Clothes that Last

buxtonrabbitgreen

I get a uniform for work so don't have that problem, but find that clothes from M&S seem to last preety well. Also Tu in sainsburys. I know I work there but I don't get commision honestly.

Peartree

Again, I agree it is to do with washing. I use a 'Silk and Wool' detergent (from Lidl) and wash on a very low temperature. Chuck out all your biological washing powders, they destroy your clothes! Let's face it, most of us don't work down the pits, our clothes just need refreshing at a gentle temperature.

I know I tend to chuck stuff in the washbasket because it is a bit crumpled not because it is dirty on the basis that if I'm going to have to iron it I might as well wash it first. However, a friend of mine told me she often just sprays creased clothes with water or Febreze and then hangs them up again to get another wear out of them. The creases drop out and it is fine for, say, tailored skirts. I've also recently purchased a cheap steamer for the same reason.

I agree with the posts re M&S. For work clothes you wear and wash every week you really can't beat them. And you can tumble dry so much of their stuff. If I want, say, a plain pair of black trousers, I wouldn't go anywhere else.

Can I also recommend a new find. I like classic sweaters in good quality wool, or silk or cotton. I hate high street knitwear because it is either so unflattering my granny wouldn't wear it or inappropriate for work (necks plunging to navel, floopy sleeves, bizarre colours - M&S germoline colour for god's sake) or break the bank and unwashable. I found a website called Woolovers that does flattering styles in nice colours. They also machine wash wonderfully.

Cerisa

I wash using soapnuts, at 30% and don't have a tumble dryer lol. I think charity shops are probably my best bet, or like the lady said, making my own. I do agree that it's the fabric that bobbles up, but if it were better quality fabric...

earthmother

I don't need suits/office wear, so can't advise on that sort of stuff, but at the moment I have Asda Smart Price jeans that are washing and wearing well, and Peacocks shirts/blouses.

Knitwear is an issue though - other than basic vest tops (Peacocks again), I'm afraid I do go up a level for that, spending £20-£35 a time - my best wearing knitted tops/t-shirts are from Boden, South (Littlewoods et al) and two organic/fairtrade lines - one from La Redoute, and the other a label called So Bin Ich that came via the Kaleidoscope catalogue a few years ago (but I can't find them anywhere at the moment). I find the looser/thicker the knit, the quicker it bobbles/mis-shapes/shrinks, so I've got used to just feeling the fabric and knowing what's worth picking up.

flea72 wrote: »

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

I totally agree with you on that - I have Next clothes I bought second hand for eldest, that now no.3 has finished with them are still charity-shop saleable at the least, but then I have other clothes (t-shirts mainly) that I bought new from Next for one or other of the elder kids, that aren't fit to pass down even once, and didn't really have that much wear from the original owner either. The few times I've actually been into one of their shops, I've even seen kids knitwear already bobbled on the hangers - obviously from customers handling them.

jcp_3

the best clothes to buy that will last and last are the ones that are slightly more to start with but get them in the sale or from outlets:

www.boden.co.uk
www.joulesclothing.com
www.gap.com

Gap often have a sale every 6 weeks when they turn around their stock so bargains can be picked up then, I got a pair of baby jeans that were £16.99 for £1.99!!

For men's stuff I buy designer items from outlet stores which are often good quality. Try www.thefashionhut.co.uk or www.ebtm.co.uk for something a little more original.

I am a great believer in waiting for the sales to come along and buying in bulk as the items from the above mentioned often last a fair while.

ali_r_2

I reccomend Lands End for great quality and efficient customer service.

GrammarGirl

I agree with Gap - the sales are great and if you can find an outlet store (there's one in York) even better! Zara is also great for quality fabrics.

However, I do find if you look carefully, you can find better quality items in the cheaper stores. I have quite a few bits and pieces (smock tops, cardigans, wool trousers, ballet pumps) from Primark and H&M that have lasted well over a year. Just look at the labels to see what it's made of (anything with more than 4 materials isn't great!) and check fastenings/detail to make sure they're attached securely.

jenniewb

I actually studied textiles at uni, you can learn alot just from seeing a piece of fabric created from the raw materials, to the fiers to the fabric and to the garment.

Agreed some- if not many many many garments are not made to last, so manufactuers don't put in the £££ for the more delux longer lasting fabrics.

What makes a garment go bobbly is actually the short fibers its made from (if you can imagine every strand of yarn or microfiber or thread on a garment is made from losts and lots of tiny fibers, all bound together, often by hear and friction to create a longer thread which is turn is woven or knitted or heated to create fabric). The shorter the fibers, the more likely they are to become unbound and to bobble. Equally if they are very thin and weak, they will break and this can also create bobbling. The best way to avoid this is to try to look for natural fibers- the fibers tend to be spun rather then heat pressed to create threads so are less likely to bobble unless the fibers are really way too short (but please bare in mind all fibers will bobble, its thier natural tendency), but some will bobble sooner then others.
I tend to be a bit of a fiber snob and only go for luxuary fibers such as silk, leather, cotten (highly spun), cashmere... expensive but lasts for years!

I also think that whn natural fabrics show thier wear, its far easier to pass it off as vintage or well worn, then something that is man made and worn out which just tends to look scruffy. Think its about the dirt collecting and staining the man made fabrics so white becomes grey etc and that they don't tend to stain natual fabrics in the same way- but thats just a theory- don't quote me on that!!

I would shell out on expensive stuff, as if after a year its really looking bad, its way eaiser to take them back to a store and complain that you spent £££ on it and its just gotten manky, trying to do this in your local primark just wont cut it, they will laugh you out the shop!!

Maybe try doing on-trend fashion from the cheaper stores: primark, h&m, even TK maxx if you are prepared to loose afew hours.. then get the more basics things from expensive stores such as Whistles, Karen Millen, John Lewis, marks and spencers limited range...etc and if your really loaded, nicole fahri, betty jackson, stella mc cartney... who all tend to do stuff with natural fabrics. But shop at these only in the sale. And only if you can afford it. (I wish...!) otherwise its ebay, tkmaxx and oxfam.

Try also to wash everything on a cool wash, like 30 degrees, it will help your clothes to last longer as each time you wash and rinse with hotter water, you are undoing all the heat active work that went into the garment, but by bit. Stuff like the dyes that fade slighltly, the fibers which come un spun and go bobbly bit by bit, the prints that fade or peel or change texture, the elastane that gives away a tiny bit of its tighness bit by bit... Time can also do this, but not anywhere near to the same extent as heat from a hot wash or a tumble dry can.

Beenie

Are you wearing your clothes too much?

I read that some clothes need to rest, have a gentle shake and a steam spray, and then ready to be worn again (obviously can't do this with garments that are next to the skin, but OK with skirts, jackets and trousers).

You can't wear something every week for 52 weeks and not be surprised when it looks tatty.

jenniewb

Beenie wrote: »

Are you wearing your clothes too much?

I read that some clothes need to rest, have a gentle shake and a steam spray, and then ready to be worn again (obviously can't do this with garments that are next to the skin, but OK with skirts, jackets and trousers).

You can't wear something every week for 52 weeks and not be surprised when it looks tatty.

This is another good point. Although I don't know about them needing to 'rest', as unless you are wearing the same garment every single day (in which case - take it off!! it needs to be washed!!) But you can sort of prolong the life by wearing it less as you are mixing things with other outfits. Every third day is a good idea rather then every sngle day.