Well Jim, I never buy anything made of wool as I am allergic to it, but whatever you buy, cheap or expensive, nearly always balls. I bought several M&S cardigans during the winter, only worn them about twice each and they are rubbing up already. They were not expensive, but it's very disappointing. When things wer made in England you did not get this!!!!! The cost of good quality is galling, I have to agree, but I have found a way around it, at least in part. I use web sites, quality ones such as Alexon, Minuet, Country Casuals, etc, and when their new ranges come out, I identify what I like best and wait until they are reduced in the sale. I have had many a bargain that way - dresses which were £110 reduced to £33 (plus postage) but even with postage I have got 'good for little'. I don't know if this would work for mens clothes, but it works well for me. As for men's shoes, my husband's best pair are Barker, which have gone up hugely lately, and yes, mortgage is required, or a long save-up.
I was not only referring to quality, some of the younger styles today seem more like bits of rag stuck together than garments, and the quality is hopeless. I hope that one day England will return to manufacturing once more and we will not only have quality, we will have reasonable prices, although I do realise they won't be actually cheap. I much prefer home-grown.
