It's problematic.  Boy, is it problematic.  I'm trying hard to impose definite restrictions on myself - then I go into a charity shop and find a Haggar shirt for £3 - made in Central America - like Bean and Pendleton now? - and I think: soft cotton, soft collar, it'll do for work at least.  Somewhere, along the way, most of us are guilty.  Those Jewish tailors and cutters around Wardour Street worked like dogs.

I'm a fan. Oh yes.

I suppose living 130 miles or so from the capital is going to make it easy for me.  I don't much like the area around Oxford Street/Regent Street anyway (although my 12 year old still digs Hamleys').  I don't like Covent Garden, either, if it comes to that, so once the shop closes... 
Look, I can see the attraction:  Ivy at reasonable prices.  All for it.  But I'm 50 this year and most of what I have in my wardrobe - expanding waist notwithstanding - should hopefully see me through until four strong men carry me out on their shoulders.

According to Uniqlo, the working condition in their Chinese factories are supervised by a third party. Made in China doesn't necessarily mean child labour. There are sweatshops in the US and elsewhere too.

I saw some slack jackets in the Flagship Store in Manhattan last year. Kinda like whipcord fabric, 3 buton closure that you can roll to the 2nd, patch & flap pockets, undarted and unlined. Very relaxed, slouchy but smart. I bought one in tan, I wish I had bought a navy one as well.

I like their selvedge denim and chinos. They both are better quality than I've generally seen in Uniqlo (on the very rare occasions I've visited). The "vintage chino" is very heavy and cut like a military chino with beaded seams, as opposed to dress chinos which I'm not a fan of.

I'd be interested to know if John Simons, Jeff Garrett or Ken Lovegrove have an opinion on the store.  Of course, they sell the aforementioned Chinese-made Haggar shirts, so maybe have no major problem in that area.  Part of me, though, can't help thinking that buying clothes should be relatively difficult.  I've done plenty of trudging round in my time - and still do.  To go into John's and stock up - slack jackets, loafers, dessies, Sebago etc. - has been great, but those items are only a part of my wardrobe.  Some of my best stuff has come out of charity shops or 'Wild' in Nottingham:  American clothing but with a distinct student-y slant.  The owners know their business even if the staff are pig ignorant.  The pea coat I had out of there - still with the sailor's name inside - John weighed in his hand and said was pretty good.  I may soon be needing it on again! 
Frankly, I think I'm a bit long in the tooth for Uniqlo.

Well, I would never buy Buzz Rickson - too damn old - and would certainly jib at paying $100 for a decent cotton (non-poly) grey sweatshirt.  They do look all right for the price, I have to admit.

Yeah; my old Russell Athletic is a bit minging really.  As for the new stuff...  shite...

It should be boycotted.  If there was a neo-Nazi takeover in Germany and they started selling cheap Madras, would you buy it?  Check out the Chinese record on human rights once more.  (Yes, I know certain American states still execute people: and Bill Clinton knew more about it than I).  Take 'Made in the USA/England/Scotland/Ireland/France/Italy' and of organic materials as your benchmark of acceptance.  If the Chinese had a Nelson Mandela you'd think twice.

Never read the bloody 'Guardian', K, and that's the truth.  Nor do I disagree with you about the punishment fitting the crime for a lot of evil bastards in British prisons.  The guys who butchered those French kids in New Cross deserve nothing but topping.  Funny: Gibson Gardens thinks I'm a reactionary, my family all drive around in VWs, and you think I'm frigging Polly Toynbee.  I don't know whether to laugh or cry! 

I still think the Chinese are c***s, though.

The store looked to be closed when I passed by yesterday.  Maybe for 'refurbishment'?  But they don't seem to be mentioned much on the forum nowadays.

They have sometimes turned out reasonable 'built to a price' shirts and chinos. But there's no consistency, as you walk in a few months later and everything has changed.