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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 11:12am | IP Logged
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In my journey towards minimalism (in everything but books  ),
I am on board with the idea that less is more. One of the supposed benefits of this is that you have fewer items, so what you do have can be of superior quality.
But I find that thinking flies out the window in the case of clothing. Yes, less is still more here, but I find myself at loss to determine what clothing is "quality" anymore- what will last.
OK- cheap items are obvious. Poor construction, cheap fabric- it's easy to spot you guys, and you get by-passed.
So on to higher end items- but I've been burned here as well. Last winter I bought a really nice Jones of New York sweater on clearance. I washed in cold, laid flat to dry- and it still shrunk about 2 inches in length, so that I feel it is too short for me to wear comfortably. For Christmas I splurged on new socks for myself- and after only a few wearings, they have holes in the toes! 
Can you judge quality anymore by label or maker??
I feel like every clothing purchase I make these days is a roll of the dice. And I do shop pretty much sales only and at thrift stores. But then that takes a lot of time- thrift stores being very hit or miss.
I went into JC Penney's this morning, hoping to pick up a couple t-shirts- only to find that Something is Going on There. Half the store was Alfred Dunner wear (not my fav) and the St. John brand seems to have been elimated  - I liked the SJB tees for under $10.
*Sigh* ...
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
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Booksnbabes
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 11:53am | IP Logged
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No real help, but plenty of commiseration! I believe clothing quality in general has gone downhill. Land's End used to be a good bet, but I've not been impressed with recent quality. Fabrics seem thinner and there is less attention to detail in stitching. Hanna Andersson seems more consistent to me, but the prices are definitely prohibitive. I like their boxy tees because they are more gender-neutral and knowing they can be used by all the kids in succession makes the price slightly more palatable. Target used to be nice for inexpensive yet durable clothes, but we've not had good luck there in a couple years.
I try to thrift shop, but I do not have a lot of success and it really does eat up a lot of time. I have a hard time finding modest, flattering clothes for myself and what we find for the girls is not usually clothing of which we approve! I have better luck with the boys, but they are proving harder to fit as they grow. I tend to look more for clothing that can be destroyed without me feeling too bad about it at thrift stores, then splurge on a couple nice outfits from Gymboree or Hanna which have been the most consistent for me in terms of quality, knowing it can be passed down. We have had luck at Costco with clothes, though that's kind of hit-and-miss for quality too.
For the boys garage sales are nice. The past two summers I have been able to find places clearing out just the sizes we needed, and outfitted the boys for several months for very little. We have the modest clothing issue for the girls at garage sales. And our girls prefer comfort to style, so much of what we find they do not really like.
The trend toward tissue-paper tees is disappointing. I used to pick up Gap tees when on sale, but the newer ones are much thinner and last not nearly as long. They have proven more durable than Target tees though. Land's End are ok, but the last time I bought them I found the length to be lacking (I like long tees).
All this to say, yes, I feel your pain! 
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 12:36pm | IP Logged
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I have to avoid anything from Lands End that says "layering" tee now- the material is so thin. I just had to return two t-shirts that I ordered from them on line for dd- the material was not only thin but also rough and scratchy.
I meandered into Talbot's recently- the clothes look so cute and spring-like. But I have to wonder- can a t-shirt for $50 really be worth the cost?
We don't have Nordstrums or Macy's here or any type of outlet malls. Selection is fairly limited.
I know some people have luck ordering from eBay- for brands like Hanna-
but since my dd has outgrown the knit dress style, fit is more of a concern, and I am reluctant to gamble there.
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Mimip
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 1:28pm | IP Logged
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I've given up completely getting anything that will be for long term use.
We get t-shirts and jeans from old Navy for my 10 and 12 year old. We layer EVERYTHING! Camisoles are our best friends. We got t-shirts and light sweaters for under $5 in their clearance section this week. BUT, I don't expect it to last more than 6 months. Yes, its a pain to constantly have to replace our wardrobe but nothing seems to last even if I spend an arm and a leg!
We are a bit different here because we wear all our clothing year round. Its always warm here so we wear out everything! I even gave up with buying bathing suits from Land's End because they just aren't what they used to be. We use our bathing suits everyday for 4 to 5 months and they get shredded by the pool. Now we just buy the cheapest we can find. We buy 2 of each bathing suit and once the first one gets bad we start using the next one.
i stinks 
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JodieLyn
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Mimi have you considered going to places that sell the swim team practise suits? that is one place where I've found quality with the name.. Speedo, Tyr, Dolfin etc. We love the "Dolfin Uglies" (line name).. we get them at swimoutlet.com and they're good quality and they're lined, front and back! While we don't have the year round swimming. We do swim team so these suits are used heavily during our summer and they're pass-down-able.  If you dont' like just the tank suit.. these companies also make a board short and such for wearing over the suits.. and they often have a "fashion" line for the two piece tankini varity.
I shop online. So many places have GOOD return policies and driving around to all the stores.. wow does that take a huge chunk of time. Plus, some of the stores (jc penney comes to mind) has had really good size charts. I also look at some of the more sporting places known for quality.. REI (they have an outlet) Campmore, Sierra Trading Post. They carry some of the really high quality clothing and gear type of items are deep discounts. Anyway, shopping onliine is so worth it for how fast I can check any number of stores for items that will meet standards and then work out the fit.
Oh and Columbia Sports Wear.. their winter coats.. worth every penny (but see above for how I shop  ) I've sent in a jacket that I'd bought had been worn by 2 girls for a total of 4 longish winter seasons to them for a repair.. my only cost was shipping it to them.. though you're supposed to have bought the item retail not secondhand.
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stefoodie
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 3:57pm | IP Logged
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Sigh. I have the same frustration, so I'm really just here to empathize.   is how I feel about the clothes available to us these days. The fabric is too thin, or the cut immodest, or the sewing deplorable, etc. There's still some good buys at the thrift shop, but like you, I find it hit and miss. And then I tried going back to sewing around Christmastime, and even after buying patterns and fabric on sale, I still ended up spending ~$30 for a blouse... what's the use...
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3ringcircus
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 4:30pm | IP Logged
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I do well w/ Sierra Trading Post for some nicer quality pieces. Random, but nice.
Just beware that 2nds are never worth it. Even if they say it's "cosmetic flaws", I've never had that be the case. Overstock/Closeout items are good.
I just tried Ann Taylor Loft for the first time and got quite a few things. Hopefully they'll hold up. The cut is great on the things I picked out, and the fabric a little more substantial. Since I'm only just now getting past the "everything is stained from breastmilk/messy toddler" stage, I need to get more longevity, too.
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Kristie 4
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 7:16pm | IP Logged
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We thrift for practically everything- mostly at a consignment shop near us.
Boys jeans are from Old Navy. Outdoor gear from Mountain Equipment Co-op- their stuff outlasts all 4 kids~
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stefoodie wrote:
| Sigh. I have the same frustration, so I'm really just here to empathize. is how I feel about the clothes available to us these days. The fabric is too thin, or the cut immodest, or the sewing deplorable, etc. There's still some good buys at the thrift shop, but like you, I find it hit and miss. And then I tried going back to sewing around Christmastime, and even after buying patterns and fabric on sale, I still ended up spending ~$30 for a blouse... what's the use... |
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Ditto!
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 7:57pm | IP Logged
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And it just seems to take a lot of my time, even with online shopping
Things have to be tried on, then returned if they don't work, etc.
And I spend a good bit of time repairing holes in items- not wear and tear holes, but little pin holes that appear, especially in Lands End clothing, and holes in socks that are practically new. Bleah
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CSBasile
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 8:09pm | IP Logged
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For younger kids (up to 10 for girls) -- Gymboree. Their pajamas generally wear wonderfully and last through many washings. I usually have good luck with their t-shirts, pants, dresses and skirts still looking good after many washings. Occasionally I'll run into a line that isn't as good, but most of the time I have no problems. Gymboree can be expensive but they have alot of sales, and if you use a Gymboree visa you get a percentage (10%?) off, and if you combine that with a sale or collect gymbucks, you can get the clothes very inexpensively. I've purchased $500 worth of clothes for about $100 with gymbucks, Gymboree visa card, plus the gift cards I've earned from having and using the Gymboree visa card. (Combined with sale prices to get the biggest bang.) I'm just sad that my daughter is starting to outgrow their largest size.
I wish I could find such deals for my teen son and myself!
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: March 09 2013 at 9:21pm | IP Logged
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oh on the socks.. try going up a size.. sometimes it works and there's less of a stretch to stress them.. not always possible but on some where they expect a lot of stretch to fit foot length.. going up a size does help.
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MicheleQ
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I have been thinking about this topic a lot. I was shopping last Friday and came home very frustrated. Higher quality clothes are harder to find, BUT I also realized that although I SAY I would be willing to pay more for better quality, I'm not sure that's completely true. There were some clothes available that I could tell were higher quality. The Lauren line at Bon Ton for example --but it was pretty much out of my price range. Or was it?
I wonder how accustomed have we become at bargain shopping that when faced with the choice between cheap prices and low quality clothes or higher prices and higher quality clothes, we're willing to truly pay that higher price?
Bear with me, I'm not challenging anyone just sharing my thoughts here. I think quality, or value is relative to what we are looking for and what we are willing to pay for it. And "quality" isn't the same for everyone --although I would guess in this case that we're generally talking about clothes that last through many washings, don't come apart, pill, twist off grain, shrink, etc.
Still, I can't decide what "value" is to you or you to me because we value different things and I have to ask myself why I am willing to pay a premium price for one thing and not another.
I sew so that gives me more options for clothing although truthfully my issues with clothes in the stores are less about the materials and more about the fit and style of what I find. As a woman what I found was either too sexy, too frumpy or too expensive. But again I have to ask myself why I'm not willing to pay $65 for what was clearly a well made blouse. OK part of that is not being SURE that the investment is worth it. I know that I can't afford to spend that much on something that won't last but if it IS something that will last and it fits well, why not? Look at what we ARE willing to spend money on. Look at all the food issues many of us have and the money we put toward it (out of necessity yes but clothing is necessary too). What about appliances? I hear people talk all the time about buying more expensive "quality" appliances since they are used so often and I went about crazy trying to find a decent can opener in the last few years. I finally found one and it was $10 which seems inexpensive to me now after looking for so long but I have to admit that I fully expected to find decent can opener for under $5. After blowing money on them for years and not having them last more than a few weeks I am thrilled to only have to pay $10 for one that works.
Back to the clothing thing. I wonder if the industry has gotten us so used to the idea that clothing should be inexpensive that we forget what it really takes to make something. I mean think about all that goes into the making of a shirt. The cloth, the pattern making (which trust me isn't something you just whip out), the actual sewing, the marketing, etc. We know too that a lot of why these things are so cheap has to do with the way others are exploited in order for us to get that price. 
stefoodie wrote:
| And then I tried going back to sewing around Christmastime, and even after buying patterns and fabric on sale, I still ended up spending ~$30 for a blouse... what's the use... |
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Stef, I would propose that if that blouse fits well and lasts (and in my experience things I sew DO last much longer) --$30 was a deal! :) What I see among sewing (not saying this is the case with you but just in sewing circles I frequent) is the same mentality of cheap and fast that we have in terms of ready to wear clothing. I think we need to change our thinking and realize that a few well made, well fitted pieces can go a long way towards easing the craziness that is clothes shopping (never mind the craziness that can be our closets and laundry rooms).
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JodieLyn
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Nice post Michele. Yes it's hard to pay what seems a very high price for an item you don't know will last.
But one advantage right now.. scarves are quite fashionable and I've had lots of fun with the ones I got at Christmas. A plain tee shirt can be dressed up to different degrees, different colors etc just from switching around a scarf. Which means you can get that change without having to buy more shirts. So while you need enough clothes to handle the laundry, you can gets lots of new looks for much lower costs.
Sewing is tricky for cost. One you certainly can't pay me for my time in sewing, but if you do sew, over time you do find ways to cut costs.. you use less fabric as you become more skilled at setting out the pattern, you know when the best deals happen (brave the black friday sales for fleece!) and you learn which items really save the money and which don't. If you have a daughter needing a formal dress.. even a wedding gown.. you can generally cut the ready made cost in half. (of course that doesn't count in your time) BUT it also means the clothes can be custom fitted which is a huge benefit in itself.. necklines high enough, bodice fitting without being too tight or too loose in spots.. ah.. wonderful.
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pumpkinmom
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Wonderful post Michele!
I've had good luck with Eddie Bauer. I use to buy from them before we were a one income family and their stuff lasted a long time. There clothes also fit and I could buy the same size in anything they sold and knew it would fit. We have an outlet store that I go to sometimes and have great luck there too. My winter coat was bought there and has lasted six plus years and survives being washed 2-3 times a season. I placed an order last month for three shirts (sweater, long sleeve knit shirt, short sleeve knit shirt) and it was $112 with shipping and everything was on sale. I can't tell you how hard it was to spend this money!!! Honestly, we can't afford this. It just so happened that my husband got an unexpected check in the mail that covered it. The clothes are wonderful and worth every penny! I paid twice what I normally pay for a plain t-shirt, but I know these will still be in my closet in 5 years as the others only make it a year. I haven't washed my sweater yet, but hoping it goes well. Sam's Club carries Eddie Bauer and I always pick up a shirt when I'm there. These are not first quality as in the EB store, but they are bargain prices and worth it.
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 11 2013 at 11:49am | IP Logged
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JodieLyn wrote:
| Nice post Michele. Yes it's hard to pay what seems a very high price for an item you don't know will last.. |
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That is the heart of the problem for me. If I pay a lot, will it last??
I would be willing to pay a lot for one pair of very well made black pants that fit me, could be machine washed and that I could wear for years. That classic style is what I'm after. But I am just not sure who makes that pair of pants anymore- where can I look?
Am I going to pay a lot for everyday t-shirts or a pair of turquoise skinny jeans? No.
Then what about things like sweaters- styles change, so I don't want a sweater that will necessarily last 20 years, but at the same time, I don't want one that will shrink and be too short after two washings
I agree that sewing is the way to go if you have the talent and the time.
I just wish it could be easier to go shopping for clothes and then actually come home with clothes
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SeaStar
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| Posted: March 11 2013 at 11:52am | IP Logged
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Also- as far as buying women's socks in a larger size, can you?
I never seem to see much of a size range for adult socks.
I wear shoe size seven.
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JodieLyn
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not sure.. the expensive socks I buy are smartwool and yes you can buy those in sizes..
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MicheleQ
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JodieLyn wrote:
| Sewing is tricky for cost. One you certainly can't pay me for my time in sewing, but if you do sew, over time you do find ways to cut costs.. you use less fabric as you become more skilled at setting out the pattern, you know when the best deals happen (brave the black friday sales for fleece!) and you learn which items really save the money and which don't. If you have a daughter needing a formal dress.. even a wedding gown.. you can generally cut the ready made cost in half. (of course that doesn't count in your time) BUT it also means the clothes can be custom fitted which is a huge benefit in itself.. necklines high enough, bodice fitting without being too tight or too loose in spots.. ah.. wonderful. |
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Agreed. I rarely have to buy a pattern anymore (and when I do I wait for the $1 sales at JoAnne's) and I usually have enough fabric in my stash or again I check sales and a fabric outlet near us.
Custom fitted IS a huge benefit but even among women who sew they don't always know how to do it. Manufactors know that most people these days don't sew and if they do they are probably still not making enough to compete with ready to wear. Think of how that differs from years past. It had to be a true "value" to buy your clothes because they knew most women could just do it themselves. So cut and fit were more a priority. Quality materials and good craftsmanship also had to be there.
But if people have no choice (like most nowadays) then maunfactureers can be less careful. Add to that is the issue of consumable clothing. Do we really think an $8 t-shirt from Aeropostale will last more than one season?
SeaStar wrote:
| I agree that sewing is the way to go if you have the talent and the time. |
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I don't think it's talent so much as skill. Years ago women knew how to sew and they knew how to fit themselves. Nowadays most people don't.
I get the "time" thing, my time is really limited too but after shopping Friday and coming away with nothing I realized that I could have spent that time sewing. Granted I've been sewing a long time and have the skill but I've seen people learn pretty quickly.
And truth be told we should all have MORE time than the women of yesteryear who had a lot more to do household chores wise. It can be done, but like everything else you have to decide if it's worth it and then make time for it.
The problem is kind of like that of dinner for me. I don't always plan well because I know there's usually something in the freezer I can pull out or a can or two I can open up. In other words I don't have to plan dinner in the morning or we won't eat. We may not eat as well, but yeah, we'll eat.
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JennGM
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$30 was a deal, Stephanie!
Michele, I think the hesitation on paying $65 for a blouse is our lives. I do pay higher prices for certain things, but buy less. I expect my clothes to last a while if I'm paying for the higher quality. But typically I don't wear the $65 blouse to make dinner or teach at home. So part of my weighing the clothing quality and price is for what purpose are the clothes. And how do I take care of it?
If I'm making my clothes I always prewash and preshrink, but store-bought clothes aren't necessarily. If I have to dry-clean to keep its pristine condition, that adds to the cost. But I will do it for my Sunday and other dress-up clothing.
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4Real Forums : Our Lady's Loom, Larder, and Laundry
Topic: Thoughts on clothing quality...
