To think that clothes are such poor quality now?

[Pythone]

(And other products too, really!)

I saw this tweet which summed it up: twitter.com/lingerie_addict/status/1494349028296900613?s=24

I've been thinking this for months - the difference between newer things and things I bought pre about 2017 is so stark. E.g. a nightdress from John Lewis which looked nice on the website, but then in real life the material is so thin and is only printed on one side, so the other side is just white with the design sort of showing through. Everything from mid-level shops seems to feel like the "cheapest of the cheap" from a decade or two ago, sometimes even like a fancy dress costume level. Thin fabric, weak construction, terrible finishing, strong chemical smells when you open the bag, and looking bad after a few washes. I bought a dressing gown from M&S and the pockets are just coming away at the sides even without being used.

In the mid-2000s I'd buy cheap things, often as part of a costume for a party or for a one-off outfit, and they'd just end up as part of my regular wardrobe for years. These days it's hard to imagine anything lasting that long, never mind things that weren't really expensive to start with.

Has anyone else noticed this?

@pateu

Isn't this because materials are way more expensive & cheap labour harder to source?

Materials are more in the sense that everything is more-I mean the price of cotton will have gone up like everything else, but people want more clothes in general, so the retailers charge less per unit. My grandmother would have spend a weeks salary on a coat, but she would have had one, maybe 2 coats in total and they had to last years. So, yes, it is fast fashion in a way that is driving the poor quality but it is also that the idea of spending £400/500 on a coat would seem excessive to most people, whereas my grandmother was a working class working woman (in the rag trade though so knew something about clothes!)

I feel your pain with clothes, they just don’t last or even when new the seams are twisted and they wash awfully. But this is nothing compared to trainers. Ds is still growing, so you’d expect £150 trainers to last until they didn’t fit. Nope! Xmas present and already fallen to bit. Not the 1st time with Nike and adidas. I wouldn’t mind but these are just used for weekends/socialising

People say that costs have been kept low, but have they? I definitely feel like prices are higher as well as quality being worse.

Looking at say, Oasis, a skirt is now £40-£60. I'm sure that £30 was a standard price for a skirt a few years ago.

Paying more for better working conditions and the same quality would be fine, but it seems like we're being asked to pay more for worse quality (and are they even really improving the working conditions?).

My best tip is to buy secondhand (I use vinted a lot) and don't buy stuff that's on there but new, buy things that are genuinely second hand.

A) you can buy things that would have been a lot more expensive new (though, as discussed, this is no guarantee)
B) if it's second hand but in good condition then you know it won't fall apart on the first wash.

I didn't buy anything that wasn't secondhand in 2021 as a new years resolution and while it generally worked well I was excited in January to buy some 'new' things. That excitement went as soon as the stuff arrived (it's not really practical for me to do much shopping in person) and it was all such obviously crap quality. I've gone back to secondhand - the stuff just seems better.

Totally agree that mens clothes are so much better quality. Unfortunately I’ve got big boobs, so it’s hard to find anything that fits without it being huge

And yy to making your own: my mum’s lockdown pastime was to perfect a universal top pattern for herself, which she now makes in a variety of fabrics, with long / short sleeves. I’m seriously thinking of doing the same.

DH thinks quality with mens has gone down - more with fabric choices than ware much more polyester than cotton. He's started making his own more and mending but also looks in charity shops for older higher quality items. You tube taught us how to darn properly and that's prolonged a few of my items.

(Also this clearly isn't a solution on a societal level - someone has to buy the new stuff!)

I buy very little new anymore, it’s shocking how bad the quality is on the high street. Stores that do have decent quality clothes, like Jigsaw or Toast are ridiculously expensive. I can’t afford £125 for a jersey top! I buy secondhand mainly from Vinted & can afford some nicer quality things that way. Used cashmere jumpers are always good for example.
Back in the day it was great shopping on the high street, but now it’s almost all synthetic & shoddily made. Zara, Mango, H&M (mainly) are shite! Even my daughter buys little new these days.

@Catcrazy83

I feel your pain with clothes, they just don’t last or even when new the seams are twisted and they wash awfully. But this is nothing compared to trainers. Ds is still growing, so you’d expect £150 trainers to last until they didn’t fit. Nope! Xmas present and already fallen to bit. Not the 1st time with Nike and adidas. I wouldn’t mind but these are just used for weekends/socialising

Take them back and get a replacement/refund. I have done this. Nike offer a two year guarantee

www.nike.com/help/a/shoe-warranty

Paying more for better working conditions and the same quality would be fine, but it seems like we're being asked to pay more for worse quality (and are they even really improving the working conditions?).

But prices shouldn't be the same should they. They should go up but it's not unreasonable to expect quality to stay the same.

I’m so glad I’ve been buying good quality clothes over 20 years. Now it’s just the odd update that’s required , so much easier to spend on one or two well made items . Appreciate that consistent style / weight plays a big part in this!

@pateu

I don't think they should stay the same, but some people are saying that they have stayed the same, and I don't think that's true.

Also, I don't think comparisons to the fairly distant past when people would spend a LOT of money on a single garment gets the retailers off the hook - we had a long period (80s-2000s?) when clothes were affordable and also decent quality.

Yanbu. Not to mention everything is just bloody cropped now.

They may as well put any buttons in a bag and make you sew them on yourself. They are so poorly stitched, same for hems.

I'm just not sure how much they have increased by? Particularly if you compare the increase in costs of other things. Before the supermarkets & Primark existed, clothes to me were quite expensive. Boohoo etc has accelerated the fast fashion so many companies have to compete even if not in direct competition. I was at uni almost 20 yrs ago & prices haven't changed much imo.

Surprisingly I have a Primark from >10 years ago which I wear weekly, and wash each time between, and it still looks new!

It can be hit and miss, agree massively with quality generally downhill.

Also yes men's is better quality material. I always buy mens sweatshirts as they last so much longer

YANBU, a lot more things coming apart, developing holes, washing out colour, hems coming down etc in the last 5 years or so, even good old M&S.

I’ve found a tailor near me and am going to take in some old tops that I really like the cut of, but that are finally just looking a wee bit tired after 10 years - going to go get some great fabrics and get them remade in them. I like a capsule wardrobe so feel like this way I know I’ll have some nice patterns that will stand the test of time!

I also find it hard to find clothes for older women. I'm 60 now and, to a point, want good quality, reasonably cut classic/basic stuff that I can then accessorise or add the odd statement too.
Years ago I used to buy a lot at Ann Harvey which was a curve range made by Alexon. They went out of business over 10 years ago but, when I lost weight recently, I had a lot of their stuff taken in as it just couldn't be replaced with modern stuff

@Allsorts1

I’ve found a tailor near me and am going to take in some old tops that I really like the cut of, but that are finally just looking a wee bit tired after 10 years - going to go get some great fabrics and get them remade in them. I like a capsule wardrobe so feel like this way I know I’ll have some nice patterns that will stand the test of time!

Thats a great idea. Where are you buying the fabric?

I haven't seen any reasonably priced lined skirts or trousers for years. I have some lovely wool trousers that are about 15years old. M&S, properly lined, £70 back then. I'd love to replace them as they are long and I've trodden down the hems, but otherwise are showing no signs of wear. I'd be happy to pay the 2022 equivalent of that £70 (£120-150 I guess??) but can't find anything decent at that price point. Either it's £30-50 for trousers that look great for a couple of months but then get bobbly or saggy or shiny knees; or pay £350-450 at Margaret Howell. Nothing in between.

Yes, I think price is no guarantee of quality - for example in my experience Primark outperforms Hush in terms of not shrinking.

For me, the problem is trying to find clothes in natural fabrics- I have been looking for low neck cotton t-shirts to wear under jumpers for a few years now. I need to replace my current ones (which are Primark) pure cotton from about 10 years ago and are now finally falling apart.
I'd also like cotton joggers, & cotton jersey dresses but they are nearly all are mixed with modal.
M&S are not longer reliable for decent quality basics, Mango/Zara etc have always used cheap polyester, and H&M not much better ( although their menswear is great). White stuff is just too frumpy on me( although I do still look) as is Seasalt.
I actually do not know where to look to buy clothes from these days - doesn't help that I am quite fussy and have strict criteria re necklines, colour, and find there is very little choice if you don't want what is currently fashionable - trying to buy a low neck/v neck top at the moment is a real struggle.

Maybe the answer is to buy men’s clothing and have it altered? (Or alter them yourself if you have the skills).

I bought a Joules and a M&S jumper, about £50 and £30 respectively- not very expensive but not cheap-cheap either. Wore each twice before the neck/seam unravelled on each.

Bad enough, but I took replacements and exactly the same happened on both within days. Terrible quality, they never used to be like that.