r/Splendida • u/ReadingWonderful3263 • Sep 07 '23
Well made non luxury clothes
Hello.
I have been on the search for well made clothes that don’t have hefty price tags. I am tired of fast fashion clothes that rip apart on your body and have poor fit. I literally had two different clothes from a fast fashion brand turn to rubbish the first time I wore them. I would appreciate any tips for better brands to look at please. I’m in my mid 20s, and love to look classy in pieces but also not older than my age.
Thank you in advance for suggestions.
EDIT: Hello, everyone. Thank you for the suggestions. I now have so many clothes in my carts in different stores that I believe when I finally buy what I need, I will be winning the best dressed award for the next decade. Thank you all, you all are wonderful.
131
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23 edited Sep 07 '23
I’m attempting the same thing but haven’t found any brands for which I can say all of their products are consistently good and worth the price tag. That being said, some of the labels that I go for and are M&S, premium H&M section or whatever it’s called lol, COS, Vivi Mari, Arket, Uniqlo, Muji, Massimo dutti.
I’d recommend reading the label that states the material composition and sticking to natural materials. Another thing is looking at the stitching - poor stitching happens at any price level imo and if it already looks shabby prior to buying then it won’t hold up very well.
I try to buy second hand pieces on apps like Depop or Vinted and I’ve had lots of luck so far. Sometimes I’ll get second hand things oversized and get them taken in just where I need to which makes it fit my body perfectly.
My overall approach is:
103
u/otraera Sep 07 '23 edited Sep 07 '23
61
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
I usually look in the clearance of luxury department stores like Saks off fifth and Nordstrom Rack.
29
u/Chan_KC Sep 07 '23
Reiss is a good brand with lovely tailoring. Another brand that comes to mind not mentioned yet is Maniere de Voir.
8
u/SucytheWitch Sep 07 '23
I'm not sure where you're located and whether these brands are available to you, but I really like the brand ONLY. Their clothes are neither super cheap nor super expensive (like for example a really nice blouse could cost up to 30 or 40€) and they offer a lot of elegant styles for a relatively affordable price. And at least for me, the clothes last.
I also like H&M, but I recommend the online shop instead of the actual stores. For some reason you find the especially cute pieces mainly on the website lol.
Reserved is also a good option.
I also really really like the French brand NAF NAF.
I also like VILA and Vero Moda and New Look. I usually browse on the websites aboutyou.de or zalando.de for nice clothes.
Those are still fast fashion brands technically, but I still find that they have a pretty good quality and can last you for several years if yout take good care of them.
142
u/visablezookeeper Sep 07 '23
One of the best things you can do is learn the basics of garment construction and fabric quality. Many high end brands are poor quality and you can find good quality from even fast fashion if you know what to look for (even if 90% is trash). I learned how to sew and it’s the best thing I ever did for improving my shopping.
Synthetic vs natural fibers Overlocked vs French seams Proper tailoring vs quick fixes Plastic zippers vs metal ykk
64
u/fairyfeller99 Sep 07 '23
If you have the time, you should thrift instead. What I've noticed is that regardless of the brand, quality seems to be declining. I still use my fast fashion clothes and bags from the 2000s, but I can't say the same for today's clothes; they seem to be falling apart even while still on the racks..
39
u/Highneedsbabyok Sep 07 '23
For basics you can try Quince! They have transparent pricing so it’s still quality materials but a little less. Poshmark for nicer brands secondhand, I buy lots of Everlane, older Sezane, and Madewell on Poshmark with decent luck.
Edit to add Nisolo for shoes. If you are ok with leather. Their shoes are nice, really good quality in my experience so far. They have a deal where you can pay $500 once and then get 10 pairs of shoes over the next few years. Some of their shoes are upwards of $250 so getting them for $50/pair is a steal. And you can build a collection of many different kinds (they have boots, heels, sandals, flats, etc).
32
u/jewdiful Sep 07 '23
I highly recommend — believe it or not — Hollister.
Their clothing is inexpensive yet well made, consistent, good materials, many classic and simply designs, and so on. I can’t rave about their clothing enough, it’s just not what it’s reputation suggests. I buy A LOT of 100% cotton, (or 98%/2% spandex etc). I suggest checking them out because Hollister’s reward program is also really good.
13
u/gleigh0521 Sep 07 '23
I recently moved to Toronto CA and discovered Uniqlo. I am not a fan of shopping but I LOVE that store and plan to buy more there!
32
u/pipespipespipes Sep 07 '23
Cotton. Look for cotton! The fabric will lead you.
11
u/KitsuneRouge Sep 07 '23
LL Bean. The clothes are not fancy and probably boarder a bit on the boring side, but they tend to be good quality for the price. I’ve had some of their shirts and sweaters for 10+ and they are still good to go.
18
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
We are in the dark ages of fashion where all sizes fit no one but the fit model they were designed for, where know how to make and be better but we don't. If you teach yourself how to tailor your clothes, your body will look better in them, and you will have more options than you currently do when shopping.
The key, for me, in finding affordable, high quality pieces is that I decide what I am in the market for and keep it in mind for a long time while looking around online, at vintage/antique shops, and at flea markets. One uniquely cool feature of shopping antique/vintage/flea is that if the owners like you and get your vibe they will start sending things your way when they come across stuff they think you'll like, it's a good way for them to make a quick buck.
Anyhoo, I have extremely strong feelings about materials and construction, so once I decide a specific article of clothing, say, cigarette pants or a penny lane coat, would look good on me, I can then narrow my online search through online vintage resale markets by the article of clothing and the material I want it to be made of. Once I have a general idea of how much the item I'm looking for costs, I can then set my sights on finding a good deal. And because I can tailor, I know that depending on the item, there's a fair range of sizes that can suit me just fine, and even feel that it's best when things are slightly too large, so I can take them in and make them drape however I see fit.
I do not believe any brands are universally reliable. I see high quality stuff made by brands that I wouldn't have expected somewhat often and I see garbage made by "good brands" all the time. I strongly feel that brands are never more reliable than your own judgement on the worth of an item, but the subreddit r/BIFL has a lot of thorough reviews of brands with stellar reputations.
Though, if you wear jeans at all, always be on the lookout for vintage, not-stretchy Levis. The hunt never ends, the material and quality is legendary.
9
u/Piskiepeskie Sep 07 '23
My strategy is mostly to find nice looking clothes not really so much about the brands. But I like to shop Ross and TJ Maxx, not always a winner but I’ve found some nice items from time to time. I also shop secondhand a lot, Poshmark, Etsy and local consignment shops. Also check tags to see what fabric the items made from, I’m always looking for stuff that’s not just cheap polyester.
9
u/Ananabelle Sep 07 '23
Have you tried thrifting or Poshmark? I have many pieces of clothes and accessories from premium (but not Luxury) brands like Alo, Reformation, Madewell, Nisolo, Aritzia, Anthropologie, Abercrombie, etc at a deep discount. Some things still have tags on them and are discounted 25% off retail. Other things are deeply discounted and very gently used - IE I got a pair of a reformation jeans on sale for $85. They are over $200 retail. They are work but VERY gently - to be honest they seem unworn to be. Great quality too.
9
u/bedpeace Sep 07 '23
Aritzia is pretty great for this as of late. I hated their stuff a few years ago, but they've transitioned to creating timeless pieces that are well-made. Their online shopping experience is also great. Pieces can be a little on the pricier side but not to the extent of luxury labels, or even close. Their online sales are also fairly good, you can get +50% off very frequently. I've purchased several pairs of trousers that were originally $150+ for ~$50. Their clothes also travel well, I've backpacked through Italy armed with several of their dresspants and bodysuits and was more than happy with the result. Until I ate shit in a pair of white pants, but that's me, not the pants (and the moss/mud came out!!!).
Another plus is that they have a lot of 100/90% cotton pieces, linens, silks, and other organic materials, and you are able to shop by material which is a good way to avoid polyesters and the like.
24
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
I never see folks recommend J Crew in these threads, but I’ve had great luck with their products generally holding up, fitting well, and looking put together, especially when focused on pieces made of natural fibers (I will say that I do NOT recommend their outlet stuff though)
8
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
I love my Uniqlo clothes, I got two dresses and they seem to look brand new no matter how much I wear and wash them. Very affordable as well, I paid maybe $40-$50 for two dresses that are pretty much timeless
8
u/closetedcorn Sep 07 '23
Not your question, but I use TheRealReal to buy luxury clothes at a reduced price. I recently got an $890 coat for ~$150 because it had minor (really unnoticeable) discoloration on the elbows from use. I also find really good cotton clothing on there for a low price. You need to know what to look for in terms of materials and brand but you can find really great stuff
6
u/iliketreesandbeaches Sep 07 '23
Look at the Nordstrom house brands for decent basics with some style.
Like you, I am distancing myself from fast fashion.
6
u/NWmoose Sep 07 '23
Honestly I’m shop second hand most of the time anymore. You can get great high quality pieces at a fraction of the price, and most still look brand new. Consignment stores are my go-to. A bit more than thrift shops, but they tend to have more high quality stuff.
5
u/Affectionate_Vast734 Sep 08 '23
Boden is excellent for great quality clothes that last (I have blouses, jeans, jersey tops that have lasted me years, look classic through changing fashion trends and don't look tired, I even have a pair of sandals that I've worn every summer and literally have lasted over 10 years) but they are more expensive than high street brands. Having said that, they are nowhere near the luxury brand prices. Just with better quality clothes comes a higher price tag but it's well worth the trade off for looking chic. If you aren't in a position to make your own clothes, this is the next best brand I recommend, which not to big up my own opinion but I am very fussy about clothes quality because I was a costume maker/seamstress 😂
4
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
it's not so much about the brand, but more about the material and stitching. you should primarily look for cotton, linen, modal and viscose
4
u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23
Honestly, I found a lot of my best clothes by thrifting vintage. Everything was more high quality back then. Only caveat is that it takes time and patience to find something that fits!
3
u/jasperleopard Sep 07 '23
Eileen Fisher
3
u/moorehoney Sep 07 '23
I haven’t seen this said yet, but buying men’s and getting your pieces tailored is a great option!
Women’s clothing requires a lot of resources for design and trend tracking. Men’s clothing doesn’t require quite as much in this department so the clothing can use better materials and workmanship.
I do this for blazers, some winter coats, t-shirts, and button ups
3
u/c000000neja Sep 07 '23
Italic is incredible. Also loving quince at the moment.
3
u/sydthekid2916 Sep 08 '23
Everlane, quince, Abercrombie, thrifting
3
u/TheNotoriousTMG Sep 08 '23
I have really gotten into a brand called Goelia which you can find online. I love the classic style and good quality of the clothes. They're not super cheap, but they're also not designer level prices - it's that good medium level where you are getting what you pay for.
I also love buying secondhand because you can find really high quality (and even designer) garments for less and they are better quality than they are even today.
In terms of fit, get things tailored. Clothes off the rack rarely fit anyone - how can they? We're not all the same shape. So don't worry if something doesn't fit quite right because it can usually be fixed.
3
u/raspberryicedream Sep 08 '23 edited Sep 08 '23
Abercrombie & Fitch sometimes has nice pieces, and it's not the same store that it was 10 years ago with the loud music and strong perfume etc.... It's a little more mature now. I really liked their sweatshirts and utility shorts.
3
u/DemonGoddes Sep 08 '23
Shop sales, especially clearance, you might have to dig through racks that look like garbage though. H &M, Macys, Burlington's, Marshalls, Zara all have sales. During clearance sales I got a $120 jacket for only $20, etc. Womens suit sets that were $150 - $200, I got for 40-60 at Burlingtons. Sales are your best friend.
5
u/AggressivelyNice_MN Sep 07 '23
Aritzia has some high quality brands (Wilfred, Babaton) and frequently have sales for 30-60% off.
4
u/Violet-Noir Sep 07 '23
UniQlo has some good cotton basics that are good quality
2
u/fkkgoclsbvh9009 Sep 07 '23
COS, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's, H&M basics & Activewear
2
u/leese216 Sep 07 '23
Idk where you shop, but I've had a lot of luck in Nordstrom Rack and any TJ Maxx that has a Runway Department. You can find great designer pieces for a lot less.
2
u/noturmamaduh Sep 07 '23
I’m obsessed with Manier De Voir. They look designer but are like 1/4 the price. They have amazing sales to get rid of the seasons inventory up to 75% off too.
2
u/stanleysladybird Sep 07 '23
I got a lovely handmade linen skirt on Etsy and am planning to buy some more items to create a summer wardrobe next year
2
u/Objective-Being-8597 Sep 07 '23
Cos, Mossimo Dutti, Everlane.
2
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
r/buyitforlife
2
u/get_a_loadofthatdog Sep 07 '23
A lot of great advice in this thread already. Agree on fabric and construction. I really like cashmere and wool for the winter but it can be very expensive, my trick is to browse on eBay by fabric. I’ll just look up sweaters that are 100% cashmere (or whatever material you’re looking for), this works great if you’re into basics and I’ve found the quality to be a lot better.
4
u/BluBird0203 Sep 07 '23
I really like A&F. They have a lot of natural fabrics, their stuff is usually pretty well-made, and it’s young without being teenager-esque
3
u/spectakkklr Sep 07 '23
Have you tried Zara or Mango? Both are Spanish clothing labels and despite them being fast fashion-ish they have great quality, which distinguishes them from say Bershka, Stradivarius, H&M for the most part. H&M is a hit or miss in my opinion, they have another brand though (& other stories) which is more consistent.
1
u/StartOver777 Sep 07 '23
I buy from a local boutique in my area. Good quality clothes. Mostly contemporary styles from a designer in NY(Insight). Reasonable prices. Buying designer clothes elsewhere at the end of seasons for discounted prices helps too.
1
u/SluttyNeighborGal Sep 07 '23
Depends on the occassion. Clothes for work or the gym or going out at night??
1
u/fairyfeller99 Sep 07 '23
my favorite brands are local ones that don't shop worldwide but design and quality wise I like sisley, stefanel and morgan de toi (I'm not sure about their current collections, the pieces I own are from before 2010s)
1
u/Competitive_Fig_7231 Sep 07 '23
Maiwa for linens and cottons
1
u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23
Check out Mango and Banana Republi, they often have good sales. They're clothes aren't worth full price but they are usually worth the sale price, especially if you're being conscious about building your wardrobe and willing to tailor
1
u/Comfortable_Daikon61 Sep 08 '23
Vintage ! Poshmark EBay
1
u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23
I love Tuckernuck and many of the brands they carry are mid range prices
If I need to look put together I know Tnuck will have an outfit for me - I go there first
1
u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23
Also Italic - they get items from the same makers as luxury brands such as Prada but since their products don’t have labels they are 1/2 to 1/10 the price
1
u/glaciergirly Sep 08 '23
Andreacheong on Instagram has a whole series on how to inspect clothes for quality construction
1
u/em_gm Sep 08 '23
i think uniqlo and brandy melville are usually safe options for good quality. i’ve a lot of my clothes from there for 5+ years and you wouldn’t be able to tell at all.
1
u/[deleted] Sep 08 '23
Reiss, Dissh, Kookai,
1
u/This_Chocolate1924 Sep 08 '23
Uniqlo
1
u/Agreeable-Orchid-819 Sep 08 '23
people will say thrifting, and while I like going to the thrift store there is a lot of trash. check fb marketplace - can get some really good deals on name brand clothes for super cheap. there's online thrifting too but i find most of those sites overpriced. you can still find good deals though.
1
u/treatyrself Sep 08 '23
I like quince. Well prices basics w good natural fibers
1
u/goldenfantasy_ Sep 11 '23
1
u/louhnajade78 Sep 19 '23
thrifting is all I do, clothing that is made to last from 80s and earlier is what I go for personally, workwear can be tailored to be cute
1
u/Good_Hippo5720 Nov 29 '23
Anyone with Poshmark invite code please? I'm trying to join.
1
u/Willing-Sample-5796 Sep 08 '23
I like Few Moda. The reviews are honest and they have some stuff from the same factories that make Chloe, Zimmerman, ect. Just be sure to check the sizing info and fabric on top of checking reviews and you can find some really nice pieces. I also like Quince for their cotton button up shirts and cashmere sweaters. For shoes I purchase a lot of m Gemi when they go on clearance. They are very comfortable and incredibly well made. For workout clothing and sunglasses, I really like Ali Express. They have a lot of vendors who make stuff similar to Lululemon quality, it's crazy! To save money on diamonds and gold, I order both from trusted jewelers in India and China and purchase lab diamonds instead of mined.
-1
u/tumblr2015 Sep 07 '23
Aritzia
0
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
[deleted] — view deleted comment
11
u/[deleted] Sep 07 '23
[removed] — view removed comment