I first came across MEXX clothes when I bought a coat for my daughter in our local charity shop. It was abeautiful design, and the quality was a cut above that ofmost high street shops that I know. The coat was discarded just a few months later, due to the fickle stubbornness of a 3-year ... Read review
Advantages: Great quality and a good fit Disadvantages: Can be pricey
I first came across MEXX clothes when I bought a coat for my daughter in our local charity shop. It was abeautiful design, and the quality was a cut above that ofmost high street shops that I know. The coat was discarded just a few months later, due to the fickle stubbornness of a 3-year old who knows how to stick to her guns. It did, however, open my eyes to the brand.
MEXX is an international brand of clothes which originated in ... ...the North-East, you can buy MEXX clothes at John Lewis. Of far more interest to me is the MEXX discount store at Royal Quays outlet shopping centre, just off the A19 in North Tyneside.
LAYOUT
I understand that 74% of MEXX outlets in the UK are in department stores. This doesn't allow much space. The stock is presented well in John Lewis, but there is only a small selection at any one time.
I first came across MEXX clothes when I bought a coat for my daughter in our local charity shop. It was abeautiful design, and the quality was a cut above that ofmost high street shops that I know. The coat was discarded just a few months later, due to the fickle stubbornness of a 3-year old who knows how to stick to her guns. It did, however, open my eyes to the brand.
MEXX is an international brand of clothes which originated in Canada. In canada, MEXX shops are the market leader, and the brand is strong across Europe, especially Scandinavia. Over the last couple ofyears, it has been bought out by US-based LIz Claiborne, and it is now set for rapid expansion in America. I think they will do well.
Local to me in the North-East, you can buy MEXX clothes at John Lewis. Of far more interest to me is the MEXX discount store at Royal Quays outlet shopping centre, just off the A19 in North Tyneside.
LAYOUT
I understand that 74% of MEXX outlets in the UK are in department stores. This doesn't allow much space. The stock is presented well in John Lewis, but there is only a small selection at any one time.
At the outlet store, it's a different story. There is a much larger selection of stock, which is divided between women't, children's and men's clothes. There are also adult-sized shoes.
As you walk through the main door, you see a small table that can seat 6 children. There are crayons and paper available, and also a television which generally shows a selection of cartoons. It is too loud and too violent, but will probably keep most children happy. There are also balloons on sticks available for children to take away.
THE STOCK
In our local department store, MEXX stock is predominantly ladies' clothes. These are of good quality, and probably on the conservative side fashion-wise. In my opinion, the greatest selling point by far is the sizing on the ladies' clothes. Quite simply, I have found that MEXX clothes fit me better than any others. With many clothes, I find that they are too loose around the small of my back, despite fitting well, or even tightly around the front. I have several female friends, across the entire size range, who have agreed with me on this issue.
The outlet store has a much larger selection of ladies' clothes, both smart and casual. They are displayed on a mixture of rails, shelves and tables to make efficient use of space. At busy times, clothes can be mixed up and difficult to find. This is a small price to pay in return for the selection and price of clothes available.
What can I say about the men's selection? It also looks stylish and well-cut, and is a cut above the stuff my husband usually buys.
The children's selection is fantastic. Again, great quality. Again, an excellent fit for my children, who have been brought up in cloth nappies. Well, they're popular in Canada. Probably the young children's clothes are not fit for skinnies in disposable nappies. They are, however, extremely good at keeping their shape.
MEXX childrens' clothes come with a guarantee that they will not lose their shape. After nearly 100 washes of some items, I can personally vouch for this promise. I can also vouch for one pair of toddlers' trousers, which has gone through regular use by my daughter, heavy use by her cousin who walked late and spent many happy hours dragging himself around outside on his knees, and is now still going strong with my younger child. These clothes last.
PRICES
At full retail price, MEXX jacket will sell for about £90 and a skirt for £50. A pair of children's trousers may cost as much as £25. These are often considerably cheaper at the retail outlet, and cheaper again in the sale. An annual sale in January sees all stock reduced to a fraction of it's retail price. It is worth waiting for. I picked up the childrens' trousers described above for £5.
Even at full price I would describe MEXX clothing as good value for money, although personally I would not choose to pay these prices for clothes.
CAN A REVIEW BE COMPLETE WITHOUT AN EMBARASSING MOMENT?
I have to admit, I have one small gripe about our local MEXX store. It's the flimsy curtains on the changing cubicles. For many, this may not be an issue. Believe me though, in our local store, anyone who has seen me chasing my runaway toddler through the store in ky knickers may well be traumatised for life. Come on guys, let's have solid, locking cubicle doors.
ETHICAL ISSUES
There is one further issue about MEXX that I should bring to your attention. LIke many clotheing retailers, they make use of cheap labour abroad. A couple of years ago, there was trouble at a factory in Guatamala where union leaders who compaigned for better working rights were threatened with death. I'm led to believe that Liz Claiborne did intervene to help resolve the issue - and Liz Claiborne is associated with the Clean Clothes Campaign. I strongly suspect that MEXX is little different from most fashionable clothing retailers in terms of ethics. I do believe that it is important to keep an eye on these issues. After all, as consumers, we hold the ultimate power to allow or sanction the actions of commercial companies.
SUMMARY
I have to recommend this shop, both for the design and quality of the clothes on offer, and for the prices if you are lucky enough to have an outlet shop near you. If you can pick your time of year, you can't go wrong. If you cna't, it will still be worth a visit, providing your children are secured by a rope, or old enough to avail themselves of the entertainment area provided.
To anybody who did see me in my knickers, I profoundly apologise.
Advantages: good quality clothing Disadvantages: Only know of one store
...one else has written about mexx before, i'll tell you what i know. The only Mexx store i know of is the one at the McArthur Glenn Designer Outlet Village at Bridgend. (junction 36 off M4 if anyones interested). As it's at an outlet, the prices there are cheap. I did look in the womens section, which has a large selection of clothes in a variety of styles, colours, sizes etc. The clothes seemed to be of good quality, and were presented well, in sections ... ...don't know if any other Mexx stores sell them though. It's quite a fashionable shop with most of the clothes having their name branded on it. I bought my baby daughter a pair of trousers. Original price 12 pound, outlet price was 6 pound and the were down to 3 pound. Bargain or what. So she had 2 pairs, and a jumper and some socks.
The clothes i have bought so far are of good quality and wash and iron well (v. important in my house). They do have ...
laurakate 01.05.2003
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Mexx
I honestly love this place!
The Gunwharf Quays outlet shopping centre is situated on Portsmouth Harbour. The site can be dated back to the 12th century where Gunwharf now stands.
The shops that are at Gunwharf Quays are: Adidas, Austin Reed, Bench & Hooch, Calvin Klein Underwear, Crew Clothing, Fred Perry, Gap, Jack Wills, Lakeland Leather, Levi Strauss, LK Bennett, Marks & Spencers Outlet, Monsoon, Next, Nitya, Oakley, Paul Smith, Puma, Ted Baker, Tog 24, Vans, Animal, Barbour, Burberry, Cotton Traders, Fat Face, French Connection, Guess, Hobbs, Karen Millen, Whistles, Lee Cooper, Liz Claiborne, Mambo, Mexx, Mountain Warehouse, Nike, O'neill, Oasis, Polo Ralph Lauren, Reef, Timberland, Triumph International, White Stuff, Bags etc, Chapelle, Daniel James Jewellers, Kenneth Turner, Savoy Taylor Guild, Antler, Claires Accessories ...
Advantages: Great prices Disadvantages: End up spending too much
sure we parked the opposite end to the play area to ensure a chance to go in the shops.
The village is set out like a mini town with small streets branching off a main one and a main centre square. We did get lost once or twice so a guide is a good idea. Along the route we went in the shops we wanted, spending lots of money.
Avisit to their website will list all the shops but some examples are, Alexon, Georgio,Edinburgh Woolen Mill, Mexx, Laura Ashley, Wedgewood, Thorntons.
We then arrived at the kids part. You need to pay entrance but at £8 for a family it is really good value. You are given a hanful of tokens, get your hand stamped to allow you to go off and return, and off you go. Our children whizzed through to the cars. Safety is important here and hemets were provided. The cars are token run and they get about 10 minutesof ...
