East clothing - good news

Slightly disappointed so far, I love their silks, but also their more reasonably priced crinkly cottons, and linens, if it’s all going to be high end, I can’t see myself buying very much

We shall see!

I liked East for its long floaty summer dresses many of which come out for my holidays year after year. I also liked their range of crinkle style clothes which were very versatile and easy to pack.

I did find them a bit pricey though and always waited for their sales. Like others I prefer to try on in the shop rather than buy online unless there is a local store to return to. I am generally a size 16 but I find that even when buying from the same manufacturer not all size 16s fit which generally means if I buy on line I have to buy 2 sizes and send one back. This works ok for retailers on the high st like monsoon because I can just return to my local store but no way will I buy if I have to repackage and return by post. I do hope, if Monsoon is taking them over, that I would be able to return any unwanted items to a Monsoon shop.

£89 for a small plain unlined raffia bag and £150 for a baggy midi dress. Lol.

wesr wear

£299 for a printed silk kimono (which isn't even an item you csn wesr on it's own) and made in a sweatshop in India for a few silver coins and sold here for hundreds of pounds. You must be mad ?

As I have no lumps and bumps I have no need to source clothes from shops who sell loose tops, elasticated trousers and thigh covering jumpers.

All made in Asian sweatshops countries.

Thank you glammagran. I'll keep my eyes open .

Henetha there was an East in Bath until about 2 years ago

www.drapersonline.com/news/monsoon-founder-to-relaunch-east/7035962.article

I've never heard of East, but it sounds good. Hopefully East will be available in the South-West.

I think you’re right about the monsoon connection MagicWand, I loved their Anokhi range as well, hope we’re going to see more of it. Also, more snuggly ponchos, more crinkle cottons, more embroidered tunics, more gorgeous velvets and silks, all in vibrant jewel colours

I think I'm right in saying that East was originally started by 2 designers who worked for Monsoon and decided to create their own brand. So the company links have always been reasonably close.

Loved their clothing especially some of the Anokhi items they stocked; Anokhi was always about sustainability and provenance with its handblocked prints from India. They are remarkably hard-wearing, still some of my go to pieces as I know they work and make me feel good, but I felt they lost their way over the last few years up to their slide into administration. Hope they 'find their mojo' again.

Teetime

I agree about Monsoon, I have bought one skirt this season, I quite like it, but it’s so generic I could have bought it anywhere, nothing distinctive about it at all

I used to buy lots of East and really missed it. It was taken over by Monsoon some time ago but nothing appeared in the Monsoon shops and in fact Monsoon has gone down hill in my opinion. I look forward to being able to get some nice tunic tops and floppy trousers for evening wear.

Thank God I am 5'8" and have remained at 8 stone. (NOT)

I can’t believe people would pay £20 to have a hem taken up. Whatever happened to sewing skills☹️ What is the country coming to etc etc.

Rowantree

My mother in law was an excellent seamstress, she could alter anything to fit!

I’m not even sure if I own a needle!

Love Seasalt but their dresses are miles too long - even the petite ones. I thought I was 5 ft for years but hospital measurements confirm I'm now 4 ft 11, so clothes buying can be a struggle especially as I am no sylph.
Used to love Monsoon in my slimmer days - it was exotic and the colours rich and unusual. Their designs and styles don't appeal to me as much these days.

I have many lumps and bumps and would love extra-petite/ dumpy ranges for the not-so-willowy. Sara65 I too have to have things taken up - till recently MIL has done some things for me but she's unable to do it now she's frail. My sewing skills are more limited, unfortunately.

Hi Merryweather, i shop to cover lumps and bumps too. Recommend Seasalt their tops are just the right length.

Sara65 - totally agree with you regarding Monsoon.

I do agree LuckyFour, I’m shorter than you, I always have to spend an extra £20 having things taken up, which is annoying!

Everything in East was too long for me. I'm 5ft 3in. Generally, could we gave clothes to fit shorter people please. We're not all 5 ft 10.

I’ve never had an issue with the quality of East, not so Monoon, I remember discovering Monsoon, our nearest store was a big old two story building, packed with so much stuff, you could be in there all day, lots of beautiful Indian fabrics, silks, cottons, gorgeous scarves and jewellery, a great big sofa where your long suffering husband could wait, and the manager there, was helpful and full of advice, she’d go rummaging through the store for things she thought I’d like , I loved it!

Sadly now, it’s just another high street store

Liked the East designs but not the cuts. Can’t stand dresses with pleated (or is it darted) waistlines which is what Seasalt tend to do as well - they make me look bigger. Though a size 14, I find bodycon dresses suit me best (so long as they are not too short)