interesting seams/cuts and lower quality stitching and material.
https://www.statista.com/statistics/285120/clothing-and-footwear-cpi-uk/
I don't think it will change - people are now used to clothes not lasting and they don't want to pay the price for something high quality as they don't believe it will last long enough.
Consistent_Sale_7541@reddit
also with the prices of everything going up up up just can’t afford to buy clothing like before
No_Masterpiece_3897@reddit
The fabrics are cheap crap half the time, shirts thin enough you can spit through trousers that pull and pill within a few months.
( Also what is the point in a top if you have to wear another one underneath to not show your bra?)
Even buying more expensive brands can put you in that trap.
It's not designed for a range of body types anymore. You used to see more clothes with vents, darts, pleats where stuff sat on your waist not just under your belly which made you look fatter. It was designed so it would drape right, and still look good even if you aren't 6ft and skinny.
Absurd low cuts and 'decorative' holes in place that aren't helpful if you want to wear it in a work settings.
Weird ideas of what a womans body is allowed to be. Trousers where the thighs / arms are ridiculously skinny.
I hate clothes shopping, it's demoralising.
Consistent_Sale_7541@reddit
yes it’s awful. winter coat with such tight arms one couldn’t possibly wear a jumper underneath, tops with a long tail and very short at front etc etc
TwoValuable@reddit
It's a very muted colour palette this spring for some reason. I noticed it in Matalan the other day and the George website even the new in patterned stuff is super boring and lacking in colour. I'm not sure if it's an aesthetic thing or what but it's largely boring and uninspiring in my opinion.
Equally New Look has been rubbish with their basics for years.
Consistent_Sale_7541@reddit
yes it’s gone a bit funeralesque!!
NoseGraze@reddit
I'm a woman and have started buying mostly men's clothes. All the women lines are cropped or just a weird fit. The mens clothes just have a very consistent, "regular" fit.
Consistent_Sale_7541@reddit
yes, and much better quality material and better made
CherryVermilion@reddit
When I want a white tshirt, I will usually buy a men’s one. It’s a thicker material so I don’t have to worry about my bra showing through, and it’s a straight cut on the bottom and sides so it’s comfortable for me to wear x
changhyun@reddit
Better quality material too. I like wearing white and I always have to wear a camisole under my own white tops so my bra doesn't show through. But if I grab one of my boyfriend's white tees from the exact same shops, no camisole needed.
afcote1@reddit
I miss Topman
afcote1@reddit
I miss Topman
amsdkdksbbb@reddit
I’ve been searching for plain, jewel toned t shirts and jumpers, made out of natural fabrics, for ages now.
Everything seems to be made of beige polyester now!
HighlandsBen@reddit
Uniqlo U T-shirts are proper thick cotton, with generous ribbed necks. Not a huge range of colours from memory, but I did find a lovely raspberry one.
KittyKes@reddit
Vinted is your friend! You can filter by fabric type
amsdkdksbbb@reddit
I really need to shop on vinted more. I bought a jumper from the 90s with a “made in the UK” tag on vinted and the quality is just insane. It literally looks brand new even though it’s probably been worn and washed a hundred times.
KittyKes@reddit
This is the thing, it’s so much better to buy natural fabric pre owned clothes and look after them, the quality is there. It just isn’t for new things sadly
still-searching@reddit
Have you tried Rapanui? I've never bought from them but they're very ethical, small UK business, with lots of bright basic t-shirts.
Lucy and Yak also has lots of bright stuff but not always plain.
Babaaganoush@reddit
I’ve had success at Arket for cotton t shirts and jumpers in jewel tones. Expensive but it’s good quality and actually lasts.
Minimum_Leopard_2698@reddit
I went on a mission for jewel tones a few years back… I ended up buying about 8 cheap T Shirts in a few different prints from SHEIN just because they sold actual real life colours!
Most of them are still with me!
sparklingbutthole@reddit
Not sure on fabric content but Asda is my go to for basic plain jewel toned stuff. Vests and long sleeved tops are my go to.
dinkidoo7693@reddit
I got some new look gift vouchers for xmas and I don’t have a clue what to get with them, everything is so dull. Ive been in local store and the jeans are all high rise and just don’t fit right.
MrsKToBe@reddit
May I recommend their jeggings. They’re the best I’ve found and they’re really generously sized. Plus they’re incredibly comfy and come in a variety of lengths.
dinkidoo7693@reddit
Im not after skinnies and i want some functional pockets or id get jeggings, even then though they seem to be high waisted which doesn’t help
Alasdair91@reddit
Primark is largely for the youth. H&M is 'beigeville' for whatever reason. Next is for middle-aged men. Fat Face/White Stuff is for dads. ASOS is for Gen Z...
As a 33yo male, I'm stuck. I buy most of my stuff abroad in shops we don't have where I live.
AppleIreland@reddit
i'm so sick of beige and neutrals and boring colours and the white trainers with the white high socks and just blahhhh why do we all have to look the exact same
555fir978@reddit
Absolutely relate! I used to get everything from ASOS, I haven't ordered from there in months.
I used to love Oasis, too, but since their shops shut, they clearly have different designers and their clothes are nowhere near as nice.
Maybe it's my age (36) but I feel like nothing caters for mid 30's women who don't want neutral colours.
Pkaurk@reddit
I'm also 36 and so sad about Oasis. All my nice tops were from there. I've tried a few online shops but not found anything I love as much as Oasis.
LJ161@reddit
Even the maternity tops are too short in high street shops. Like I really don't want to show my bump hanging over my trousers. Primark used to do these tshirt mini dressed what were stretchy and they were perfect maternity tops but they've not done them this year :(
Pkaurk@reddit
I bought a few maternity cotton tops from next for day to day wear. Some nice and more pricey ones from Seraphine. Got me through a few years of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
OohRahMaki@reddit
Try Long Tall Sally, the tops are actually long enough and would be good for maternity bump!
CrystalKirlia@reddit
Honestly, at this point I've just learned to sew.
Pkaurk@reddit
I intend to learn to sew so I can make my own clothes too
Disastrous_Candle589@reddit
Yes!
Let me rant about Primark please. Today I decided to treat myself as I have managed to lose enough weight that I need some new clothes as some of my old ones look ridiculous. Headed to Primark and tried on some tops, vest style. All fitted in M, possibly small although I didn’t realise that top was cropped and I’m not ready for that yet! Feeling good, I tried some jeans/denim shorts. Size 12 I couldn’t do up not even breathing in. Size 14 I looked like the before shot of someone who’s lost half their body weight! How on earth you can buy anything from there without trying it on is stupid.
on the way to the checkout i grabbed another medium top only to find out at home that it looks at least two sizes bigger than the other mediums i bought!
The changing rooms were the worst. At home I feel confident now looking in the mirror but there it was like one of those circus mirrors. I looked huge and dimply due to the cheap mirrors and awful lighting. I don’t know how people buy stuff regularly when the whole shop seems designed to make you feel shit about yourself.
SlippersParty2024@reddit
I know SHEIN gets a terrible rep but astonishingly, their sizes are usually pretty accurate. (Disclaimer before someone stars lecturing me, I don't buy heaps from them (or any other store, tbh) and I wear my clothes to death. When they're really done, I put them in the fabric recycling).
Pkaurk@reddit
I agree, they have all the measurements listed, something all shops selling online should do.
PatriciaMorticia@reddit
Primark's sizes are awful, no wonder so many people especially young kids and teens, have body image issues. I was in my local store recently heard a someone in the changing cubicle next to me crying about different pair of jeans in "her size" being so small they wouldn't go past her knees. She came out at the same time as me to put things back and I had to ask her if she was okay as I'd heard her crying & told her not to go by the size on the clothes in there as I'd bought a skirt that was an 18 on the waist tag and a 14 on the washing instructions tag.
spacepirate07@reddit
I didn't read your comment before posting my reply, but just have done and was not surprised to see that your reply was virtually the same story as mine. It is honestly such a shame. I have friends who've all said the same and we just don't shop there any more. I feel so sorry for girls who are growing up now with Primark clothes, like I did, and are feeling bad that they're a bigger size in their than they actually would be elsewhere. Not that it matters what size you are, but it definitely won't be doing them any favours with Primarks ridiculous sizings.
Disastrous_Candle589@reddit
There’s no consistency in my experience. You could pick up 2 size 14 trousers and they would both fit differently. My favourite pair of jeans that are so comfortable came from Primark but i had to try on several pairs to find them. 12 was too small, 14 was too small but the second pair of 16 fit perfectly. I tried to find another pair on a different occasion but none of the 16 fit.
It’s great if you find the one pair that fit you, but when you just want to pop in and buy something without trying it on you can almost guarantee it won’t fit.
Lady-of-Shivershale@reddit
The sizes are nuts. Why can't women have what men have and all our clothes be labelled with centimetres and inches!
lost_send_berries@reddit
Oh the mens sizes don't correspond to real measurements any more, they're off by 2-6 inches now depending on store... So 1-3 sizes off.
MrsKToBe@reddit
Absolutely this. I was in there the other day and my friend picked up a dress she liked. Because of her disability, she isn’t able to try things on in store but I volunteered to try it on to see what the sizing was like. I’m roughly around a 16-18. I wear size 18 Primark jeans (although I’m a 16 in my favourite River Island jeans) and usually a size large in tops in there. Friend was a 24-26 but she’s lost 2.5 stone so wasn’t sure of sizing. The dress I tried was a 20 and although it was massive on top, it was a neat-ish fit around the stomach and legs. Cue both of us feeling utterly deflated- me because I thought I had long since seen the back of fitting into size 20’s and her because of the fact she was nowhere near fitting into the size 20. Generally I find the sizing okay but in some ranges it’s wildly frustrating!
Lady-of-Shivershale@reddit
Congrats on the weightloss. I'm working on that, too. It's hard, but I'm already looking better.
SmollToe@reddit
Primark is crazy, I fit into a size 10-12 skirt in one colour yet had to get an 18 in the next colour! I've stopped going by sizes and just get what fits/looks best because so far I seem to be a 10 to 18 🫠 make it make sense !
spacepirate07@reddit
Primarks sizings are shocking. I believe they 'improved' them a few years back. They were never great to start off with but got even worse after that. I made the mistake of going in to try and find new jeans shortly after having a baby and I couldn't fit into anything, same thing as you, one size was tiny and the next size up was massive. I felt so deflated and actually cried. And we wonder why so many women feel bad about their bodies when one of the most accessible fashion shops (by that I mean price wise) has such wildly different sizings.
two_beards@reddit
I don't know how old you are, but I definitely hit a point in my 20s where I hated highstreet fashion and had to start to looking at other places to buy clothes (mostly hippy markets now).
I'm male, by the way, so a bit different perhaps.
doctorace@reddit
Yup. The weekly "kids today" post where OP is suddenly realising they're old.
witchypoo63@reddit
Just waiting for puff sleeves, frills and flounces to go away. I’m 5’3 and the long baggy look is horrendous on me. I want to wear something no camp in it
SarkyMs@reddit
I love puff sleeves finally they are long enough for me, but a bit less puffy.
still-searching@reddit
Yes omg the puff sleeves! My shoulders are wider than my hips, puff sleeves make me look like an American footballer, I've had to pass on so many lovely dresses because of the sleeves.
PrestigiousEnough@reddit
Exactly this!
Minimum_Leopard_2698@reddit
If its any consolation I’m 5”8 and the long baggy look also looks terrible on me
ohsaycanyourock@reddit
I'm 33 and honestly, I think a lot of the popular clothes shops cater largely to people under 25. Current fashion appears to be everything baggy, cropped and/or neutral colours; I prefer regular or slim fit, in nice colours or patterns, and to not have my stomach on show. So shopping is painful for me right now 😬 I've had success with M&S and Uniqlo, I have a nice denim jacket from Next - and although Fat Face is too pricey for me for clothes, their socks are the best!
Lemon-Flower-744@reddit
Agreed. Why is everything so baggy it makes you look HUGE or cropped. I loathe cropped T-shirts.
It's so annoying to me that if I go up a size in a top because it can't fit over my boobs properly or I want a bit of length over my butt, it goes wider! I want it longer.
What is with all the NEW YORK slogan t/shirts as well. I very much there's an American that has a t/shirt that says BIRMINGHAM on it. Can we do something else ?! A nice plain regular t/shirt with a pocket or a little logo / or something weird like half watermelon?! SOMETHING other than having NEW YORK across my chest would be brill.
Next is great for my jumpers / trousers but I do not do well with their blouses / t-shirts because of the crap materials.
It's so frustrating to go shopping!
WeUsedToBe@reddit
I refuse to wear anything with an American city in huge print on it. It’s mass produced tripe for an international market—more than half of whom have never been to the USA, and have no familial or tourist connections with NY/LA—which is to say, it’s generic, meaningless, and only serves to reinforce the global homogenisation of culture (which I recognise the UK is only second to the US in). I don’t need to wear a literal uniform to prove how uniform the world is getting.
Lemon-Flower-744@reddit
I feel like every other store has these American cities but like I said, I don't like it. I don't know why they force that crap on us and made a light hearted joke that I doubt an American is wearing 'BIRMINGHAM.'
50nakedaliens@reddit
You say this but ive only just gone 26 & have been struggling to find decent clothing for at least 2-3 years. I just think the quality is down & the price is up. Everything appears to be early 2000’s fashion
thymeisfleeting@reddit
Except in the 00’s we wore a lot more colours. Granted, I was a teenager and back then teens weren’t at the forefront of fashion like they seem to be now, but we had coloured cords (I had a bright purple pair), bright t shirts etc.
GreenStuffGrows@reddit
I get my Fat Face clothes from Vinted!
furrycroissant@reddit
So many of us don't need or want our midriff out, but those are the only clothes you can buy!
Fit_Group604@reddit
Try TK maxx
AnneThisaway@reddit
I LOVE Fatface socks. Currently rocking some yellow ones with fluffy sheep on them.
ohsaycanyourock@reddit
I just got some green ones with little geese wearing hats!
Lemon-Flower-744@reddit
Omg. I'm going to have a look right now! 👩💻
Thank you!
CherrySG@reddit
Mine have penguins!
PrestigiousEnough@reddit
Really? I find most stores have modest clothing but almost too modest. Nothing nice. Just everything covered. High pillar necks, long frilly dresses with patterns on them. Just awful.
tatt-y@reddit
Second M&S - plenty of colourful options.
I found Uniqlo a bit beige this year 🤣 - but normally it’s pretty good.
Ysbrydion@reddit
It's all polyester fast fashion, not designed to survive a spin cycle.
There are better brands - usually along the ethical, outdoorsy lines - but they are rarely fashionable.
Skate brands are quite good. Very high quality and who doesn't love a wide pant emo?
Abercrombie also seems to last quite well.
Lady-of-Shivershale@reddit
Everything being polyester drives me nuts.
I left the UK a long time ago to move to Asia. To answer OP's question: Yes, the shops are absolutely worse than they used to be. I used to come home, buy loads of clothes, and leave again.
I can't really find anything in store during my visits now. I can get jogging bottoms from M&S to get me through the winter months where I live, and a few T-shirts. But that's about it.
I mostly shop online now from shops in my style that produce clothes in colours and fabrics I like. Doing so is more expensive, but I tend to keep my clothes for a long time. I'm currently losing weight and was able to unpack a few bags of clothes I put away a few years ago to start re-wearing those items. I'm also thinking of buying a secondhand sewing machine so that I can try to resize some linen T-shirts because linen is expensive.
One shop in the UK I do like is seasaltcornwall. Again, though, the clothes are expensive and I appreciate that people have other priorities in their lives.
nearlythere@reddit
Yes!! It’s the enshittification of clothing. Even the hold outs are succumbing. Things that look good online but suck to wear.
Went to M&S to find a nice thick (not translucent tee.) every single thing felt plasticy. And even the cotton poly knits felt thin - Modal knits and so much of this polyester crepe. Ewwww
Ok_Cow_3431@reddit
a what?
TeHNeutral@reddit
As I've gotten older I just started buying less, spending about the same overall for fewer higher quality garments in my own sense of style.
Definitely glad though I'm sure 20 year old me who was out multiple nights a week would be bored
Lady-of-Shivershale@reddit
I wanted to be a goth in my late teens/early twenties but I didn't have the money.
Now that I'm in my forties, I'm more boho and I can afford it. I have a similar attitude that less is more.
I have this great cardigan that I crocheted this winter that young me would have hated. It's base colour is a peachy yellow, and then it has reds, oranges, and browns. The colour is called Sunny Autumn, and I love wearing it on dark, misty days. It's like I'm the sun.
TeHNeutral@reddit
Love it, I think I've gained too much frame to fit in the old criminal damage but love being able to buy what I want (within reason) and dress how I please
xthewhiteviolin@reddit
Abercrombie jeans are good. The knitwear is ruined after a couple of washes (I still wear them but they look a hundred years old if you accidentally wash them over 20 Celsius or spin on more than 400.
oconkath@reddit
Rollersnalkes FTW
Ysbrydion@reddit
I'm 41 years old and look like I'm off to a MCR gig, but my clothes last for years!
Hazeygazey@reddit
It's a sea of beige nylon out there. Or t shirts you could spit through with ridiculous slogans. Or clothes full of 'strategically placed' holes and cutouts.
I got so sick of it I learned to sew
You can get a cheap sewing machine for around £100 and so many people but one then never use it that there loads of virtually new second hand ones on gumtree Facebook etc
Basics are so easy to make and there's so many YouTube tutorials. You can get cheap fabrics online or at local markets.
Give it a try
sunana88@reddit
I buy like 80% of my clothes off Vinted nowadays
kelleehh@reddit
Sadly Vinted seems to be on the turn and now full of scammers a lot of the time.
lelpd@reddit
Also full of people selling clothes that have clearly shrunk in the wash. And Vinted will side with the seller in these situations.
Used to be a great app. I guess people realise how strong the seller protection is and use it to unload stuff that’s not fit for purpose.
Katherine_the_Grater@reddit
I think this time of year is particularly bad. They haven’t properly got their summer stuff out yet and it’s all the leftover crap from winter.
But yes, clothes are much worse these days - high streets are trying to compete with the likes of Temu and are making crappy plastic cheap stuff as well.
angelshair@reddit
It's absolutely crazy that they still choose to sell crop tops in winter. And every garment is paper thin, providing no warmth or comfort for the season.
Cumulus-Crafts@reddit
Went around Primark and didn't buy any tops the last time I was in because they were ALL. CROP. TOPS.
I do not want to show my tummy! There was some really cute designs, completely ruined by the fact that they were cropped.
Cumulus-Crafts@reddit
Yep. I was recently down in Glasgow and was looking for a plain black roll neck. Could not get one ANYWHERE. Even Primark didn't have one, and I'd bought roll necks from them in the past.
Every shop needs to do a line of 'classics', I am begging you. Round neck tee, v neck tee. Round neck jumper, v neck jumper, roll neck jumper.
Difficult_Egg_4350@reddit
The last few years have been great if you work in a night club or are a granny. There is very little nice clothing for anyone aged say 20 to 50 who has a professional job where cut outs or underboob are frowned upon, unless you want to fork out huge sums of money. How no one has stepped into this rather obvious gap in the market is beyond me, but I despair at having to replace any of my clothes because it is a nightmare.
Sea-Still5427@reddit
It's no fun if you're older either! Late 50s here and the last couple of years clothes have been so ugly and unflattering! I still l know where to shop when I'm working and have money to spend, but when I'm not working there's nothing. M&S lost sight of its female customers 20 years ago. I buy bits from supermarkets but where you get a decent quality basic T shirt that lasts more than two washes without getting holes in the front I do not know.
angelshair@reddit
The holes that randomly appear on the front of tshirts annoy me so much!
Icy_Ambassador_5846@reddit
I disagree, I'm a granny and I wouldn't wear the crap that passes for clothes nowadays, I'm looking for a nice outfit for my sons wedding, it's just not happening.
Lady-of-Shivershale@reddit
Have you gone online?
Have a look at Salty Crush. It's based in Australia so you'll have to pay a shipping fee, but I really like their dresses. I own quite a few. Some are a free-flowing hippy style. Others are more formal. And they have all sorts of colours. Good luck.
Icy_Ambassador_5846@reddit
Thanks for this, really appreciate it, I have been trying to find something for weeks.
pikantnasuka@reddit
Go to M&S
puchikoro@reddit
It’s not that they’re getting worse it’s just that trends are changing. Cropped shirts is very in now and I really don’t like wearing cropped shirts but a lot of teens do. At the end of the day a lot of fashion stores exist to cater to teens and young adults and that’s what’s in right now.
Derries_bluestack@reddit
Yes, those two stores are low quality now, in my opinion. Try COS, H&M Premium, Arket, &Other Stories, Uniqlo, and M&S.
funnytoenail@reddit
Controversial opinion but these brands have fallen off. Fast fashion cycles means brands no longer have space to review to see what works and what people wants.
If you’re looking for affordable prices, I think M&S and Uniqlo have really stepped up in that space. I know they are still fast fashion, but they offer staples, well made at reasonable prices
wiggidywelder@reddit
I regularly have similar issues, a few years ago I found I couldn’t find unripped jeans for love nor money and now it seems every T-shirt has to be oversized. Tbh it probably boils down to me being in my mid thirties and having no interest in current trends.
nycbar@reddit
That’s fast fashion for ya
DungareeSloth@reddit
Absolutely and it’s all plastic polyester rubbish. Coast, Monsoon, Joanie and Lucy and Yak are my favourites
Far_Bad_531@reddit
I cannot stand the beige wave , it’s so dull and seeing so many people out and about wearing what has seemingly become a “uniform “ looking like walking cups of coffee Is just ridiculous. Sucking all the colour and light out of the world.
Also not everybody has the frame for a cropped shirt/ top, I have a long torso so anything cropped just looks weird on me …like I have put a child’s item on instead of an adult’s.
Bring back some colour and individuality please.
coconut_mall_cop@reddit
Urban Outfitters are really good for T-shirts and jumpers. They're usually well-fitting and good quality, and have a range of styles from stuff that makes a statement to more plain stuff.
It can be quite pricey though, but you can usually find some decent stuff on sale.
blaellis@reddit
I went into Next recently and was very pleasantly surprised at the amount of colour in there, a real breath of fresh air. Their stuff is generally better quality too, they seem to use a lot of cotton which is good (I hate wearing the synthetic stuff, it makes me sweat).
M&S is good too, and I will always recommend Vinted!
claireauriga@reddit
Sea Salt, Fat Face and White Stuff are my saviours right now.
lollykpops@reddit
As someone who haaaaaates wearing neutrals and is also too big to feel comfy in a crop top, look into next! They have some great pieces right now that are fun to wear, and aren’t all cropped!
Pale_Slide_3463@reddit
I actually have had way better luck on shein. Once you get used to the sizes they have clothes in all colours and shapes it’s great and tbh I still use the clothes I bought 2 years ago on it.
SlippersParty2024@reddit
You've been downvoted but I have the same experience with SHEIN, if you look at the reviews carefully and figure out your size, their quality is usually pretty good for the price. I got some really good trousers and jeans that are super comfortable and wash really well.
ApolloAthena321@reddit
I’ve found Cider to be good for workwear. I can wear quite informal/smart wear. Decent cut, good length for midi skirts/dresses (I’m almost 6 feet tall) and high waisted. I go up a size but I’m not bothered.
Canadayawaworth@reddit
Hah I was just moaning about this last night. Currently trying to find a dress to wear to a friend’s wedding. Search ‘wedding guest dress’ and it’s all stuff I would maybe wear to a club but definitely not a formal event. Search ‘modest wedding guest dress’ and results are all for women who need loose coverings head to toe for religious reasons. I just want a nice quality fitted dress that isn’t too revealing but apparently that’s an unreasonable ask 🤷♀️
khughes14@reddit
I’m sick of all tops being cropped and have been for years! Currently 8 months pregnant, which doesn’t help lol. When I was 22 I loved a crop top but when you hit your 30s, no matter how good your body is, I feel like it’s normal to want to be able to wear a full length top!
hellhound28@reddit
I don't know where this obsession with beige comes from, but it's tired now. There are no interesting colours, especially in petite sizes. If it's not cropped, it's got puffy sleeves that remind me of church/Easter outfits from Mississippi, circa 1924.
What really bothers me the most is that everything is on the wrong side of sheer. I'm in good shape, and I take care of myself, but no one needs a 51 year old freeing the nipple on the daily dog walk.
owlinpeagreenboat@reddit
Coast! Love their sales
BrieflyVerbose@reddit
What bloody clothes shops?! Every single one of them closed down where I live, except for one Matalan shop. They've all disappeared one by one.
SmollToe@reddit
Yeah, been saying the same thing recently. It's all crop tops or like skin tight co ord leggings sets and logo t-shirts with quite childish themes.
I usually try New Look, M&S, Next and River Island as a woman in my 30s but yeah I totally feel like it's very much catered towards teens 🫠
LeftPaleontologist73@reddit
M&S underpants have seen a truly tragic decline in the past decade.
ldn-ldn@reddit
You're shopping in the wrong places.
ScottOld@reddit
Yea I had to buy some stuff, woman get a full floor, men half a floor maximum, even primark wasn't selling stuff it has listed on the website in store
Left-Equipment7137@reddit
There is much better stuff in charity shops most of the time, either vintage clothes that were better made or higher end high street brands at Primark prices.
MrsKToBe@reddit
I pretty much buy everything on Vinted, especially since I’ve lost weight. When I was a size 24, I could select from a few shops that I pretty much could guarantee would fit. Now I am roughly a 16-18 and I have no idea where on earth to start. If I find something that works- I stick to it! I never struggle with colours as I tend to prefer darker stuff though
casiothree@reddit
Last time I walked into a H&M I thought I’d had a stroke and lost my colour vision.
Sleepyllama23@reddit
Yes. The tops are too short and the fabrics are so thin you can see your bra through them. There’s hardly any physical shops now to shop around and try things on and buying online is really difficult and I end up having to send everything back
iwanttobeacavediver@reddit
I've often said this, along with it being semi-impossible to find anything with longer sleeves which has always been my personal preference.
Fury-Gagarin@reddit
Everywhere EXCEPT TK Maxx lately is like shopping for officewear or for a funeral, there's no in-between. And even if you do find something nice, the size isn't there.
Fit_Group604@reddit
I don't know wtf happened to colour?
When I was younger, people generally worse colour (with the exception of goths). Places like H&M, toyshop, new look ext had an array of colourful clothes, patters and funky designs.
I went to H&M for some work tops and coupd not for the life of me find anything beyond black, white and just off white.
My 13yo just wears black and navy blue, depressing.
Expensive-Twist8865@reddit
You have consumers to thank. They kept going for cheaper, cheaper, cheaper, cheaper, and companies obliged.
You want quality? Pay for it.
BabyAlibi@reddit
Drab seems to be the new "in" colour
locoforcocothecat@reddit
Yeah, I feel like the quality of everywhere has gone down. Even "nicer" stores are not much different to Shein or Primark.
kool_kats_rule@reddit
I tend to get a lot of my stuff from Next, M&S and John Lewis these days, probably in that order. A few other places (Joe Browns) but all three do decent stuff in decent colours. They're all stalwarts of the casual-workwear type clothing that's mostly just bothered about being decent.
ASOS would be OK if they had a 'normal clothes only' toggle, but they don't and are online only so stuff them. Primark only works because you can try stuff on, H&M have been bafflingly into greige for years...
Yeah, can someone just open a clothes shop that does interesting clothes with a decent set of changing rooms please?
CaterpillarLoud8071@reddit
I get most of my clothes on vinted nowadays tbh, there's rarely anything worth buying on the high street. I do still find Pull&Bear, Carhartt and Levi's good though.
justdont7133@reddit
Popsy is great if you like colourful, they range from fairly sensible florals and stripes, to dinosaurs and unicorns, depending on your taste
PrestigiousEnough@reddit
Yup. Even when you go into the stores everything is frilly. Kind of like something you will wear at a picnic, to church or at some sort of mothers gathering. There is nothing hip and trendy. Only Bershka seem to have a few nice pieces but Zara (which is one store everyone seems to rave about) I can hardly find anything worth buying. Why is everything so plain? Yet, when I look on social media or see people out on the streets, I often wonder where they are all getting their clothes from.
SlackerPop90@reddit
I've been on the look out for some slim fit long sleeve scoop-neck tops that aren't too thick or baggy and cannot find any for love nor money. Apparently scoop neck isn't in fashion right now.
paulatim-solem-sine@reddit
If you like colour and “pretty” then try Boden. It’s a bit expensive but they have decent sales and are beautiful.
jetpatch@reddit
You got old
spacepirate07@reddit
Totally agree. I pretty much solely shop on Vinted for clothes now. So much choice, and even though it still needs to be delivered, I feel a lot better knowing I'm not contributing to fast fashion and the harm it does.
YarnPenguin@reddit
I think I've entered an age group that is not catered for (late 30s) so now I'm pretty much only buying from vinted and wearing basketball and band merch😅 Have I given up or am I in a Billie Eilish/ Adam Sandler era??
DeeBees69@reddit
Ah yes the cropped top that doesnt even look good on a barbie doll and everything seems so small these days like they are trying to save on fabric?!
Second_Guess_25@reddit
Mid 30s here, I have to say I really like M&S range of clothes, as well as Matalan, Weird Fish, SeaSalt (not at full RRP the last two..always reduced or clearance. The colours, quality and designs are fabulous.)
Fyonella@reddit
Try Roman - unless you’re petite and under a size 10. White Stuff are good too, for some things.
Draggedintosunliight@reddit
Fast fashion has always been terrible. Spend a bit more, but a bit less. It looks a lot better and lasts.
SmashedWorm64@reddit
I’m just trying to find clothes brands that are sustainable and ethical, preferably made in the UK, which actually look decent. Unfortunately I can only find cardigans lol.
bigjig5@reddit
I’ve been shopping clothes from Sainsbury’s for years now, it’s all good-no complaints
KelpFox05@reddit
Unfortunately fashion in general is tailored towards making the most money possible - that means lots of neutral colours (because most people are at least okay with neutrals), lots of plastic (because polyester is cheaper to produce), and lots of trendy things (because that's what people are spending money on). It's just another part of late-stage capitalism.
Among the typical high street brands, H&M and M&S do have some good stuff. Mountain Warehouse is also good for long-lasting clothing but it's a lot of darker colours and neutrals and can be expensive.
Your best bet is to buy from ethical clothing brands that sell clothes built to last. Try Rapanui Clothing, Komodo (which is especially pricey but is great), and Community Clothing. Most people will look at these and immediately decide that they're ridiculously expensive. And they are expensive! They're ridiculously expensive compared to the average high street brand. But as with most things, there are three aspects to clothes: cheap, sustainable/built to last/not built in sweatshops in China, and good-looking. Pick two.
skyepark@reddit
That's why charity shops and vinted are good
FakeNordicAlien@reddit
Some years I like everything I see and some years I like nothing. I figure it’s the same for everyone. But I don’t think I’ve bought from a physical shop that wasn’t a charity shop in quite a few years. Much better options online, and a lot of sites do free returns if things don’t fit or suit.
Hollister has colourful tops in the sale this year, I just bought a few.
PoetryNo912@reddit
Seems that way, I had to stop buying from H&M because their cotton was so cheap, thin, and badly cut that every t-shirt would shrink and warp after a few washes even on a cold cycle.
M&S is still thick enough material so far, or I make something myself.
shell-84@reddit
I don't even have the mental energy to go clothes shopping. They all look either like cheap tat or are so expensive for one item such as a top. Trying to use my clothes for as long as I can and then might go to check out some stuff in H&M or Next. Zara for me seems to steep for what it is and any stores more expensive I wouldn't go into anymore. Online shops are also energy sapping especially when thinking of returning the items that are likely the wrong size once worn. I have become my husband! Hate clothes shopping.
Pockysocks@reddit
For men's clothes it is abysmal. Just finding some short sleeved shirts can be a cross town adventure with so many stores moving to edge of town retail parks.
NeuroticShame@reddit
Primark sizing is very restricting and most clothing retailers send online orders with Evri, which rules them out for being unbearable. I just try my luck with eBay now :/ It's not ideal.
Magical_Crabical@reddit
Unfortunately, I have to do almost all my clothes shopping online, most of the stores have closed and what is left is utterly dismal.
ayeayefitlike@reddit
I’ve stopped shopping in most of the high street places. I get M&S jeans (high waist skinny jeans aren’t trendy but I am still married to them), work blouses etc from charity shops in posh towns nearby (always nice brands etc then) or else cheap but hard wearing country clothing brands like Rydale, and then because I like colour I tend to shop in Fat Face and Joe Browns if I’m looking for new stuff.
LadyMirkwood@reddit
I love the Mom jeans from M&S. Made from proper denim, and they war and wash well.
I buy mine from Vinted
ayeayefitlike@reddit
Absolutely. I have two pairs of the magic skinny jeans that I love, one is two years old and the other a year old with weekly wear on them and still looking great.
kateeee_pants@reddit
To be honest, I'm finding some of the best colourful, quality clothes in charity shops. It takes some time and patience, but there are some great finds!
AdrianFish@reddit
Try being a 5’5 man in his 30s. I’ve given up hoping to find anything that’ll fit me, never mind something I’d actually like to wear
CuriousQuerent@reddit
5'7 and I feel your pain. My work wear desperately needs a refresh due to a combination of its age and me being chunkier than I was a decade ago when I bought the last lot. I spent a full afternoon walking around clothes shops and fuck me, it's all awful.
Finding stuff that fits is difficult. Everything is somewhere between butt-ugly and not suitable for the office, at least in my view, but more importantly it all just felt such crap quality. Even supposedly decent quality places like M&S, the clothes just felt like cheap bog roll compared to my decade old stuff. Which, to be clear, was cheap because I was broke at the time. It's crazy how much quality has dropped. I ended up not buying anything because I didn't see it lasting more than a year and couldn't stomach the price. So now I'm just losing weight instead.
cheshirekat21@reddit
I have been to practically every store in my town and not found a single bit of maternity clothing. The Trafford centre has some in H&M and might have had in new look as well, but it’s been surpassingly difficult to find much at all.
Not brave enough to try online shops.
idontlikemondays321@reddit
Yes! And lots more small, medium and large sizing. Large being a 12 apparently… eyeroll
shark-with-a-horn@reddit
I have things I bought from h&m, Primark, supermarkets even, years ago that lasted for years. These days the quality is just worse across the board.
Unhappy_Spell_9907@reddit
Just about all the clothing I buy new now comes from Lucy and Yak because it's decent quality and actually comes in colours.
Archaemenes@reddit
This subreddit is ridiculous. OP cannot find a purple colour top and turns it into a grand generalisation of every UK clothes shop being bad.
RebeccaPolly@reddit (OP)
Nah’ used those shops as an example as they used to have a selection of colours. There’s a good conversation happening here. Don’t ruin it
Archaemenes@reddit
Having a selection of colours isn’t necessarily better. The collections look the way they do because that is what sells nowadays. You’re free to look at stores which cater to your age group as they’ll most likely have a wider selection of colours.
Meowskiiii@reddit
That is certainly a way to look at it.
External-Praline-451@reddit
Clothes have definitely got worse quality, but ASOS and New Look have never been that great quality to start with.
I like White Stuff because it does interesting colours and patterns. It's a bit more pricey, but I get stuff in the sale or for birthdays, or second hand. There's also lots of other online shops that do more colourful stuff, like Weird Fish.
Also have a look on Vinted, there's some good stuff on there that's affordable and more original.
Pale_Slide_3463@reddit
New look was amazing 15 years ago but then they decided to cut costs and make their sizes small.
External-Praline-451@reddit
New Look used to have good stuff, but it's never been brilliant quality. I'm not knocking it, I've bought loads of stuff there before in the past, but it's not exactly known for timeless pieces.
M&S used to be known for quality stuff, even if targeting an older crowd, but their quality in clothes has got very hit and miss.
Pale_Slide_3463@reddit
Seen a really nice top in M&S recently was going to get it and seen the price tag £50 lol went nope I’ll just go back to shein 😂
External-Praline-451@reddit
Yikes, £50 for a top! Especially if you don't know whether it's good quality.
I am all about the sales and second hand these days. I can't believe how many clothes I used to buy when I was younger. I've still got some stuff from 20 years ago I wear now and again!
Norman-Wisdom@reddit
Opposite for me. I've spent the last 15-ish years not feeling comfortable in anything and am suddenly finding that tastes are shifting back towards what I like wearing again!
I_wanna_be_anemone@reddit
It’s always worth a look in TK Maxx, in store or online. They tend to have a lot more variety as well as better quality stuff. Charity shops are also a treasure trove, as is the app Vinted. My biggest beef with a lot of ‘big brand’ clothes is that so many can’t be tumble dried, which you’d expect for something priced at £40 for a single top.
So many fast fashion outlets are in a race to be ‘trendy’ that they basically just bulk buy the same style/colours that saturate the market for a whole season.
nadinecoylespassport@reddit
Perhaps give secondhand places like Charity Shops and Vinted a try. They tend to be a bit cheaper
NeverCadburys@reddit
Absolutely. I tried shopping the other week and even in the going out section there was tracky bottoms and sports tops just maybe with a few sequins on them or a different cut at the neck.
No-Cod186@reddit
I’m a huge fan of Popsy as they last years and have fun patterns. They are true to size too which is great! I can’t stand the new trend of crop tops and beige too.
Unlucky_Swing7148@reddit
I’m going to plug P&Co
I’ve been shopping with them for years and by this point my wardrobe is essentially them, carhart and some other British brands. I’ve spent hundreds because all their stuff is super high quality, looks good and lasts a long time.
Cannot recommend enough
It’s obviously far more expensive than ASOS / Primark but you get what you pay for, it’s like comparing 1 ply corner shop bog roll to cushelle extra soft anal pamper 6 ply
Just my 2 pence
FolkyWanderer@reddit
I tried to buy some cords from m&s the other day, regular fit which is their most generous cut. They looked like skinny jeans! I mean I am a fat cunt, but still!
Ok-Advantage3180@reddit
I used to love browsing for clothes on those sights and could often find loads of things I wanted. In the last couple of years it’s all just boring and nothing that I would wear. Only places I now find things I like easily are Shein and TikTok shop
OkDrive6454@reddit
Yes, the quality for what you’re paying isn’t really worth it now.
Vinted all the way unless you’re buying undies, swimwear or gym gear
Silly-Canary-916@reddit
We are living in the world of Tik Tok influencer fashion. Just as with house decor the current trend for clothes is beige, bland boringness. Young women were queuing up round the streets at the weekend to buy a tracksuit that looked like something my grandad would have worn, it is part of some new line by Molly Mae and comes in a colour I would describe as new baby nappy brown
dfu05229@reddit
I feel this! I went shopping last week and didn’t see one thing I liked. Everything is a shade of grey or beige. I’d prefer to try things on before I buy them but were forced online now. Maybe time to learn how to make clothes?
I-am-Starlord@reddit
I love Lucy and Yak!
Thegrillman2233@reddit
Reiss is still great
concretepigeon@reddit
Yes. The quality of clothes generally is in decline and current trends are also pretty ugly.
Substantial_Disk_647@reddit
They are also just shit to shop in. H&M always has their changing rooms closed for no reason, there is never anyone on the tills and the self-service tills are fucking dreadful.
Zanki@reddit
I recommend shopping either in tight gym gear or wearing it under your regular clothes when this happens. That's how I shopped during the pandemic. I just tried stuff on in the isles.
Difficult_Falcon1022@reddit
Buy secondhand or from independent designers. ASOS and new look have always been boring. The odd good basic for sure but dull to browse and not much I'd call a statement piece.
Wednesdayspirit@reddit
Yeah, it’s all a strange fit and very cheap material too. I rarely go home with anything if I’m browsing in store.
LilacRose32@reddit
Sometimes what is fashionable and this, in the shops, doesn’t fit with what one likes.
Wait or opt for secondhand
fiendofecology@reddit
filter by brand, some brands on ASOS are decent. and honestly? filter by price, cut the cheap shit out, although stuff is usually overpriced, it’s better condition than things like ASOS design, new look, hm etc.
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