Where CAN you pay more for quality?

[Tiger926]

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.

I'm the OP of the other thread, and just stumbled upon this now, as I haven't been on the computer all day. Cool thread!

You are so right - as I read through the brands mentioned on here, they are those that many of us have mentioned on the other thread as having gone way downhill as of late. Interesting perspectives...

Tiger

 

[surfgirl]

furniture:

virtually anything hand-made in the US is more expensive but better.
- Amish (altho it isn't all handmade, they use generators to power their power tool instead of electricity, but it isn't made in China!)

NOTHING from Five Below... the place smells nasty. I refuse to allow my kids in there because they always see "something".

clothes ? I have low expectations any more. I've had good luck with Gap and Lands' End clothes for kids, but it is all relative.

 

[surfgirl]

oooh, just thought of one of my favorite brands:

Life is Good. I find their shirts wear incredibly well over the years and just get softer. They don't get all wonky and crooked like some do over time.

I find these are frequently the first tee that I pull out of the closet to wear and also are something that I like to take to travel in - just comfortable.

 

[My2BabiesLexis&Dill]

Luckily I don't have an office job so I don't need dressy clothes. But CARHARTT is soo worth the money. I buy this for my kids, me and my husband.

 

[Riverhill]

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

Totally agree. I have a Pendelton wool winter shawl that my Mom wore in the 80's to work. I am now 41 yrs old and wear the same shawl. Perfect condition after all these years and it looks great over my Business suits rather than a winter coat.

 

[Shleedogg]

I would say J Crew and Banana Republic. I can't afford to buy much there, but the clothes I do have seem to be lasting forever and still look brand new. I also have pretty good success with Gap. There have been a few shirts that I got on clearance that weren't so great, but pants and sweaters hold up pretty well.

 

[mikkishelles]

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.

I constantly have problems with zippers on LL bean wear. From my clothes, to DH and even to my kids' rain jackets and down vests, the zipper always gets stuck.

 

[englishteacha]

I find that LL Bean lasts pretty well for us. I haven't had any zipper trouble. Being in Maine we get a lot of LL Bean second hand.

New Balance sneakers are really good too. We get them at the outlet store and they last forever. We couldn't get to the outlet store so DH bought some Walmart sneakers. They lasted 5 weeks.

 

[mamaLori05]

Gap is one of my fav's as still being high quality. My kids closets (as well as mine) consist of mostly gap clothing because I know it will last. No fading, no shrinking, still look brand new long after my kids have outgrown them. My kids have NEVER worn a hole through any of their clothing, or even shown any signs of wear. It also seems like I can get stains out of their clothing much easier than I can other brands.

 

[arminnie]

ll bean for me. I especially like their clothes and luggage.

I would have said Lands End ten years ago, but not now. I bought some luggage. The zipper broke within a year. When I called they said "we don't do repairs anymore". No offer of replacement or return.

shoes - ferragamo, cole haan
purse - b makowsky