Where CAN you pay more for quality?

[mrsklamc]

Inspired by the 'clothing brands going downhill' thread but not just for clothes. Where do you go to buy quality products that will last?

 

[lucyem]

What are you looking for? Yes there are companies who still produce quality items and they are not always the most expensive or the most popular. Though a lot are more expensive because more has been put into materials and construction. And to some extent it can be hit or miss even with the good companies.

 

[mrsklamc]

What are you looking for?

I was looking for a general list of items that people find to be of good quality-not any one specific item. I'm tired of buying disposable junk, even from companies that used to sell good products- Land's End for example.

 

[Planogirl]

No answers yet?

I can't think of anything that is consistently good quality. I would have said New York & Co at one time but I'm not so sure about them any more...

 

[akcire]

Talbots, for the most part is still a great brand. I have not had problems with any of their clothes. Sometimes I can get a really good deal at their outlets too. Also Woolrich--but that is very style dependent (because how many tweed pieces do you need).

Most of LLBean is still pretty good quality, but I have problems with their pants. The shape they think my bottom half should be, it is not. I have bought a fair amount of tops and outerwear from them. Also I buy lots of my husband's pants from LLBean.

 

[3goofyboys]

I've had great luck with Burton gear. I love every piece I have and they've held up to some rough use.

 

[cats mom]

I've always been pleased with the quality of Faconnable clothing. I was concerned when Nordstrom bought them out, but so far so good, at least as far as I'm concerned.

 

[shortbun]

Lexus, Volvo, Mercedes, Honda
dry fire wood
good basketball shoes at Foot Locker
Harley Davidson
Godiva chocolates
glass versus plastic
cloth versus paper
perennials versus annuals
Eddie Bauer
Talbots

 

[dsny1mom]

I got sick of all the disposable junk they call clothing about 4 years ago.

Then I found Pendleton.

The company is over 100 years old, and make their own wool right here in the USA. Classic styles that last and last and last. Their cotton items are soft and durable too. I have some merino washable turtle necks that are 4 years old and look brand new despite lots of wearing and washing. Their wool men's shirts usually last 20 years plus and their blankets get handed down generation to generation as they last 60 plus years.

They have some B&M stores and an easy to navigate website.

It's so nice to invest in quality items that don't pill, fall apart and need to be replaced every or every other year.

dsny1mom

 

[#1hoosierfan]

Ralph Lauren

I have RARELY ever paid full-price.... because their clothes can be expensive.

My boys own A LOT of Ralph Lauren. I buy at the end of the season or on E-Bay. They wear it, and I can turn around and sell it to a consignment store for a good price. It wears so well.

I have a POLO sweatshirt that has to be 15 years old. I swear it still looks almost brand-new. It is my favorite. I wear it all of the time.

 

[3goofyboys]

Also Sorels are great! They last forever and keep your feet toasty warm.

 

[Cindy B]

Clarks -- I teach, so am on my feet constantly (no sitting at the desk while kids are working for me!). While at work, I usually do about 15 flights of stairs per day..

LL Bean jackets

LL Bean backpacks

Sonicare products. They stand behind their product and will replace if something isn't right.

 

[racechick8293]

Brenthaven. I love their products for Macs.

 

[Desiree1972]

Hanna Andersson! Love their clothes - lasts forever, great hand me downs, and most importantly my daughter dresses like a little girl

 

[mrsltg]

Pottery Barn for furniture and accessories. Yes, they are expensive, BUT, they stand behind their products. I've had great experiences with them.

Hanna Andersson for kids' clothes. That stuff just lasts!

LL Bean for outerwear.

Le Crueset for cookware.

Those are just off the top of my head. There are some things I will go cheap on (ie, kids leggings and tunics that are 2/$8) because I know it won't last anyway. For the most part though, I like quality pieces that last.

 

[hsmamato2]

well,you could pay more for good quality...but I personally prefer to pay less,and find excellent quality items. And when I have to,I'll pay more for the quality
that said-
for clothes,-*Gap*-
everything I've ever bought from there,(usually clearance sales )has lasted for YEARS> literally years....I bought a school backpack 11 years ago when ds2 was born,to use as a diaper bag- 3 years for that purpose,then ds1 used it for his personal backpack for approx 6-7 years...then ds2 now uses it for his school/trips backpack-it is still in EXCELLENT shape! (he took it to Disney 2 weeks ago) every pair of socks,boxers,shirts I got from Gap lasted for many years(DH has some boxers from at least 12 years ago,I am NOT kidding!still in decent shape!)
Lands End clothing and snow boots wear thru multiple people in our house,then we pass them along to friends who can use them....since DH doesn't outgrow things,he still has his LE shirt I got him approx. 14 years ago,it is as good as new!(he never gets rid of things he likes)
Gymboree stuff seemed to wear really well when my kids were small....,and close second to Gap is of course Old Navy,we have lots of those clothes for years in our house too....
IMHO- most designer 'labels' aren't worth the extra, but there are some really solid clothes out there......
I've had the same Kenmore washer and Dryer from Sears for 22 years...no repairs needed.....
my Mercury Villager van is 16 years old- with a little work on her, she is still a reliable car-
I do spend extra on Benjamin Moore paint for my walls, it has such a nice texture......and it goes on better than Home Depot paint,tho my DH disagrees....
my Smartwool socks are WELL worth the 9.00 a pair I paid for them (on clearance)

 

[cats mom]

Kind of funny to see some of the same brands listed here that also showed up on the other thread as either never was a quality brand, or quality has declined in recent years.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[mjhd]

Kind of funny to see some of the same brands listed here that also showed up on the other thread as either never was a quality brand, or quality has declined in recent years.

Different strokes for different folks I guess.

Very funny! I think Hanna, Gymbo, and Ralph Lauren may have well made clothes, but their colors fade so quickly, they are not worth buying for their quality IMO.

 

[tinker&belle]

Hanna Andersson! Love their clothes - lasts forever, great hand me downs, and most importantly my daughter dresses like a little girl

OT-

Totally with you on dressing like a little girl. I went to buy DD sneakers today because her old ones didn't fit and I had trouble finding anything that was little girlish. She is 3, but her foot is 11.5 and the difference from toddler shoes and 'girl' shoes is enormous. Most of them were tie shoes and looked like what I would expect 9-10 year olds to be wearing.

 

[mrsklamc]

Hsmamato2-

I should clarify- the wording was kind of jumping off another thread. It's not that I WANT to spend extra money unnecessarily, it's just that there used to be far more places where you could know you were investing in quality vs. discount store junk. There are far fewer places like that now.