Why is everything such shit quality!?

[gigipom]

even higher end brands.

I spent £150 on a dress from Massimo Dutti, which was machine washable 30 degrees. I hand washed cool to be extra safe and it shrunk.

my dresses from COS, Sezane all feel a bit naff after a few wears and have pulls in them. Knitwear bobbles so fast.

I went for a look around some shops today and I couldn’t believe how shit the quality was of everything. Everything is mixed with a synthetic fabric, but still charging an extortionate amount.

that and just the general styles coming in for autumn are 🤮 (looking at you, Zara).

I assume you are exaggerating for effect - I am a reasonably fast hand knitter but it would certainly take me more than an evening to make those (not eight weeks either, mind you)!

I was going to say Viyella before I spotted it at the end of your post. I've found some fantastic 100% wool Viyella blazers in the charity shops.

Well I had another look and yes it would be a long evening but especially at that price I could do so.

Yes Viyella, country casuals, East, Jack Vert

Could do with them now

There used to be loads of lovely makes in places like HOF, Debenhams etc

FW and M went all polyester as well

I had lovely wool trousers from them

Now … This looks worth reading:

https://gcbhr.org/backoffice/resources/great-green-washing-machine-report-part-2final.pdf

Iced still got them. The lining is ripped but the trousers are almost perfect, a couple of salt marks around the hem, but they must be 15 years old.

Does anyone know what the quality is like in:

https://www.schoffelcountry.com/

And what’s the sizing like? True to their stated measurements or do you need to size up/ down?

I’ve bought a St Michael cardigan from 1997 today from a charity shop that is 84% cotton and 16 % polyester and it literally looks brand new in that it’s not bobbled and the buttons are well sewn and substantial. The difference in quality compared to what you would find in Marks and Spencer today is very very different.

Sadly not what it was @ImDoingThisNow my old fleeces/gilets are completely different quality to the newer ones. I won't buy more. The trim on the newer ones started peeling after a few months wash and wear. The field coat wasn't as nice as expected when I saw it in person. There's a lot of competition at the price point, definitely worth getting hands on with it and the alternatives.

I find the fleece/gilet sizing generous which makes sense when you want the option of layering things under them.

Came to say, I agree that quality is on the decline generally. If my recent purchases I've been really impressed with Everlane, Uniqlo and Arket.

I’ve bought a debobbler - changed my life!

Is it difficult and does it take ages? I always think I've no time for that, but I've never tried so perhaps I'm wrong and should get one.

It’s fairly quick (depending on the severity of the bobbles, about 2-3 minutes per clothing item.

It’s essentially an electric fabric razor that you graze over clothes that have bobbled up and it removes the bobbles up. Be careful not to press too hard as it can cut through the fabric.

I got a relatively cheap one from Amazon and usually have it out when I iron / do the laundry.

It has made my favourite tatty jumpers / joggers and trousers look new (and cheaper than buying more clothes).

@hamsterchump thanks for the tip re Jack Wills knitwear on Vinted, I’ve just picked up 2 100% merino wool jumpers on there for under £10 each, including postage!

Happy to help. There are loads from £1 on there. Most seem to be fine knits though and I would like a couple of chunky fisherman style jumpers so not sure what brand to look for for that. Anyone got any recommendations? Can be women's or men's.

Thanks @Xeren

What happens when the good second hand stuff wears out and all that’s left is second hand poor quality stuff?

I think that's a very good point. Buying second hand works pretty well for me at the moment but that's because there's still a pretty good 'back catalogue' that allows me to dress largely the way I want. Fast forward 10 years to when, let's say 2010 has become 'vintage' and it doesn't look so inviting.

We all learn to sew :/

A rise in made-to-order online tailoring businesses. We won't /all/ learn to sew, so it'll remain outsourced. A globalised version of getting something made in person, only getting something made in person gets you measured directly and with a follow-up fitting and any style you demand, but the cheaper and outsourced overseas version is as usual a scale-down on things. They have a design, you choose out of a selection of fabric pictures, and fill out your measurements. These already exist - the resulting fit (and construction quality) varies, but the prices tend to be like the higher-end prices of pre-made items, but not extremely expensive.

Good quality and well preserved vintage can also be on the higher-end of similar new item prices. Not always cheap second hand!