4 ways to identify high quality clothes
Buying high quality, durable garments is the foundation of a long lasting and conscious wardrobe. But in the heyday of fast fashion and cheap manufacturing it’s hard to spot the difference between clothing that will fall apart after a few washes, and items that will last the test of time. Read on for tips to identify high quality garments that are worth a place in your wardrobe.
Good fit and cut
There’s nothing worse than suffering through a long day in uncomfortable and ill-fitting clothes. Take some time before you commit to buying new clothes, to check if a garment has been constructed thoughtfully, as this is a great indicator of how it will wear over time.
Tops and dresses that feature darts will not only fit the body better, but are an indication that extra time and effort has been put into the production process, resulting in a much more wearable item of clothing.
When trying on clothes, check the cut is right for your body by ensuring seams sit flat and in the right places. For example, side seams should sit exactly at the side of the body, and not warp or twist. Clothing that fits you well will be a pleasure to wear, and will serve you well in the future.
Construction
High quality construction is essential to long lasting and quality clothing. The more care and effort put into construction at the beginning of a garment’s life, the more likely it will be to last. Check that the seams of your clothes are high quality by giving them a gentle pull. If the seams stay together with no obvious gaps or holes then that’s a great sign. Turn the item inside out and check to see if the garment’s finishings look tidy and hems won’t unravel.
Extra garment details like pockets, collars or buttons take time and technique to execute, the inclusion of these elements probably means more care and effort has gone into your clothing.
High quality fabric
In our experience, fabric quality is the single most important factor in producing high quality clothing. Generally speaking, natural fabrics, like cotton, linen, silk and wool, are superior to synthetic fabrics like acetate and polyester, but this isn't a hard and fast rule. The popularity of fast fashion means that cheap and flimsy cotton is abundant, so if a $5 cotton t-shirt sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. Check the quality of the clothes you shop for by checking the fabric isn’t see-through and feels durable. Stretchy fabrics should ‘recover’ well, meaning they’ll snap back to their original shape when pulled on or worn.
When shopping online make sure the fabric type is listed on the page and closely examine photographs to check quality.
Local manufacturing
Sewing clothes is a labour intensive and expensive process. Overseas manufacturing can be a way for clothing brands to keep costs down, while still producing large quantities. But this mass-production can have an impact on quality and may mean brands who manufacture overseas don’t place the same amount of value on quality and durability as a brand who manufactures locally. Brands who are willing to pay extra to have their garments made by local and skilled artisans have greater control over quality and help to reduce waste and overproduction. Supporting these values with your dollar is a great way to help your local industry thrive, and you’ll be investing in great quality clothing to boot.
We all wish our clothing would last a little bit longer, and by considering these 4 tips next time you shop you’ll be a little bit closer to a high quality and durable wardrobe.