https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 04 Apr 2026 06:29:32 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1913322 Fri, 27 Apr 2018 13:21:11 +0000 Chris987 1913322@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>Aurore! </b></p> <p>Thanks <b>Sterling</b>! It's funny, I sometimes think I'm posting something that's not so interesting but it inspires a great discussion with lots of really useful and insightful inputs. That's the fascinating thing about YLF that keeps us coming back time after time.</p> <p><b>Thistle,</b> well, yes I have definitely been relying on the name because that has always worked in the past. Things change....live and learn!&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1913112 Thu, 26 Apr 2018 19:26:59 +0000 Thistle 1913112@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I've seen this, too.</p> <p>I was also a fan of theirs for years, but lately, even the quality in sizing is becoming more variable.</p> <p>The older stuff I have from them is still excellent, fits well, etc. The newer stuff is very hit or miss, and I am never happy to learn I gave $90 for 100% polyester that looks like it came from a discount store!</p> <p>Makes you think they're relying on their name rather than their product.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1913092 Thu, 26 Apr 2018 17:49:58 +0000 Anonymous 1913092@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b>Chris </b>-- after seeing your comment on my post about asics, I made a point of looking for this post. &nbsp;There is some amazing information in this thread and I need to read it all. &nbsp;Thank you for mentioning it so that I knew to look for it. &nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1913016 Thu, 26 Apr 2018 14:36:32 +0000 Aurore 1913016@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><div>That's a very interesting topic with very interesting answers. I was unaware the cost of materials had increased as much as <b>Gaylene </b>says! <br />Since I'm still building my style and wardrobe I try items from many brands at different price points, and I was naively surprised that the price and quality don't always match. At least for clothing : as of now, I have found that the quality of shoes and bags are rather in line with the prices.<br /></div> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912974 Thu, 26 Apr 2018 13:02:15 +0000 Chris987 1912974@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p><b></b><b></b> <p>Tulle, yes you are right. It certainly does seem that some&nbsp;brands now carry some good quality items and some not so good.&nbsp;As if it wasn't enough work to find something that fits in colors you like, now you have to examine quality too even for brands you used to be able to trust on that score.&nbsp;\</p> <p>Gaylene you are so right in your comments about the cost/quality of making vs. buying clothes. I stopped making clothing a long time ago and would never start doing it again for the economic reasons you stated. And you are aslo right about how pricing is done now. </p> <p>Unfrumped, yeah, RL is inconsistent. That jacket looks&nbsp;really nice. <br />&nbsp;</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912563 Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:46:00 +0000 unfrumped 1912563@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I hear you. I check out the RL items in a local department store. Often don’t have my size, and interestingly the brand goes both very classic/ prep or very boho. But every so often I find something- 2-3 yrs ago a gray silk blazer, lined, which I wear spring- summer when some other fabrics look too heavy. Haven’t seen similar items in other brands. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912532 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:48:59 +0000 Gaylene 1912532@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Barbara Diane and Sarah raise an interesting point. I remember a time when discounts of 10-15% were the norm for clearing out end-of-season merchandise. By the time discounts reached 20-25%, only the dregs remained; discounts of 60% were unheard of because retailers and manufacturers wouldn’t be able to recover their costs. </p> <p>I suspect today’s margins are quite different since discounts of 50% or higher are quite common. That $90 price tag assumes that, in a few weeks, that garment will be selling for under $50 AND both the retailer, distributer, and manufacturer will be covering their costs and making a profit. Once you account for design and labor, the actual cost of the materials in that $90 garment probably is in the $10-15 range. Even a quick trip to a fabric shop will show you what kind of fabric and notions you’ll get at that price point. </p> <p>I guess my point is that most of us no longer have any idea of what it would cost to make that longed-for quality garment in today’s retail environment. When I used to sew my own clothes back in the 80s, it would cost me $25 dollars to make a simple cotton shirt with $15 dollars of fabric and $10 for buttons, notions, thread, and interfacing—and my own 2 hours of labour. In 2018, that shirt would now cost me $160 in materials alone and would have to retail at close to $400 in order to give consumers the kind of discounts they regularly expect. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912518 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 22:06:25 +0000 tulle 1912518@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fabric quality has declined steeply over the past 10 years, and synthetics have replaced the majority of silks and cottons, even in extremely expensive designer brands.&nbsp; That said, most brands have individual items made of high quality fabrics, and Ralph Lauren still carries more of these than most.&nbsp; The consumer really has to hunt in stores, and meticulously check the "fabric content and care" section of online offerings, to find the best. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912435 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 17:07:55 +0000 Colette 1912435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is so common anymore and extremely frustrating. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1912408 Tue, 24 Apr 2018 16:36:42 +0000 Chris987 1912408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for all the commiseration. It's a jungle out there for sure! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911419 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 17:04:43 +0000 JAileen 1911419@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I needed new belts and bought one recently from Ralph Lauren. It’s leather, but feels kind of cardboardy. I bought a couple from LLBean and the quality there seemed very nice, actually. </p> <p>Back in the 80s I had a really nice London Fog raincoat with a zip out liner and removable hood. I bought another London Fog raincoat a couple years ago and was surprised by the comparative low quality.</p> <p>I think manufacturers have cut quality to keep prices from skyrocketing. The ones that haven’t definitely shock me with their prices. I recently bought an Arc’teryx hoodie for $180. It really was fabulous, but I couldn’t convince myself to spend that much, so I eventually returned it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911400 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 16:32:44 +0000 kkards 1911400@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>yup...the oldest challenge, which had me pulling out some old Loft stuff (which i saddly decided were not wearable) showed me just how much quality has declined in the last 10 years.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911319 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 12:10:22 +0000 cindysmith 1911319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>It's a mess out there in the retail world for sure. My mom recently gave me a tshirt that was from a Lane Bryant brand and I was pleasantly surprised at the fabric. Nice thick cotton, and a nicely fitted silhouette. </p> <p>It's a total scavenger hunt out there. Brands that I loved in the 90s for their nice silk separates (Ann Taylor and Jones New York) have taken a nosedive in the quality fabric department. With my new lifestyle chewing through clothes, it's probably for the best that we've experienced a race to the bottom on price or I couldn't afford to clothe myself LOL. It does suck that it's so difficult to find quality garments for those rare days when I'm able to wear something without fear of ruining my outfit, though. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911312 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 11:45:30 +0000 Anonymous 1911312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have also found quality lowering in my main go to of Lands End and Talbots ( as Krish pointed out).<br /> I think that just as couture houses have had to compete with increase in number of designers, so too brands that use to be considered “ better” are competing with fast fashion and have to cut corners somewhere to keep solvent or keep profits up.<br /> I do find you can no longer assume anything about any brand. Which begs the chicken or the egg question........<br /> Are we less brand loyal because quality went down or has quality gone down because we are less loyal. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911236 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 01:52:39 +0000 Bonnie 1911236@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The shirt looks really good in the photo. This often happens to me, too. It's disappointing to find shoddy merchandise rather than what was expected. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911229 Sat, 21 Apr 2018 01:37:31 +0000 Carla 1911229@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sorry to hear of your experience. The RL fit really works for my body. The Lauren - RL jeans are holding up very well, but they are a very nice, thick, non-stretchy fabric with a high cotton content. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911158 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:25:58 +0000 krishnidoux 1911158@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think Barbara's got it. Still, our favorite brnds are falling prey and will lose us as customers. My favorite brands - one of which was Talbots - are going down the same path and it's just awful. If they are going to offer the same flimsy fabrics and (possibly) cheap sewing, then I'd rather shop at Zara's, H&amp;M or F21 where at least they offer runway knock offs. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911147 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 21:08:19 +0000 SarahD8 1911147@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I agree with you <b>Barbara Diane</b>. I think it's a vicious cycle. As a consumer, I'm now aware of the decline in quality across many brands, so I'm thinking to myself, "Well I'm sure as heck not paying {retail price} for THAT, I'll wait for a 40% off promotion!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911121 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 19:21:15 +0000 Barbara Diane 1911121@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think one problem in general is that so much clothing is priced with the expectation that in reality it will be sold at 40% or more off, rather than the old expectation of full price, so the quality is knocked down to accommodate.</p> <p>I do find it harder and harder to find quality. And I am also guilty of buying on significant sale. But I willingly pay full price on items that meet my needs and I prefer that to so called bargains. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911080 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:07:59 +0000 Chris987 1911080@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>thanks <b>La P</b> I'll check out those promo codes</p> <p>thanks <b>smittie, Janet, Cardiff Girl! </b></p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911068 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 16:36:39 +0000 Cardiff girl 1911068@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I do so agree with you.I think high end brands have a cheek these days charging the prices they do for shoddy fabrics and the finishing on some garments!I would be ashamed if I d made them myself and I m very much an amateur sewer.Well done you for calling them out and sending the garment back. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911050 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:45:30 +0000 Janet 1911050@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I’ve been seeing this more and more often lately. A lot of fabrics are really turning me off these days. I don’t mind poly if it has a decent feel to it, but there are a lot of fabrics in the stores that have that overly slick feel that I associate with cheap fast fashion pieces — but they’re on tops that cost $100! No thanks. </p> <p>Boden quality sounds so nice. I wish their aesthetic spoke to me more. Or rather, I wish there were a corresponding quality brand with a bit more edgy and less classic style! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911047 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:39:07 +0000 Anonymous 1911047@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This brand in particular is crazy. You can still find beautiful fabrics under this brand (truly leagues above) but also horrible ones! You really have to go to the store in person to know what you’re dealing with. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911046 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 15:38:57 +0000 LaPed 1911046@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris, Boden regularly runs free returns promotions usually in combo with 15-25% off. Check Retail Me Not etc for the coupon codes. I receive the paper catalogue several times a year and it always includes a promo code.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911030 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:57:40 +0000 Bijou 1911030@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Chris I thoroughly agree with you. There is nothing worse than poor quality fabric. I hope Boden does fit and work for you as I bought two blazers and the quality is exceptional - both Angie picks. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911026 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:50:29 +0000 Chris987 1911026@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks <b>Toban</b> and<b> Angie</b>. Inconsistent is the watch word!&nbsp; It's a good thing I enjoy the hunt I do need to try Boden, although the sizing looks like it might or might not work for me&nbsp; depending on the item (their largest petite sizes might be the teensiest bit too small) and although shipping is free, returns don't seem to be. When I really think about it spending a few $$ for returns is no worse than being disappointed by poor quality. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1911008 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 14:30:14 +0000 Angie 1911008@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>IT'S SOOO ANNOYING. I hear you,<b> Chris.</b> You have to be VERY discerning about quality these days. It's EXTREMELY inconsistent across most brands and price points. Boden being one of the exceptions.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1910988 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:49:06 +0000 Toban 1910988@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>How disappointing! I agree with your point on being willing to pay a bit more for better quality material. It's getting harder to find, unfortunately. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/poor-ralph-lauren-fabric-quality#post-1910985 Fri, 20 Apr 2018 13:43:17 +0000 Chris987 1910985@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p> <div></p> <p>I've&nbsp;long been a fan of the Ralph Lauren brand, because the styles<br /> are classic, the fit is good on me, and the fabrics feel great and are long<br /> lasting. I’ve moved away from severely-classic styles so I don’t have a lot of this&nbsp;brand any more but I’ve always felt I could count on it. The <b>white shirt,&nbsp;jeans, and bag </b>shown I finds are what I have now. I'm talking about the lower end Ralph Lauren, not the very pricey line which is way outside my budget. </p> <p>I just ordered and received the<b> print floral blouse.</b> It is a&nbsp;lovely print,&nbsp; like a watercolor botanical print with the Latin names of the&nbsp;flowers included in cursive writing style. The style turns out to be a little&nbsp;too classic for me. However the big issue is the FABRIC. It is 100% polyester, and&nbsp;although I’m totally ok with synthetic fabric and have a lot of&nbsp;it in my&nbsp;wardrobe either alone or in blends, this particular polyester feels awful&nbsp;on the&nbsp;skin and looks cheap. It is like something you’d expect to find at F21&nbsp;for $15US, not a Ralph Lauren item priced at $90. I’d give the brand a pass for&nbsp;one infraction, but I tried a <b>dress </b>earlier in the year that had similarly&nbsp;awful fabric. It was marked 100% cotton but it felt like a cheap, wrinkly synthetic and was&nbsp;almost “noisy” in motion</p> <p>I get that it’s important to have inexpensive clothing available&nbsp;in the marketplace because lots of people are working with very limited<br /> budgets, and I don’t negatively judge anyone for buying inexpensive clothing&nbsp;for whatever reason. I also get how tough it is in the retail business these&nbsp;days, with enormous pressure on profits and ultimately clothing manufacturers&nbsp;need to stay in business or nothing else matters for them. </p> <p>But taking a brand known for fabric quality and&nbsp;introducing fabrics of poor quality just to keep the pricing unchanged is going&nbsp;to lose me as a customer. I would rather pay a little more if that’s what it&nbsp;takes. Very disappointing. </p> <p>NEXT. </p> <p> </div> </p>