https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:52:13 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092858 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 17:19:19 +0000 notsaf 2092858@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am always very happy with 100% organic cotton, no matter where it's purchased from (and including H&amp;M). </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092833 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 15:15:28 +0000 Synne 2092833@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>FashIntern, yes that's my experience too. Cotton + polyester blends often pill fast. Pure cotton is better, but doesn't launder well (colours fade, shrink and lose shape). I have learned to appreciate pure woven polyester, but take into account that it must be laundered daily (to avoid BO). I also quite like merino wool (good for growing bodies, children, stretch well), aka Superwash wool. This is more pricey, but launder like a dream and is well worth the investment. Good for both colder and warmer weather. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092806 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 13:59:04 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2092806@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div>Great post!</div><div><br /></div><div>You, Joy, and Shiva make such good points about thrifted clothes. I wonder if I'll ever be able to get myself to shop that way. It was a goal last year, and went unfulfilled. For now, I'll shop my closet and local makers. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Very interesting about the fabrics, especially the black and pink sweaters. <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My son has generally been happy at H&amp;M. They're fast fashion, but he's fast-growing. One exception, sadly, has been the heavy weight hooded sweatshirts (60% cotton, 40% poly) from there. He loves them &amp; they look great on him, but they pill badly after a couple months. <br /></div></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092722 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 05:03:00 +0000 Suz 2092722@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ohhh....great topic.&nbsp;</p> <p>My biggest disappointment this year was this 100% linen pant from Zara. The fabric itself was fine. And actually, I got a lot of wear from them, considering -- almost 30 times within their first season. I really liked them a lot!! But then the zipper broke, and it broke in such a way that it ripped the nearby fabric beyond repair. There wasn't enough seam allowance to patch it up. That's fast fashion for you. I've had some items from Zara that have really gone the distance, though. (E.g. the sarong short --- seasons old and still going strong -- but it's polyester.) So you never know.&nbsp;</p> <p>As others have said, knitwear is a complete crap shoot. I do have some cashmere I love. It has pilled some, yes -- but as <b>SarahDB</b> said, the pills are removable, and if the fabric is thick enough, it doesn't affect the look. (Meanwhile, I've had other cashmere garments that I could not wait to get rid of. It all depends!) Finds shows a couple of my older and still very functional cashmere sweaters.&nbsp;</p> <p>Then there is the cotton voile top from Loft (Fast Fashion again) that I bought for a trip in 2015 and is still going strong despite the delicate fabric and the fact I wear it multiple times a week in its season.&nbsp;</p> <p>Several of my silk shirts have proved very hard wearing as well. I do launder these items carefully and they never go into a dryer. But I wash (in the machine) ALL my silks, cashmeres, wools, cottons. The only thing I don't put in the washer, really, is blazers and coats.&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092703 Wed, 15 Jan 2020 03:13:20 +0000 Anonymous 2092703@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>One of the main attractions of thrift shop shopping is the pre-conditioned garments usually of a quality superior to new these days. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092687 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 22:55:38 +0000 Synne 2092687@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I want to love cashmere (is there anything more luxurious?), but I have been scorned here too... In a perfect scenario I'd only wear exquisite curated garments in natural fibres only, but I need things that can be thrown in the laundry. I have some pure wool, linen and silks that I treat with great care, but these dont work in my everyday life. Call me lazy, but I'd call it practical :-D</p> <p>Thanks for your replies, very informative! Fabric content is an enigma it may seem. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092667 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 21:36:32 +0000 SarahD8 2092667@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Totally agree with the "pre-tested" aspect of thrifted items!</p> <p>I've had some very good thrifted pieces from fast-fashion brands, such as H&amp;M (their LOGG line seems to be pretty good, not sure if it exists anymore) and cotton tops made in India from Old Navy. And honestly my Old Navy jeans (bought new) wear like iron. Though I couldn't have predicted that up front.</p> <p>My take on cashmere is that, yes, it pills. But it can be de-pilled much more easily than blends (knitwear with synthetics like acrylic makes "sticky" pills that are hard to remove and leave a rough texture behind). And cashmere is otherwise SO practical for me (machine washable, warmer than other fibers, yet I don't overheat in it, and never itchy for me) that it's worth the maintenance.</p> <p>Hm, maybe I shouldn't be trying to convince you all how great cashmere is, so as to leave more in the secondhand market for me. You know what, cashmere is awful! Trust me, don't buy it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092652 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:41:48 +0000 Glory 2092652@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love your comment about thrifts items being pre tested so to speak. I haven’t ever thought of it that way and I like it! I have given up on spendy sweaters because there is no rationale behind what has staying power based on either fabrication or price. They seem to pill regardless. Also I can’t even with viscose. Even with cold water hand wash it shrinks like mad. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092647 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 20:22:41 +0000 slim cat 2092647@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm in minority - I prefer lyocell, viscose and rayon over polyester or polyester blends. Woven lyocell works for me in most cases. <br />Yes, it'll lose some color eventually and require careful washing ( dry clean would be best ) and drying naturally with a bit of drying machine involved in the very end. I got lyocell shirt from Express ( my third one in similar military/boyfriend style) and so far it's holding well.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.express.com/clothing/women/oversized-pocket-military-boyfriend-shirt/pro/09725531/color/Olive%20Green/">https://www.express.com/clothi.....531/color/</a><br />Couple rayon tops from Old Navy worked well ( bought a year ago ).&nbsp;<br />There is a shrinkage a little bit however all the styles are loose on me when I buy it ( oversized/boyfriend/fluid ) so it's less risky.<br />Disappointing item is metallic vegan belt from Banana Republic - the metallic finish is peeling off fast.<br /><a rel="nofollow" href="https://bananarepublic.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=518711002&amp;cid=1137031&amp;pcid=13447&amp;vid=1&amp;grid=pds_15_57_1#pdp-page-content">https://bananarepublic.gap.com.....47&#038;vi</a></p> <p> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092640 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 19:40:55 +0000 Sal 2092640@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting.&nbsp; My thrifted pieces have all held up well too despite two being from Fast Fashion labels.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>My two duds are below</p> <p>1) 100% cotton cable sweater.&nbsp; Stained it, washed it, lost shape.&nbsp; Tried dying it - looked awful.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>2) 100% cotton striped tee - lost shape, bagged out, then I stained it and it became a rag in our workshop.</p> <p>I had a dress I purchased that is a dud too but that was a style rather than quality issue.</p> <p>I agree that blends can be fantastic.&nbsp; 100% poly wears so well and has fab colours but I am trying to avoid purchasing.&nbsp; But in terms of how it lasts - you cannot complain!!</p> <p>Viscose is such a mystery.&nbsp; I have several star pieces- but it can shrink and lose shape.&nbsp; The pieces I have feel so different too....some are smooth, some are cosy, and some are rough.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>I have added a few 100% linen pieces (three).&nbsp; I love it but of course creasing is an issue.&nbsp; And colour fastness too - mine all now have a slightly washed look.&nbsp; I don't mind this but it is something to be aware of.</p> <p>Like others I think knitwear is hard to predict.&nbsp; I am reluctant to go spendy for this reason. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092603 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:38:21 +0000 Angie 2092603@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Blends are usually MAGICAL - but again, it depends on the quality of the fibres. And price point has little to do with it, these days.&nbsp;</p> <p>100% Viscose = Don't Do It. Or at least have extremely low expectations.&nbsp;</p> <p>100% Cotton can be very problematic actually. A 5% blend with 95% cotton is usually a better bet.&nbsp;</p> <p>Pilling can happen no matter what the content of the yarn is. It's about the quality of the yarn and the length of the fibres. We have no way of knowing this information when the fabric content is shared.&nbsp;</p> <p>Wovens are usually a LOT more stable and robust than knits. 100% Polyester knits are extremely robust actually. Indestructible. But you might not like the way they feel or breathe. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092597 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 17:25:45 +0000 notsaf 2092597@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is one of the reasons I've been shopping brick and mortar stores much more often lately. Handfeel is a huge help in assessing long-term comfort and durability. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092556 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 16:14:24 +0000 Liesbeth 2092556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have no answers regarding fabric blends. There's not a lot I actively avoid, only 100% woven lyocell because I have had several bad experiences with 1) creasing, 2) color fading and 3) fabric deterioration.<br /> I do have some brands I trust more than others. Still, you can get lucky with fast fashion too. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092541 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:35:08 +0000 Cardiff girl 2092541@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am no textile expert but I do agree that it’s a total lottery these days that’s why I like to feel the fabric in my hands before I buy.Price used to guarantee quality but this doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.l usually stick with mainly natural fibres although I do like some stretch in my jeans! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092536 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 14:25:08 +0000 Anonymous 2092536@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think it's viscose that Angie won't buy for that reason! Honestly though, high or low, clothes just seem to be a crapshoot with quality :(<br /> I just cant with pure denim though- soooooo inflexible and uncomfortable! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092531 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:52:28 +0000 Janet 2092531@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Knitwear is indeed a total crapshoot. And so is viscose. I have some that is great and holds its shape well, and some that stretches/shrinks in odd ways. It's always a gamble.&nbsp;</p> <p>I'm increasingly skeptical of cashmere at almost any price point. I have noticed some items that are actually starting to pill IN THE STORE. I can't imagine buying that. My favorite recent knitwear purchases are cotton blends. I can't tolerate super warm, heavy knitwear anymore anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092521 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:25:32 +0000 nemosmom 2092521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>Knitwear is SUCH a crapshoot!!&nbsp; I've had really expensive blend sweaters fall apart and pill horribly, and an inexpensive H&amp;M one last for 6 years despite being somewhat abused (accidentally tossed in a warm water load of kids' laundry, layered under an unlined corduroy jacket, etc).&nbsp; I find I can't determine quality by reading the fabric blend either - I've had super buttery soft ones, and really scratchy ones made of the same percentages.&nbsp; <br /></div><div><br /></div><div>My biggest thrifted winners have been outerwear (2 coats, 2 jackets). And one washable silk shirt.&nbsp; I agree with you on the 100% cotton denim!! It's sooo good.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092515 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 13:12:31 +0000 RobinF 2092515@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Interesting analysis. I tend to feel fabrics rather than read the tags when I probably should do both. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092512 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:56:11 +0000 Jaime 2092512@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Agree that thrifting really separates the wheat from the chaff, particularly with older items. I find viscose varies widely also.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092506 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 12:24:39 +0000 Helena 2092506@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Great observations, although I find there are an annoying number of exceptions to the rules! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092500 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:29:17 +0000 Brooklyn 2092500@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes, I don’t understand that either. I’ve also found that some viscose blend knit tops can feel soft and cozy but some can feel like cardboard. I do find cotton and cotton blends to be pretty reliable - but harder to find. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092492 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 11:00:18 +0000 rachylou 2092492@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I really don’t understand textiles. It must have something to do with the manufacture of the thread itself. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092490 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 10:40:13 +0000 Synne 2092490@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Added the amazing 95% viscose and 5% elastane top that is several years old and looks brand new. (Black).<br /> The pink sweater is the same fabric on the tag, but tore imidealtly, even before washing. I guess it is vowen more loosely. Is this the culprit? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/best-quality-for-price#post-2092487 Tue, 14 Jan 2020 10:25:29 +0000 Synne 2092487@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Reflecting on last years shopping bonanza.. (ugh..). What was the winners in terms of longevity and quality? What turned out to be stupid mistakes?</p> <p>Some of my thrifted gems have already proven to be strong as iron. I love thrifting for this very reason. What you see is what you get, pre-washed, pre-shrunk garments in all their true glory. No surprises here.</p> <p>I am most disappointed in some of my fast-fashion picks. Some fell apart during the FIRST WEAR! Unheard of!! Money down the drain (and landfill clutter :-| ). </p> <p>I have learned that woven fabrics in viscose+polyester+elastane guarantees quick pilling. Regardless of price point.</p> <p>Knit fabrics in pure polyester is also awful. Pilling and fraying instantly. Woven poly works better, and has actually impressed me!</p> <p>Knits in blends CAN work. I think key here is looking for nylon or polyamide, and steer clear of acrylic or polyester again.</p> <p>100% viscose proved it self a terrible idea. I guess it can work if you commit to hand-washing only, but the garments shrink in every direction and loose their shape.</p> <p>Viscose is a fabric I don't quite get. I have an old knit top in viscose and elastane which is sublime, has been through countless washing cycles, and still looks fabulous. Then I went about and bought another top in presumably the very same fabric, but it frayed and tore imidealtly. The first top was from a fancy brand, but not super expensive, the latter dirt cheap from a high street store. You get what you pay for, I guess?</p> <p>Added some of my shopping mistakes in terms of terrible quality. (1-5).</p> <p>Also some of the stellar winners. 100% cotton denim is wonderful, regardless of price point. I am pleased to have found sturdy blazers at second-hand shops in amazing quality (even with polyester blends). (6-9) </p>