Wednesday 11 March 2015

The Great Jumper Debate

So if you're a regular reader of my blog, you may well know already that I'm always checking the fibre composition labels of a garment before purchasing.  I blame my Mum, she taught me at a young age what to look for and what would be worthy of my pennies.  It will now come as a shock then to show that I too ignore my own self imposed 'rules' in the face of a bargain.  I hold my hands firmly up.  Just before Christmas I saw this navy jumper in Gap for a whole £11.99.  It had a sparkly neckline, fitted well and I just really really liked it.  I briefly checked the label, saw there was a little wool (25%) but also 46% nylon and 29% acrylic.  I however chose to bypass the fact it really didn't tick my natural material box and purchased it.  After one wear and one hand wash, it looked like it was fit for the rag bag bin.  I nearly returned it but I thought maybe another few goes may change it (I'm not sure what planet I was on at this point).  Um, nope, even tattier.  Gap have been great in returning it however it's a big slap in the face and firm reminder I must stick to my guns.  Despite looking great on, despite the very good price tag, 2-3 wears is just not good enough.  (Please note, this is not me saying that Gap aren't good enough - I shop there a lot, just that this combination of materials really doesn't work for an item).




So back to my comfort zone - some cashmere.  This was ordered online from Next at the start of January (and finally arrived) with the intention of spending some birthday money on it.  It was only £39 from over £110, grey, cashmere and a hoody - bonus!  Luckily as I have now spent all my birthday money, it came up large.  I know the style is meant to be loose but this hung off my body and was very long in the sleeve.  Quality was amazing for £39 though.  There is currently a size 12 left.  Go to the clearance section, Womens, then type Cashmere in the item description box under the "Search by Keyword" section. Always worth checking back as sizes come in and out of stock.  The pink and navy are £55 for some reason though. 


On a recent trip to London I had a quick browse around & Other Stories as it's the only store in the UK.  Yes, for those with really good memories I was doing my version of dry February (no shopping), it was going well until that Saturday.  But it was the 28th so the last day of the month, I wouldn't call that a major fail, what's one day?  For research purposes naturally, I saw this jumper and thought I should road test their quality.  Merino wool and what I would call an animal 'ish' print - not a lot not to love.  At £45 it was more than I would normally spend however based on the navy jumper above I figured if I wore it 10 times and it still looked good then thats £4.50 per wear - I expect it to last a lot longer than 10 washes though, will keep you posted.  



Their 'Confetti' jumper!
I also popped into Cos and saw this lovely breton top with silk bottom half.  I loved it but had already purchased the above so I refrained - I know, I'm proud too.  This may have to be this months purchase but I'm trying to stick to 1-2 pieces of good quality items a month, the above jumper may have to now roll over to March and there may already have been a sneaky (but so worth it at just over 75% off) purchase already - will share soon, promise.  April it is for the Cos top then!  Oh and it's not available online - had to get this image via their Netherlands website.  From memory was around £35 - £40 but will have to wait until I'm near a Cos again.

A classic with a twist

20 comments:

  1. I have had exactly the same problem with a navy Gap sweater....mine was a cosy turtle neck which I've worn twice but now looks terrible! I won't be making that mistake again either! Loving your & Other Stories top, it's the kind of thing that will be in your wardrobe for years! xx

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    1. It's just not good enough - I know it's the materials that do it but think retailers need to stop using them for cheap garments.x

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  2. I'm so fed up of knitwear bobbling. I've just returned 2 cardis that were in the sale vastly reduced but at full price were quite pricey. Two wears and they looked dreadful, so much so they would have even relegated to indoor use only. TWO WEARS!!! It's just not good enough. I love your little animal print top, even better in real life. Enjoy wearing it x

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    1. Well done you for returning too. It's not something people should tolerate. Thank you, not worn it yet, keep saving it for some reason! x

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  3. I think a lot of clothing I've bought in the last few years looks bloody awful after a few wears/CAREFUL washing. Quality has completely gone. Most people myself included are just putting up and shutting up. Without naming names it's not just cheaper brands either...if things lasted they wouldn't make so much money would they?

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    1. Yes, I completely agree, the quality is just not where it should be, no matter what brand you are paying for. We need to speak up more, the more we do it, maybe retailers will stop using such cheap materials. However we also need to avoid buying them and not be caught up with the price tag - unlike me above! x

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  4. Don't you just hate it when that happens after a couple of wears Natalie but credit to Gap for rightly returning. Love your animal print jumper just stunning & that Cos top is gorgeous.
    Jane xx
    My Midlife Fashion

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    1. Oh I know, the more I look at that Cos top the more I am now regretting not buying it! x

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  5. That's good you returned that sweater, good thinking and the Other Stories sweater will look gorgeous on you, can't wait to see how you style it x

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    1. With my favourite black ripped knee jeans I'm thinking, keeping it simple! x

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  6. I find that if I look at the whole rail of jumpers sometimes, it's a bit of a giveaway how it's going to wear. Too many times I've seen jumpers which are pilling just there on the rail. And that Gap jumper did look a bit of a disaster after a couple of washes - I wouldn't have been at all happy regardless of the price. I don't always think it's the acrylic that affects a garment. Some that I have bought which have an acrylic mix in them, I've bought and thought that they won't go the distance but I have been pleasantly surprised by them - in particular - a navy Gap jumper believe it or not which has turned out to be quite a little workhorse jumper for me at the weekends.

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    1. I think it was more the nylon in this case, acrylic isn't fab but it does last longer than this one did. I have Gap jeans that have just gone on and on and still look great years on. I do love Gap but I kind of knew that this jumper wouldn't stand the test of time but at that price, isn't too bothered if I only got 1 season out of it - but 1-2 washes, absolutely not! x

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  7. I have some expensive jumpers that are ruined within a couple of wears. I have cheap ones that are still standing proud and good. Sometimes you can't even work out what works and what doesn't. What a shame because the GAP jumper looks so good on.

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    1. It did didn't it, hence I bought it and the price as equally as good. But not so good after a wash, that's just not good enough in my books x

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  8. Good for you for returning it! We should all do that more often. Love your & Other Stories top and oh my! Isn't the Cos stock just fab at the moment?

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  9. That's too bad about the Gap jumper, it looks a lovely style. I don't get on too well with wool, so I don't mind buying acrylic, but I do find the quality varies enormously. I love & Other Stories, but at £6-ish for delivery I'm hanging on for a Manchester branch! xx

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    1. Fit and style were perfect. Wow - didn't realise their delivery was that high, such a shame x

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  10. I spent some of my birthday money on that very same Gap jumper in navy. Like you it looked dreadful after 1 wear & I paid about £30 for it! I'm going to try to return. Thanks j

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    1. Oh no! Take it back to a store, that's just not good enough x

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