Chicken bald back

[Chortle Chook]

Is it just me or has the price of clothes suddenly shot up? I don't want to support child labour or other dubious practices by seeking out seemingly nice clothes at rock bottom prices from Primark, but I can't help but notice that companies I used to buy from are now well out of my reach. (I tend to buy online as I hate trying on clothes in shops). I used to treat myself with the odd annual luxury from Toast. Now there is no point me even opening their catalogues. Things that a couple of years ago were about £100 have suddenly become £300 +

[kinsk]

I agree. Had a walk round John Lewis last week and was amazed at the prices, came out empty handed as I just couldn't justify the cost, and if anything the quality is definitely poorer.

 

I used to do all mine online too but having ended up sending so many things back because the sizes are all to cock or when it turns up it looks cheap and nasty I've started venturing back into the shops.

 

I think next is the biggest culprit, their clothes used to be so reasonable and of a decent quality, I used to get most of my workwear from them, not anymore. If I had thousands I'd struggle to spend it with them.

[The Dogmother]

Another one who hates shopping. I tend only to buy in sales.

[kinsk]

Another one who hates shopping. I tend only to buy in sales.

 

Ooooh no!! I can't cope with sales! Everything is so messy and all over the place, I can't do Primark or TK Max for the same reason, it's like a bombs gone off at a jumble sale and you have to root around to find anything. It tries my patience digging out the right size on a rack of the same clothes!

[The Dogmother]

Oh, I don't dig around, just swing by, see what's there and buy what I need. I invariably shop online.

[karlotta]

My new favourite shop is Go Outdoors. Great stuff for walking and all sorts of other outdoor activities. Loads of great fleecy jumpers inc regatta for 6.99! I can't stand sales, but love that they have amazing discounts all the time!

[Chortle Chook]

Another one who has a horror of sales - crowds mess disorder I just don't do them

We have the Sue Ryder sales near me and every time there is one the roads all around are clogged up with cars but I've never managed to pluck up the courage to go.

For shopping my present favourite is The Celtic Co - outdoorsy too . It may not be the cheapest but the quality is superb.

[Olly]

I am seriously tempted to start making some of my own clothes again - I used to as a teenager, but then I found that either I didn't have enough time, or the cost of fabric was such that it wasn't worth it; that equation has probably changed now.

 

I don't buy clothes very often. About once a year I engage in the fruitless hunt for black trousers that fit on the hip and the waist, and if I find some then I buy two pairs. I buy t-shirts from M&S, and pick up cardigans/jackets at odd moments and usually in sales - my favourite shops are East and Monsoon. This year I actually bought three cardigans - a bit of a binge - and two pairs of trousers. I think everything else I have worn is stuff I already had from last year, I loathe clothes shopping. I pick things up at charity shops sometimes - my clothes expenditure is very low!

[Plum]

Shopping arghh. Just been to M&S to get some trousers, only place for my shape and height that fit and spent ages looking through loads of racks. Sizes were jumbled up and no tags on hangers saying length and shape, weren't any my size anyway. Got one pair in end and felt truly fed up. Rest of their stuff looks dull and nothing I wanted to buy!

 

No more shopping for me, I can only bare it if I have a friend with me and certainly not the old man.

 

I know why you can get stuff in sales DM it's all 8s and 10s not 18 and 20.

[The Dogmother]

I know why you can get stuff in sales DM it's all 8s and 10s not 18 and 20.

 

 

I subscribe to the Gap VIP Club and often get 30% vouchers to use across the entire range for the weekend. Their jeans fit me well so when I need some (only every couple of years) I go there and buy a couple of pairs at a third off.

[Alis girls]

DM - by "swing by" do you mean "Jane and Tarzan " style whipping some bargain out someones hands and shouting "aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa - mine" or is this a leisurely stroll. ( the aaaaaaaaaaaaa has to be done in Tarzan like manner)

[The Dogmother]

I whiz in, see if there's anything I am interested in - don't ever linger or sort through rails/piles - then buy or leave depending on the outcome.

 

If nothing immediately grabs my eye then I leave and don't waste any time.

[Alis girls]

Thats a relief - I hate clothes shopping - I think either I'm getting fatter or the material is poorer quality and shrinks. My OH (bless) would say the former

[kinsk]

I whiz in, see if there's anything I am interested in - don't ever linger or sort through rails/piles - then buy or leave depending on the outcome.

 

If nothing immediately grabs my eye then I leave and don't waste any time.

 

That's me, OH and my Mother often question how I can declare "there's nothing" after barely stepping foot in a shop!

[The Dogmother]

I call it the intuition of a busy woman/parent

 

I can glance around an antiques fair or reclamation centre and know if there's 'owt to be had; Phil spends hours there Economy of time is my motto

[Chortle Chook]

Reminds me of a friend of mine who reckons that 'purchases per hour' is the only measure she uses. She is a slightly odd, rather tryangular, shape (reverse pear) so I guess she probably has a point

[Charlottechicken]

Another clothes shopping hater here It's been so long since I ventured into a proper clothes shop though, I've no idea of the prices. Although I did notice a parka in Tesco was £35, which I thought was a bit steep for a supermarket.

 

I've recently discovered Cotton Traders jeans, after I found a pair on the pound rail at my local charity shop, so have just managed to bag a new with labels pair on ebay for less than £8. They are generally high rise and fit waist and hips, woohoo! I look forward to my Saturday root through the charity shop cheap rails, and normally find the stuff is good quality, good brands and fits properly, probably because it is a couple of years old! I don't mind the rooting around as there are generally not many other folk in there and I'll only be asked to part with a pound at the most!

 

I am going to venture into Brum tomorrow and attempt Primark as I'm looking for a parka, not looking forward to it The Brum Primark is one of those which tends to look like an explosion in a fabric factory With Primark, if your local is a 'floordrobe' shop, have a look in a neaby smaller town when you are out and about. The Redditch branch is so genteel in comparison to Brum!

[Cinnamon]

Reading Primark is always an experience.

In fact I have stopped returning things that don't fit now,because I hate going there so much.......there was a fight on my last visit

But I do like clothes shopping,except for jeans & swimwear that is.

Being a larger size I can only shop in a few places,so I tend to do a fair bit of mail order too.

The teen daughters like a good poke around H&M though,& it is fabulous for really trendy stuff that won't bankrupt you

[craftyhunnypie]

I like clothes shopping, but tend to buy more practical stuff these days & jolly it up with accessories. It's not easy having glam stuff living where I do. So I don't buy it any more, unless I truly need something glam for a very special occassion, as it doesn't get worn very much. I doll myself up in other ways - earrings are my best friend! Oh & I absolutely love hats! Nail polish is a love of mine too ( I wear rubber gloves doing the animals).

I spend most time in wellies, unless I'm going into Aber. I tend to buy good shoes & boots that will last me.

I do think the price of clothing basics has really gone up.

Emma.x

[Cheeky Chooky]

This thread is really making me I too hate clothes shopping and agree with so many of the comments I've read

[karlotta]

There are some great jeans in next at the mo, they aren't very cheap but are quite high waisted and fit great and are touted as 'lift, slim and shape'. They look great even on my ample derrière!

[Lavenders_Blue]

This thread has made me feel very normal, I also hate clothes shopping I am another who tends to do a lot of shopping online - I can try it all on in the comfort of my own home and send back whatever I don't like. I avoid sales like the plague - except for online of course! I tend to do one or two shops a year and make clothes last as long as possible as I find it so difficult to find clothes that I like/fit me/suit me/go with other things I already own. I mostly tend to live in my dog/chicken clothes though!

[Mercedes55]

I also hate shopping but it's that time of year now when I need to update my Winter wardrobe so I've bought a few things. I tend to use Next and as I buy from their Petite range and they don't stock the whole range in my local store I usually order stuff to be collected instore to save on the p&p. Last night I had to take 4 things back, pick up 3 things, tonight I need to go back to take those 3 things back and wait till next week to pick up some more stuff. OH get's really fed up of it

 

I can't handle shops like Primark or TK Maxx as the mess does my head in and I can never find anything

[freddie]

Primark is fine if you go 1st thing, as the majority haven't been in to mess it up!!

I've bought a really nice imitation Joules top from ... Sainsburys!! Dk blue with lighter blue spots!! washes well, hasn't shrunk £16. Bargain!! There trews and jeans aren't bad either, and they open late/early, so it doesn't have to be a bun fight.

local feed merchants stock bits as well, but rather horsey stuff, and a bit expensive for me, the tight wad!

I hate clothes shopping. It shows too

[Charlottechicken]

I am shocked, I've just come back from Brum and managed to buy exactly what I wanted

 

Got a lovely padded parka, with hood and detachable fur bit, with belt, in khaki, length just right at about 30 inches from shoulder so covers my bottom, Primark £18

 

Thank goodness!