Four years ago, I interviewed for a job at a fashion start-up and the founder asked me: What are your favorite brands to shop at? It was a simple question, but I completely blanked! I gave a generic answer that did not feel genuine at all, and it showed. (Spoiler: I did not get the job) Fast forward a few years and a blog launch later, I still get asked this question frequently by friends and followers. I realize it is hard to answer because I shop for quality more so than by brand. So to answer this question differently, I’ll walk you through something else: my 5-step process on how to build a high-quality outfit.
Why I Shop for Quality Rather than By Brand
When I audit my wardrobe, there are certainly brands that I shop from more often than others (e.g. J. Crew, Club Monaco). Their quality is trustworthy, and consistent. However, over the years, I have moved away from the mindset of just shopping by brand for the following reasons:
- You will always find outliers. Every once in a while, I will make a bad buy from a brand I love. Maybe the color fades in the wash, or the design doesn’t feel comfortable.
- The quality of clothes has decreased over time. Interesting read from Vox on the topic here.
- When you focus on quality, you maximize your chances of finding something you will love for a long time. I used to be the kind of person who bought things from my favorite brands just because they were on sale. In the end, I was left with pieces I couldn’t find enough occasions to wear. Or pieces that didn’t go with anything else I owned!
Instead, I follow this 5-step process that has essentially become my mental shopping checklist. I use this methodology to keep my closet curated, and void of impulse purchases as best as I can.
Build a High-Quality Outfit in these 5 Steps
I follow these steps in order from the most basic (foundational) qualities, and work my way up to the most important (how you feel in the clothes). These steps work best for in-person shopping, but can be adapted to online shopping as well.
- Check the fiber content.
- Examine the fabric quality. (Read my earlier post: Why Fabric Structure Is Important)
- Look at how the clothes were sewn and constructed.
- Discover flattering silhouettes.
- Find the right fit.
Textile Foundations to a High-Quality Outfit: Fiber & Fabric
Check the Fiber Content
A very simple step I will take is check the garment label for the fiber content. Is this shirt made primarily from synthetic or natural fibers? Higher-quality pieces tend to be made from luxurious materials like smooth cotton, wool, cashmere, silk, linen, ramie. While it is not always case, I more often find cheaper clothing made from synthetic (or a blend of synthetic) fibers versus the other way around. Fibers like nylon, polyester, and acrylic are also much cheaper to mass-produce.
A few exceptions to note:
- High-quality clothes can be made with synthetic fibers: Fiber content is just one piece of the bigger picture. There are also times when it makes more sense to use polyester for functional reasons (e.g. durability, moisture wicking, shrinkage resistance, etc.) So quality needs to be assessed in light of other factors below.
- Natural fibers doesn’t always mean higher quality. Every natural fiber comes in grades, meaning there is such thing as good-quality cotton vs bad-quality cotton! If you’ve ever worn a super itchy wool sweater, chances are the fiber was not the best quality.
Examine the Fabric Quality:
Have you ever seen a piece of clothing that would be perfect if only it…didn’t look so wrinkly? Had more structure? Used the same fabric for the top and bottom? If so, it is likely because a brand tried to save on fabric costs. Fabric quality not only looks at the fiber content, but also these components:
- Weave & Thread Count: Densely woven fabrics have better structure, and are less likely to wrinkle. They are higher quality because it takes more material and effort to create!
- Weight: Flimsy fabrics that are thin and see-through are obviously less durable than thicker ones. They are also more likely to wear out over time!
There are more factors, but these two are the most easily seen and felt. TIP: If you’re unsure, hold the fabric to the light and see how much passes through.
Look at the Sewing & Construction:
Unfortunately, fast fashion pieces that are produced at scale will not have the same level of detail as a quality garment. It comes down to craftsmanship. Below are some features that higher-quality garments will have.
- Nice Trims: Trims are ‘extra’ features on the garment that enhance its design or function. Think buttons, zippers, clasps, etc. Cheap trims are very apparent (e.g. the plastic coil zipper that always gets stuck, buttons that were very loosely sewn on). The higher-quality pieces I own almost always come with spares, and are sewn on well!
- Linings: Extra fabric means extra cost! So cheaply made pieces will unfortunately miss this detailing, even in cases where they may need it most.
- Sewing: Do the seams and stitches look very noticeable, or that they are falling apart? High-quality garments have high SPI (stitches-per-inch), which means they are durably sewn.
How You Feel in the Clothes Matters!
High-quality clothes don’t mean much if you don’t feel good and confident in them. So here are 2 final elements I look for in a quality outfit:
Flattering Silhouettes: Finding the right cut, fit, or general shape of a garment that works for your body takes experimenting. I learned this process well when I was on a journey to find high-quality work pants. Read my guide HERE. Although this step takes time, it will definitely take your outfits to the next level!
For example, I never thought I could pull wide-leg jeans off until this year. Now I can never look back! Below is an example with white jeans, where I learned that I can love the same item in different cuts.
Skinny Jeans (old): Similar | Crop Flare Jeans (old): Similar – 25 | Wide Leg Jeans (25)
Find the Right Fit: Sizing varies widely among brands, so one tip I now practice is getting my ‘usual’ size, but also one size bigger and smaller to try. I am often surprised when I found out that my usual size is not the best fit!
Of course, you can always get your clothes tailored. However, it is nice not having to spend the extra money when you can find the perfect-fitting piece from the get-go. Finding a tailored fit is a huge component on how to build a high-quality outfit. When you find clothes you feel confident in, you are more likely to repeat wearing them!
How to Build a High-Quality Outfit: Summarized
Once again, here are the 5 simple steps I follow when creating a high-quality outfit. I hope you found this guide helpful, and before to leave a comment on which steps you resonated with the most!
- Check the fiber content.
- Examine the fabric quality.
- Look at how the clothes were sewn and constructed.
- Discover flattering silhouettes.
- Find the right fit.
