When it comes to building a full wardrobe of multi-seasonal fashion, it’s fair to say that we can’t always afford and attain the garments that we would love to own in an ideal world. Sometimes we can treat ourselves, but other times we have to settle for less than we’d like and opt for some cheaper alternatives and different options. This is usually fine, but sometimes the symptoms are a little bit too much to take! Here are ten classic signs that your clothing is low quality!
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1. Transparent
The fabric of your garment is so thin that if you put it to the light, you can pretty much see through it! Transparency when it isn’t intended is a classic sign of poor quality in clothing.
2. Pilling
If you have a shirt that you think is 100% cotton, but it is starting to show signs of pilling after hardly any time at all, then that means that it is a lesser cotton blend rather than being the 100% real deal.
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3. Lightweight Jeans
Cheap jeans are understandably lighter and softer because they usually aren’t proper denim, but if you have paid for the real deal and they still feel light and soft after the first wear, then it indicates you have a lower thread count than you think.
4. Wool Pills
A gentle wash is usually enough to rid a good quality wool sweater of pilling, but if yours is being stubborn and not coming out clear and clean, it’s a sign that it might not the 100% wool that you were hoping for.
5. No Shape Retention
A good quality garment with retain and go back to its original shape if you happen to stretch it slightly through repeated wearing, but a lesser quality item will remain out of shape and become loose and ugly in a much quicker time.
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6. Exposed Zips
An easy tell between good and bad quality clothing is that in the good stuff, you will rarely see a zip that is exposed unintentionally, whereas in cheaper, poorer garments, zips will look more like they have been added as an afterthought.
In higher-end apparel, zippers are seamlessly integrated into the design, often concealed with a fabric placket or a well-constructed seam. On the flip side, poor-quality items may not only show off a visible zipper, but the zip itself might be flimsy or prone to snagging and breaking. The stitching around such zippers tends to unravel over time. Additionally, metal zippers are a hallmark of quality, as they are usually stronger and longer lasting than their plastic counterparts, which are typical of bargain buys.
7. No Hem Allowance
Higher quality garments usually include something called a hem allowance, which is basically extra fabric that is sewn up in the bottom of a dress or skirt to allow for tailoring. Cheap clothing won’t have this because the manufacturing consideration was much lower scale.
8. No Matching Seams
If your garment has a pattern that doesn’t match up perfectly when you get to the seams, then you can be sure that it isn’t of a super high quality.
Patterns that align at the seams show careful attention to detail and craftsmanship. Manufacturers of higher quality clothing invest time in ensuring that the print or pattern flows seamlessly from one piece of fabric to another, creating a cohesive look. When this element is missing, it can be a telltale sign of rushed production and cost-cutting measures. Pay special attention to striped or plaid items, as these are the most noticeable when not aligned. A perfect match along the seams adds to the visual appeal and indicates a garment made with pride and precision.
9. No Extra Buttons
High quality garments nearly always come with extra buttons and thread to allow you to perform little repairs when you need to. Low quality items don’t generally have this feature.
10. Glued
If an item appears to be glued together rather then stitched, that is a tell-tale sign that you have something very low quality on your hands rather than high quality.
