Growing up, I remember shopping being the bonding activity that my mom and I enjoyed the most together. We would comb through sales racks in department stores, and knowing at a touch, which pieces were worth buying. While I did not have the textiles background at the time, I quickly learned that quality is something you feel. One question I get asked often by friends and those who follow my blog is: how to tell if clothes are high quality? There are 4 telltale signs I often look for. And luckily, they are simple to identify.
SIGN #1: THE FABRIC JUST FEELS DIFFERENT.
99% of a garment is the fabric. The other 1% might be embellishments, trims, buttons, etc. So as you already know, fabric matters a whole lot to the quality of clothing. The most notable difference between fast fashion clothing versus more high-end pieces is the fabric quality. It depends on a few main factors:
- Fabric Weight
- Fabric Construction
- Fiber Content
- Special Fabric Technologies (e.g. performance features, fabric finishes that add special texture—e.g. those buttery soft leggings everyone raves about)
As a general rule of thumb, more fabric means higher cost. Fast fashion brands tend to use lightweight, synthetic materials because those are the cheapest to produce. On the other hand, more expensive garments might use denser materials and precious natural fibers such as silk, cashmere, cotton. They may also have more complex weave patterns, or hand-stitched details that cheaper clothes overlook.
Note: Not every piece of clothing made from synthetic materials is low quality. You will need to evaluate it in combination with other factors such as the fabric construction, and weight. I definitely own some high-quality blouses that are polyester. But unlike cheap fast-fashion tops I have purchased in the past, these do not wrinkle as easily due to the heavier fabric that is used.
SIGN #2: HIGH QUALITY CLOTHES DO NOT SKIMP ON THE LITTLE DETAILS.
At the end of the day, fast fashion brands can only offer clothes at an affordable price by cutting corners. However, a high-quality piece is thoughtful with every detail. Here are some common red flags to look for in low-quality clothing:
- Partially lined, or no lining (especially frustrating with tailored pieces that should be fully lined, like a suit set)
- Lack of Details: no/fake pockets, only 1-2 buttons when the garment could use 3-4
- Cheap Zippers and Trims: You will know it when you see it. Sometimes, the thread used for the seam is not even the same color as the garment, a true sign that very little thought was put into the construction.
- Every detail is stitched, woven, or knitted, rather than printed. Not many people pay attention to this detail. But it is much cheaper to print, for example, a plaid pattern, than to weave individually dyed yarns to achieve the same effect. As such, you will notice more expensive garments have more intricate fabric details.
SIGN #3: THERE IS AMPLE SEAM ALLOWANCE.
The seam allowance is the area between the stitching and raw hem of a fabric to prevent it from fraying. This distance is usually less than 1-inch. In cheaply produced clothes, however, the seam allowance is minimal or maybe even non-existent. Again, it is another sneaky measure to skimp on fabric costs. The reason this part is important is that you have room to make minor alterations to your clothes if needed. It also helps improve the long-term quality of your clothes.
SIGN #4: THEY LAST A LONG TIME AFTER WASH.
There is nothing more disappointing than buying a cute sweater that pills instantly, or a top that fades in the wash after 1-2 wears. The list goes on and on. In summary, low-quality clothes are prone to defects and before you know it, you were probably better off not buying that piece to begin with.
Some of the sturdiest pieces I own have been well-treasured over the years. No matter how many washes they have undergone, the quality and appearance still looks the same. Normally, that is a testament to the quality of fabric that was used. Higher-end brands also should have more stringent standards for quality control. Part of that testing includes how well the piece holds up in the wash.
OTHER EXCEPTIONS
I do believe there is a difference between high-quality clothes, and expensive clothes. Unfortunately, not every piece of high-end clothing is well constructed. So it will take some careful discernment to tell for sure. I always recommend reading the clothing content and care label. When in doubt, also give the material a touch, and hold it up to the light.
Is the fabric entirely synthetic, and does it pass light through easily? If so, the fabric is lightweight. Depending on the purpose of the clothing, it may also not be durable. How to tell is clothes are high quality is a continual learning process, but these tips serve as a great starting point!
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