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Items that go the distance

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Prompted by Caro's comment on my nickel and dime thread, I thought it would be great to list what has really held up and given us our value for the money, no matter price point.
For me instantly I think of my BF's $5 Arizona tees from JC Penney 4 (5?) years ago. It is no exaggeration to say that they are washed every week, and are basically good as new. One is a little shorter, but all in all, no holes, no twisted seams, no fading. Amazing really. By comparison, some American Eagle and Wicked Quick tees started showing wear within 10 washes. The AE were maybe $20, but the Wicked were in the $50 range I believe.
On my side, I have some 3 or 4 yr Old Navy items that are good as the day I got them. One is a white knit!! The other is a pair of cord shorts. I remember buying a silk/modal blend tee from Alternative Apparel and it shrank so bad the first wash it was not wearable. Ditto a Michael Kors cowlneck tank that twisted horribly the first time it saw water. Both of those were about $20 on sale (maybe $35 retail?) while my Old Navy was $5, maybe $9 full retail.
You just never know . . .

Any to share yourself?

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38 replies

Latest reply was from Janet

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I have been extremely lucky with my stuff. Even before YLF I seemed to have a knack for buying stuff at all price points that would last pretty well. My biggest fails and frustrations over the past few years have come from the Loft. Tees that seemed to spring holes when I even so much as looked at them. I've also had some misses with the Gap; much of their stuff tends to be one season for me on the whole, assuming my usual rate of wear.

Some impressively long and hard-wearing items from my closet include:

Kut from the Kloth Diana jeans, 3 years old and look brand new, despite plenty of wear...and, you know...white.

Comrags jersey sleeveless LB shift dress -- owned by a friend for several years, passed along to me, and worn a gazillion times. Slightly showing wear but not enough for me to toss it yet.

ameelizabeth

Nice topic!
Funny that you said you had trouble with Loft, Suz, because one of mine is a t-shirt I got on sale there...this sort of light brown/dark tan color with some bunchy sort of detail around the neck that just goes with everything. I've had it probably 4 years now and I still reach for it all the time (and it's held up well). I think that was actually the first thing I ever bought from that store.

Also a couple t-shirts from Kohl's...just the cheap Sonoma brand v-necks in colors that are bright (but not TOO bright!)

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

My Rodarte for Target long sleeved striped tee. It's something like four years old, and still works.
Janet turned me on to these
http://www.target.com/tcin?sea.....y=0%7CAll%:

I wear them under my scrubs and sacroiliac belt. Wear once, wash once. They've lasted over a year.

ironkurtin

Veteran

So much of what I wear is off-season or vintage, it's hard for me to chime in. I guess I must be getting old because I really do feel like things are't made like they used to. Even the Gap tanks i bought three years ago seem to be better than the ones they have now.

abc

Veteran

I'm hearing a Cake song in my head after reading your title.

I'm turning my closet over so fast due to new climate, post babies, weight loss, diff job (wfh vs office) that I can't really tell you yet. I'm hoping to slow way down buying and after a while I hope I have some winners like you guys have mentioned.

Diana

Veteran

I have a few H&M items that have lasted for years. My black jersey skirt with grey circles is one of them - I always take it with me when I travel because it's super comfy, looks polished, doesn't wrinkle, and goes with everything. It's been washed a ton of times over several years and only just starting to fade a little but still looks great, no pilling or shrinking. Tanya has the same skirt in pink. I also have a black wool swing coat from them that was $35 and still looks almost new despite a lot of wear over about 4-5 years. My other wool coats which are newer and a lot more expensive already show more wear.

But other H&M things fall apart immediately. I can never tell.

ETA: Also, I have these bootcut jeans from Lucky, sweet n lows in a particular wash with flap pockets from at least five years ago. They are my favorite bootcuts. They were starting to show some wear at the inside thigh seams, finally after many years so I tracked down a new dead stock pair on eBay. Amazing thing is, aside from the aforementioned seam showing wear, the old ones look exactly the same as the new ones. No fading whatsoever, no stretching, no shrinking.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Ooh, you reminded me Diana of my H&M linen dress I bought second hand off eBay that is going strong.
And Anna, I have some Mossimo ribbed tanks that are in good shape, considering. I bought mine even cheaper (she says sheepishly) at the Beall's Discount store for about $3.
I do have to wonder . . . most of my examples are over 4 years old. Has quality taken such a serious nosedive lately?

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LACeleste

Veteran

I love love love my Levi's utility jacket. It was on super sale ($20) at Macy's and is my favorite clothing item. I have washed it so many times and it still looks brand new. I think Lyn has talked about a jacket that people try to buy off her? This has happened to me twice while wearing it.
I think it's because the style is flattering and there is a little life in the green color---it's not too drab.
I wish I had one in reserve.

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Gigi

Veteran

Most of my wardrobe is only a year old, so I don't really know what's going to hold up or not.

I will say that I bought some very finely textured sweaters from VS last fall that did not hold up well at all. However, to VS' credit, I took them back to the store about a month ago to complain (I felt that they had stretched out quite a bit, and I had another item I'd bought at the same time that was pilling after only maybe 6 washes). They refunded all my money! So that was a very good experience.

As for my pre-YLF days, I have to say that *anything* I have bought from J. Jill has held up like iron. I have skirts and tops that I have worn multiple times a week for three years before they started to die. I remember one linen top that I loved to death and wore tons. On its third year, I took it out of the washer one day and noticed a hole on the back of one of the shoulders; interestingly, the hole was not at a seam. I repaired it with a little iron-on stuff (can't remember what it's called) and continued to wear it. A couple of washes later, *another* hole appeared! Same thing, not at a seam. It turned out that the shirt was literally disintegrating from use, as it began springing multiple holes. Had to toss it.

After these items were made, J. Jill upped their sizes (size inflation), and now I am sized out. I lament that often, because their clothes are excellent, excellent quality. Highly recommended!

Diana

Veteran

Mo, I definitely think that quality of some brands has gone down. lucky is a good example. My old jeans that I mentioned above were from when they were still selling jeans at more premium prices (now they are more midrange priced) and I think the quality reflects that. The fabric on the old Luckys is that substantial, not too stretchy, feels like velvet denim, and the new stuff feels flimsier and not nearly so soft or nice. That's one reason I was determined to find the old ones on eBay!

rabbit

Veteran

Often the things I have that last forever were originally thrifted, so there may be something to the idea of better fabrications a couple of years ago. I have two GAP gray sweaters, both mostly wool that have been going strong for years, also a GAP linen shirt that I think I acquired in college?! it's a neutral collarless button up, but not the best color on me most of the time so I'm donating it now.

The older Dr. Scholls Jennie sneakers I used to just wear then wash when they got grubby and they still are my continual lounge wear shoe after a few years of wear.

I have some DKNY straight leg jeans that have been around for maybe 6 years? Until this year they were getting worn all the time too, and they are still looking good.

I have gear of course that has been around for decades.

The most expensive thing that didn't last 5 minutes? Spanx. One with attached hose developed runs right away, and another ripped in part of the seat after wearing them for one day just walking and sitting.

catgirl

Veteran

On the pricy side, my Gidigio boots and Brahmin bags wear like iron and seem like they will last forever. My Marmot rain jacket is also a player.

On the cheap side, several Gap denim shorts and jeans have hung in there.

deb

Veteran

I just look in my closet for my oldest pieces.

Eddie Bauer Favorite tees - 6 years old
Talbot silk tanks - 5 years old
Lauren Ralph Lauren jeans - 7 hyears old

All are going strong. Washed and dried over and over.

Adelfa

Veteran

All time prize goes to two cashmere sweaters, both over 30 years old and not a pill on them. One is Lands End and the other is some specialty brand from Nordy.

My BR Sloan pants are wearing really well so far--they still look new after a couple of years. I don't think I've had a problem yet with H&M tees, blouses, or jeans.

Things that didn't last include J Crew cashmere, AT cashmere, J Crew linen tee, Pleione baseball shirt.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

1. My Coach wristlet I've been using daily for about two years now; I bought it at the outlet. The corners are a bit darker in colour, but aside from that, it's in excellent shape!

2. My Smart Set stripy top I wear it with EVERYTHING. One of my favourite tops ever - I wish I bought more!!! Or something like that!

3. My ModCloth Ikebana for All skirt - yellow; travels easily, no problems; I've washed it in the machine at least 10x and it looks fabulous. Bought it on a whim about 2 or 3 years ago.

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crutcher

Veteran

I have a Leith vest...from Nordstrom that I have worn and worn and worn...I have had it two years...and it is so my favorite piece of clothing...I can throw it over skinnies, a skirt, jeans, etc...It always looks wonderful...light military green, sleeveless, tunic length...

kkards

Veteran

i guess i'm pretty light on my clothing and shoes, as most of it lasts a long time. its easier for me to name what hasn't. i've had 3 items bought in the last year that really disappointed me, a pair of sam edelman shoes that are literally coming apart at the seams (and unfortunately in a place that my shoe guy can't get to), and 2 sweaters from anthro that stretch out at the bottom.

Anonymous

Leather goods give me the most value. I have Coach purses and briefcases that have to be more than 20 years old and still look good. I have some athletic wear from Landsend and Eddie Bauer that may also be about 20 years old and still looks new.

Suja

Veteran

Items from the Lands End starfish collection. The leggings, tunics and cardigans have been washed every week for 2.5 years. Sometimes multiple times a week in the case of baby spit-up or messy breastfeeding. I wore the leggings while pregnant too. The best value ever, especially if you get them on sale.

Mary Beth (formerly LBD)

(website)

Veteran

Max Studio ponte pants and leggings. My two original pairs - bought several years ago - have been recently downgraded for dance/exercise wear - one pair because it started pilling after three years of regular wear, and the other, because it had a split seam that I clumsily mended - again, after several years of wear. But the fabric itself is still strong, supple, and holding its shape beautifully. I have another 3-4 pairs in my closet, and anticipate years of use from these.

And my Forever XXI camis and tanks - we use these a lot as costume foundations under other tops and accessories for flamenco shows - and I wear them probably 2-3 days a week under toppers, or for gear. Some of these tops are going strong, with no real visible wear, for 3 years now.

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

I've got some older Lucky Brand jeans that I originally got from the thrift store and they are the heavier denim like Diana describes. I have no doubt they could outlast this decade. In more recent purchases, my Old Navy jeans have been very durable. Their vintage v neck tees are also surprisingly long lasting considering the price.

I think that a lot depends on the fiber content too. Most lightweight knits (I.e. not sweaters) will pill sooner or later, but I've got a surplice wrap top in that stretchy nylon mesh (from three dots, maybe?) that would probably survive the apocalypse.

My shoes are pretty durable in general. I must not be that hard on them somehow because all of them last multiple years, even when bought at DSW prices. I tend to get bored of them before they wear out.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

Fun thread

Low end:
Target linen tees. Two years old & not a hole in sight.
Some costume jewellery.
Mid-range: cashmere hoodies that have outlasted every other knit I've ever had - Hunter brand, which I think was taken over by Brora.
Rundholz shirt. Still pure white after about six years, it's an amazing cotton which is soft & crisp at the same time.
High end:
My Burberry coat - I sort of wish it would wear out so I could buy something lighter

Also have individual pieces of clothing that are vintage now which still look new like & are thirty years old ++

Anonymous

I don't have anything really old, but every summer I'm surprised that my Uni-Qlo white denim clams are still in perfect shape. I bought them from Savers, so they were already used, and I've had them for three summers now. They have been worn and worn and worn and washed with almost the same frequency. I even tried to dye them cream with tea and when they came out a dirty brown, I bleached the heck out of them and they looked as good as new again.
Two other items are my sleeveless silk animal print sweater (Coldwater Creek via thrift store) and my 3/4 sleeve snake print sweater (Chicos via thrift store). both at least 3 years old. The 3/4 sleeve sweater never gets a break, as it works in summer or winter. It goes with everything, can be dressed up and down and is not showing any signs of wear at all. Who'da thunk it?

ETA: That ON white T is your version of the "essential" white button front shirt Mo.

Peri

Veteran

I haven't shopped there in a few years because I just haven't liked anything. I think they have gotten more conservative while I have gotten less and we are just parting ways. Also, they have gotten more expensive and I don't think quality compares to the old days either. But everything I ever bought from Talbots 5-10 years ago looked as good as new for a long time after I had grown sick of it. I'm talking pants worn several times a week barely showing wear 5 years later. A lot of items that went out in the huge purges this year were old Talbots things, but all were purged for style reasons...not a single one for wearing out.

Thistle

Veteran

Black trousers from Talbots. Wear vey, very well. Most of my Talbots items, really. I buy a lot from them, and 90% or more I part with because my tastes have changed or my size has.

House brand ponte pants from Nordies.

Lands End jackets. I have has less luck with other pieces from there, but their Squall jacket has worn like iron and is machine washable and warm!

doubleh

Veteran

Not really clothing, but I am amazed that an Eddie Bauer backpack I got in high school (and used daily in high school and college) is still going strong 25+ years later. I spent $40 on it and thought it was sooo expensive. Best CPW ever. I've used it as a diaper bag, book bag, drag around on every type of trip bag and still...cockroaches will live in it after the apocalypse.

Kristin L

Veteran

I've sworn by my Old Navy camis. (http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/.....=898620002

Like Diana and Laura said, Lucky Brand use to make thicker jeans that wore well, but not anymore.

Neel

Veteran

I was thinking about this the other day and I couldn't think of anything that I own that has gotten enough wear and not showed signs of tear. Then yesterday I pulled out my basic pink crew neck tee from M&S and realized that this is it! Along with another navy crew neck tee from M&S. I have worn them weekly once (lounge wear, hence takes a lot of beating) in the past 4 years and they still look the same! I could wear them out if I wanted to. Each one was about 10$ :). I love such items!

texstyle

(website)

Veteran

I have about 5 pair of various chino shorts from jcrew that I've had for 5-6 years and have worn and washed to death but they still look good (though I prefer a longer length for going out these days). I have a few knit tops from Talbots that I've owned for about the same period and the black one in particular gets worn at least twice a month and still looks great. Some Clarks shoes that I'm just tired of after 8 years or more, but still have life in them. Oh and one long sleeved white button down from the Gap I've owned for over 20 years now and it's STILL in good shape and still bright white! I use it as a swim cover up because it's still oversized since that was the style of the time. I guess I could include my 30 year old London Fog trench but it doesn't get worn much at all so it's not like a workhorse.

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