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Fed up with replacing basics

Astrid

Veteran

I'm really fed up with the bad quality of my basics - cardigans, pullovers, tanks and t-shirts. When I take a hard look at them almost all pieces need replacing. I have no t-shirts left for spring/summer that aren't stretched or worn out and I bought some of them only last year. I can't just stop wearing those pieces because I need them to get dressed! And I'm really tired of spending so much of my clothing budget on basics that don't even last. And I'm not buying the cheapest stuff either!

There is no point to this rant, I just wanted to vent... Can anyone relate?

Shopping

34 replies

Latest reply was from Astrid

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Aaaaah.. How frustrating! Do you have Kookai where you live? Their basic long sleeve T's and tanks really hold their shape well.

ramya

Veteran

Hmmm Astrid do you think increasing the number of basics would help. Maybe if there is longer time between laundry they would hold up longer?

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Oh yes - even when I spend some money & wash carefully I find my summer tees start looking shabby very quickly. It's one of the reasons I don't like knits too, although silk/linen mix knits seem to wear better.

VernieJane

OMG tooooooootally !!!! This is the story of my life...I just don't make enough money to buy good stuff, so all the H&M, Zara, etc fall apart rather quickly...sweaters look ratty after one or two seasons...I like to wear black, and all my black basics are faded, which is really super annoying as well. I may try that laundry soap for black clothes, but I feel its a bit toxic...

Will keep in mind for Kookaï...does anyone have any other good brands that hold their shape over time and are mid price range?

rute

Veteran

so true! all Zara sweaters strech after just a couple of times.

Anonymous

Are they really basics? To me they sound like valid and useful pieces of your wardrobe. I don't think of cardigans and sweaters as basics, or even long sleeved tees. By getting better quality ones with more longevity you will save in the long run.

Astrid

Veteran

@Fuzzylogic
We do have Kookai, although I never shop there. I've had some luck with longsleeved shirts from Boden, the two I ordered a while ago held up very well so far so I'm thinking of duplicating those in the future. They also have t-shirt and tank top versions, although very basic styles.

@Ramya
That would be helpful, because I'm wearing my clothes often. But it would mean spending quite a big chunk of money to start with.

@Caro
I'm thinking about an alternative to t-shirts, but good summer tops are hard to find, especially because I'm picky about fabrics and can't stand all those polyester blouses that have been flooding the stores.

@VernieJane
I don't shop at H&M and Zara but to me it seems that no matter where you look it's the same problem. There don't seem to be any real mid price options left, paying more than H&M doesn't make for a much better quality IMO.

@Rute
I don't buy Zara because their cuts just don't fit me, but I have often heard the talk about low quality.

@Diane
Maybe they're not basics in the strictest sense, but I call them that because they are basic styles. Of course you're right that these might be worth the investment, but only if I'm sure I'm getting some quality for my money. I've tried to buy better quality in the past and paid the higher price, only to have the stuff wear out just as quickly.

Jules

Veteran

I understand your quality dilemma. I also don't find paying 50%-100% more seems to make any difference in quality. I can't afford more "high end" than that but have certainly had higher-end brands (not truly $$$ but more expensive than I buy myself) given to me and found the quality nothing special, and sometimes quite poor.
All cotton fades... I do find a blend of cotton and lycra keeps colour and shape a bit longer in tees.
I've noticed many people on here complaining that expensive knitwear pilled quickly as well.

Anonymous

Yes, I do understand Astrid. I wish I knew why quality has gone down at all price levels. It would be nice to pay more and to really know it was worth it.

Marina

So true, so true) Over the last year I actually find a solution on how to manoeuvre between proces. The thing is there a lot of sales and discounts on summery clothing and shoes during wintery season ( I mean such brands as Aldo, Monton, etc, mostly those lacking some luxury reputation), while in June-August period there is always a total sale on coats, scarves, and more alerting - boots. One may say such things might be recognized as of passed collections, yet it is no problem for me - I prefer classics that is always in trend.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Astrid, I share your frustration. Those of us with smaller wardrobes simply wear our clothes enough to --- if not "wear them out," technically speaking, at least to wear them down a great deal and leave them looking less than pristine within one season. And it's worst of all with summer clothing. I think the fabrics are thinner and lighter weight. Knits of course are generally risky. Based on my experience over the past two years, I've resigned myself that knit tops and sweaters, except of the highest quality, will probably have a 2 year or at most 3 year lifetime in my wardrobe -- and I'll spend accordingly. With my climate and lifestyle I absolutely need sweaters for winter -- but when buying mid-range ones I will only buy on sale. Because they just don't last.

As others have pointed out, high price tag is no guarantee of higher quality. However, I do find with sweaters it generally makes some difference. Fabric composition is also important.

My solutions for summer items are similar to those of the others: cotton-linen woven shirts vs. tees; linen or cotton-linen blend tees vs. cotton.

If Boden has been good for you, look there. I also wonder about Lands' End. Not the most up-to-date perhaps, but I think the simple tees would be a pretty good bet.

Helena

Veteran

I agree with Suz' point ... I personally don't have much faith in "long-term" investments, esp. for things like t's and other basics, because the more expensive things that are within my budget (which would be higher-end mall brands, not super-designer anything) don't necessarily last longer than the inexpensive ones. I spend and buy with the understanding that it will last 2 - 3 seasons.

For tees, I have had amazing luck with the Gap Bowery Super-soft tees - even my black one has not faded out one ounce and it gets washed and dried once a week. They are tailored but not tight.

cinnamon fern

Veteran

I am with you on this! With something like the perfect white tee, I want it to last forever.

For sweaters, merino makes a big difference.

Linen tees are great and don't get holes the way nice drapey cotton does, but the color still fades from washing.

Is there Uniqlo in Germany? Their cotton tees and tanks last pretty well and are super cheap. Same with heattech for layering tees.

E

Veteran

That's so frustrating Astrid.

Could you stretch out launderings? I hang my clothes inside out every night (I have a valet hook on my closet door for the purpose) for them to air out and give them the sniff test in the morning. Most of the time they pass! (I'm very sensitive to smells, so the slightest hint of one makes it go straight to the hamper.) I also don't put any knits in the drier.

You're probably already doing that though! The quality situation with most brands has gotten quite unfortunate lately.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

E makes a good point -- keeping clothes away from dryers improves longevity for sure.

Wanted to add I have also had good luck with a few GAP body tees. I actually wear them as sleepwear and they seem to be holding up quite nicely.

Beth Ann

Veteran

I air dry a lot of my knits, but I know most Europeans already do this more than those of us in the US, and I'm with you in my experience that poor wear can occur at all price points. Right now, my oldest pieces are from --- don't hate me --- WalMart. They aren't "real" fibers, of course, and fabrics made of petroleum will last a millenia!

I have addressed this situation by having lots of tees and lightweight knits to choose from. The problem is my "favorite" still gets worn into the ground, and the "runners up" get ignored.

Sigh.

ironkurtin

Veteran

I love buying basics, but part of that is knowing they have a half-life. Whites get dingy, blacks and colors fade. I used to buy 4 new long-sleeved white tees at the start of every winter and chuck them at the end. Because they do just die, alas.

I really like the JCrew perfect and tissue tees, btw.

catgirl

Veteran

This may be why I don't own many basics... Not only do they try my patience, but when I love them I worry about wearing them out!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I had the same thoughts as E -- I try not to over-launder things, and I also machine dry them only about halfway, to get the wrinkles out, and then hang them to dry the rest of the way. This seems to help prolong the life of knits especially. I also agree with Ramya -- a little more selection in the closet leads to items lasting a little longer because they don't get worn so frequently. But then, I am clearly not a wardrobe minimalist!

Adelfa

Veteran

DD told me several years ago that tees only last two summers *max* and this is so true. I buy fewer tees than I used to and purge more quickly. My tee wardrobe is bare bones compared to its former bounty, but at least they're in good shape and I want to wear them.

A linen tee from J. Crew sprung a hole in less than 2 months.

I didn't use to do this, but now I wash them inside out in cold water, gentle cycle, and hang to dry.

In terms of other knits, I've had experiences all over the map. One not-cheap sweater top I bought in September will not last another Fall. A merino cardi has lasted years, and a very inexpensive cotton one has lasted 2 years. I'm trying not to spend much on knitwear these days, which is hard because Angie says it is *the* top to wear!

KikiG

Veteran

I can totally relate, and I wash things only when absolutely necessary, on delicate, and hang to dry. It really gets frustrating when the search for a basic item like a flattering, not too sheer white tee can take **forever**. I do try to buy multiples when I find something really satisfactory. Price is no indicator of quality, sadly.

Years ago, I worked with a woman who did not police her wardrobe and replace items when she should have, and wore sweaters with fuzz balls, and suits with visible wear. This did not enhance her professional appearance; it distracted, and was just sad. I think of her often when I reveiw things for donation.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I found the laundering pilling my tees more than the wearing. Now I also turn them inside out and never put them in with towels or jeans anymore. Too much friction in the machine.
I have tees and even tanks lasting a good 3 years despite the hot weather here and need for washing after each wear. Maybe it's because I have enough variety that each is only getting worn an average of less than a dozen times a year.
I know you are not in the US, but I find mid to lower end places (Target and Old Navy here) are great for $10 or $15 tees. At that price, lasting just a season or two is getting my money's worth.

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks to everyone for the wisdom and commiseration!

@Jules
That's been my experience as well, in the price range I'm shopping. I've never tried anything high end and got nothing like that passed down, so I can't say anything to that. I wouldn't be prepared to spend that kind of money in any case.

@Marina
I already shop sales to be able to afford some pricier brands, but I also have to pay attention to not be too quick to buy just because something is marked down. I've bought some great wardrobe workhorses on sale, but also a lot of stuff that got purged already.

@Suz
I would be glad if my stuff would hold up two or three years on average! Truly, all the things I'm actually wearing are worn down, as you said, after a season or two at the most. And then I still continue to wear them and I'm not feeling good in them because I can't afford to replace say 10 tops that frequently. I do think changing to wovens for summer is a good idea, if I can find ones that fit. I'll keep looking at Boden, Lands' End too.

@torontogirl
Thanks for the tip, I might to try the Gap tees now that I can order at gap.eu.

@Cinnamon Fern
I agree with you on the merino, I have one merino cardigan that I still wear as loungewear that is great. Unfortunately there aren't many natural fibers available in stores, same with linen. I'll have to change my go to stores in that case. We don't have Uniqlo yet, but the first German store will open sometime in spring here in Berlin.

@E
I only wash when it's necessary, not after wearing an item x times. And I don't even have a dryer, so everything is air dried.

@Beth Ann
That's true with the air drying. My parents have a dryer, but only sheets and towels go into it, never ever clothes. And I think that's common.

@IK
Thanks for the tip, but we don't have JCrew. I wouldn't be so annoyed with fading colors actually, I'm much more bothered about shapes don't holding up, twisted seams, holes etc.!

@Una
I would stop buying them id I could, but I don't think my wardrobe would work without them.

@Janet
The numbers say I have a small closet, problem is when you only take those pieces that are still in nice condition it becomes ridiculous and you can't manage to build many outfits. If I had the same number I have now but everything would be truly nice and wearable, I would be much happier with the numbers and I wouldn't have to repeat as often. So I don't really need a bigger wardrobe, I need a better one.

@Adelfa
I agree with you that it's all over the map. I have a black layering turtleneck for example that I got for 15€ at Tchibo maybe five years ago and there's nothing wrong with it. Some things I got last summer are so out of shape I can't wear them anymore. And I'm trying not to spend too much either, but maybe that's part of the problem.

@Kiki
I agree on buying multiples, when they're great and available. And I wouldn't want to look like that woman either!

@Mo
I definitely wear my things more often then a dozen times a year, although I have no idea how often it really is. I definitely wash my knits (tops in general) on their own and not with towels and jeans, that's another washing programme.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Astrid, where are you? I'm afraid I only know American brands, I don't know how helpful I can be. : (

Astrid

Veteran

Thanks IK - I'm in Germany. But I can shop other European brands depending on shipping costs and return options.

fieldmouse

I think really it's just sort of the nature of jersey to get stretched and worn out with use, especially if it's thin and mostly (or completely) cotton. I try to prolong the life of my tees and tanks by having separate ones for loungewear, -and- separate ones that get worn on their own* from the ones that are used for layering. Once something gets to a condition where it's no longer suitable to wear on its own, it gets demoted to layering or loungewear.
* Also, I usually only handwash items in this category.

Very off-topic, but just wanted to say thanks for your help last year with figuring out those Boden jumpers! I ended up getting 2, in ecru and blue (green was all sold out by the time I made up my mind..), and only went down one size, not two, since I decided I wanted them a little oversized. They've been such a great addition to my winter wardrobe, we had a cold spell for a few weeks in January and they've kept me super warm

Astrid

Veteran

Fieldmouse, I also have different items for loungewear, mostly demoted things (old jeans etc.) and items that aren't suitable for going out like unisex tees, sweatpants and fleece jackets. And good to hear I could help with the jumper. The blue is gorgeous, isn't it? I plan to wear that one tomorrow, I've been wearing both of mine a lot.

Glory

Veteran

So frustrating. Lots of great ideas here already. I don't dry any of my clothing. I feel it holds it shape better and I get less fading. I'm not sure if I am just making extra work for myself. I do not tend to spend much on tshirts because they just don't last past 1-2 seasons, and this is regardless of price. I feel better about replacing the cheaper ones.

Thistle

Veteran

I totally hear you! I am amazed how fast some of my basics fade, stretch or wear out. Not sure if it is the quality I am buying or what. I also hate how thin some are. Like, you need to wear a cami under the tee kind of thin.

I have had some luck with cotton modal blends or spandex blends, both in longevity and color retention. The spandex helps them keep their shape and I think color.

I do so love 100% cotton, but they end up as loungewear awfully quick.

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