Quality

[_dolce_]

Until now I've tended to just look at all the posts and be a silent spectator, but I was curious about something... from stores like club monaco, banana republic, bcbg max azria, etc. which store would you say has better quality items? I always seem to buy something and then a couple months in I will realize that something in the clothing isn't the same anymore. Or else, would you just say to stick to brands like diesel, 7, etc. (the things you'll find in stores like aritzia and underground-in canada at least)

or would sticking to downtown shopping-esque clothing be the better choice?

 

[Angel S.]

Originally posted by _dolce_@Aug 13 2004, 10:03 PM
Until now I've tended to just look at all the posts and be a silent spectator, but I was curious about something... from stores like club monaco, banana republic, bcbg max azria, etc. which store would you say has better quality items? I always seem to buy something and then a couple months in I will realize that something in the clothing isn't the same anymore. Or else, would you just say to stick to brands like diesel, 7, etc. (the things you'll find in stores like aritzia and underground-in canada at least)

or would sticking to downtown shopping-esque clothing be the better choice?

[snapback]331565[/snapback]​

Just take time & look at the clothes up close, see what materials are being used. Forget the brands & look at the way it's put together. What materials are used? Are they top quality? Am I really getting what I'm paying for?

Quality doesn't always come in a brand name. Granny showed me shoes she had from the mid 1900's once & the quality was amazing, shoes aren't really made that way anymore & it's sad. So when you want a certain item you may want to go to the source. For example if you want a good shoe, try checking out shops in Italy or Spain. Just find some people who live there & let them give you the inside info.

When I first got into pashmina shawls I asked a friend who is Indian if he knew about it & he asked his mum who in turn gave me the names & numbers of some places in India & Nepal . I managed to get the stuff next to nothing!!!

 

[faust]

IMHO they are all crappy quality. But if I had to chose between the chain stores, I think Club Monaco has better quality than Banana. I haven't looked at all this stuff in a long time though

 

[softgrey]

i buy regularly from banana, club monaco, j crew-which is not in canada i guess...
banana's accessories are especially good this season..

i like zara for cheap shoes sometimes...

 

[PrinceOfCats]

I would stay well clear of 7s, Diesel etc. as they're all exhorbitantly overpriced and bad quality. Ooop North in England we have Zara, H&M and Topshop and out of all of them I'd say Zara was the best quality.

 

[Holland_MULTIMEDIA*]

Honestly i like Club Monaco, and Jcrew.

 

[Pixielaughs]

Just take time & look at the clothes up close, see what materials are being used. Forget the brands & look at the way it's put together. What materials are used? Are they top quality? Am I really getting what I'm paying for?

This is what I do, too. I always try to buy locally made products and those made from high quality materials (merino wool etc). If they're made in China etc and obviously marked up a lot, I won't buy them until I find them heavily discounted.

 

[rayncloudx]

also, besides the fabrics they use, look at how the clothing is sewn. i know i bought a sweater once that was button-up and the line that went from one side to the other wasn't aligned. my mom can tell... but i think some things you can look for are they way they're cut (does it flatter the body), sewn (straight), and look for loose threads (?) i have no idea what i'm talking about

 

[Holland_MULTIMEDIA*]

About the thread:
Well alot of cheap companies tend to use synthetic treads and the problem is that the threads expand and contract so after a few washes the clothing can seem wapred in certain places and begin to pucker at the hems.

Most good quality companies will use cotton thread as much as possible and it will be wound very tight so the fibers wont unravel, if its wound loose the thread will appear fussy. Also when the clothes are made some companies will leave the ends of the threads loose instead of securing them to the fabric (this is a definite sign of something bad)