What clothing brands do you feel have gone downhill in quality?

[DizneyDogs]

disneystore - both in quality and selection

 

[hipchickie]

My 5 year old loves athletic pants too, and the ones that seem to last the longest for him are from Gap. He loves the ones made by Champion at Target too.

Thanks for the info - he does have some of the champion, but I will try Gap. I actually got him to branch out and wear cargo pants that I found at Kohls. I was so excited he liked them I went back and bought them in every color
That was only last week though, so I don't know how they will hold up

 

[stargazer2892]

Polo is a big one for me (my mom is a manager at a store) so we would get all sorts of things and there is a HUGE difference in the towels from 3 years ago and the ones on the shelf now. The older ones are softer and thicker, whereas the ones on the shelf are super thin and look cheap.
JCrew's stuff doesn't hold their shape the same way they used to. I have tank tops that are 4 years old that look better then ones that were bought last year.
And I won't by Victoria's Secret anymore, I used to only were their bras because they lasted forever and actually fit. They recently changed their Body line and made the sizes smaller. I held my current bra up to the new "improved" one which was the same size and style number and the new one was MUCH smaller then mine in the cup size as far as the under-wire goes.

 

[RangerPooh]

Old Navy. Their womens shirts are extremely thin, their pants don't last, and they no longer offer much over size 14 in store.

 

[mamaLori05]

Thanks for the info - he does have some of the champion, but I will try Gap. I actually got him to branch out and wear cargo pants that I found at Kohls. I was so excited he liked them I went back and bought them in every color
That was only last week though, so I don't know how they will hold up

I second Gap. I think they still have very high quality clothing. My ds 3 wears their active pants and they still look brand new by the time he outgrows them. My kids wardrobes consist of mainly gap clothing, and I have never had any problems with any of it. Stains seem to come out pretty easily, they never shrink, never had a problem with them wearing out, etc... When I put their clothing away because they outgrew it, it still looks brand new.

I made the mistake of buying some jeans from Crazy 8 last year for my dd5. While they fit great, I won't waste my money on them again. EVERY single pair (she had 3 or 4 pairs of them) had a hole in the knee by the end of the school year. Her jeans from Gap (she had about 4 pairs of these) were in perfect shape by the end of the year.

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I had issues with Hanna Andersson this year. First sizing too small. I actually went back to the store with last year size 100 bottoms and the new 110's we identical. Ended up with 120's. Now I have to order 2 sizes of everything and have DD try on. I used to know it would fit w/o trying on. Then I got a pair of shorts that had a hole in them! I expect more from Hanna!

I used to get DD the ultimate tee at Target- nice weight, not cut too narrow and more feminine neck line. They destroyed it last year. I found 2 mediums in the closet I put away when I got them on clearance then we are done.

 

[disneymarie]

The Disney store Kids clothes.


From the mid 1990's when I bought my dd school clothes until she was in a size 12, then the dresses were so cheap material, no heavy cloth, no embroidery, buttons popped open. the PJs ran so skinny. I loved buying the jumpers and little white dresses with Alice on them, all the embroidery was so cute...... Had great sets for the consignment, later I just gave them away.

 

[labdogs42]

I think pretty much every brand has gone downhill. That's why I find myself shopping at Kohl's for sale stuff more often. I know the stuff won't last, but at least I didn't pay a lot! And I'm one who used to pay for quality stuff like Eddie Bauer (they went downhill years ago), LL Bean, and Land's End, but they just don't seem worth it any more. I don't like to shop for clothes, so I'd much rather buy some quality pieces and not have to shop as often, but I can't find a brand that lasts any more. Stinks!

 

[Dizfan4life]

I've noticed Justice clothing going downhill over the years. They sweaters pill up, most of DD's shirts don't hold their shape anymore, and the seams on the bottom of the denim skirts let loose. I use to be a big Chico's fan, but have noticed their quality has gone down a TON. Same issues.... shirts losing its shape and the seam letting loose on the t-shirts. The seams frustrates me 'cuz I use to wonder if there is something in my washer that was causing it, but I have had it checked..... hmmm just wondering if anyone else has had that problem with seams? As for Gymboree... I have not noticed their quality go down. I use to "deck" DD out from head to toe, but the styles look too "little girlish" on her so I can't comment on the girls line, but DS still has a TON of Gymbo clothes and they wash up beautifully for me - I'd really be crushed if I noticed low quality. Children's Place is a NO WAY for me... their clothing line never shows me anything, but everyone's taste is different.

BTW... I love this thread.... it is giving me a mental note of what not to buy in the future

 

[holden]

I agree with the posters before me, especially about kids clothes. I've had a hard time finding kids clothes that I actually like and that are good quality! Mini Boden seems good, especially their underware. That's my current favorite.

 

[mommyof2princesses]

Victoria Secrets for sure. Their panties are horrible now. I used to only buy their panties but the last time I did they fell apart in just a few washings. Don't even go in there anymore unless it is for the free pair I sometimes get.

Gymboree, especially their long sleeve tops. They just don't survive wearings and washings as well. I have some older hand me down Gymboree's that look better than some of the new items! The leggins seem to holp up well still...thank God because dd7 loves them.

Children's place and Justice (used to be Limited 2) have been getting bad for years now. DD15 used to love Limited 2 but as she got older we noticed their pants falling apart faster. And Children's place has been really going down hill since their bankkrupty claim a few years ago.

I think Walmart's qualiy has actually improved from 15 years ago. I never bought anything there for my oldest because it was crap, erally thin and felt itchy, but their stuff has improved since...although I still don't buy much there as far as clothing.

 

[lovealatte]

I'd have to disagree with people saying every brand. If this is the case, maybe you need to adjust the places you are shopping at.. I find places like Nordstrom have great clothing that will last. Even though it may cost more in the end it lasts longer, outweighing the cheap.. it evens out. This is the same for more expensive jeans.

I haven't had any problems with VS - I get all of my bras there!

Hate Coach - their purses look disgusting after 6 months of use. I buy brands of purses that will last a lifetime- and they truly do.

One place that surprises me with their good clothing is Target! They've had some cute things over the past couple of years and I really love their designer collaborations.

H&M totally sucks though! Cheap fabric, wrinkles easily, buttons fall off. ugh!

 

[Purseval]

Hate Coach - their purses look disgusting after 6 months of use. I buy brands of purses that will last a lifetime- and they truly do.

Are you buying them from the mall or from an outlet store? The Coach outlet sells mainly cheaper knockoffs of their own brand so it's not surprising they don't look or last as well as a "real" Coach handbag.

 

[sookie]

old navy has totally gone downhill... its been my go to place over the past year because i have had a lot of weight loss - and the clothes, if you buy them online are work appropriate. my local ON store only carries tacky crap though - so i have to order online...



victorias secrets - i think the bras are ok - might be the different styles i am wearing now (took a long hiatus due to weight gain! lol but now i'm back to a size 6 so i have to buy things there to hold up the girls ----) but the undies - im not a fan. they are so thin! some of the 3/30 are ok though...


justice clothes - since switching from limited too - have gone down a bit but based on what i pay out the door for the stuff (i use coupons so i do OK) its ok.

i hate children's place - their fabrics feel awful.

i love carters clothes.

gymbo - some things are good. i still really like their tops. the fit of the pants changed though so i don't like that for my DS4. but overall - for what i pay out the door - its ok.

 

[Tiger926]

I'd have to disagree with people saying every brand. If this is the case, maybe you need to adjust the places you are shopping at.. I find places like Nordstrom have great clothing that will last. Even though it may cost more in the end it lasts longer, outweighing the cheap.. it evens out. This is the same for more expensive jeans.

I haven't had any problems with VS - I get all of my bras there!

Hate Coach - their purses look disgusting after 6 months of use. I buy brands of purses that will last a lifetime- and they truly do.

One place that surprises me with their good clothing is Target! They've had some cute things over the past couple of years and I really love their designer collaborations.

H&M totally sucks though! Cheap fabric, wrinkles easily, buttons fall off. ugh!

I guess you haven't read through much of this thread? Most of us are saying that even more expensive brands have gone downhill. We aren't talking about Walmart or Target here, but major brand names.

It has nothing to do with where one shops - we have some seriously expensive clothes in this house, as hubby and I are working professionals, and the quality just isn't there with so many brands these days. We don't buy cheap clothes or shoes at all, never have. As well, many of them have shrunk their sizes, so there is no consistency anymore with sizing. I'm sorry, but I have purchased a few items from Nordstrom and Macy's for instance, and the quality wasn't as good as I thought it should be either.

This really seems to be a growing trend, IMHO.

Tiger

 

[bnhasak]

Old Navy shirts are so thin now that you literally see through them. I have 3 different years of t-shirts from ON and each one gets progressively thinner to the point I returned all the ones I purchased last year...and won't purchase again.

Coldwater Creek is so variable that I have returned more things than bought their lately. It is completely hit or miss with their sizing as well as their quality. I have a wonderful dress I just bought from them that is great. The same order I bought two sweaters and they pilled and had a hole the first time I wore it and after it was laundered by hand. I also HATE that 90% of their clothes are line dry. Our house looks like the washer exploded with all the clothes needing to flat dry. LOL!

Landsend clothing also is thinner for my kids. I still love their outerwear and sweaters but the girls dresses especially are thinner and oddly sized.

I still like Gymbo quality but their styles leave a lot to be desired, especially for girls.

It gets harder and harder to find quality clothes and a fair price, especially for kids.

Crocs quality also seems to have taken a hit for a year or two, but the last year or so it seems to be to their old standards.

 

[punkin]

All of them . Some are still better than others but I can't think of any of them that haven't gone down a little in quality.

I agree. Much of the clothing made now seems to be disposable. Yes, it's cheap, but I am lucky if it lasts one season. I don't mind so much with clothes, but the shoes really bug me.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Hate Coach - their purses look disgusting after 6 months of use. I buy brands of purses that will last a lifetime- and they truly do.

I haven't bought a new Coach purse in several years, but my everyday purse is a Coach City Bag (I think) from more than ten years ago - it still looks great. My other Coach purse looks brand new and it is almost ten years old - I don't use it as much as the first, but it gets used fairly often.

They have both been well worth the money for me. Everytime I think about buying a new purse to change things up, I don't since my Coach purses are still going strong. I'll probably tire of them before they look worn out.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Ordered a new set of Huggable Hangers from HSN a few weeks ago and already at least 5 of them broke. I will be sending them back. I have hangers from years ago that are much better quality

Love Coach but you have to really inspect the bags for quality now. I mainly use Coach for travel because the quality pieces wear well and hold up to abuse. My Coach items are work horses but I don't see The overall quality as in the past. They have stood by their warranty so I will continue to be a discerning customer.

Polo has held up for us so far. Even the outlet pieces.

Lands End I'm a new customer, but I have to say, they have stood by their warranty 100% so I will continue to purchase. Plus they still have the best rash guards and swimwear.

Never liked ON but always purcased the $5 Ts for 4th of July. We have the 2004 and they still look great. They ate much thinner now.

 

[mom2aredhead]

Though not clothing, Coach of today is not what it was 10 or 20 years ago, quality or customer service.

Once upon a time they were made here. Now, like everything else, they're made in China. HUGE difference in quality.

Are you buying them from the mall or from an outlet store? The Coach outlet sells mainly cheaper knockoffs of their own brand so it's not surprising they don't look or last as well as a "real" Coach handbag.

They're not "knockoffs". They're authentic bags. Some are last-year's designs, some are manufactured specifically for the factory store. I buy the accessories there (wallets, umbrellas, scarves) and have found no problem with the quality. As for the bags - I only buy the leather ones, not the fabric ones and I've had no problems with them...though they are definitely not the same quality as the bags they used to make years ago.