STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

lynnie · Chanel

how is the quality at French Connection?

dot · Marc Jacobs

I feel like French Connection is over-priced. I would say it's just slightly but not significantly more than Express. I have no problem spending money on quality things but I do feel like FCUK's prices are a little high. I think that Club Monaco is on the same price point as FCUK but the quality and definitely the design are better.

lynnie · Chanel

thanks- I should check out Club Monaco. I never really stop in there! I need some basic work clothes- is that a good place to go?

dot · Marc Jacobs

Honestly I used to never go in there either. I've only recently rediscovered it. Their site stinks but I usually wait for stuff to go on sale and then get it. I got a pair of shorts there this summer (at full retail $49) and wear them every weekend. They are exactly like these Development shorts that costs 3x as much.

I am already eyeing some stuff there for winter work. I would say now Club Monaco has become one of my first "go-to" places when I'm shopping for something basic with a slight edge.

bumblebee · Coach

me too. they are perfect for work clothes because you can find things that are conservative and basic enough, but fewer people shop there than at banana republic, so you won't have the same things as everyone else.

sidenote: i heard that club monaco is owned by the ralph lauren parent company. is that true?

ViViDogWear · Kate Spade

I used to REALLY like FCUK pants. They had some great Poly blend work pants. But I have to ditto on the Club Monaco which I love! I love their stuff more for Winter and more when I worked in a conservative office. I do think the quality is better than Express, but Express is more trendy. Club Monanco & French Connection have the European influences which make their designs a little more streamlined and trendy in the details. IMHO

sfclinevandy · Coach

I love French Connection. I have a several things from them and I think the quality is really good. I also think, at least the pieces I have, aren't too trendy and classic... not in a boring/basic way but that have great details, colors, and embroidery that you can wear for years. Watch out though, this line usually runs big.... at least on me.

Lilykind · Hermes

I really really like French Connection. I never buy unless they have some sort of sale going on, though, but I never buy full price for anything. IMO, it costs as much to shop there as it does at Anthro and the clothes are better quality than most of Anthro's stuff (more substantial fabrics, better tailoring). A lot of my foundational pieces (denim skirt, denim jacket, black suit, etc.) are from French Connection and I've never had quality issues with them.

The t-shirts are hit or miss...the colored ones don't fade in the least, but the black ones can sometimes. But I like them because they're soft and short enough for my short-waisted self. Plus a lot of them are funny (but I have the humor of a 12 year old boy).

It runs large in the bottoms but TTS in tops/jackets/outerwear.

shopgirl82 · Chanel

Lilykind wrote:

I really really like French Connection. I never buy unless they have some sort of sale going on, though...

i never mind spending full price on certain brands, but French Connection (and Anthropologie) are two that I always hold out for sales. The quality is decent, but still not worth the price. Also, while I shop at the B&M, department stores often have a lot of French Connection items on sale too.

Also, there are some items that seem to be better quality than others(like so many designers), so if you get a chance, try on the item to make sure it's good quality. HTH.