Shopping for clothes can be a stressful experience. While there are many options, many of the clothes are of poor quality. Fortunately, there are several ways to identify high-quality clothing. You can determine the quality of a garment by inspecting the material it is made of, inspecting the workmanship, and considering the amount of material used.
Finding Good Material
1. Look for a high natural fibre content. Natural fibres are frequently used in the production of high-quality clothing. This is because natural fibres are not only more expensive, but they can also last longer. Finally, the fibres from which a product is made will reveal a lot about the product itself.
- Wool, cotton, cashmere, and silk are common materials used in high-quality clothing.
- Remember that a high natural fibre content does not always imply that a piece of clothing is of high quality. You must also examine the clothing’s construction, feel it to ensure that it is soft, and ensure that the thread work is secure.
- Natural fibre and synthetic blends are acceptable as long as the majority of the material is natural. Blended fabrics may last longer and hold their shape better than pure natural fibre fabrics.
2. Stay away from synthetics. While synthetics are advertised as being less expensive and more durable than natural fibres, they are the hallmark of low-cost clothing. This is because they are a good indicator that the manufacturer prioritised cost over quality. As a result, you should be cautious of synthetics and thoroughly examine them.
- Polyester fabrics should be avoided. They’re ridiculously cheap and most likely poorly made.
- Keep an eye out for acrylic. Sweaters made of more than 50% acrylic, for example, will not last long.
3. Observe the materials used for buttons and zippers. The material of buttons and other accessories can reveal a lot about a garment’s quality. Plastic parts indicate that a piece of clothing was made cheaply. Instead, search for:
- Zippers made of metal.
- Buttons made of wood or metal.
- Regardless of the material, look for sturdy buttons and other accessories.
Keeping an Eye on the Quantity of Material
1. Consider the clothing’s thickness. The weight or thickness of a piece of clothing is also a good indicator of its quality. Clothing made with a lot of material is usually of high quality and will be comfortable, keep its appearance, and last for a long time. To determine thickness, perform the following tests:
- Hold the garment up to the light to see how much light passes through it.
- Pinch it between your fingers to feel how it feels.
- Feel how much it weighs in comparison to a similar piece of high-quality clothing. If it’s lighter, it’s probably made of thinner material.
2. Look for clothing with extra or spare buttons. High-end clothing will have a plethora of buttons, depending on the style. Furthermore, higher-end clothing will come with extra buttons that can be used to replace lost ones. You can visit vzzr.com.
- Examine the clothing and look for extra buttons.
- Examine the buttons to ensure that they are in their proper locations. Button closures will be used on collars and arm sleeves, for example.
3. Look for garments that have fabric facing. Facing is the extra material sewn along seams by manufacturers. They’re frequently seen around zippers and necklines. If a garment lacks facing or has only a small amount of facing, it may be of poor quality.
Check to see if the facing was made from the same fabric as the rest of the garment. If they did, it speaks to the fabric’s quality.
4. Check to see if the garment has lining. Lining is the material that is sandwiched between the inner and outer fabric of jackets and other similar pieces of clothing. Unlined jackets and other articles of clothing appear cheap and thin, and they will not keep you as warm.
Pinch the fabric lightly and rub your fingers together to check for lining. Consider the thickness of the lining – the thicker, the better.
Look for quality marks that necessitate the use of extra material, such as plackets covering buttons, double darts, or French cuffs.
Examining Workmanship
1. Concentrate on good stitching. One of the best indicators that a piece of clothing is of high quality is good stitching. If the stitching is poor, it is likely that the item was made cheaply and with low-quality materials. Look for the following:
- Stitching work with a high stitch count per inch. In general, the more the merrier.
- Extra stitching on the top.
- Buttons and other embellishments that are securely sewed to the fabric
- Hem work that has been completed completely. For example, if the hem appears to be loosely stitched inside or if there is a lack of thread, the clothing is most likely of poor quality.
2. Examine the surface for flaws. A large number of flaws is a clear indication of poor quality. Finally, you should regard flaws as a warning sign of poor workmanship. If the quality is poor, it will most likely not last long. Avoid:
- Stitches that were missed
- Loose stitches
- wavy lines or seams
- Patterns on fabric that do not line up with seams
3. Recognize high-quality brands. Learning about the brands that make high-quality clothing is one of the simplest ways to identify it. This way, all you have to do is look at the manufacturer’s tag to know an item was well-made. Look for:
- Handcrafted garments or garments produced on a small or niche scale. If you’re unsure, consult the manufacturer’s tag and then search the internet.
- Levi Strauss & Co., Patagonia, Ralph Lauren, J Crew, Diesel, Pendleton, and other high-quality brands are popular.
- Certain brands’ quality can deteriorate over time, so don’t assume that a brand that was high quality ten years ago is still high quality today.
DON’T BE CATCHED UP IN BRAND NAMES
Of course, some brands have a long history of producing a specific type of garment, and their expertise in this area adds value to their product: Barbour is well-known for its waxed cotton jackets; Sunspel is well-known for its underwear; Red Wing is well-known for its boots, and so on. However, while some brands are built over time, others are typically built through advertising spend – money that is not then invested in, say, product development.
