7 TIPS TO RECOGNISE GOOD QUALITY CLOTHES
There’s nothing more disappointing than getting a new piece of clothing, washing it for the second time, only to notice that the stitching is starting to come un-done. Clothes should be made to last a lot longer than just one wash or one season. That’s why we at KEEPER Denim have put together a list of a few ways you can check to see how well a piece of clothing is made.
OUR 7 TIPS TO RECOGNISE GOOD QUALITY CLOTHES
- THICKNESS
When the fabric of a garment is too lightweight and thin, you will be able to see through it. This reflects the quality of the fabric and typically thin, sheer fabric won’t wash and wear well over time. You may be thinking - but what about silk? – the same rule applies; good quality silk should not be transparent either.
- FABRIC
Do the pull test – if you pull the fabric gently and release it, it should retain its’ shape, if it doesn’t, this would also reflect the poor quality of the fabric.
- STITCHES
When you pull at a line of stitching on a garment, if the stitches are tight and close together, you shouldn’t see any gaps through to the other side, indicating that the piece is well made. Alternatively, if you pull at the seam line and you notice gaps, and you can see through tot her side, this may indicate poor manufacturing.
- ZIPPERS
When it comes to zips, metal zips are better quality than plastic zips, as they will last much longer. Another thing to consider with zips, is - if the clothing is good quality, the zip should be concealed by a piece of fabric, as this would prevent it from catching on anything and pulling. If the clothing is poor quality, the zip may be exposed.
- FABRIC PATTERNS
When you’re looking at a garment made with patterned fabric, make sure to check that the pattern matches on either side of any seams. The reason being, that to make a garment where this occurs requires time and attention to detail, therefore it is reflective of good craftsmanship and quality of the overall item.
- INTERNAL TAGS
Don’t forget to always check the internal tags before purchasing an item of clothing. This should tell you a lot about the garment and if it doesn’t, then generally this would indicate low quality. This tag should contain information such as the fabric the garment is made of, where it was made and washing/care instructions.
- BUTTONS
Have you ever bought a jacket and stitched to the internal care tag was a spare button? This is a great indication of quality, if the manufacturer has provided you with a spare button, it means they intend on the garment lasting for a long time, so much so, that it may potentially require some repairs done to it.
We hope you found this KEEPER Denim post with our top 7 tips to recognise good quality clothes useful and one to keep in mind for the future! Remember – fast fashion clothing is low quality, cheap clothing made to last just one season. At KEEPER Denim, we stand for slow fashion - high quality garments made to last for many years to come.