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Clothkits?

On 29 Jun 2005 at 9:56pm Emma wrote:

Hello,
I was talking to my mum the other day and she reminded my about the clothing catalogue "Clothkits". She used to get lots of mine and my sisters clothes from out of it. The clothes used to come as prints on fabric that you cut out and stitched together. Am I right in thinking that Clothkits was at 24 High Street, Lewes?
Is it still there? and can you still get clothes ?
Cheers, em:-)

On 30 Jun 2005 at 8:51am Smiler wrote:

Sadly Clothkits went down the tubes about 10 years ago.

On 16 Jul 2005 at 9:57pm Mark wrote:

I believe they were shooting photos for their catalogue in Kuwait when the first Gulf War happened and that caused them to go bankrupt. Or maybe it was a natural disaster? Either way it was all on TV when it happened.

On 12 Aug 2005 at 5:38pm Daphne Seaman wrote:

I rang the Lewes Tourist Office a couple of days asking about Clothkits, they are no longer trading in Lewes and the clerk could not tell me anymore.. I have asked my husband to search the net and if he finds anything I'll be in touch.

On 14 Aug 2005 at 4:13pm Claire Hale wrote:

funnily enough I was also thinking about Clothkits recently and wondering if they were still around. I found an old ' kit' in my material box that I hadn't ever made up (possibly a collectors item now!). I used to buy the dungaree kits for my children they were easy to make,cheap and hardwearing. I even bought a couple of their dolls and made them up too!.

On 17 Aug 2005 at 3:15pm R U one two wrote:

They closed a good 15 years ago.
They closed because the trend for home made or making things yourself was out and everyone wanted to buy ready made clothes.
I would imagine the trend for stripes and original designs went out during the 80's. Everyone wanted the same design - without variation.
Then, there was the competition from the chain stores and the cheap imports.
I remember my sister working for Clothkits from the late 70's to about the mid 80's - probably when they closed.
It is a shame as I recon they could be doing well now.

On 23 Aug 2005 at 5:56pm Brian McKinight wrote:

Glad my mum never bought anything from there, or did she????????????????????????????

On 25 Aug 2005 at 10:42am Temp worker at Clothkits wrote:

It wasn't as long as 15 years ago since they shut - I've only lived in Lewes for 15 years and worked there as a temp a couple of years after moving here.

On 27 Aug 2005 at 11:55pm Jsne Plant wrote:

I too was thinking about clothkits the other dzy. I made a few of the dolls for my older kids, now aged 28 and 25!!and in particiular am looking for their great coloured tights for little girls and big ones. Does anyone know of a replacement compnay?

On 3 Sep 2005 at 5:53pm Susan wrote:

I was quite sorry to hear that Clothkits had closed down, but very surprised to hear that Clothkits clothes are now very collectable, and that I had been a very avant-garde mother! I loved the knitted dungarees and striped sweaters for my children, and I also had a "baby bag" with an integral nappy changing mat, which a friend kindly made up for me, as I didn't have a sewing machine. I had a pair of cotton dungarees and a striped sweater (shades of Ronald MacDonald!). There was also a beautiful wrap-around woollen skirt, which I loved but it was too warm and made me itch! All my friends also used Clothkits a lot. I wish now I'd kept the clothes, but who knew they'd become so collectable? Children are now well grown up, and Bohemian mum has graduated to Cotton Traders!

On 5 Sep 2005 at 9:21am catherine wrote:

anyone know any contact details for whoever owned clothkits? i would be interested to talk to them.

On 7 Sep 2005 at 10:00pm Maureen Bird wrote:

Were they all kits ? I have been trying to remember the name of a mail order firm selling casual clothes in the 70's I thought they were in Lewes and also had a shop in Helensburgh and I think Neal Street

On 26 Sep 2005 at 11:26am Sheila wrote:

I used to visit their shop in Lewes when my children (now in the 20's) were small, but having boys and not much money for new cllothes, I didn't buy much. I now have a daughter and some clothkit packs that were handed on to me, I think they may have come from a closing down sale. They are still fine but there are no instructions in them. I can sew perfectly well but do find the design a bit strange, they all seem to have a waist band section for a much plumper child than I have.

On 24 May 2006 at 6:59pm eiry wrote:

Yes, what a shame they no longer exist. my mum used to order and make up the kits for my brother and I in the seventies.I loved the clothes. I particularly enjoyed the romanian peasant girl look!I now have a daughter and would love to buy clothkits for her..boohoo.I still own and wear a jacket my mother made for herself, it's black and quilted with green and red plants and birds on it. if anyone wanted to revive the business I would definately be a customer!

On 24 May 2006 at 7:01pm eiry wrote:

On 7 Jun 2007 at 8:45pm Sandra Davies wrote:

I made quite a few of their kits over the years until they started to sell mostly ready-mades and reduced the kits. I was just looking on the web to see if could buy on line. I found a 'kit' almost made up - a reversible sun hat. Instead of making it for my youngest daughter it will now be completed for my grand-daughter. Its a shame they've ceased trading. Anyone know of an equivalent company?

On 4 Oct 2008 at 5:02pm Joan Humphreys Marler wrote:

I am wearing a colourful woollen jumper bought from Clothkits in Winchester about 1986 when my daughter Jane was at St Alfred's college - what a pity that shop is no longer there. We used to enjoy our down town shopping expeditions - mostly 'just looking' and making wish lists! Laura Ashley (nearby) was also a favourite. How time flies.