‘If I am going to prepare for uncertainty, high quality fashion items are not on the list. ‘

...This made me laugh, Staysfit, because that was my thought as well. I am busy taking inventory of my candle supply and examining the terracotta pots in the backyard to make make-shift room heaters

What an interesting article and discussion! Thanks for posting, MsMaven, and I really enjoyed everyone's thoughts here. Staysfit, Nemosmom, Shevia, and TorontoGirl -- nodding especially with your beautifully expressed thoughts.

LisaP is right -- clothes are not an "investment," so I can't see myself "stocking up." I guess I am with those who say they are finding it difficult to think ahead. While I have a pretty good handle on my signature style, I honestly don't know what the world is going to look like in a few months, and as a practical dresser, I want to dress for my real -- not my imagined -- needs.

I think there are some useful ideas in the article AND some very problematic sentiments. Quite tone blind (mixed metaphor, I’m aware).

Yes, quality has been going downhill for a long time and I appreciate the advice to consider stocking up on items I rely on, or love. Some aspects of my style are quite consistent but my size is not, so I will do this cautiously.

Wow! Lots of great discussions here. I need to go back through them again. I've been outside working--a reasonably warm day and there's a lot of garden maintenance to be done while I can.

I'll be back later to share thoughts with you. Thank you all for these ideas.

Thanks for posting, MsMaven. Lots of interesting thoughts!

I nodded along with Sal, Staysfit, Helena, Shevia, Lisa P, and Nemosmom. Well expressed, and high fiving Suz.

I keep quite a close eye on the industry, and my perceptions are actually the opposite!

Quality has generally been less good than it used to be for the past six years. It's very inconsistent. I write about that in blog posts a lot! But it's been slowly but surely improving because retailers HAVE TO become more sustainable and ethical in their practices. This means better fabrics and quality workmanship in the long run.

As for buying up stock now, I don't think you need to have FOMO. There is a fab wardrobe item around every corner. Patience, and I choose to stay optimistic

I think there are a lot of interesting points - but honestly, I feel that the lower quality has been an ongoing issues for years. The pandemic didn't cause this - it just brought it to the surface, at a time where we can't/don't shop as much, and we have time to look around and take stock of everything.

My example is Macy's. I've visited Macy's regularly for the past 6-7 years, and the fabric has been increasingly more polyester, nylon and spandex, in uninspired cuts and with (my opinion) silly-looking, juvenile, or half-baked details, such as weird little ruffles, randomly placed tiny pockets, or cuts that don't really seem to realistically fit a human body well. Spaghetti straps, strapless, and/or cutouts. Seriously, for every teenage girl or woman I actually know, who can wear these, I know about 29 more who cannot or will not.

I've also been asking, for at least 7 or 8 years now: when did cows become endangered, that leather shoes or bags usually top well over $100+ now at retail, and fake leather can run almost as high?

I think what is happening, has been slowly happening for nearly a decade. Cheap materials, cheap workmanship, and a flood of things that nobody wants, and people aren't willing to buy, even on clearance. The pandemic just accelated it.

I'm not planning to 'stock up', although I think I am going to replace my favorite, 10-year old skirt and 6-year old jacket-blazer (I have new ones bookmarked on a resale site).

I believe that there is enough cloth and clothing already made on this planet, via secondhand clothing, that if it came to it, we could refashion into wonderful new things. Reuse, repurpose, recycle, and take care of what we've got. That's definitely my wardrobe future.

Such an interesting discussion. I think duplication has more resonance to those of us with “trade Mark” styles, who’s wardrobe depends on certain essentials. Also I’m super lucky that at 61 and I’m pretty much the same size and weight I was in my early 20’s. So barring something catastrophic situation I don’t worry about things fitting. Danskin legging have been harder to source and quality is less over the past 10 yr. I wish I had 10 extra pair not 2 more. The merrell ice clogs new version are much inferior to the old. I have 3 prs of the original that I tracked down waiting. The Paige transcend jeans and COH Emerson slim boyfriend blue ridge - I could have been the fit model. I have two prs in reserve each. The EF scoop neck tunic and skirted legging. Who knows how long they will be available. I have back up. The Everlane blazers the herringbone and Glen plaid - perfect and so reasonable. The coach drifter bag is the mother of all hewi’s. Beyond perfect in every way. The original is down to $0.50 on cost/wear. I have 2 in reserve. Same with my glasses frames. I have a very small face. I’m difficult to fit. Why switch perfect for different. Shop my closet has a completely different meaning for me. I don’t think this would work for most people. I’m not suggesting it. But for those of us who rely heavily on certain essential pieces to make our wardrobes work, for us the duplication makes perfect sense. Not as a financial investment. That I don’t get that, But as an investment in our security that we don’t need to ration wears of essentials or be too precious because we have the peace of mind that we have back ups. So yes I bought back ups to the EF booties this pandemic because I wear them weekly for 1/2 the year. I’ll continue to evaluate if other key pieces require duplication if they are still available.

That makes a lot of sense for you Gryffin. For me doing what you are doing would be a special kind of torture! Because my style does evolve. However, I do note that I was able to buy a particular sort of scoop neck top from the same retailer as over 6 years earlier, as of all the scoop neck tops of different brands I had bought that one fit the best, and so I did the rare thing for me of getting two the same. And I was lucky that they seem the same quality that many years later. But I don’t know how common it is for brands to keep a style fairly standard. I guess they must have sales data as to whether whatever-it-is keeps selling well! And this company makes in China perhaps using the same factory time after time.
Usually, as in my earlier reply to this thread, I can easily find enough items that appeal, it is being PPP that I need to watch.

Agree whole heartedly Jenni. Stockpiling would be wrong for most people. Same size, same taste, same needs, are probably very uncommon. But I understand the perspective on a real visceral level. As all things, one size does not fit all. I’m just one of the anomalies that it works for.

Gryffin said “Not as a financial investment. That I don’t get”. I think it’s pretty clear, if you read the article completely, that the reason you don’t get that is because the author isn’t talking about a financial investment, which is why she refers to it as an imperfect comparison.

That makes sense for you Gryffin! Nice collection.

Personally I have learned almost the opposite lesson due to the fact my style and shape do change. I'm not even sure that alterations beyond hemming make sense for me, except for occasion wear, not that I have occasions I do "stock up" on some inexpensive things when I see that what I like is having a moment. For example there was a summer or two when I needed but couldn't find many woven, 100% cotton pajama pants in my price range. I think cotton must have been expensive that year; there were a lot of "hang to dry" rayon knits. When cotton came back and coincided with the pretty botanical prints that I happen to love trending, I bought more than I necessarily needed because I know they are a long term basic for me and can take a little weight fluctuation. Then I had a nice new summer PJ capsule that should last me several years.

In general I would say if I stock up it's because I love something, not because I'm afraid it's going to disappear.