Introduction

Everyone likes quality clothes, but what does it mean? We say the word easily, but we have not paused to understand the definition. First, quality is subjective. What looks like quality to you might not be to another. Second, expensive doesn’t mean quality. People prefer to buy expensive clothes because they believe that’s what defines quality. There’s nothing worse than spending a lot of money on a garment, and it gets ruined after a few months. A cloth with good quality should last for at least a year without stretching or fading. Though quality is subjective, I’ll be giving a few tips to help you decide if the clothes you are shopping for has good quality.

1. You can’t see through the material.

When checking out clothes on a mannequin, don’t go for sheer materials. Most sheer materials have a short lifespan. While shopping, hold up the clothes to the light and put your hand through it. If you can’t see your hand through the material, then it means it’s of good quality, and it will last for a long time.

2. There are no gaps when you pull the seams.

Before purchasing a cloth, examine the clothes for signs of loose stitches, or missed stitches. Loose stitches make the seam weak, and they are prone to split and snag. But tight stitches make the seam stronger. Quality clothes usually have tight stitches without any sign of gaps.

3. Shirts come with extra panels between the shoulders

Quality shirts usually come with extra material at the back of the collar. It’s a back yoke, and it strengthens the back of the shirt and prevents it from pulling.

4. The fabric pattern matches the seams.

It’s hard to tell if the fabric pattern matches up at the seam when it is on a mannequin, especially, if you’re far off. A way to find out is to look if the pattern of the fabric matches the surrounding material. If the fabric pattern doesn’t match up at the seam, it’s a sign that the fabric will have a short life span.  Manufacturers of low-quality material skip the process of matching patterns such as stripes at the seam. But manufacturers that produce high-quality fabrics will take their time to ensure the pattern on the garment match up.

5. There are no exposed zippers

Always check for exposed zippers while shopping for your clothes. Fabrics that have exposed zippers can snag or split. Quality clothes with extra zippers come with a covered placket. Also, check for metal zippers. Plastic zippers are hard to zip, plus they fall off all the time. Clothes with metal zippers last longer than plastic zippers.

6. It comes with extra buttons and thread.  

If your clothes came with an extra piece of a button and spare thread, that’s a good sign because the manufacturer expects that the garment will last longer and need repair.

7. Always read clothing labels

Many shoppers find it difficult to understand cloth labels, and some don’t bother to read it. Just as checking food labels tells you what it is made up and how it can be beneficial to you, clothing labels also do the same. Clothing labels tell you about the material and where it was made. When shopping for clothes, avoid clothes that are made from natural and human-made fibers. Mixed fabric tends to shrink or fade easily. Natural fibers are better because they last longer. If you’re getting jeans, look for spandex because it allows your jeans to stretch. Also, look for items that are made in the USA, Europe, or Australia.

8. Examine the seams

Many of us see a garment in the store, and we are excited to get them. We are not patient to examine the seam. It doesn’t mean you have to check every seam on the fabric, but looking at a few of them gives you an idea of the quality. The seam should be straight and neat. If the seam looks rough and doesn’t match the pattern of the fabric, then it’s a sign it won’t last long.

Conclusion

For your clothes to last long, you have to play your part. If you take care of them well, they’ll hold up for a long time.