Quality clothes that won’t break the bank?

[Conniethesensible]

I’m done with fast fashion
BooHoo, H&M, SHEIN, Primark. I want clothes that will last longer than a year which are proper worth investing in!

What are your brands you swear by?

The burden of responsibility for being ethical and sustainable often seems to fall on women. Also women tend to be lower earners. So yes, beating women with the "ethical = expensive and if you can't buy ethical you can't buy anything, but you'd better look amazing and younger than you are here's a dear" stick is also a bit shit.

What I was disagreeing with was the notion that avoiding or criticising fast fashion is elitist.

It often is and used by people to justify buying lots of items from luxury brands that the majority of the population couldn't afford to buy from.

@grasstreeleaf

What I was disagreeing with was the notion that avoiding or criticising fast fashion is elitist.

It often is and used by people to justify buying lots of items from luxury brands that the majority of the population couldn't afford to buy from.

I can see where you’re coming from. But I’m trying to say that avoiding fast fashion and being ethical doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be beautiful items from charity shops and eBay. It can be loan sites for designer dresses that cost less than the dress from H&M that a lot of people only wear once. It can be some of the more budget friendly ethical brands. It doesn’t have to be expensive and exclusive. And on the flip side, like you say - spending lots of money doesn’t guarantee ethics.

I can see where you’re coming from. But I’m trying to say that avoiding fast fashion and being ethical doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be beautiful items from charity shops and eBay. It can be loan sites for designer dresses that cost less than the dress from H&M that a lot of people only wear once. It can be some of the more budget friendly ethical brands. It doesn’t have to be expensive and exclusive. And on the flip side, like you say - spending lots of money doesn’t guarantee ethics.

I just wish that these less expensive brands got more mention. And it is ironic how much more And Other Stories and COS seems to be rated compared to H&M when they are owned by the same company!

"The H&M group includes eight clearly defined brands – H&M, COS, Monki, Weekday, & Other Stories, Cheap Monday, H&M Home and ARKET. Together our brands offer customers a wealth of styles and trends in fashion, beauty, accessories and homewares – as well as experiences that now also include modern, healthy food."
about.hm.com › damPDF

I've bought from the H&M sustainable line in the past. It isn't expensive and at least they are trying. M&S also are quite good from high street in terms of sustainability (unsure about ethics tbh).

We should be buying fewer items, and buying more ethically. I am doing this now, but that's because I can afford it. I'd never judge a woman for buying from somewhere like H&M. In some industries, maybe it's fine to rock up in your mended wool jumper and secondhand jeans, (I have some of these which I do mend myself etc), but many women won't be taken seriously at work if they do this.

I do think the tide is turning and I see less virgin polyester around even in supermarkets, as people have demanded less plastic. It isn't perfect and I do think buying less and as ethical as you personally can afford is the idea. Saying if you can't buy Allbird trainers, or example, you can't buy new trainers at all is ridiculous. And old, worn out shoes can cause injuries, especially as we get older. Fine if you couldn't care less about fucking up your knees as long as it reduces your carbon footprint, but that's a choice I wouldn't make and I'm clearly someone who is interested in sustainability, (used reusable nappies and wipes for my two DCs, stopping at 2 DCs although we'd love another, use reusable sanpro, eat vegan most of the time blah blah blah). But all of that I can afford as I have the time and money. I hate it when middle class people (of which I am one) get snooty about H&M, Tesco nappies and sausages). Easy when you have the money to be "ethical". Although, how ethical it is to trample over poor people to make yourself feel good is extremely questionable. And again, it's women who seem to get trampled.

Cos quality is better than H&M, but they are the same company. The reason it can be better to buy from Cos is that their clothes last longer IME, so you won't buy another version of that piece next year. But classic pieces from H&M, like cotton shirts from their sustainable line, could last in terms of style. I have noticed one of mine is starting to come apart at the seems now, but I've had it a year.

@grasstreeleaf - there’s only a few more budget friendly ethical companies that I’m aware of, but I think things are changing and I really hope there will be more choice in the future. The Good on You site is good and there are some companies on there that are rated highly but aren’t necessarily marketed or known as an ‘ethical’ brand. But where we need to get to is that people can buy from any shop and know they’re not supporting slave labour or unsafe conditions - it needs a much more concerted worldwide effort to improve conditions for garment workers.

On the H&M point, agree with you - unfortunately I think it just adds to the confusion and lack of transparency and makes it difficult to make informed decisions.

As I've said stuff in my wardrobe is decades old. All from the high street as was at the time. More recent stuff is mainly from supermarkets. Still good and some of it years old now. I repair clothes when they get holes in or the seams come apart. Doesn't happen often and or disproportionately from one brand. Now if anyone could tell me how to stop running kit going stinky (doesn't wash out) I'd be very grateful!

Lol stinky running gear...if you mean shoes, I can't help, but I think vinegar or bicarbonate of soda can help.

I've definitely noticed a big difference in quality between certain items, but actually, some slightly more expensive items have not been good quality (dress from &other stories), while I have a pair of M&S jeans which have been going strong for years. So I do agree that the issue isn't always the brand. You need to assess the items individually really. But generally, my experience with Cos has been good in terms of quality and H&M still pretty good, but more of a mixed bag.

Can help with tops and leggings I mean.

The burden of responsibility for being ethical and sustainable often seems to fall on women.
Yup. I've said this before but I can't remember anyone ever asking MrFlo if he really needs that new camera lens.
There are definitely ethical concerns about the fashion industry. I'm careful, although not always as careful as I should be. But there does seem to be an underlying assumption that it's women's job to fix the world.

As for H&M quality - I also have stuff I bought there at least 10 years ago, I could have been an ambassador for them at one time. I think the point though is, if I bought something from them now can I expect it to last 10 years? I don't think so.
And it's not just H&M - I think quality pretty much everywhere on the high street has fallen off a cliff. It's an ethical problem, a consumer problem and, if the fashion industry doesn't do something about it soon, it'll become their problem too.

No it's running shirts, I've a problem with. Shoes are ok. Thanks I'll have to get the vinegar out, I think!

Charity shop.
High quality picks that have seen some wear and still look good, regardless of brand.

YY Flo. Men don't get this, because camera lenses are essential while clothes for work are silly laydee frippery

I do think you're right about recent quality. Cos now is probably H&M ten years ago!

Funnily enough, I got some H&M chinos from the teenage boy's section for me and the quality is up there!

Ha! I used to get my leggings in Next girls' section. They go up to "age 16" which is like a generous size 12. Really good quality.

H&M teenage boy's jeans were great - I pinched some of my son's when he grew out of them but it felt a bit too weird wearing them

@FindingMeno

Charity shop. High quality picks that have seen some wear and still look good, regardless of brand.

Or originally cheap clothes that are now a bit tatty at twice the price!

I'm a huge Brora fan, but I can only afford to buy in the sales. This morning I have ordered a merino hoody, jersey skirt, matching silk blouse and a black jumper - total cost £350. Theri stuff lasts forever, the cashmere is wonderful and the colours and prints lovely. The sale has just started and they seem to have most things in most sizes at the moment.

@BikeRunSki, yes I've seen that. You really need to know what you're doing in some charity shops and the crap makes up most of it with a few gems.

I get the H&M girls long sleeve t-shirts, aged 14+. Been buying them for years... (I have small boobs!)

I have a cashmere jumper from H&M it must be 5 years old, It's in better condition than the one I have from M&S which I had only had for 2 years.

@HiHoSylvie

*@BikeRunSki*, yes I've seen that. You really need to know what you're doing in some charity shops and the crap makes up most of it with a few gems.

I know! I am a charity shopper of many years! Still wearing a jacket I bought in 1989!

I rarely have success in charity shops, so you'll have to give me tips bike! When I said "you need to know what you're doing" I sadly didn't mean o did

I*