A rant about inferior quality

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Angie is co-founder of YLF and its resident fashion stylist.

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A rant about inferior quality

— by Angie

on May 31, 2010

I’ll admit that I’m tough when it comes to the quality control of my wardrobe items. I have lower quality expectations for budget priced stores like H&M, but expect more from mid-priced retailers like Anne Taylor and Banana Republic. And I expect superior quality from pricier better-end stores like BCBG, or prêt a porter collections. To me, that’s a reasonable expectation.

But no matter what the price I don’t expect to see visible deterioration after one or two wears. An item of clothing, a pair of shoes or an accessory has got to give you more value than that. Surely.

Well, here are some disappointing updates:

My new denim dress started tearing under the armhole after the second wear and the tears just got worse and worse. In the rag trade this type of quality problem is called “seam slippage”. It happens when the fabric starts tearing along the seams while the seams are still intact. I returned the dress, hoping it might be an isolated incident, but because Martin & Osa are going out of business they couldn’t give me a replacement. This was my favourite dress of the season and I’m irate.
The pretty knitted grey, drapy dress from Melrose Street started pilling by the second wash. I’ll still wear it a few more times to super casual occasions but I’m left frustrated with knits all over again. With Melrose Street you do have to take into account that the price points are really low. And the other knitted item I received from them is holding up well. Still, I’m frustrated.
Then there is the squeaky pair of Kate Spades. At least with this one I was able to nip the problem in the bud and return them immediately. As much as I love Kate’s shoes, I was disappointed to receive a pair with such an obvious quality control issue. I hope it is an isolated case.

Items aren’t meant to last forever and that’s fine by me because I don’t want to keep things forever. But I’d like to get through at least one season of wearing my new goodies before they fall apart or start looking shabby.

Have you experienced any frustrating quality problems lately?

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55 comments · Add a comment

Mellllls

I’ve noticed that buttons on dress pants are notoriously not sewn on tightly enough. I buy dress points at both low and high price points and notice this problem on both. It’s such an easy thing to fix…just reattach the button tightly and I can do it myself. But….I don’t think I should have to re-sew on buttons before I even wear the pants.

May 31, 2010 at 12:28 pm

Rosie

Veteran

This does really bother me. No matter what I have spent on something, I do expect it to last at least a season! I’m sad about your denim dress – it looks so terrific on you and was so versatile. I’ve experience some low quality with Loft sweaters recently. They seem to pill and fuzz so easily and it frustrates me to get rid of them after a couple seasons. That said, I have some Ann Taylor cashmere sweaters that have lasted years and some Loft tees that seem to be holding up well. My H&M clothes end up strangely cut after one wash, but my Simply Vera Wang clothes are extremely high quality for the price.

May 31, 2010 at 12:29 pm

Scarlet

Veteran

That’s a bummer about your dresses! I have so many quality rants, it, actually embarrasses me to recount the amount of money I have payed for things that fall apart!!! The most embarrassing was I had a belt from Motif 56. I had one and loved it so much I bought another in a different color. The first time I wore it was over a dress and I was wondering why it seemed to get looser throughout the day. I thought maybe the elastic was loosening up from wear, so I kept cinching it tighter. At the end of the day I caught my reflection in a mirror and realized the seam in the back was completely tearing open! I could not believe I walked around work all day thinking I looked so cute when in fact I looked like an idiot with a belt about to fall off me! I exchanged it for a new one and the new one still wears great, so I guess the one was a dud, but still! I wouldn’t expect something that bad from H&M and it was definitely not H&M prices. And in general when, WHEN is the last time you bought a coat that did not require sewing the buttons back on? What in the world do we pay for?

May 31, 2010 at 12:40 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

I’m also often disappointed with garment quality. To the point of not shopping retail in most brands. I just go to a discounted version of the same thing. I recently did some ranting on this, too. http://www.legacyofpearl.com/W.....al-8071241

May 31, 2010 at 12:48 pm

Lesa

(website)

I just bought a really pretty Ann Taylor top with little ruffles at the top. Not only did the ruffles shrivel up to nothing my xxl machine wash turned into a see-thru xs.

May 31, 2010 at 1:01 pm

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I am about to return my brand-new Tignanello bag to Clarks because the stitching on the pocket edge came apart on its own in less than a week. This is an expensive bag, not a cheap one, and I am definitely disappointed. I will take a replacement if they offer it because I am hoping it is a manufacturing flaw rather than common defect of all the bags.

It’s so frustrating!

May 31, 2010 at 1:29 pm

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

Melllls, I have seen the loose button on dress pants and on jackets lately. What is the deal with that?

May 31, 2010 at 1:30 pm

LegacyOfPearl

(website)

Kristen: I’m so sorry to hear about that. My experience with Tignanello bags is superior leather and make quality. Big chance you won’t have that problem with the replacement.

May 31, 2010 at 1:32 pm

S80

(website)

I’ve had the same problems of buttons not sown perfectly on most of my coats wheather it’s in a 100-150 range or 350-450.it doesn’t matter what price they are never attatched properly.I’ve had my h&m tee pill after one wash.I know that was expected of that price but some of my f21 tees are still good after years.

May 31, 2010 at 1:32 pm

Elbe

(website)

I totally agree with Mellllls. I bought 2 beautiful coats from Elie Tahari that had many, many metal buttons. I actually took them to a tailor to have them resewn on so I wouldn’t lose one. Unfortunately, one of the metal buttons ended up cracking which was quite frustrating/disappointing. You can’t win for losing!

May 31, 2010 at 1:34 pm

April

Veteran

All of these stories are maddening. We don’t really expect longevity from cheap items, but disintegration after a couple of wearings is unforgivable in any item at any price. And rapid disintegration of expensive items? That is just criminal.

May 31, 2010 at 1:56 pm

Louise

Veteran

Like Melllls and Kristen loose buttons irritate me, and it can’t be that tricky for them to sew the on properly in the 1st place! 5 years ago my Nan re sewed all the buttons onto a coat not one button has budged since and it is the most worn coat in my wardrobe!

May 31, 2010 at 2:10 pm

Christine

Ooooh, this makes me so mad. I think stores and manufacturers must think we’re all stupid victims who will mindlessly buy things and somehow not notice that they fall apart in one wash or with a couple of wearings. Price point seems to make little difference, with some supposedly “high end” items disintegrating, some low end ones having seams that twist around after one wash, and other low end ones lasting very well. I’ve had good luck with Old Navy tees, Merona tees, and F21 tanks but won’t list all the many pricier brands that have let me down over the years. Another bad thing: you can donate old tees but generally charity stores can’t even move them so they end up in a landfill somewhere — last thing we need.

I also find my husband’s clothes last MUCH better than mine — though he is harder on his clothes — when they’re even made by the same companies. So it goes to show that manufacturers CAN make decent quality but choose to cut corners when it comes to womenswear, because they apparently think women don’t notice or can’t figure out what they’re doing.

Well, I DO mind. And thanks for letting me get this off my chest, Angie!

May 31, 2010 at 2:12 pm

Inge

(website)

Moderator

No Angie, not that fantastic denim dress!-((

I have to say I share your frustration about knitwear. I understand I can’t expect (as) much of very inexpensive items, although I agree with everyone that an item of clothing should last at least one season. Not so with a cheap pair of cropped leggings I bought recently. They started pilling the moment I put them on.
What saddens me a lot more though is that I’m having the same problem with some quite pricey wool and cashmere sweaters. I got a Design History sweater dress this Winter, and after wearing it once, it already looked horrendously shabby, pilling all over. It’s now been demoted to loungewear.

I absolutely love cashmere sweaters and other knitwear, with unique detailing, but I’m very hesitant to invest in this type of garments any longer, because of this. And I won’t be buying anymore sweater dresses…

(and yes, the “button issue” is driving me bonkers too;-)

May 31, 2010 at 2:15 pm

san

That is so sad when a favorite garment is failing in the fabric where you cannot save it. The grey drapey dress looks so pretty on you Angie, what a shame.
I am laughing at all of us who are having buttons falling off of coats, I thought it was just me!
I ordered a pair of the Kate Spade shoes. I’ll let you know if they are, or are not squeakers.
Thankyou for bringing this topic up.

May 31, 2010 at 2:18 pm

marianna

Veteran

Pilling is a huge problem for me. Last summer Nordstrom carried a brand of rayon tops called “Cameo Appearance.” They were priced at approx $50 (expensive for a casual top!). I loved the look of them and bought two — and both of them starting pilling after the first wear. I didn’t think to return them but I should have. I have since donated them because I hate wearing stuff that looks worn.

I’ve also had problems with Gap’s sweaters stretching/growing throughout the day, leaving me looking sloppy. Not so fab.

I have a pair of Gap trouser jeans that had to have all the buttons re-sewn because they all fell off (these jeans had rear pocket buttons and front pocket buttons).

I had a pair of patent Me Too flats and the patent started peeling off after the first wear. Returned.

I had a faux pearl bracelet from Nordstrom… the paint on the “pearls” starting peeling off after a couple wears. The bracelet was in the $80 range!

I could go on and on.

May 31, 2010 at 2:36 pm

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I just bought a white shirt for dd (for our family pictures) and the buttons are all falling off already- from the first time she put it on. It’s a nicer, silk blend shirt so this is frustrating (even though I got it at a discount store).

May 31, 2010 at 2:52 pm

rute

Veteran

I’ve learnt that, no matter how expensive the wool sweater or cardi was, they all look too old ofter two or three days of use. I’ve heard that cashmere lasted longer and was thinking of investing next winter but I see Inge has experienced problems with it.

I expect items to last a season, at least!

May 31, 2010 at 3:26 pm

Lady Cardigan

(website)

This winter I spent over $100 on a cashmere sweater that started to pill badly after one wear. It’s made me reluctant to buy cashmere again, although I do have a cashmere-blend sweater from Martin+Osa that’s held up so far well despite getting more wear.

In general, I am so tired of thin, cheap materials, loose buttons and quick-fading dye. Manufacturers do seem to think we’re stupid. But I pay attention and avoid buying items that I’ve learned won’t hold up.

May 31, 2010 at 3:59 pm

daligirl

(website)

I think consistent quality is hard to find in both higher and lower end retail. I have items from Target that have outlasted more expensive items and vice versa. It’s a gamble anytime you purchase an item. ):

May 31, 2010 at 4:32 pm

Emily

Don’t give up on knits – but this does show that, with knits, you get what you pay for.

I hear your frustration! That’s why I am one of those people that you see in a store pawing every item I’m interested in, to see what the fabric quality is like. If my fingers find unexpectedly good fabric quality, I’ll try on an item even if it’s something different for me.

On a positive quality note, it’s my experience that Gap’s fabric pants for day-to-day business casual wear like iron.

May 31, 2010 at 4:38 pm

Lisa

Veteran

I’ve noticed Banana Republic, Ann Taylor Loft, Express and The Limited items are not what they used to be in terms of quality. Gap jeans are still ok but I had to stop buying their sweaters too. I rarely go into these stores now because the price to wear ratio doesn’t pan out for me. In general I’m finding more and more designers are lacking in quality yet not changing their prices to match. I’m really bummed about a pair of Frye boots that cost me almost $400 and the leather is cracking after only 2 wears. I even added leather cream but it was too late for them. I guess because it’s end of season? I’ll keep wearing them since they cost such a pretty penny but I’m disappointed in those too. I don’t mind shelling out money for an item, when you consider how long it takes to find something you like and get a proper fit it’s worth it if it means you won’t have to go through the whole process again. But more and more, you have to because the items don’t last.

May 31, 2010 at 5:10 pm

Laura

(website)

Veteran

Just so we women don’t feel picked upon … the hem fell out of my husband’s beautiful silk blend Tommy Bahama pants. Now that should NOT happen with a garment of that quality. Harumph!

May 31, 2010 at 5:14 pm

florida

Veteran

Goodness, I bought a $90 MK Michael Kors cardi this Spring, and the first time I wore it, one of the buttons fell right off! Luckily I heard it fall and retrieved it from the floor. Upon further inspection, I noticed that ALL of the buttons needed to be reinforced! Grrrrr…

May 31, 2010 at 5:21 pm

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I only have one item of cashmere that never pilled. It’s a 30+ year sweater that my great grandfather bought for my father that I inherited. And I do spend money on clothes.
Price point unfortunately does not equate quality.
Recently had to return a pair of shoes to Nordstrom because they literally were falling apart on the second wearing.

May 31, 2010 at 5:23 pm

Carrie

I’m with you on the cashmere, annagybye! Last year, I inherited four beautiful Scottish cashmere sweaters from my grandmother, two crewnecks and two cardigans. She owned them for decades (based on the styling, I think they date from the early 1960s) wore them often and took care of them, and they look beautiful. One has just the tiniest bit of pilling, so I use that as “casual” cashmere.

I’ve thought of investing in a few cashmere sweaters myself, but I’ve held this fear that today’s quality just isn’t what it once was (especially if the top price points are out of reach). This thread just confirms those fears!

Carrie

May 31, 2010 at 5:36 pm

marianne

Active Member

Sorry about your denim dress, Angie! Is it at least fixable?
I agree, the quality at stores like J Crew and Banana Republic has gone way down. The most recent example is my recent search for an LBD. I think 5-8 years ago I would be pretty safe buying one at J Crew, but the fabric they use right now is so bad it seems the threads will break after a few wearings. And it’s what supposed to be suiting material, like wool crepe. Same story with their (and BR) sweaters. And predominance of cheap polyester in department stores? Ugh.
I typically prefer not to spend a lot on clothes, but I have some quality requirements that I can’t compromise on. In the past, I’ve been happy with mainstream stores like Banana Republic, but now I feel like I am being forced out to the higher price range. Unfortunately, paying a higher price doesn’t always guarantee quality.

May 31, 2010 at 5:51 pm

rae

(website)

Veteran

Carrie and annagybe have it re: cashmere. Scottish cashmere is far and away the best — I have a drawer full of cashmere sweaters I’ve accumulated at swap meets over the years, and the ancient vintage ones with withering tags that read “made in Scotland” put all the others to shame.

Angie, I physically hurt to hear that your denim dress had to go back! Maybe that is why they are going out of business…

May 31, 2010 at 6:23 pm

taylor

Veteran

Pilling is just the nature of the beast with cashmere, I find no matter the quality. I love my cashmere, so I am willing to let the cleaners take care of the prob. for me.

I have had pretty good luck all round, but truthfully very few of my clothing items go through the home laundry…washer and dryers seem to chew clothes up., and they never look the same after . I know the cleaners use chemicals and the environment etc. but my clothes are an investment…I am willing to pay to keep them looking pristine.

May 31, 2010 at 6:41 pm

Maya

Veteran

I don’t have a very high quality control bar and I’m glad for that, or I’m sure I would be frustrated too!

May 31, 2010 at 6:57 pm

Mellllls

Veteran

I guess I’m not the only one to complain about buttons…..

I bought a red trench coat Thanksgiving 2008 and the buttons popped off EVERYDAY I wore it. I was about to return it but I considered that a pretty serious defect. Instead my mom sewed them back on with heavy dental floss and that has done the trick. One button fell off this month but it was the first button to fall of that jacket in a year so I accepted it.

May 31, 2010 at 7:48 pm

marianne

Active Member

Oh boo, I just realized the denim dress is no more! Sorry I didn’t have any caffeinated tea today!
I also wanted to add the button issue is indeed very common. I had to reinforce the buttons on a few coats and jackets – not a huge deal, but annoying and really not acceptable for brand new items.

May 31, 2010 at 8:11 pm

Tabs

I’ve had a lot of problems with this recently myself! I’m in college, and don’t have much money to spend but I expect my items to hold up more than one or two wears! I bought an Old Navy v-neck to pair with my casual skirts, the second time in the wash there’s at least 10 holes in it. I realize ON isn’t the best quality but I do have cardis from there that have held up well! Then there’s the tank I bought, washed once, and my large went to an extra-small. I’m glad my little brother’s friend liked it because she’s the one wearing it now! And then there’s the darling, beaded cardi I got to wear around the office, washed once, very gently and I’m about about to have to sew all the beads back on!

May 31, 2010 at 9:02 pm

wilson

Active Member

Is it just me or do the clothes (price point for price point) in the UK seem better tailored and higher quality? Not like I shop in the UK all the time, but the few times I’ve been over there I find myself thinking this.

And oh yes, the buttons! That’s my biggest complaint also.

May 31, 2010 at 9:23 pm

Karen

I find even in high end shops the quality is not there==got a brand new ella moss knit top and seam slippage the first time I wore it. I’m spending less and less on ready to wear and more on my own sewing and design.

May 31, 2010 at 10:23 pm

Jenava

(website)

Veteran

I’ve noticed my Gap denim skirt is starting to fray around the pockets. Grr…

May 31, 2010 at 11:02 pm

Iris

My gorgeous teal trenchcoat had one of its shiny chrome buttons fall off, due to bad button sewing! Now I have to reinforce around 10 buttons so that this wll not repeat itself D:

June 1, 2010 at 1:14 am

emt

I’m with Maya (no complaints come to mind) –

& to Taylor, ALL my clothes go through the home laundry. The few items I need to handle more gently go in the washer in a lingerie net bag & get hung to dry – everything else is wash/dry & wear. I hate the chemical smell of drycleaning & dry cleaned clothes seem to grab perspiration smells more quickly & hold them tenaciously, so I avoid almost anything (other than coats/suit jackets & the rare special occasion dress) that require drycleaning. Definitely no day dresses or blouses/tops that need it.

June 1, 2010 at 6:07 am

FiestyWife

Active Member

Buttons is my main pet peeve! There have been times that buttons have started loosening up in the dressing room! GRRRR

June 1, 2010 at 6:14 am

FiestyWife

Active Member

Buttons ARE my main pet peeve! (I hate grammar!)

June 1, 2010 at 6:15 am

Justine

I know how you all feel!

Angie, you explaining what seam slippage was, was an excellent idea! Do you think in the future you can give more tech jargon on that kind of thing?

(For the time being) I quit buying new clothes. I’ve been going to the Salvation Army and Goodwill for my wares. I’ve found that in some instances the “older” version of clothes seems to hold up well. I have plenty of JCrew pants for instance that even though secondhand, seem to hold up amazingly well. My plan, for now, is too learn about brands I like by getting them second hand and evaluating their quality that way.

I wish you all the best of luck with your clothes!

June 1, 2010 at 6:50 am

yublocka

(website)

Veteran

I was standing in line at Target today to buy a $20 tshirt and noticed part od both sleeve seams was coming undone. I was frustrated because this was literally the only top left of this style and it fit me perfectly. I tried walking away but 5 mins later returned and bought it for $17 instead. Am I a sucker???

June 1, 2010 at 7:14 am

Debbie

Veteran

I recently bought two pairs of jeans for my daughter at a very popular Juniors store. Both pairs are coming apart at the seams. It is extremely frustrating. She has very limited option any way in terms of jeans so knowing these are not well made was disappointing.

June 1, 2010 at 8:27 am

Antje

Veteran

Oh Angie, I am SO bummed for you about the denim dress. I know how much you loved it, and you look so fab in it!
I’m totally with you on the bad quality frustration. I especially hate the pilling in knitwear. Besides throwing away money, I’m also annoyed about the terrible waste this creates.

June 1, 2010 at 9:02 am

Kim from Nebraska

Part of the issue with buttons is that they are machine stitched and not tied off; one slight tug pulls all the thread out it. I routinely resew on buttons and yeah, it makes me crazy, but not as crazy as losing one. I find more problems with seam-slippage on loosely woven items or anything with rayon, which I find is just engineered to fall apart. BTW, I have a denim dress very sim to Angie’s that I got 3 years ago from Lands’ End, and it’s holding up fabulously.

June 1, 2010 at 9:27 am

summerbl4ck

Active Member

@Justine hear, hear for thrifting! I don’t like to spend a lot on clothes, but am able to stretch my budget at vintage or thrift stores. I’ve definitely found that older items wear much better.

June 1, 2010 at 11:43 am

mamark

I just discovered a new pair of wool gabardine pants have very slightly different hem lengths, which I find extremely annoying.

I’ve had and hated the squeaky shoes.

I used to be a Coach devotee but found their quality to have slipped.

And the weak button sewing others have mentioned is a super pet peeve!

June 1, 2010 at 11:50 am

Fathenry

Interesting topic, I have often wondered why all my knits look so bad.

I bought a very cute vee neck sweater at ATL this February and it is absolutely trashed, I expected it to hold up much better than it has. I’ve nearly stopped wearing it after less than six months. It is covered in pills and even has a few snags. If I had paid full price for it, $45 or so, I’d be quite annoyed.

Its very disappointing to spend the time and energy picking out items only to have them look bad in a matter of a few wearings.

In general I’m not spending much on knits these days, because mine just don’t last at all.

June 1, 2010 at 4:35 pm

quita

I hate the button issue. I spent a whole day once just resewing buttons on all my cardigans and jackets. And I definitely agree about Banana Republic & JCrew going down. I still have sweaters I got from JCrew in the 90ies an they are wonderful, but recently I tried on a jacket and a button literally fell off in the dressing room. I gave it to the dressing room attendant and called her attention to the fact that the button popped off. When I walked by again a half hour later she had just put it back out on the sales floor with the button missing.

June 1, 2010 at 5:22 pm

taylor

emt, I see we have very different laundry needs.

June 1, 2010 at 8:50 pm

Joelle

I’m mostly a bargain and low-end shopper so I can’t be too picky about the quality of items, but I agree there are some things that are not acceptable at any price range. My pet peeves are knit fabrics pilling after a couple of washes (sorry to hear about that happening to the Melrose dress–very pretty style!), hemming that is clearly visible on the right side of the fabric, buttons not lined up properly with the corresponding buttonholes, and garments that are cut so that the grain of the fabric is obviously not straight. And no those weren’t intentionally designed as bias cut items! I don’t mind so much if buttons themselves are loose as that’s an easy fix.

June 2, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Sabrina

I read about another blogger that had a similar experience recently at Martin & Osa. She bought a cardigan that within a few wears started pilling and one of the seams came apart. They wouldn’t take back the item at the stores, but she called the corporate office and they either gave her a refund directly or directed her to one of their sister stores (sorry, can’t remember which option she took). Either way, they wanted to uphold their promise to deliver quality, so she was able to get her money back on the item she bought.

June 3, 2010 at 8:02 am

mare

“Martin & Osa are going out of business” guess we know why!

June 3, 2010 at 8:28 pm

Tanya

Veteran

Urgh, I have noticed this a lot too recently, especially with knits that pill after the second ( or even first) wear! It really drives me insane. It always seems to happen on my left hip/side, where my handbag rubs while walking. Any ideas on how to prevent this? It even happened to a fairly pricey silk jersey BR top

June 7, 2010 at 5:14 pm

A downward spiral of inconsistent retail quality

(website)

[…] not alone in this point of view — my recent rant about quality evoked passionate and frustrated comments from many readers. What can be done about the spiral of […]

July 7, 2010 at 12:43 pm

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A rant about inferior quality

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