Oh No! She's Got The Same Top On As Me! (Next)

Member Name: flutel

Product:	Next
Date:	25/06/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great jeans/trousers for boy-like women's shapes

Disadvantages: Someone else will be wearing your top - especially if you went to the torturous sale

Have you ever found yourself at a Next sale at 5am and wondered what you were doing there - basket in hand and being so tired that you feel horribly ill? Does that strike a chord of recognition?

I have been at one of those sales (I think I wanted to see what I was missing). There were a million mad people there. The rails were jam-packed. The queues were massive. Hyperventilate! I didn't go again.


Sales excepted, I do like a good browse around Next - but I am always careful about what I buy there.

Next
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It is a high street shop with many, many branches. It is popular across the board with many different types of people shopping there. I would say that the womens clothes were mostly aimed at the young to middle aged professional person - but I am aware that many others shop there too.

What do Next sell?
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Next sell clothes, shoes and accessories for women, men and children. The shop also sells homewares - usually on a different floor.

Clothes
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The real winner with Next clothes are the jeans and trousers. Most women will have an idea which shops sell the best jeans for their particular bum. For example, Marks and Spencer does not do it for me because they seem to cater for women with a more curvaceous leg and bum shape. I am like a stick and I can always find a pair that flatters me in Next. The latest item I bought in Next was a pair of 'jeggings' (cross between jeans and leggings) which I wear under dresses. These are great and they cost £16.

What I am very wary about buying in Next are the tops - not because of how they look but because they are so darned popular!

On that visit to the Next Sale, I bought a bargain shirt that was flattering at a great price. Pleased with my purchase I wore it to school (where I work). A couple of days later, I was horrified to see another member of staff wearing the same top. The next week I saw a friend of mine also wearing it. Now, I'm not very good at that sort of thing. I don't think its snobbery but I feel quite exposed and shy when I see someone wearing the same stuff as me. I gave up with this top and put it in the charity shop bag.

After this, I have become hyper-aware of women teachers wearing Next clothes. It is like some unwritten uniform; it perfectly fits the parameters of smart, a little bit sexy but also a bit modest. This makes me feel a bit queasy when I think of it.

Mens Clothes
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Some years ago, I helped a friend of mine do a makeover of himself to enable him to attract women. This was achieved perfectly and completely in Next menswear. I made him have a few hundred pounds at the ready and selected items of clothing for him to try on.

I am pleased to say it worked. With a haircut too, he looked completely transformed. He is now married with two children and is as happy as can be. I think it is fair to say that some women like men who wear Next clothes.

Children's Clothes
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I used this shop a lot for my daughter when she was little. The clothes looked trendy, cute and they washed well.

Homewares
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I have spent less time and money in this department but I do think the stuff they have (sofas, cushions, pictures, duvet covers, rugs etc) look good. I think they also cater to the tastes of the mass market. I bought a trio of pictuers in there - but later wondered if they were a bit boring - a bit like one might have felt after buying an 'Athena' print some years ago (woman tennis player/ball?)

Prices
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Fairly reasonable. Sometimes I am a liitle put out that they edge towards pricey - but I think that it might be my general thriftyness kicking in. A pair of jeans cost around £30.

To Conclude
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Yes, I like Next - but I am selective about what I buy there - so that I don't make a mistake. Mostly, I just stick with the jeans.

Summary: Don't go to the 5am sale.