Shoppers left divided over the latest Sainsbury’s clothing range that is giving ‘Victorian nightgown’ vibes
THE LATEST Tu clothing range at Sainsbury’s has left fashionistas divided, as some shoppers reckon the pieces belong in the ”Victorian” era.
The mega supermarket has seriously upped its fashion game in the recent years and this season is no exception.
But while some have been loving their ”jaw-dropping” summer frocks and a ”stunning” holiday dress that ”fits like a dream”, the latest collection has sparked a fierce debate online.
According to one shopper, only known as TikToker @thingbe, the new ”modest” range felt like walking ”into the wardrobe department for the Handmaid’s Tale”.
Despite ”usually” liking Sainsbury’s fashion aisle, the recent trip to the store left her confused, as everything ”has long sleeves and ruffles”.
The horrified shopper – whose mum, 50, allegedly felt ”the same” – also reckoned that some of the trending pieces could be passed as ”Victorian undergarments”.
One of these was a white blouse in a loose cut with tie detailing at the front, flowy arms and a V-neckline.
Sharing her brutal verdict in a video, the TikToker joked: ”Blouse from 2025 or Victorian undergarment? I cannot tell.”
Another item that had landed in the list was a light green broderie ruffle blouse, currently slashed from £20 to just a tenner.
Despite the fabulous deal – and some sizes already sold-out online – the TikToker couldn’t understand why the blouse had ”so many frills”.
”And for a summer blouse, the material felt so thick,” she slammed the retailer on the platform, adding the design of the item made it look like ”lettuce”.
The popular supermarket has also added a broderie mix tiered midi dress in white – which bargain hunters can purchase for £44.50, down from £89.
This elegant white dress is crafted from high-quality cotton, ensuring both comfort and breathability -a win for the sweltering temperatures.
But while the versatile style allows for easy pairing with accessories, the customer felt the frock looked like ”a Victorian nightgown now, minus candlestick and nightcap”.
The TikToker went on in the comments: ”Like I prefer my clothes with a bit more coverage and looser, but this was next level.
”What I’m commenting on is the growing trend that everything seems to be more conservative.
”Online, in store, whichever.
”It leaves very little choice for those who don’t want to dress in this style.
Plus, it doesn’t just come down to coverage, when I say modest I also refer to cuts, colours, lack of patterns.”
She added: ”I can appreciate a good vintage style item, but these just aren’t appealing.
”And I don’t think it’s a generational thing either, my mums around 50 too and she thought exactly the same as me.”
How to look chic on a budget
Fashion stylist Gemma Rose Breger, and beauty journalist Samantha Silver revealed how you can make your outfits elevated without spending hundreds of pounds.
- Don’t ever spend on designer denim: River Island ”always has such a great selection of fashion-forward jeans that follow the current trends”. The high street retailer offers a great range of sizes to fit UK 6 – UK 18, and three leg lengths – and prices start from an affordable £25.
- There are no rules for jewels: ”Pick up something at a car boot sale, or charity shop, scroll on Vinted & eBay, snap up something from the clothing section in your local supermarket when doing the food shop or check out high street clothing stores.”
- Don’t forget the pre-loved sites: With a rising number of second-hand sites, such as Vinted and Depop, there’s no excuse for not buying – or selling – pre-loved garments. Gemma, for instance, has managed to get her hands on chic Chanel sunnies for a mere £17.
‘The trad wife fashion is coming in’
The video, posted less than 24 hours ago, has already taken the internet by storm, winning the shopper 15k views – and leaving many divided.
Dozens flooded to comments – and whilst some agreed with the original poster, others sided with Sainsbury’s.
One person reckoned: ”I don’t think it’s about looking modest, I think it’s more about what styles are trending.”
Another thought: ”Recession usually means more modest clothes and behaviour – then roaring and wild after.”
”I wrote my dissertation on the links between fashion and politics and status. The trad wife fashion coming in as more conservative politics is on the rise is no coincidence,” a student shared their opinion.
”I think you’re not their target audience, which is okay as plenty of other shops with less modest styles around,” someone else penned.
