Clothing

[DynamicSpirit]

Here's a different subject to discuss for anyone interested... Where do people buy clothes from? And in particular, how do find stuff that lasts?

It seems very clear to me that the durability of clothes sold in most high street shops has declined dramatically over the last 10 years (I'm guessing that's because shops have been aggressively competing on price, and quality/durability has suffered as a result).

I have shirts that are 10 years old, have seen lots of use, but are still in good condition, look nice (to my eyes anyway ) and are very wearable. And I have other shirts etc. that are 6 months old, have been treated no differently, but are already looking tatty or with holes in. (And before anyone asks, yes, I am careful to follow washing instructions etc.) As far as I can see there seems to be no way to tell whether something that looks very good on the display racks in the shops is actually going to last more than a month or so - and for that reason I'm becoming increasingly reluctant to buy clothes from anywhere even when I see something I really like. A situation that is clearly not sustainable in the long term

How do you all cope with this? Anyone got any strategies for finding stuff that looks fashionable AND is going to last? Anyone know of any shops that sell clothes that really are good quality (as opposed to merely looking lovely in the shop but will probably disintegrate just long enough after purchase that you'd feel silly returning it ?)

 

[Lrd]

This might be me getting old but I've started to buy from M&S, they do some good shirts that last long enough, look alright and are reasonably priced.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I find Gap stuff tends to last well, especially their jeans, which I find almost indestructible (and I'm very hard-wearing on jeans). Cotton Traders shirts also tend to last pretty well, though whether they count as fashionable or not I wouldn't want to say.

I used to include M&S in this, but truthfully some of the jumpers I've got recently from M&S have disintegrated faster than jumpers I've got from Primark. Same with M&S boxers, which don't seem to last as well as Primark boxers.

T'missus just gets her stuff from Collectif in Camden if that helps

 

[TheEdge]

When it comes to clothes I must quote the esteemed J. Clarkson Esq.

So, the upshot is, I don’t care about clothes, I have no interest in clothes. I don’t know what goes with what and reckon that if you can’t see my genitals, I’m well dressed.

Peacocks/George at ASDA for cheap and normal stuff. Next if I want something a bit nicer.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Most of my t-shirts are bought from the merch stands at gigs. Formal dress isn't something I feel comfortable in. In terms of durability Tesco and Primark are no worse than places that charge twice as much. There is the ethical issue with Primark but there's no guarantee that a garment costing £50 will be produced in better conditions than one costing £12.

 

[507021]

Generally, I buy most of my t-shirts, shirts, jackets and hoodies from charity shops, because I've bought some really good clothes from them and they've cost a lot less than if I bought them when they were new. As well as that, the money goes to a good cause. One of the best things I've bought from a charity shop was a pair of Converse trainers that had never been worn, which I bought for just £5 from Oxfam last year. I couldn't believe how much they were compared to if I bought them brand new from a retailer.

When I do buy new clothes, they are usually from Next, TJ Hughes or the Littlewoods catalogue. I bought my last suit from TJ Hughes around ten years ago, and it's still in very good condition and most importantly, it still fits comfortably.

 

[Nym]

Everyday wear I tend to buy from the likes of Dickies Outlet Store or Screwfix, not buying the cheap stuff. Posh stuff M&S seems to be holding up alright at the moment.

 

[EM2]

Another vote for charity shops or retro/vintage shops, especially for shirts. I got a hardly-worn Hugo Boss shirt for £5 from Rokit in Brick Lane, as an example.
For 'everyday' jeans and t-shirts etc., I've never had a problem with Primark.
For suits, I find TKMaxx good value and well-fitting.

 

[GatwickDepress]

Most of my outfits come from F&F at Tesco (20% employee discount yay), Primark, or TK Maxx. Plus charity shops of course, even though I no longer live down the road from one.

The designer clothing I buy tends to be from the likes of Shukr and Verona Collection.

 

[Howardh]

Decathlon.

I just wear sporty stuff around the house, out and about....

Afflicks Palace in Manchester is great for anything form odds and sods through to retro to outlandish gear

Any trannies on here, where do you shop?? Marks and Spencers used to be good for tights and stockings, but is rubbish now. Nice wine though.

 

[Busaholic]

Any trannies on here, where do you shop?? Marks and Spencers used to be good for tights and stockings, but is rubbish now. Nice wine though.

Some real women do wear these items as well, although few of my acquaintance.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I find Gap stuff tends to last well, especially their jeans, which I find almost indestructible (and I'm very hard-wearing on jeans). Cotton Traders shirts also tend to last pretty well, though whether they count as fashionable or not I wouldn't want to say.

I used to include M&S in this, but truthfully some of the jumpers I've got recently from M&S have disintegrated faster than jumpers I've got from Primark. Same with M&S boxers, which don't seem to last as well as Primark boxers.

That's my experience too. I used to regard M+S as solid and good quality, albeit often a little on the plain side for my tastes. But then I had an M+S jumper wear out rather quickly a year or so ago. And although I'd been pondering starting a thread like this for a while, the thing that finally prompted me to do so today was the discovery of a hole in my M+S underwear that's barely a month old (Autograph-branded too - their expensive, supposedly quality, line). So M&S is now in my 'be very wary' mental list

 

[Bevan Price]

Many of my shirts used to come from street market stalls - they wore much better than some of the "big name" brands. More recently- TJ Hughes, Primark, Peacock. A few of my (summer only) short-sleeve shirts must be over 40 years old. Coats & trousers - Hughes, Primark, or occasionally Greenwoods or TK MAXX.

Recently, my main problem has been finding decent hard wearing socks. Wool/nylon blend socks from Littlewoods used to last for ages, but are no longer available since they shut all their shops. Tried numerous types / brands recently, from a range of shops, but they all seem to develop holes after just 2-3 days of wear. Some of the "thicker / heavier" grades of sock are a little better, but are much too hot in summer.

 

[Cowley]

I go for the Lumbersexual look. Jeans, steel toecap boots, t shirt and chainsaw. Mostly bought from the Tool Station catalogue (chainsaw from Radmore and Tucker though).
I'm usually covered in paint so there's no point spending too much money on stuff, but I do have some nice clothes that I wear after I've got the paint off and if I'm taking Mrs C out for dinner somewhere that you're not allowed to take chainsaws (luckily that's not too many places around here).
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Recently, my main problem has been finding decent hard wearing socks. Wool/nylon blend socks from Littlewoods used to last for ages, but are no longer available since they shut all their shops. Tried numerous types / brands recently, from a range of shops, but they all seem to develop holes after just 2-3 days of wear. Some of the "thicker / heavier" grades of sock are a little better, but are much too hot in summer.

I know what you mean about socks, I go through them really quickly, I tried some bamboo ones in June and they didn't even last until the end of summer!

 

[Strathclyder]

Lately, I've been getting a good chunk of my shirts/underwear/socks from George/ASDA & charity shops. Cheap, comfortable, practical and long-lasting more often than not. Due to how long each pair has lasted, I rarely buy trousers (jeans being my trouser type of choice), but I normally buy them out of Primark when I do feel the need. Cheap, robust, comfortable & stylish.

Also, I sometimes treat myself to higher-end brands if the money is there, like Emporio Armani etc.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I go for the Lumbersexual look. Jeans, steel toecap boots, t shirt and chainsaw. Mostly bought from the Tool Station catalogue (chainsaw from Radmore and Tucker though).
I'm usually covered in paint so there's no point spending too much money on stuff, but I do have some nice clothes that I wear after I've got the paint off and if I'm taking Mrs C out for dinner somewhere that you're not allowed to take chainsaws (luckily that's not too many places around here).

lol, I must remember to look you up if I ever need any security backup.

 

[SteveP29]

Most of my t-shirts are bought from the merch stands at gigs.

Same here with additional purchases from thew band's website.

Work clothes (shirt/ tie and trousers) come from Matalan, cheap and long lasting.

Always wear Wrangler Texas jeans, difficult to get hold of but www.jeanstore.co.uk are my goto supplier

 

[pdq]

If I had the money, I could buy everything from Debenhams. Current jeans are Sainsbury's, most work clothes from Next or Debenhams.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

I agree that socks don't seem to last very well. I also find that any type of clothing bought nowadays does not last nearly as well or as long and stuff that I have bought a long time ago. I still have a number of pullovers that are over 30 years old ago, they still fit and are not threadbare or have those pilling balls, whereas some newer knitwear can looks shabby much quicker.

I do use a firm in Leicester that does make knitwear here in Great Britain and their stuff is great. I also get some clothes from charity shops and surplus shops, the prices and quality are usually very good in those establishments.

I also prefer proper wool Pullovers & Jerseys rather than fleeces. I like lumberjack shirts padded and un-padded too.

 

[Clip]

End clothing in Newcastle, House of Fraser, John Lewis mostly as they have nice ranges.

 

[Clip]

I agree that socks don't seem to last very well. I also find that any type of clothing bought nowadays does not last nearly as well or as long and stuff that I have bought a long time ago. I still have a number of pullovers that are over 30 years old ago, they still fit and are not threadbare or have those pilling balls, whereas some newer knitwear can looks shabby much quicker.

.

You need to shop somewhere else for your socks then. Try Trickett, the sock council or happy Socks for socks that last.

 

[DynamicSpirit]

I've just received a marketing email from Virgin East Coast with the subject line, <my name>, you're better than socks. In the light of some of the discussion on this thread, perhaps that's not actually saying very much

 

[fowler9]

I buy Cragghoppers trousers. They are hard wearing and tend to look good, not exactly fashionable but they are comfortable, dry quickly and look better than a similar priced pair of jeans. T shirts come courtesy of gigs I have been to or sports team shops I have visited in Europe (Good quality and not the prices you pay in the UK). I normally buy DC shoes trainers which seem to last an average of 6 - 9 months before you start thinking of buying another pair (I try to have two pairs on the go at all times). Work stuff like trousers and shirts I buy anywhere for as cheap as I can. I would like a pair of work shoes that don't fall apart in 6 months though.

Oh and my latest jacket is a black Helly Hansen one, it looks nice but isn't as warm as my previous Cragghoppers one (Which was to be honest a bit too warm for me in the UK).

When I was younger I always wore army surplus Combat Kecks as they were comfortable and looked the part as a metalhead. As I got older I started wearing jeans and then binned them off. It is hard to find a pair that fit well and if you do the minute it rains they are uncomfortable, heavy, and take a lifetime to dry. Hence moving to Cragghoppers since I can afford them. There are lots of other brands but the tend to be even more pricey.

 

[telstarbox]

I've found H&M and Uniqlo do stuff which lasts a long time but isn't too expensive. Still some good bargains on eBay for second hand jackets too if you're in the right place at the right time.

 

[Busaholic]

The only items I've ever bought in Primark were some socks for myself. I'd gone to stay at my sister's and had forgotten to pack any, so next morning as Croydon was my first port of call I got off the tram there and they were the first clothes shop I happened upon. Two minutes were long enough to select a pack, pay and get out, the 'music' not being to my taste. When I tried to try a pair on later I found it impossible to do so; although I'd bought the alleged large size, they would not fit over my ankles without such force as to make any elastic inoperable. My sister was asked to donate the remaining pairs to someone she didn't like.

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

You need to shop somewhere else for your socks then. Try Trickett, the sock council or happy Socks for socks that last.

Thank you for the tip of suppliers to try for decent socks.

 

[Clip]

Thank you for the tip of suppliers to try for decent socks.

You are more than welcome. I do love socks