The fashion brand launched by Molly-Mae Hague just a few days ago has been described by one critic as a "glorified" PrettyLittleThing (PLT) in a video that's gone viral this week.
Molly-Mae, 25, launched Maebe on Sunday and said it had been three years in the making. The content creator later announced that the first collection had sold out in just 24 minutes, though promised that a restock is "coming soon".
Although there's been excitement from fans over the range, the prices have been met with some disappointment. And despite Maebe's website assuring that it aims to "produce high quality pieces that are made to be worn every day," some critics have also questioned the clothing's quality.
TikTok user Tashy claims in a video that's gone viral this week with more than a million views that PLT has a "better quality" blazer than Maebe and is £100 cheaper. Tashy referenced Maebe's Ultimate Blazer, available in grey with a biege version "coming soon," and priced at £140, which has a fabric composition of 63% polyester, 19% viscose and 18% acrylic, according to the brand's website. Both Polyester and acrylic are widely considered synthetic fibres, whilst viscose is known to be 'semi-synthetic'.
Tashy compared it to PLT's similar Grey Wool Look Double Breasted Blazer, priced at £39, which is listed as 85% polyester and 15% cotton. It contains more polyester than Maebe's blazer but contains a higher composition of natural fibres due to the cotton. The TikTok user also made a comparison to M&S' £135 biege Cord Jacket which is 100% cotton, with a 100% viscose lining.
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Tashy said: "I'd hate to be the one to break it to [fans] but Maebe is just a glorified PLT. Like look right here, [at the fabric on the blazer]. So basically just cheap, synthetic fibres. Now let's look at this PLT blazer that's £39, may I mention. 85% polyester, okay, but 15% cotton so already that is actually better quality than Maebe.
"Like even this blazer from M&S that's like £135 is technically cheaper than the one from Maebe because [...] look at the fabric, it's made up of 100% cotton so that's technically cheaper than Maebe because you're getting better value for money. I just literally cannot justify some of the prices on Maebe. Like I was looking at the fabric and it's basically just polyester and everyone's banging on about how it's like this high quality investment piece but it's literally just a glorified PLT."
Although others have agreed with the sentiment, Maebe has been defended by some viewers who suggested the production processes and costs may vary per brand. Others suggested cotton doesn't necessarily mean good quality. One fan said: "So no one in these comments knows anything about clothing, the cost to make things & how this is actually a good price for the blazer you get. Just because blazers are made of cotton doesn't mean they’re good quality! do your research. Cotton creases and can be easily damaged, the fabric she has used is to make it as durable as possible with structure."
Another person wrote: "I agree [with the video] but keep in mind 100% cotton does not necessarily mean better value for money. People will want a different fabric composition based on what look they want their blazer to have." A third said: "Fabric comes into cost but also construction techniques, and don't forget Maebe's quantities are probably 1/3 of PLT's which really impacts price."
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