Shopping for Quality

When shopping for quality, it's all about the details, avoid being fooled into  spending to much on expensive designer labels and big name brands which can sometimes mask cheaply made, poorly constructed products. Instead be a smart shopper and take a closer more careful look when purchasing that special wardrobe piece. Here are some easy ways to know if the garment you are buying is well made, well worth the money, and will last for years to come. The first thing I look for when purchasing an article of clothing is the fabric. Quality fabric doesn’t fade as easily,  and doesn’t feel stiff or crinkly. Is there beauty and movement to it? Does the material feel organic and comfortable? If so then proceed to the second phase of quality assurance: the pattern. Any repeating pattern should always line up perfectly at the seams. Seams should never pull or pucker and the ideal seam for most garments is the French seam, which is turned under and delicately finished to hide any raw edges. The fabric of the garment should be suited to any detailing such as buttons or beads. In this case, fabrics should support these embellishments and should never be pulled or stretched. If beads or buttons are falling off, be wary of the purchase or negotiate a discount. Finally test zippers, buttons, and any other fastener several times to assure they do not come undone while moving about, which can frequently  occur with jean zippers and blouse buttons. If zippers do not slide easily then it may be a sign of being cheaply made. If buttons pull or pop, check a different size for a better fit. Most quality garments come with an extra button in case one goes missing. Lining should never hang lower than hems and hems should never be fraying. Try many different sizes and styles to find the proper fit and give your body the most flattering silhouette possible. When clothes look good, we feel good wearing them, and when we shop for quality we get clothes that are well made causing buyer's remorse to simply fade away.