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:
http://youlookfab.com/2007/01/.....its-place/
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.
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.
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.
