Best fit forward (Next)

Member Name: katyboo123

Product:	Next
Date:	10/10/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fit of the clothes, range of accessories and sizes of shoes

Disadvantages: Quality can differ from item to item. Not really consistent

I am a size 18 and a bust size 38 D (which would be huge on a skinny person, but for someone of my size and frame its quite small) and I have a shoe size 6.5. I am 5ft 6.5 and I have a 31inch-ish inside leg. Now it could be just me, but it seems that the larger the clothing size the longer the inside leg and the bigger the bust. I find it an absolute nightmare finding clothes to fit. If I buy a size 18 jacket it stands about 4 inches off my bust, and if I buy a size 18 skirt it almost touches my ankles! I buy size 6.5 boots and they wont even zip up round my calves, and a knee length dress will hang off my shoulders and bust, go tight in the middle and go down to my calves!

However, all joking and womanly griping aside, Next is different. I can walk in and know I will find something suitable whatever the occasion. And I find the sizing quite generous. Whilst I do need an 18 in formal and occasion wear, in casual clothing I fit comfortably in to a size 16. The fittings are lovely. The Jeans come in a variety of lengths, I normally opt for Standard, whereas in a lot of other high street stores I have to buy a Short, which I refuse to do, I will not have it that I have short legs!

Next quality can range. I bought some of the basic tops, long sleeved crew neck, 95% cotton, 5% elastane, very comfortable, £8 each, but at the time they had an offer 2 for £12. So one was half price. I bought 4, in different colours and they have lasted about 2 years, no fade, retained their shape, they are really nice quality. However, I bought a knitted jumper and after 2 careful handwashes it became bobbled, quite bad, so I returned it and exchanged it, and the second one I got did the same, so I just returned it and exchanged it for something else.

In addition to clothing Next also sell a lovely range of accessories. Their footwear is brilliant, because it comes in half sizes, wide fitting, and ultra comfort soles. Their hats scarves and gloves, underwear, night wear are all beautiful and well fitting. They have a gorgeous watch and jewellery range too, my favourite are the platinum coated sterling silver rings, as I have very acidic skin and tend to turn cheap / fashion jewellery green, so this range is suitable for my skin and it looks stunning!

Another one of my favourite things about Next is the perfume range. Great value similar scents to well-known brands, with Next Pink smelling very similar to Ralph Lauren - Romance, at an absolute fraction of the cost! You can get lovely gift sets and the body lotions and shower gels smell good too. Only thing is, I dont find them that long lasting. But at £6 for around about a 25-30ml bottle, you dont mind having to give yourself an extra squirt or two!

Next is not the cheapest high street clothing retailer. To give you an idea, I would say it is middle price range, with the likes of Top Shop, Miss Selfridge, being below it, and Principles and River Island being above it (in means of price only, not quality or range, etc). I'm not one of those people who say you get what you pay for, I shop in Primark, but I think the fit of the clothes in Next is better. If I wanted something nice fitting and I had the money, I would go to Next, if I wanted a few basics, or a fashion item for one night out and I was strapped for cash, I would go elsewhere.

Summary: Good value, fantastic fit, good choice retailer