Clothes that Last

Cerisa

I am really sick of spending £20 on a pencil skirt that becomes shabby in less than a year. I've also discovered that spending more doesn't always mean better quality. Can anyone reccomend a place to get good quality basics - pencil skirts, t-shirts, knitwear - that aren't dated, bobbly and shabby in a few months?

beckyv

I find most of the items i buy in Dotty P's (Dorothy Perkins) seem to last for ages. I have a top on today that i have had for well over a year, worn all last winter and this winter and it is fine and its white.

New Look is not too bad but not as good as Dotty P's

username456

Hi,

Have you tried Debenhams? I know some Debenhams (like the one in York) aren't that brilliant, but if you're near to a big one, then they have some great basics throughout the store at really reasonable prices and that last. I buy my work stuff from there - trousers start at about £15, which I easily get a year out of. Plus you can shop for going out stuff and casual stuff at the same time. I find it much cheaper and better quality than Dotty P's for your basics.

Guapa1

Charity shops are really good if you're good at picking out quality materials. Clothes aren't built to last these days. (here I go sounding like my gran..lol)

Skint_Catt

I think some of the bobbling will be down to the material you buy, not the quality of the manufacture.

daphne~sparkle

I love Next, M&S and have a few pairs of trousers from New Look which are surprisingly good quality.
Have you considered looking at how you wash your clothes and what with?Washing on too high a temperature, using bio detergents and tumble drying will all affect your clothes.
HTH
DS X

Skint_Catt

Also there are some fabrics (especially skirts & trousers) that you need to iron through a cloth to stop them going shiny - anything with nylon in it maybe?

flea72

tbh, clothes arent made to last nowadays, they are made to be worn a few times, and then replaced.

the quality of fabric, has diminished over the last 5-10yrs, and thats mainly due to people wanting throw-away clothing, at low prices

You gets what you pay for, and even paying £50 for skirt, still means its fairly poor quality, and should only last one season, two if you dont wash it that often

You only have to look at clothing from Next that is 10yrs old and been through 3+ children. fabric still looks like new, and doesnt bobble (just looks a bit dated). Compare it to the current range, and clothes, fade after one wash, loose their shape, and are ready for the bin after a few months

The only way to guarantee quality, is to buy fabric and make your own

Flea

Badger_Lady

I have to admit that I have only very few good-quality clothes, all bought through charity shops or fashion week (drastically reduced top designer gear). Most of what I wear is super-cheap from Matalan Clearance or TK MAXX clearance... but I've got so much of it that I hardly wear each individual item, so they never get shabby!

I've got shoes I've had since I was 15, that cost me £5 at the time :rotfl: But now I rarely spend more than £3 on a pair.

stingylolo

Used £5 pair trousers from Primark - lasted ages !

joyce63

I agree with washing in non-bio detergent, inside out, at no higher than 40 degrees and not using the tumble dryer, that really helps your clothes to last. I find M&S best overall for quality. Next used to be comparable but there has been a marked decline in quality there in the past 5-6 years and I don't buy much from them at all anymore.

Decent trousers in M&S have lasted me for years. I avoid the really cheap polyester £15 trousers, but everything else is great. I don't really buy work clothes from anywhere else these days.