YouLookFab Forum » Topic: High-quality clothes

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: High-quality clothes https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:05:25 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php kkards on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1115055 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:44:58 +0000 kkards 1115055@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Gigi, I often have to order my size on line, but for brands like jcrew, BR gap etc, I will usually go int a B&M store to see the garment before ordering. One, it gives my an idea of quality and too it helps me to understand how that item is sized. Also, I try to only buy were shipping both ways is free, or I can return to a B&M str Gigi on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1115048 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:41:46 +0000 Gigi 1115048@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Laura, you make me laugh! Yes, a trip to the thrift store makes you realize that sometimes quality can be *too* high on an item! There are some pieces of clothing that we really *want* to die. :^) Interesting what you say about the relationship about quality and the catalog brands. I don't mind paying more (like at L.L. Bean) for something that I know will last. And they do seem to really stand behind their products, which would imply that they have factories that are predictable and that they can trust. When I was shopping for a pair of Old Navy jeans this summer, I wanted a pair that was very close to 100% cotton. I found a pair of jeans that was a very close fit in the store, but I wanted the petite version. I had to order the petite version online (not carried in the store), and when it arrived, it had a completely different fabric makeup from the one in store. It had about 20% polyester in it, while the one in the store had no polyester (just cotton and spandex). I called Old Navy to find out what was going on, because their website did not say that there was a difference in fabric composition depending on what size you bought. They replied that they had different factories making the jeans and that they could not tell me what the fabric content would be on any future jeans that I might order! Craziness. Gigi on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1115036 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:34:00 +0000 Gigi 1115036@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Joy, I can no longer shop at J. Jill for the reason you mention--everything is too big now. They have terrible size inflation. I talked to an SA there the other day. She told me that J. Jill's sizes are not typical. She said that she wore a medium every place she shopped--except for J. Jill, where she wears an XS, their smallest size! So it's no wonder that I absolutely swim in everything from there. It really makes me sad, because everything I've had from there has been such good quality. Lots of wisdom here. I agree that actually being in a position to touch the garment before you buy is the best course of action. However, I have to do a lot of my shopping online because often my size is not carried in the stores. So knowing up front which brands carry better-made items helps save me time. I have been wondering lately about how the particular materials used to make the garment affect quality, as E pointed out. I have worn only natural fibers for some years now. I recently relaxed my rules a bit because it is getting harder and harder to find things without nylon, polyester, etc. added to the mix. So I will have to see how these mixed-fiber pieces fare over the next couple of years (I live in a four-season climate, so the garment isn't always worn enough in one season to show signs of wear unless extraordinarily inferiorly made). But even 100% natural-fiber stuff can be poorly made. For instance, I can't imagine that some of my 100% cotton shirts from the Loft are going to last that long. You can tell just from the touch of the fabric that it is thin and not going to hold up. In fact, everything I have tried from Loft, regardless of fabric composition, has seemed like it was made from cheap fabric, and I am hesitant to shop there anymore unless at a deep discount. I did read online that the less friction a garment is exposed to (e.g., in the washer, in the dryer), the less likely it is to pill, because the pilling comes from the ends of the fibers getting all knotted up. I air-dry my clothes, except once in a blue moon, so that is probably making a difference in longevity too. Krishnidoux, I'm in the U.S., so we don't have The Bay, but we do have the other places you mentioned. I did go to the Talbot's website and looked at some basic sweaters, and they do appear to be good quality as far as fabric composition goes (100% wool, for ex.). There's a Talbot's about 20 minutes from me; maybe I'll take a trip over there after Christmas/New Year's is over and the shopping craziness has died down. Laura (rhubarbgirl) on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1115021 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 22:20:33 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1115021@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it's hard to generalize about a whole brand, especially a mall brand. Each type of garment is generally made by a different supplier/factory, so a brand that makes really long wearing knit tees isn't necessarily a brand to go for for jeans, and vice versa. Catalog brands, like LL Bean and Lands End, seem to have long lasting relationships with their suppliers, so their items, especially the best sellers year after year, tend to be high quality. Plus they have guarantees. But they are higher in price, on average, than someplace like Target that might have their stuff made in the exact same factory. Unfortunately, as consumers all we can do is make our best guess on these things. A trip to the thrift store can be really informative, but then w lot of things last and last that I still don't want to wear, like that polyester double knit from the 70s that I can still see secondhand sometimes. kkards on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114986 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 21:23:00 +0000 kkards 1114986@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think it's hard to generalize about a brand, IMO the quality can vary from season to season, and even from item to item within a season. I think the best thing to do is to feel the garment and looking at the stitching and craftsmen ship. I've had some great BR stuff, and some stuff that only lasted a season. Same with the gap and Eileen fisher. I think it also helps to be realistic about the expected life time of an item. Some things, like a white tee are going to need to be replaced more often then a pair of black work trousers. So I think about the cost/ value relationship differently. Same with a new fashion item that I want to try. krishnidoux on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114655 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 08:33:13 +0000 krishnidoux 1114655@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am in Canada, but have found two brands: Talbot, because it does last, and you can find some cheaper items too. Guess By Marciano is a tad more expensive, but extremely well cut, well made and resistant.  In both stores, you have to forego their displays. Talbot's looks sometimes too classic, a bit dowdy, while a lot of their pieces are not. GBM looks sometimes (excuse my language) "slutty", and, true, some of their outfits are out there, but their basics are very, very reliable.  If you are in Canada too, then try The Bay, there are some good quality surprises in there.  Lots of my BR stuff wore down after a couple of wash Now I am avoiding it.  E on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114525 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 03:51:03 +0000 E 1114525@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Imo, the best way to get a feel for how brands hold up is to wander around a thrift store, even if you don't want to buy anything, and check out tags. My Goodwills are full of 'mall brands' so it's easy to see what's held up and what hasn't (and a lot of those stores even mark what season & year the clothing was sold in). To be honest, it seems to come down more to material/fabric/etc. than brand: I've got cotton blouses from Old Navy through Banana Republic/Ann Taylor that are still looking beautiful, but when I see knit tops (glorified tees) from the same brands they're usually showing their age more. That said, the cotton is usually softer/silkier in the higher end brands. My silk blouses seem to hold up equally well regardless of brand (I wash them all on the hand wash setting of a front loading machine, then hang to dry). My favourite summer fabric is probably cotton/silk blends, often form the Gap or Banana Republic: it has the most wonderful feel to it. Oh and my tees that I've thrifted second hand, and thus been happy with the quality of them surviving whatever their first lives were, are J Crew, Banana Republic, Gap, and Old Navy; they've all held up well but I don't wear tees that often. They're all 100% cotton; my favourite random brand cotton knits (tees and leggings) are organic cotton. Almost all of my non-vintage wool cardigans are from J Crew, but they're not all the same quality: most of them have the ribbon backing along the button band and are holding up beautifully (I wash the same way I do silk tops, but dry them flat) but a couple don't have the ribbon backing (newer perhaps?) and while they're still holding up/not pilling I do miss it/notice the difference. I have a wool/acrylic blend form NYC Company that isn't as good quality. Most of my newer (aka not vintage) wool/wool blend pullovers are from Gap/Banana Republic and I've noticed most of them need a good de-pilling session, but hopefully after I've done that they'll be good again. My cotton/silk/linen cardigans are all holding up quite well; in fact the linen/cotton blend from Old Navy is one of my favourites. The one that's ageing the fastest is probably a 100% cotton Merona one, which is a Target brand. I have a couple pieces from Talbots that I really like, and the stuff I came across from that brand while thrifting often is made out of delicious fabric. I wish I found it more often in my size! Ditto to Eileen Fisher. As far as trousers go (by this I mean non jeans style cuts), I was surprised to discover that the ones that tend to fit best/bag least/hold up well have a bit of man made fiber in the mix. I usually prefer natural fibers, but checking the tags, my favourites tend to have a bit of rayon or nylon or polyester added to the cotton. The brands are Gap, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and some random brand my sister got for me at Marshall's; I haven't noticed a quality difference. My winter wool trousers have held up well but they're both vintage. I have a pair of tropical wool black trousers by Piazza Sempioni (Audrey cut) that are very nice quality, but I don't wear black unless the occasion requires it, so they're not subject to much wear. I would *love* if they magically turned grey overnight, because tropical wool is one of my favourite fabrics but very difficult to find while thrifting, at least here in south Texas. ;) I have a few pieces by different Anthropologie brands, but I'm not sure how old they are. My cotton velvet blazer by elevenses is beautiful: it's completely lined in silk and a piece of art. My cotton & silk blouses are by Fei and Odille (might be another one, I'm doing this from memory) and I love them, although I did have to repair a split shoulder seam on one of the silk ones. I have a skirt by Fei that is full of the loveliest details, on the inside where no one knows about them but the wearer, which is a sign of quality to me. But when I thrifted it it still had its tags on so I can't speak much to durability yet! Wow, I've written a novel. Sorry about that, but I hope it's a bit helpful! There are various things you can check before buying that will give you hints about quality; often the same brand uses multiple factories, and different brands might use the same factory, so things can vary. An internet search or two should bring up information on what to look for! P.S.: the wool coat I've had the longest & worn the most & is still going strong is from the Gap, 80% wool, 20% nylon. Since Gap is often considered 'fast fashion,' that might be a surprise, but there you go! Destri on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114520 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 03:46:09 +0000 Destri 1114520@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll throw in Tahari for coats and dresses.  lyn* on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114505 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 03:24:01 +0000 lyn* 1114505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh yeah, I'd NEVER pay the regular price at Anthropologie - I stalk for second or third cuts, or buy used. I think the regular price is a bit on the crazy side!  I haven't found anything in the store that I like - anything I remotely like is >$300 and sells out even before it hits sales! I guess people are just desperate for some nice fit and flare skirts and dresses! I have liked my Kate Spade recently; I ordered another flare skirt off eBay so we'll see how that works. The sheath I got for Black Friday was only $60 or so, around $80 with shipping; and I quite like it - tons of compliments and the material doesn't wrinkle even if I sit in long therapy sessions without smoothing it out first. Anonymous on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114501 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 03:21:45 +0000 Anonymous 1114501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I may not be qualified to comment as I hand wash anything remotely delicate. I don't dry any of my clothes in the dryer unless to deliberately shrink something. Anything I've had Eileen Fisher has stayed pristine except one older silk knit tank that has had the hem come out and a cashmere cardi that pills. LLBean, Lands End, JJill are all too big or designed for a more curvy figure. My oldest jeans are Citizens of Humanity, Banana Republic and Lucky. All are in fine shape after years of wear. My Kuts are doing well too. Keix on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114392 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 01:34:25 +0000 Keix 1114392@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been surprised by how well some of my H&M clothes, especially the H&M Basic and LOGG lines, have held up to haphazard washing and drying in industrial-strength communal machines. If it looks ratty in the store, it won't last long, but there are definitely quality gems among the rubbish. Same goes for Target--I have a workhorse pair of patterned black skinnies and surprisingly durable Merona brand tights. For ethical manufacturing, an area I don't know nearly enough about, I really like Everlane's t-shirts. I also own one of their silk blouses and it has a gorgeous hand-feel but is high-maintenance (shows sweat stains and needs to be dry-cleaned after each wear). They also have some poplin cotton shirts that tempt me, if I were on the market for more basic button-downs. Also take a look at Boden--their sizing runs slightly smaller than American brands (I take 0/2 at Anthro and J.Crew, 2/4 at Boden) and the quality I've seen so far has been excellent. Meli on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114374 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 00:53:07 +0000 Meli 1114374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I took a look at most of the retailers mentioned. They're very pricey and not my taste (looser silhouettes or more casual than I need, and seem to be a little 'older') . I'm hoping that others continue to contribute because Jcrew and BR are so common, and I'm always on the lookout for brands worth buying. I've purchased quite a bit from Express (I do love their trousers, but the hems tend to fall out so I get them ALL tailored, their jackets are pretty good and their premium denim is nice) and NY&Company (hit and miss, some things really fall apart fast and some last a long time, but their jewelry is excellent). I don't buy super trendy, and I'm not against spending more $ on one item but it needs to be really worth it- quality, wear, and style. I also really appreciate ETHICAL companies. All the companies I mentioned have very clear regulations and preform inspections on the factories that produce their clothing to avoid sweatshop conditions. Gigi on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114371 Sun, 15 Dec 2013 00:49:43 +0000 Gigi 1114371@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks for the input, everyone! I was a minimalist dresser for a long time and pretty much just stuck to J. Jill and L.L. Bean. The clothes from those two places are pretty much indestructible! So I really got into a style rut, since stuff would die only after about three years of solid, six-months-out-of-the-year wear. I started revamping my style this year and have added quite a few new brands to my closet. Gabrielle, I have a few EB items and also am pleased at their quality. Unfortunately, their smallest size is a little too big for me, which is why I don't often think of them when I'm looking for a new item of clothing. It's a shame about being sized out, because they have some really well-made stuff. Cinnamon Fern, I haven't yet tried any of the brands you recommend. I am glad to have some companies to add to the list of "safe" places! I HATE sticking money into stuff that falls apart or looks awful after just a few washes. Lyn, I've tried shopping Anthropologie, but I wonder if some of their stuff has gone downhill after the era you listed. I checked some stuff out in the store that's not too far from me, and I was not keen on paying the asking price when confronted with what appeared to be pretty mediocre quality. But I was looking more at sweaters and not at skirts. I love their designs! Mo, I just started shopping ON this year. I have been very pleased at the quality for the price. It seems like they have Target prices but better-than-Target quality. I do have one or two Urban Outfitters pieces. It's upsetting to know that they don't last, because UO is a little on the expensive side. Ironkurtin, I haven't yet tried any of your recommended brands either. I like the fact that everything you own goes into the washer. I'm always too afraid to wash hand washables in the washer...I couldn't live with myself if I ruined something! I agree that white shirts do tend to look discolored after a while, even if the fabric is still in great shape otherwise. I've tried soaking shirts like that in Oxyclean, but I think I must wait until they're past all hope, because I don't notice much difference after soaking. :^( Meli, I do have two pieces of clothing from WHBM. :^) One is special occasion wear, and the other is a pair of jeans with lots of bling on the pockets. I'm glad to know that the money I shelled out for them will be well spent...WHBM doesn't often seem to have sales, so you're right that it's usually a bit on the spendy side. Grey Rainbow, I haven't tried any of the brands you've mentioned either. I'm glad you weighed in on the Vince knits, as it seems like some forum members have been having quality issues with Vince lately. The Eileen Fischer maxi sounds delicious!!! Grey Rainbow on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114315 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 23:28:15 +0000 Grey Rainbow 1114315@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm with cinnamon fern -- a topic dear to my heart. I prefer a small collection of things I love and can wear constantly without fussing about items losing shape and finish. I have Theory and Vince merino and cashmere at least a decade old that still look like new. Vince knits quality in the last few years has been declining IMO. Eric Bompard cashmere holds up for decades. Theory's jackets and trousers in wool blends are wonderfully durable, as are their silk shirts. Watch out for unstable black dye in their cotton stretch blend fabric that's been called variously Teach and New Recovery. Everything I own from Eileen Fisher wears and washes like iron even in the most adverse travel conditions, including a silk maxi skirt -- linen, linen jersey, linen knits, viscose jersey, silk and silk blends, a variety of wool blends (I only have one top in the silk-cotton blend). Paul Green shoes and boots are both comfortable and durable. Petit Bateau for cotton tees.  Meli on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114307 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 23:22:42 +0000 Meli 1114307@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ White House Black Market- and I buy on sale and with coupons only to afford it, but I think their clothing is amazing- lovely details, very high quality/well made, wears well, etc. ironkurtin on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114293 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 23:10:10 +0000 ironkurtin 1114293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I tend to buy higher-end but treat things low-end.  Everything goes into the washer, although I sometimes do hang dry. In my experience: 7FAM jeans Inhabit original (vintage) Helmut Lang Petit Bateau I do love Lululemon!  Never tried Under Armor, though Also, something things just have a half-life.  White shirts are going to look ratty under the pits after a while, no matter what you do. Mo on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114292 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 23:07:14 +0000 Mo 1114292@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This may sound crazy, but I've had Old Navy stuff really last for me.  Cotton shorts and poly blend tops mostly.  Most of my wardrobe has fared pretty well, across brands, actually.  What really sticks out are knits that are ruined after one wash - I'm looking at you Michael Kors and Urban Outfitters/BDG.  lyn* on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114278 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 22:46:42 +0000 lyn* 1114278@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am happy with my Anthropologie skirts, but mostly from the 2008-2010 era, so it's hard to find one -specific- item. cinnamon fern on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114274 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 22:40:07 +0000 cinnamon fern 1114274@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ For shoes, Frye boots.  I have a pair I bought in the 90s that are still doing great.  Also Coclico, for something more elegant. For workout stuff, Under Armor (so much better than Lulu, and half the price).  Also Icebreaker, though I must admit to having a couple Icebreaker sweaters I wear as real clothes.  Actually, pretty much any merino sweater, gear or not, seems to last forever. Real clothes are harder (and a lot of them never get washed).  My one pair of Levis have lasted longer than any of my premium denim, though I've had good luck with Paige as well.  My Eileen Fisher linen tees have been washed a million times and still look great (but the silk-cotton blend ones I got at NAS both already have holes in them).   Can you tell that this is a topic dear to my heart?  I become very attached to my clothes and hate when they start looking shabby or falling apart. Anonymous on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114272 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 22:34:03 +0000 Anonymous 1114272@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I too am focusing on quality items.  I will be following your post for suggestions.   I have had good luck with Eddie Bauer for casual clothes.  Brooks Brothers makes very nice shirts that I wear to work.  Sadly, I am at a loss to name many others.   Gigi on "High-quality clothes" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/high-quality-clothes#post-1114129 Sat, 14 Dec 2013 19:50:03 +0000 Gigi 1114129@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In trying to find a nice maxi skirt that isn't made out of cheap, thin material, I got to thinking about high-quality clothes. What places or brands have you shopped that have really impressed you in terms of quality and longevity of the items?  Two places that have really impressed me are L.L. Bean and J. Jill. I am somewhat of a new shopper to Ann Taylor and Banana Republic, but their clothes seem like they are well made also. Only time will tell. ETA: When I say "longevity," I mean how well the garment holds up wash after wash.