https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Tue, 12 May 2026 15:30:00 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-339 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:57:34 +0000 mayapple 339@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Dancingstar, I had a poly top from BCBG. It was ruched at the side and very form-fitting. It looked smashing initially, but I have to say it wasn't the most comfortable thing in the world. It also wasn't very forgiving, so once I started developing minor lumps and bumps, it really put a spotlight on them...but that was more a matter of me being a size bigger. It's an adorable top for sure. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-338 Thu, 24 Jan 2008 07:55:03 +0000 mayapple 338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>My judgments about quality come from the initial fit and attention to small details. Cheaper clothes tend to fit as though they were never tested on a real human body. I have a consistent problem with H&#38;M where any kind of tie waists or wrap tops always seem to tie at least 2 inches below my actual waist. I thought it was just because I'm short-waisted at first, but it doesn't happen at other stores. It's always a gamble though because you never know how things will turn out after a year of vigorous wear and laundering. I find that "regular" Banana Republic jeans shrink to the point of being unwearable, while their premium denim does not. Likewise, I was really disappointed when my DKNY Soho's grew a full size bigger after just a few months (and with a 2 being the smallest size, I couldn't even get a size down), but I wasn't surprised since they were only $48. </p> <p>I will say that I do have my suspicions about any garment made from a blend of more than 4 fabrics. I have a shirt that has a label about 3 inches long to accommodate all the fabrics it contains, and it feels like wearing a balloon. I can't explain it, but it was definitely not a wise purchase. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-284 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:54:20 +0000 Dancingstar 284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you both for your responses. I guess watching WTNW and having previously bought quite a few bad juniors polyester items made me go on that ban. I probably needed some reassurance that not all polyester is bad.<br /> I'll wait for a price drop, and then the top is mine! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-283 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:23:18 +0000 shannon 283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh by the way. DancingStar, the top is very cute. I would buy it! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-282 Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:21:38 +0000 shannon 282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You are right! I have a few tops made from polyester that I just love. Actually I just bought one and the minute I went out in public with it on I received a compliment. It's not that I am afraid of polyester I just want to buy better quality. I am learning a lot through this forum. I honestly think I got the impression that polyester was no good from watching "What not to Wear." I guess when you have $5000.00 to spend on clothes at one time you can buy all silk and cashmere, but that is not real life. I am going shopping with a girlfriend tomorrow. I will go with a whole different attitude and a lot more knowledge for sure. Thanks everybody! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-281 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 23:34:54 +0000 Nicole 281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I didn't realize there was so much polysnobbery in the world! What is your reason for personally banning polyester in the first place? Does the word conjure up memories of an old smelly aunt. (Mine was Aunt Toni, who would take a bath in Tabu and wore double knit black polyester pants and mock turtlenecks, with no sleeves--for some strange reason). Anyway...Polyester has come along way. It's really a lovely fabric--resists wrinkles, stains and fading, it has a flattering drape, and it's comfortable. If you like something and it likes you back, you really shouldn't ban it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-279 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:45:27 +0000 Dancingstar 279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Hmm, on the polyester:<br /> I also have a goal of " buying less of a better quality" and stopped buying polyester for a while. I am currently in love with of lot of stuff that BCBG does, but quite a few dresses and tops are polyester, for example:<br /> <a href="http://www.bcbg.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2923522&#038;cp=2769127.2769071&#038;clickid=cat_leftnav_txt&#038;parentPage=family" rel="nofollow">http://www.bcbg.com/product/in.....age=family</a></p> <p>Does anyone have experience with BCBG polyester? Do I break my ban or keep away? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-275 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 21:44:44 +0000 Angie 275@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Nicole is spot on and the bargain queens post on "choosing better quality" is a good one. Unlike Stacey London I believe that polyester has its place:</p> <p><a href="http://youlookfab.com/2007/01/26/polyester-has-its-place/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2007/01/.....its-place/</a></p> <p>Cotton is a good example of a natural fiber that does not wear well despite its breathability and appeal. It’s weakened by the sun and does not hold its shape, colour or size after routine laundering. No matter how much you pay for a cotton T-shirt (designer or Old Navy) - it’s going to look shot in year because the fabric was not made to last. </p> <p>Today, there is no guarantee for good quality garments no matter where you shop. J Crew used to pride itself on great quality and their cashmere was disastrous this year. For increased profit purposes, many designers use mainstream fabrications and garment manufacturers, which renders their product quality no different to mainstream retailers. It’s tricky knowing how well an item will launder or dry clean, even when it looks superb in stores. I’ve seen loads of different clothing quality levels after working with garment manufacturers for years as a buyer, and I’ve become a little cynical about expecting super quality. I guess they just don’t make things the way they used to so that we purchase more when clothing starts to fall apart, pill or look worn out. </p> <p>I’ve gone a bit off topic Shannon, but my point is that you need to develop an eye for what good quality is and remember that even though we pay more for what is usually considered good quality, it doesn’t always mean that it is. And, you can get perfectly acceptable quality from cheaper stores if you know what you are looking for. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-266 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:28:45 +0000 Becky 266@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Check out this post from The Bargain Queens:</p> <p><a href="http://fashion.thebargainqueen.com/2007/09/how-to-choose-better-quality-items/" rel="nofollow">http://fashion.thebargainqueen.....ity-items/</a> </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-265 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:53:00 +0000 Nicole 265@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>The kind of fabric (polyester, rayon, cotton etc) does not define quality. Non organic fabrics can be high quality. I think when people talk about quality, they are referring to how something is made, and the quality of fabric. Poor quality cotton, vs good quality cotton. </p> <p>My mother was a dress designer, and she can spot quality a mile away. Its in everything from the kind of thread and buttons that are used, the quality of the fabric itself, and the design and cut of the individual pieces that are sewn together to make the entire product.</p> <p>Also, high cost doesn't meant high quality either. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/what-is-quality#post-259 Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:32:43 +0000 shannon 259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a little confused about the fabric a garment is made from and what is considered bad quality, or something I should stay away from. Stacy London is all about natural material, cotton, silk, cashmere, wool, etc. Does that mean I need to stay completely away from polyester, rayon, nylon or viscose (whatever that is). Just because an item has these things in them doesn't make it poor quality, does it? Aren't these things needed? Can you tell just by feeling an item if the quality is poor? I do pay attention to what something is made from, but mostly I just feel the item, pull the seams to make sure there is not a lot of gap, check the buttons to make sure they aren't already falling off, etc. You said that quality can come from anywhere, just have a discerning eye. </p>