Actual quality clothing?

lucille · 02-19-2008, 01:03 PM

What brands have others found that seem to have a consistent level of quality that make them worth the price? I have found it so frustrating trying to find even basic clothes that fit and are not total garbage.

Even some of the more expensive clothing lines don't seem to always guarantee quality and a decent fit.

The same goes for things like purses. I would be willing to drop some extra money on a purse if I knew it would last more than a year without coming apart. But on the other hand I am not seeing anything that merits what Coach wants for a bag either.

We have had some luck with adiddas and eddie bauer but not much else.

anitra · 02-19-2008, 01:35 PM

For clothing, I've found that Eddie Bauer, Land's End, and L.L.Bean all have fairly high quality.

For shoes, how long they last doesn't seem connected to price at all. My more expensive shoes tend to be more comfortable, but the soles wear through just as quickly.

lucille · 02-19-2008, 02:22 PM

With shoes we have found that price does matter. I simply can not wear cheap shoes any longer. The short cuts used in cheap shoes seem to create too many places that pinch or cut into my feet or they do not provide any support.

So I have been buying fewer shoes but spending more on them or at least trying to find good quality ones when they are on sale. Sketchers are one of the few cheaper shoes that don't cut up my feet.

Looby · 02-19-2008, 03:02 PM

For shoes, Clarks and Ecco I find to be very long lasting as well as extremely comfortable, they aren't the cheapest but can often be found on sale and have always been a good investment to me. For sport footwear, I like Merrell and Northface, I also bought a Northface jacket last autumn and it was totally worth splurging on.
For clothing I tend to just check the items in store, looking at seams and zips etc, I have purchased trousers in Old Navy that were well made and have lasted years, and have seen items hanging in higher end stores that look like they might not last a week. The only store I have found consistently producing well made long lasting items is Marks and Spencers in the UK (sorry!) I like to pop in and get a few pieces every time I visit.

gt0163c · 02-20-2008, 06:00 AM

I've also found that Lands' End, Eddie Bauer and LL Bean to have very good quality clothing. The prices can be more than other places, but if you can find sales and/or get to outlets, you can still find very affordable things. I wear almost exclusively Lands' End slacks. Even with regular wearing and washing, I have had slacks last 5+ years.

There are also some other brands/stores that I have found to have very good quality. Target makes great polo shirts in their Cherokee line and these can regularly be found on the clearance racks. I've found good deals on Columbia button downs and t-shirts at some sporting goods stores and at Kohls, again, on the clearance racks. These shirts have held up very well for me.

For shoes, I've had great luck with Rockport, Merrell, Timberland and Columbia brands. Again, I generally buy these at outlet or sporting goods stores, usually on the clearance racks. I did find a nice pair of Columbia boots on clearance at Kohls. These seem to have a very good fit and I expect that they will wear well.

My big thing is finding good quality, not outrageously priced backpacks. I use backpacks like most women use purses. I've bought at lot of Jansport Trans packs and a few Eddie Bauer packs from Target on super clearance. These hold up reasonably well and can be very inexpensive when found on clearance. But they don't have a lot of the features that I've decided I really want; things like a built-in sternum strap, a reasonable hip belt, load stabilizers, hydration system compatible and outside pockets that will accomodate 32 oz Nalgene bottles, and not being overly heavy when empty. I bought a Jansport Equinox pack from Campmor last summer and that's served me pretty well so far. It's not perfect, but it's closer than a lot of packs.

Kathryn · 02-20-2008, 06:17 AM

I have a weird body shape, so I never blame fit problems on the clothing manufacturer. As far as quality--maybe I have low standards, but I don't buy expensive brands and I rarely have problems with quality. Most of my clothing is Target-level quality, often second-hand, and I still can wear things for years (until I get sick of it, or I get paint on it!) I do agree that L.L. Bean stuff is very dependable, and with shoes in particular you do get more and better mileage if you spend more.

khorrell · 02-20-2008, 06:20 AM

Lands' End clothes have always held up remarkably well for me. I wait until they are on clearance at Sears and then stock up. My only complaint is that my children and I tend to stain the solid color knits - not paint/colored stains but more dribbled food, hard to see type stains. Stain Stick does work pretty well on those stains.

Also, as much as I hate brand-names on the outside of clothes, I have observed that my kids hand-me-down Ralph Lauren clothing seems indestructible. As a result of these observations, I have occasionally purchased a Ralph Lauren item at Marshall's or the consignment shops. I don't know why they wear so well, but they do.

Good luck with your search for quality clothing!

purplefdu · 02-20-2008, 07:33 AM

LLBean stuff is indestructible *grins* cause its made to stand up to a NE winter, lol. They do make a lovely basic backpack as well which is more than reasonable and if you ever vacation up here in Maine hit up the outlet for incredible bargains on returned merchandise (with nothing wrong). I've got big backpacks for $5-10 and a down alternative comforter for $20. They also had free shipping all winter.

I really like Route 66 jeans from Kmart. They are normally 2/$30 and other than extenuating circumstances have lasted at lease 2-5 years without effort. I also like Old Navy for jeans or pants. I have a couple pairs I've had for almost 8yrs now.

For shoes I wear Nike or Birkenstocks. Sketchers are always on sale but they were never really designed to be a serious athletic shoe (despite their claims). I worked at a shoe store one year back when and they are really meant to be look-alikes but not perform like them. Adidas can be hard to fit, and Nike or New Balance offer the best range, plus New Balance is sold by LL Bean and used by the US military.

Gootsy · 02-20-2008, 11:50 AM

Last pair of shoes I bought were ADIDAS. Got im in spring 2005, and they're still in great shape. I'm starting to think that I should buy a new pair even though these are still fine, just cause I've had em for so long and am getting a little concerned. Before this pair, it was all New Balance, which I like a lot as well.

Eddie Bauer's good. In December I used a gift certificate I got (like 2 years ago) and bought myself a new jacket, and a new belt. Both of which I'm happy with so far.

I haven't purchased a new pair of pants/jeans in years. I'm going to check out Lands End and LL Bean to see if they are the sort of thing for me. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but been putting it off since my pant wardrobe is still in disturbingly good shape.

02-19-2008, 01:03 PM	#1
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (38)	Actual quality clothing? What brands have others found that seem to have a consistent level of quality that make them worth the price? I have found it so frustrating trying to find even basic clothes that fit and are not total garbage. Even some of the more expensive clothing lines don't seem to always guarantee quality and a decent fit. The same goes for things like purses. I would be willing to drop some extra money on a purse if I knew it would last more than a year without coming apart. But on the other hand I am not seeing anything that merits what Coach wants for a bag either. We have had some luck with adiddas and eddie bauer but not much else.

02-20-2008, 07:33 AM	#8
purplefdu Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: York Beach, ME Posts: 627 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (29)	LLBean stuff is indestructible grins cause its made to stand up to a NE winter, lol. They do make a lovely basic backpack as well which is more than reasonable and if you ever vacation up here in Maine hit up the outlet for incredible bargains on returned merchandise (with nothing wrong). I've got big backpacks for $5-10 and a down alternative comforter for $20. They also had free shipping all winter. I really like Route 66 jeans from Kmart. They are normally 2/$30 and other than extenuating circumstances have lasted at lease 2-5 years without effort. I also like Old Navy for jeans or pants. I have a couple pairs I've had for almost 8yrs now. For shoes I wear Nike or Birkenstocks. Sketchers are always on sale but they were never really designed to be a serious athletic shoe (despite their claims). I worked at a shoe store one year back when and they are really meant to be look-alikes but not perform like them. Adidas can be hard to fit, and Nike or New Balance offer the best range, plus New Balance is sold by LL Bean and used by the US military. __________________ Homeward Bound Puppy Blog&Personal Blog best general coupon site & organic grocery coupon help

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02-19-2008, 01:35 PM	#2
anitra Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (15)	For clothing, I've found that Eddie Bauer, Land's End, and L.L.Bean all have fairly high quality. For shoes, how long they last doesn't seem connected to price at all. My more expensive shoes tend to be more comfortable, but the soles wear through just as quickly.

02-19-2008, 02:22 PM	#3
lucille Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 673 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Reputation: (38)	With shoes we have found that price does matter. I simply can not wear cheap shoes any longer. The short cuts used in cheap shoes seem to create too many places that pinch or cut into my feet or they do not provide any support. So I have been buying fewer shoes but spending more on them or at least trying to find good quality ones when they are on sale. Sketchers are one of the few cheaper shoes that don't cut up my feet.

02-19-2008, 03:02 PM	#4
Looby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 74 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (14)	For shoes, Clarks and Ecco I find to be very long lasting as well as extremely comfortable, they aren't the cheapest but can often be found on sale and have always been a good investment to me. For sport footwear, I like Merrell and Northface, I also bought a Northface jacket last autumn and it was totally worth splurging on. For clothing I tend to just check the items in store, looking at seams and zips etc, I have purchased trousers in Old Navy that were well made and have lasted years, and have seen items hanging in higher end stores that look like they might not last a week. The only store I have found consistently producing well made long lasting items is Marks and Spencers in the UK (sorry!) I like to pop in and get a few pieces every time I visit.

02-20-2008, 06:00 AM	#5
gt0163c Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 340 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (59)	I've also found that Lands' End, Eddie Bauer and LL Bean to have very good quality clothing. The prices can be more than other places, but if you can find sales and/or get to outlets, you can still find very affordable things. I wear almost exclusively Lands' End slacks. Even with regular wearing and washing, I have had slacks last 5+ years. There are also some other brands/stores that I have found to have very good quality. Target makes great polo shirts in their Cherokee line and these can regularly be found on the clearance racks. I've found good deals on Columbia button downs and t-shirts at some sporting goods stores and at Kohls, again, on the clearance racks. These shirts have held up very well for me. For shoes, I've had great luck with Rockport, Merrell, Timberland and Columbia brands. Again, I generally buy these at outlet or sporting goods stores, usually on the clearance racks. I did find a nice pair of Columbia boots on clearance at Kohls. These seem to have a very good fit and I expect that they will wear well. My big thing is finding good quality, not outrageously priced backpacks. I use backpacks like most women use purses. I've bought at lot of Jansport Trans packs and a few Eddie Bauer packs from Target on super clearance. These hold up reasonably well and can be very inexpensive when found on clearance. But they don't have a lot of the features that I've decided I really want; things like a built-in sternum strap, a reasonable hip belt, load stabilizers, hydration system compatible and outside pockets that will accomodate 32 oz Nalgene bottles, and not being overly heavy when empty. I bought a Jansport Equinox pack from Campmor last summer and that's served me pretty well so far. It's not perfect, but it's closer than a lot of packs.

02-20-2008, 06:17 AM	#6
Kathryn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 138 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (19)	I have a weird body shape, so I never blame fit problems on the clothing manufacturer. As far as quality--maybe I have low standards, but I don't buy expensive brands and I rarely have problems with quality. Most of my clothing is Target-level quality, often second-hand, and I still can wear things for years (until I get sick of it, or I get paint on it!) I do agree that L.L. Bean stuff is very dependable, and with shoes in particular you do get more and better mileage if you spend more.

02-20-2008, 06:20 AM	#7
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (84)	Lands' End clothes have always held up remarkably well for me. I wait until they are on clearance at Sears and then stock up. My only complaint is that my children and I tend to stain the solid color knits - not paint/colored stains but more dribbled food, hard to see type stains. Stain Stick does work pretty well on those stains. Also, as much as I hate brand-names on the outside of clothes, I have observed that my kids hand-me-down Ralph Lauren clothing seems indestructible. As a result of these observations, I have occasionally purchased a Ralph Lauren item at Marshall's or the consignment shops. I don't know why they wear so well, but they do. Good luck with your search for quality clothing!

02-20-2008, 11:50 AM	#9
Gootsy Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 281 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (24)	Last pair of shoes I bought were ADIDAS. Got im in spring 2005, and they're still in great shape. I'm starting to think that I should buy a new pair even though these are still fine, just cause I've had em for so long and am getting a little concerned. Before this pair, it was all New Balance, which I like a lot as well. Eddie Bauer's good. In December I used a gift certificate I got (like 2 years ago) and bought myself a new jacket, and a new belt. Both of which I'm happy with so far. I haven't purchased a new pair of pants/jeans in years. I'm going to check out Lands End and LL Bean to see if they are the sort of thing for me. It's something I've wanted to do for a while, but been putting it off since my pant wardrobe is still in disturbingly good shape.