article_snippet.sent: Next's compact cut-out shoulder dress is a fraction of the price .
article_snippet.sent: Karen Kay, fashion and retail commentator, says one of Next's greatest strengths is identifying catwalk trends that will appeal to it target market: mothers aged 30 and over and women starting out in their careers. '
article_snippet.sent: Next customers are not looking for high fashion, but clothes to wear to an interview or at the office, and Next customers have a much better line in these, including Next customers designer copies, than Marks & Spencer.'
article_snippet.sent: THE Lot78 jacket (net-a-porter.com) is lamb's leather, while Next's cropped PU biker is made from viscose, polyester and cotton, hence the £700 price difference .
article_snippet.sent: Next's polyurethane bag takes three to four months for designs on the catwalk to appear, in some shape or form, in Next.
article_snippet.sent: Zara and Topshop - whose younger customers are eager to get their hands on high fashion - have an even quicker turnaround of three to four weeks.
article_snippet.sent: H&M. But, says Karen Kay, older shoppers will pay more for the better-quality stitching, buttons and linings at Next.
article_snippet.sent: Besides its designer copies, shopping online at Next provides almost instant gratification, as items ordered before 11pm are guaranteed for delivery the next day.
article_snippet.sent: Last year, Next began selling designer labels, including DKNY and Dolce & Gabbana, alongside its own brands, online and in the Next Directory.
article_snippet.sent: Customers no doubt drool over a Joseph dress or Karl Lagerfeld blouse in the designer section, then spot something with the same sort of detail for a third of the price by Next's own label and decide to give that a go,' says Karen. '
article_snippet.sent: The only note of caution I would sound is that Next fabrics can be disappointing, as Next fabrics use a lot of synthetics such as viscose and polyester - though this, of course, keeps the costs down.'