Try-before-you-buy gives time to try clothes and clear return dates.
“Try before you buy is like having the store at home!”
Reviews indicate French Connection is frequently praised for garment fit and a widely appreciated ‘try before you buy’ option that reduces online purchase risk. Many customers report good in‑store assistance and useful order notifications. At the same time, multiple reviewers describe problems with email replies, complaints handling and returns, and a small number report product misrepresentation or early product failure. Prospective buyers should check the returns and warranty terms before purchase, consider using the try‑before‑you‑buy service where available, and retain order and contact records in case follow‑up is needed.
Examples from available reviews (Mar 2022 – Feb 2026).
Try-before-you-buy gives time to try clothes and clear return dates.
“Try before you buy is like having the store at home!”
Trainers failed quickly and customer service did not respond.
“UPDATE: trainers failed after less than 1 month, no warranty from them”
Store staff were very helpful and attentive.
“the staff were amazing.”
Store refused a refund and cashier behaved arrogantly.
“Arrogant cashier who couldn’t give a damn”
Reviewers describe a split picture: helpful, attentive shop staff and quick in-person service contrast with accounts of rude cashiers, denied refunds and inconsistent store handling.
Some customers report fair prices and reassurance from lower-risk fulfilment options; others cite refund difficulties, warranty gaps and returns that reduce perceived value.
Many reviewers praise the online ‘try before you buy’ flow, clear fit information and order notifications; a smaller group report tracking or dispatch failures.
Multiple shoppers report good fabric, fit and durable garments; a minority report poor-quality items or products that did not match online imagery.
Several reviewers note helpful in‑person or phone contact and useful order updates, while others report unanswered emails, missing return information and slow complaints handling.
Overall impressions trend positive for shoppers using try‑before‑you‑buy and who receive in‑store support, though negative experiences cluster around returns and customer service failures.
For each review, the core experience based on original source reviews.
Sources: Trustpilot (60) · Collected.reviews (1) · Quotes shortened · As of: February 2026
Company ignored messages about missing item and disputed bank refund.
“they ignored multiple emails and social media messages regarding my missing item”
Company ignored messages about missing item and disputed bank refund.
“they ignored multiple emails and social media messages regarding my missing item”
Slippers fell apart within a month and customer service refused help.
“Uppers came away from soles within a month of wearing them.”
Slippers fell apart within a month and customer service refused help.
“Uppers came away from soles within a month of wearing them.”
Order still not despatched and customer objects to tracking app.
“Order has still not been despatched.”
Order still not despatched and customer objects to tracking app.
“Order has still not been despatched.”
Order processing errors, refunds reversed, and poor customer service contact.
“The phones have no answer”
Order processing errors, refunds reversed, and poor customer service contact.
“The phones have no answer”
Order disappeared with no correspondence from French Connection.
“Order seems to have disappeared!”
Order disappeared with no correspondence from French Connection.
“Order seems to have disappeared!”
Order cancelled after long delay with no explanation provided.
“Now a month later on 22 Jan they just cancelled my order.”
Order cancelled after long delay with no explanation provided.
“Now a month later on 22 Jan they just cancelled my order.”
New order stuck on processing and earlier refund was slow.
“just says processing but no orders received”
New order stuck on processing and earlier refund was slow.
“just says processing but no orders received”
Order not dispatched, emails unanswered, and tracking was unclear.
“Still waiting for order to be dispatched from the 13th January”
Order not dispatched, emails unanswered, and tracking was unclear.
“Still waiting for order to be dispatched from the 13th January”
Order cancelled after weeks and customer service cited stock discrepancies.
“my order was cancelled due to "stock discrepancy issues.”
Order cancelled after weeks and customer service cited stock discrepancies.
“my order was cancelled due to "stock discrepancy issues.”
Poor quality items and return emails were ignored by company.
“Poor quality items with bad fit and material.”
Poor quality items and return emails were ignored by company.
“Poor quality items with bad fit and material.”
No delivery updates and no response to refund requests.
“Ordered something 10 days ago, never received an update”
Customer received no delivery updates and demands a refund.
“never received an update on when it would be delivered.”
Multiple contacts unanswered and refund remains delayed after return.
“there’s no other way to contact them”
Customer experienced no responses and no refund after returning item.
“I still have no refund.”
Expensive jumper bobbled after one wear and site blocks reviews.
“bobbled on immediate wear”
Jumper bobbled after first wear and reviewer won't shop anymore.
“bobbled on immediate wear.”
Long-term customer finds the online service very reliable.
“Very long term customer Since 1998 - Very reliable online service”
Long-term customer reports reliable online service since 1998.
“Very long term customer Since 1998 - Very reliable online service”
Outlet manager apologised, issued refund voucher and assisted effectively.
“The manager was excellent, so apologetic but it was partly my fault.”
Outlet manager provided an apologetic, helpful refund voucher and assistance.
“The manager was excellent”
Reviewer reports owner did not pay a worker.
“Owner doesn't pay to worker despite taking work from them”
Reviewer alleges the owner withheld pay from a worker despite receiving work.
“Owner doesn't pay to worker despite taking work from them”
Staff were overheard badmouthing colleagues and made shopping uncomfortable.
“This form of bullying shows a toxic work and shopping environment”
Staff were overheard bad-mouthing colleagues, creating a toxic shopping environment.
“This form of bullying shows a toxic work and shopping environment”
Jill at Cannock provided excellent personalised styling and service.
“As always Jill from Cannock was fantastic!”
Staff member Jill in Cannock provided excellent personalised styling help.
“As always Jill from Cannock was fantastic!”
Return received ten days ago but refund has not been issued.
“They received my return 10 days ago, still no refund!!!!!”
Return received ten days ago but refund still not issued.
“They received my return 10 days ago, still no refund!!!!!”
Try-before-you-buy allowed trying two colours without paying for both.
“try two different colours of same dress (good for sizes too)”
Try-before-you-buy allowed testing two colours without paying for both.
“Try before you buy is great”
This page combines submitted experiences with public reviews from platforms such as Google, Trustpilot, etc. Recurring points are summarised without changing the content of reviews.
French Connection is a UK-based fashion retailer founded in the early 1970s, selling womenswear, menswear, accessories and homeware through stand-alone stores and an e-commerce site. The brand is headquartered in London and operates internationally, with a mix of full-price stores, outlet locations and online channels. Consumers researching French Connection commonly look for sizing, fabric quality and return policies when comparing its garments and services.