Next has always been a store that I like to browse in for it's very stylish, up to date and rather youthful fashion ranges and it is always stocked to the ceiling with everything in men's, women's and children's clothing. Stroll into a large one and you may just view their colourfully branded home range as well.
They can have some rather smart trouser and skirt suits for all occasions I have to admit, plus pretty Polly dresses, tops, handbags, shoes, adornments, in fact, every conceivable accessory a trendy woman may wish to have except... 'The Paris Hilton Poodle.' You just name it, they have it, and the prices really aren't hefty either, which could just ad a hint to the quality of merchandise gracing those rails. The decent thing about Next is that they have a good stock of smaller sizes, which is rather unusual these days - believe me I know - cause when you are a petite person, finding anything around an 8 - 6 or perish the thought, below, can be rather daunting stuff. I know, I know, try children's or dare I say Mothercare - been there, done that. Small sizing and the occasional rather decent smart suit is the positive aspect to Next....Now, for the not so positive.
While this store is reasonably priced, I think in most things, it definitely shows, especially in the footwear department, now that is decidedly brittle clod-hopper stuff. The quality of the garments are suffering too. If you look past the flowery patterns and fancy colourings the fabric and workmanship is really quite 'sad.' Mental images of rows upon rows of sewing machines going ten to the dozen and little finger tips working feverishly against deadlines are certainly conjured up here. Sometimes I have graced Next's tiled floors and the mere feel of an item against my skin sends shivers down my spine, and I do try not to have a yellow one, believe me. Synthetic, no natural warm fibres, not even close and that is the real shame cause they do have heaps of style. Obviously, they are trying to compete in a saturated market full of bargain stores like the Premarks, Top Shops, BHS' and so on, but it is unfortunate, as the designs can be quite cool and sharp. But, that's not all the time, this place goes through patches. A few good pieces and then you gaze around and recognise the fact that everything just seems like rubbish.
The handbags and footwear are definitely cast off's. No Cinderella slippers here. You put your size 37 into one that looks inviting and you just know you'll only make it half way down the street. Even their so called 'cushion' range does not hit the spot, the blister appears before you are even out the front door.
These days, the only really BIG excitement comes in the form of a NEXT sale, with items stacked wildly around the room and it is a massive 'go for it' clearance where you can probably pick up something dirt cheap for under £15 - but then you say to yourself - was this really only worth that much at the end of the day anyway? Methinks I am possibly right! read more