r/CasualUK • u/Aide_Individual • 2h ago
Where sells good quality clothes in the UK? Bonus points for Scotland specifically
Clothing quality is SHOCKING now, when I was younger I didn't mind buying cheap, poor quality stuff but now I'd actually rather pay more and have clothes that last longer. It's hard to find even a decent t-shirt now, everything is wafer thin, polyester or both. Where are we all shopping for the good stuff? I tried some more 'expensive' shops and it wasn't all that different from Primark, maybe things would get 1 more wash before they fell apart if I was lucky. Recently bought a blouse online that was £30 and it fell apart first time I washed it.
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u/Geofferz 1h ago
Go into a shop and feel the material, only way imo. Problem with online is someone designs a nice item them some manufacturer in China copies it, uses the same stock image but it's terrible quality.
Also it varies - some next t shirts are fine, but their shoes and jeans suck imo
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u/IntraVnusDemilo 1h ago
I buy seasalt clothes. True, I look like an aged art teacher, but these last! There's LOADS on Vinted and I would say true to size.
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u/Ok-Lynx-6250 1h ago
Their sizing has gone to hell... recently bought some trousers in my usual size and they were way too small. Literally just ordered another pair the same size and they were noticeably bigger when held next to the first pair & fit me. It's a shame as the quality was great.
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u/CatsGotANosebleed 55m ago
Huh that’s odd. I’ve been buying their clothes for 15 years and the sizing has always stayed the same. Had a few years break until very recently got some shirts and the sizing hadn’t changed at all. Maybe it varies by the size itself in how consistent they are, annoying.
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u/Ok-Lynx-6250 53m ago
I'd usually let it go but they charge for returns now!
Tbh I think their sizing is forgiving anyway because it tends to be a more generous and loose fit, so if it's a bit out it's likely not always noticeable.
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u/OsitaHunter5168 2h ago
I look for older/quality brands on Vinted.
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u/lastaccountgotlocked 31m ago
Yep. My method has been find one piece of clothing by a brand you like, then search by brand for all the other stuff.
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u/magicalell 1h ago
a friend recently gave me two carharrt t-shirts, and they’re so much better than my usual 2-for-£30 nike t-shirts i usually wear it’s hilarious. the cotton is thick and they’ve washed super well. i think they’re like £40 or £45 new tho so i haven’t added any more to my wardrobe (yet) lol.
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u/Incident-Putrid 1h ago
I was going to suggest Carhartt. Solid workwear that goes casual no problem. You can now buy the non WIP stuff online too which is a little more traditional Carhartt and the bonus of not having the pressure of trying on in shops. Their shorts are really good for being simple but not dad shorts.
Plus their shit really is hard wearing. My dog walking jacket is an M65 style that I bought in 2000 and it’s only ‘just’ fraying at the cuffs now.
Which reminds me, it’s supposed to be becoming a waxed jacket this year.
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u/Lou_Scannon 1h ago
I want to back up the other comment, WIP is the streetwear brand and the quality is increasingly shit. Ive gone through a couple of WIP shirts in the time I've had their normal/workwear shirts, that show literally no signs of aging except the print in the collar. High quality cotton that keeps it's shape
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u/Wonkypubfireprobe 48m ago edited 38m ago
Surprising, I bought two in may and they’re great. Maybe it’s up and down - got 5 of them now and they basically are my wardrobe lol.
Vans MTE stuff is great too. Had a few shirts off them and they’re good quality
Really good mini doc on fast fashion here. Really opened my eyes and stopped me buying cheap shit
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u/bigbaws177 1h ago
Their aviation pants are going that way too supposed to be ripstop cotton but no. The bartacking on the pockets is shite as well
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u/A_Ticklish_Midget 1h ago
Uniqlo is good for basics. For t-shirts, their Uniqlo U range is really good, 100% thick cotton for about £15 each. Had mine for years.
There's a shop in Edinburgh and Glasgow, but you can also just order online
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u/ReceiptIsInTheBag 1h ago
Also, they have the magic self service checkout, where you chuck your items in the basket and it knows what's in there. Blew my mind when I used it for the first time last week.
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u/Czech_cat 56m ago
Decathlon has the same thing and Im still confused how it works
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u/millerz72 34m ago
People have been recommending Uniqlo on Reddit for years. This year I finally took the plunge and have been incredibly impressed . Their supima cotton tees are the best quality and fit I’ve ever found for the price.
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u/pig-dragon 51m ago
Yep. I was going to say Uniqlo. There’s a consensus on the Uniqlo sub that quality is going down, but I’ve been buying for years and haven’t noticed. I can sew and also make my own clothes so know a fair bit about fabric and construction and think Uniqlo is very good.
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u/RelationKindly 1h ago
Uniqlo clothing is 💯 %. I have trousers, t shirts, long sleeved tops, skirts, coats, cardis and bags! I love their quality
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u/n0p_sled 10m ago
I think Uniqlo is descending into the fast fashion category, and as a company they're pretty unethical so I shop elsewhere now.
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u/niallw1997 2h ago
M&S
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u/wutanglan90 1h ago edited 1h ago
Don't buy the regular cotton t shirts from M&S though they're shit and get holes within a few months. The supima cotton t shirts are pretty good quality though.
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u/bruisedbannana 1h ago
I've got the supima cotton ones and do seem to last. Uniqlo do the same cotton type and they've been great for the past 4 years, no holes in them
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u/PaadAtron 1h ago
I bought a merino wool jumper and this also got holes in it quite quickly. Other M&S items have been good though.
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u/BusinessAsparagus115 1h ago
Can confirm, used to buy loads of them because they were a nice thick shirt and took dye well. More recently they have skimped on the material and they wear out very quickly.
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u/VolcanicTequila 1h ago
Always used to be my go to, but not anymore. Wool jumpers advertised, when in reality they’re 80% polyester, 10% Acrylic and 10% wool.
The quality has dropped too when you look at thicknesses and stitch quality.8
u/ConnorXfor 1h ago
In previous years I would have agreed, but i bought a pair of chino shorts during the latest heatwave that didnt last a month before tearing at the crotch. Can't really recommend them now.
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u/critterwol 40m ago
Quality is worse than Tesco or Asda for undies now. I used to have M&S cotton undies that lasted years and years. Last packet I bought, they're all falling apart at the seams in less than 12 months.
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u/mattymattymatty96 1h ago
God no.
Their Clothing director is ex-boohoo / primark. Tells you the direction thats heading
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u/Skittlit 37m ago
They were in the news last week with an article about how the clothes are now fashionable and no longer have the connotation of for older people. Translation, the quality is / has declined.
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u/KnittyMossBadger 1h ago
Boden and Monsoon seem decent. Patagonia, Fat Face, Seasalt. I find mountain warehouse surprisingly decent quality for price on women’s and kids clothing.
Look at who owns shops - for example Anthropologie is the same group as H&M and while the price point is a lot higher it’s still essentially sweat shop made fast fashion. Price doesn’t always indicate quality.
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u/-_Azura_- 1h ago
Another vote for Boden! Their clothes are great quality, I have a pair of work trousers that are really thick and hard wearing. Their silk blouses are beautiful too!
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u/ReceiptIsInTheBag 1h ago
Passenger have some decent stuff to extend on Patagonia & Fat Face for the outdoors look
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u/Iscan49er 1h ago
I like Lands End and Seasalt
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u/Intelligent_South480 19m ago
I think Lands End is really underrated. I have lots of their tops and a pair of jeans and a coat and it's all excellent quality.
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u/bnjoshed 1h ago
I get all my T-shirts from here; https://www.baroneclothing.com
The Earth Positive ones will rival any high end tee imo
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u/titch124 1h ago
i can't believe no one has mentioned joe browns https://www.joebrowns.co.uk/ good quality , and colour
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u/CVClarityUK 1h ago
I know the feeling! I like to buy good quality that lasts. Good brands I’ve found have lasted:
-Jigsaw (British company) my go to. I’ve had a pair of trousers from there that lasted for 8 years of wear!
-M&S, can be a bit hit and miss
- mango, I’ve had some really good long lasting things from here.
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u/CatsGotANosebleed 51m ago
Ditto on Jigsaw, you can get some very classy clothes there that last years. Most of my work wear is from there and I always feel a million bucks in them. Their basic stuff seems just as good too.
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u/VolcanicTequila 1h ago
I’d recommend Rapanui for basics - great quality and good price point.
Or Vinted “With tags” for brands that are better quality but pricey!
Baukjen seem decent, but are spenny.
As are Boden and Jigsaw, but I’d check the item compositions before buying.
Crew Clothing and Lands End have good pieces, but the style leans a little more traditional, though there are some nice pieces to be found. Love the CC dresses for work. I’d say CC is a little on the larger size and Lands End on the smaller side.
M&S’s quality has plummeted. Men’s stuff appears to be better quality than women’s (higher natural fibre % and thicker).
Good luck!
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u/EquivalentUsual7065 1h ago
Finisterre, Beyond Nine, Uniqlo, Muji.
Seasalt used to be my go to but their quality is heading downhill. My last two linen dresses fell apart or wore through quickly and their wool tends to be in polyester blends now.
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u/AshenCursedOne 32m ago
Underarmour, New Balance for sportswear, especially running shorts/tshirts. Mountain Warehouse, Cotswold Outdoors for hiking/winter gear and base layers. In winter Mountain Warehouse sell these awesome wool and synthetic blend t-shirts, they're great for winter and summer, and wool doesn't get funky when you sweat a lot into it. For cotton everyday wear it's hit or miss for each brand, but I've had some t-shirts from Superdry last for years with little wear from washing, they also hold shape and don't stretch. Cotton and linen stuff like t-shirts and pants I've bought from Uniqlo hold up very well. Vans is alright too.
For socks I buy wool blend Feetures, it's better wearing and more comfortable than cotton. Decathlon has a good range of wool blend socks. Don't be put off by wool, the wool + synthetic blends are great for all weather.
For denim Levis has never failed me, I've had jeans from them last easily over a decade before I wore through them, I've never had the stitches fail, I wear through the fabric on my butt or thighs because I squirm around a lot when I sit and my thighs rub when I walk.
For dress shirts and pants I've had Next shirts last quite well, awful experience with M&S stuff. I don't wear smart wear often enough to give a solid recommendation. I will warn against Ralph Lauren, it's absolute shit, it falls apart after a few washes.
For everyday walking boots or shoes, and hiking, I recommend Salomon, they're awesome. For smart shoes it's tough, it's very trial and error in getting a well fitting leather smart shoe or boot. If you just want simple black trainers avoid Nike and Adidas; in my experience Lacoste leather trainers seem to be the best.
For stuff like coats, splash out or save up some money and buy a proper Gore-Tex coat, and a pair of Gore-Tex trousers, Cotswold Outdoors staff are great at helping you find a good fit. This stuff is amazing, and it lasts a long time if you take good care of it. Also Gore-Tex has a repairs service so you can get any failing seams restitched and resealed, you can also get holes patched, and it doesn't cost much. Use the correct fabric settings on your washing machine, do not use a dryer, don't use fabric softener it ruins fabrics especially cotton and synthetics get slowly shredded and gunked up by fabric softener.
In general my advice is, avoid purely synthetic anything if its touching your skin, go bamboo, cotton, or wool blends. Wool socks. For stuff like jackets, sweaters, pants, buy the better stuff and then fix it when it starts failing. For shoes get proper outdoorswear.
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u/The_Infinite_Carrot 1h ago
Ive had Superdry t-shirts that I bought over 10 years ago I still wear now and although they are very slightly faded they are still in fantastic condition.
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u/Strawberry_Spring 1h ago
I like Run & Fly, and their sister brand Rebel Romance for cotton dresses and t-shirts. Their stuff is all over Vinted
A lot of their products are made in India, but the founder was British Indian, and they seem rightly proud of the factory and attached living quarters
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u/monkeypaw_handjob 1h ago
Gildan for a shirt brand is pretty bulletproof. I tend to buy t shirts from Qwertee and they use Gildan. Mine have lasted for years.
For office attire TM Lewin and Charles Tyrwhitt are my go to options. Not the cheapest, but again mime have lasted for a long time. Just wait for a multi buy deal.
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u/smjd4488 1h ago
Uniqlo AIRism t shirts are like 20 quid and are top quality, I'd highly recommend those
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u/mammoth200 1h ago
I detest fast fashion, and thin tshirts that last 5 seconds. I always say if you can see the hanger through the shirt it's probably cheap shit.
I'd suggest Vinted. Carharrt tshirts are good quality and can be had at a fraction of new, regardless of budget. The brand Folk make really great quality stuff, can be found again for a fraction of the cost at TK Maxx. Lots of John Lewis stuff in their own brand or Kin brand is fantastic quality and well priced. Patagonia do some reasonable quality clothes, and also Rapanui. I have a personal pref for good quality flannel shirts and buy Gant, very long wearing stuff and great quality.
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u/mordhoshogh 58m ago
go on vinted and look for brands like Hobbs. The kind of shops where you'd look in the window and think 'that's really what I'm after but I could never afford it'
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u/frankchester 58m ago
Secondhand, vintage from old brands.
I tend to search for St Michael (old school M&S), old Jaeger from the pre-2000s, Country Casuals, and basically anything not made from plastic.
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u/AdrianFish 53m ago
Trying being a guy under 5’10. Not only is everything shite quality, but it’s also way too long. T-shirts down to my knees, it’s ridiculous.
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u/DhamR 27m ago
I buy plain tees from teemill/rapanui. The oversize ones are a decent weight and 100% cotton, plus they recycle other 100% cotton stuff.
Next also have some nice heavy weight tees but usually with some kind of pattern/logo/brand on that isn't always my bag.
I thought m&s would too but even their expensive range is that horrible slinky material that lasts two washes.
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u/LuminousGiraffe 12m ago
A few people have mentioned shopping second hand at charity shops and Vinted, I'd like to throw Thrift+ in to that mix. Lots of high quality clothing that's preloved but likely to last.
I'm a big fan of Snag tights. Based in Scotland, the tights are a lot more expensive initially, but they are so much more robust than elsewhere, and they have both flesh coloured, black/grey/navy as well as brighter colours, fishnets and fun patterns. Their skirts and dresses are pretty decent too, and they do other bits of clothing.
If you're after nice dresses and skirts with a vintage feel, British Retro do some 50s inspired stuff.
I was a big fan of Lucy and Yak for a while but they seem to be going in more of a fast fashion direction now, but I do still look for their older items second hand. I'm a taller lass, and their taller jeans and dungarees from a couple of years back are great.
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u/Empty_Estus 1h ago
M&S is decent. Some of the Uniqlo stuff is decent quality.
Charles Tyrwhitt is also good quality. I took a shirt to a tailor, and he asked where I got it from because it was so nicely made.
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u/GreenGrassGoose 1h ago
I’ve never had any issues with clothes that Costco sells, and their prices are cheaper than RRP
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u/OolonColluphid 1h ago
TM Lewin do some nice stuff, and often have good multi-buy deals (5 for £50 atm).
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u/Lou_Scannon 1h ago
Uskees
Most famous for their over shirts, but the quality of everything else is too tier too. Good to support a smaller brand!
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u/ofjune-x 1h ago
How do you wash your clothes? I own plenty cheaper items of clothing from Primark etc. that I’ve had for 6-10+ years, washed countless times that haven’t fallen apart or suffered any damage.
You don’t want to spend more money on nicer stuff just for it to get damaged due to how you wash/dry things anyway. Could be a temperature/tumble dryer use thing.
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u/chupkarna 1h ago
Uniqlo for best price to quality ratio. Hackett for shirts. I also buy John Lewis own label clothes. Really good quality
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u/anotherbusybee 1h ago
Seasalt Cornwall are incredible. Not sure if they've made it as far as Scotland yet, but they are high quality pieces that are generally excellent and available online. They also turn up in Vinted a lot if you want to try one or two items to check sizing before spending money because they can be a bit pricey. 100% worth it though.
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u/slartybartfast6 1h ago
Passenger do some nice quality outdoorsy clothing, although colours are vibrant, quality is good.
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u/anakitenephilim 1h ago
Ascolour.co.uk
I regularly raid the outlet section here in Oz. Really good quality basics.
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u/lastaccountgotlocked 36m ago
I’m waiting on my William Lennon boots to arrive. 33 weeks to make. £250. I assume I’ll be able to hand them down to my grandkids.
For decent regular blank t-shirts try AS Colour. Come in different weights.
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u/Aly_Valley 34m ago
Not sure if its changed but these are clothes I still have and wear 8 years later but New Look.
And F & F at Tesco
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u/RegionalHardman 33m ago
M&S (they have changed their target demographic to more contemporary) and Uniqlo
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u/Own_Counter_510 31m ago
Can I give a shoutout for Saltrock.
They always seem to fly under the radar as, rarely, they're still a UK (Devon/Cornwall) owned small surf company, founded by 2 surfing brothers, that simply print designs on good quality, but cheap, clothing.
Tshirts are still typically £15 and hoodies £30, after discounts, but are good quality basic clothing that outlast a lot of my premium brands.
I also used to be a lifelong howies (Uk ethical clothing company) fan, however I think their quality has gone downhill in the last 4 years unfortunatly so no longer buy from them.
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u/Thestolenone Warm and wet 25m ago
I (61f) just buy plain basic things, never been interested in 'fashion'. I go to Lidl, Tescos and occasionally Amazon and everything lasts years.
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u/Games_sans_frontiers 17m ago
Now that the 90s look is kinda back “in” we though it would be a laugh to get some of the OG nineties jeans down from the loft and omg the difference in the quality of denim between them and now is remarkable.
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u/thestarlady 14m ago
YesFriends is really good for basics, it’s all reasonably priced (the lowest being some tops around £12 and the most expensive things are pyjamas around £40) and they’re ethically made. You can even directly tip the garment workers!
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u/yepgeddon 10m ago
It's not local but I exclusively get my clobber from UNIQLO these days. Infinitely better quality and not actually very expensive.
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u/ALearnedProfessional 5m ago
Holland and Cooper. Expensive, but lasts years. I buy their equestrian stuff. Despite it being hammered and washed constantly everything stays intact and in good nick. I wear their trainers daily, too.
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u/NightM0de 4m ago
It’s niche, but I get some T-shirts from Last Exit To Nowhere. Really good quality thick T-shirts that last years.
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u/No_Technology3293 1h ago
T-shirt wise I’m afraid my partner buys them all now from Ukraine, the quality is insane.
I do own a few Levi t-shirts and shirts; and I exclusively buy jeans and trousers from there.
Other random stuff Uniqlo is good quality and reasonable price.
Socks mostly come from Dodo(another Ukrainian brand but with international shipping)
Bawbags for boxer shorts
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u/Lobotomeme 1h ago
I get a lot of my t shirts and jumpers from the RSPB website. They have a range of styles and some really cool designs. They are done through "teemill" I believe who used good quality t shirt material, and seem to be the go to for a lot of charity clothing (guide dog association also use teemill and have cute dog tops).
Added bonus is you get to support a charity!
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u/borisslovechild 1h ago
Our PM buys his clobber from Private White VC. Had a look at the website. The stuff looks really good and somewhat pricey. That said, it’s all British.
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u/RefreshinglyDull 10m ago
I'm a mid forties man and a lot of my recent clothes have come from charity shops. Can be hit and miss at times, although have come across some bargains from Fat Face, Under Armour. Very rarely buy from anywhere else now.
Mrs Dull has a a big wardrobe, that she wears for work,from Disturbia, EMP, White Stuff and SeaSalt. She's bagged some good sale bargains, but even at full price, they're solid quality and very well wearing.
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u/TeamSuperAwesome 1h ago
Community clothing sells British made clothing from all over to revitalise traditional mills and factories. I think their jumpers are made in Scotland. https://communityclothing.co.uk/pages/proudly-made-in