How to Find High Quality Clothes. Dos and Don’ts.

Hi Everyone,

In this video I’m talking about how I spot good quality clothes that will last in my wardrobe for years.
I explain different aspects of material and construction, two pillars of high quality garments.

I’m sure I’ve missed something so please share with us your experience and how you find the best quality clothes.

I hope you enjoy the video!!!

TIME STAMPS:

00:00 INTRO
01:06 NATURAL MATERIALS
01:56 COTTON
03:21 CASHMERE
05:28 LINEN
06:23 SILK
07:18 LEATHER
07:54 FABRIC BLENDS
09:45 DESIGN/CONSTRUCTION
10:21 CLEANING
11:11 WEIGHT
11:47 COMFORT
12:19 FINAL PRESENTATION
13:28 STRETCH TEST
14:01 BUTTONS
16:40 ZIPPERS
17:31 LOOK INSIDE
18:38 SEAMS
19:36 LINING
20:44 PATTERN
21:27 HEM ALLOWANCE
22:01 HOW TO FIND GOOD QUALITY CLOTHES

HIGH QUALITY SHOPS I RECOMMEND:

NOT PERFECT LINEN (family-run, sustainable linen, ETSY)
BRORA (cashmere, wool)
JIGSAW (fine soft cashmere)
JOHN SMEDLEY (premium knitwear)
BODA SKINS (premium leather, viscose lining)
GUNDA HAFNER (UK made, wool, silk, linen, cotton)
SANVT (premium cotton, wool)
ASKET organic cotton basics, recycled wool,
ARMED ANGELS (organic, sustainable, ethical basics with a twist),
PEOPLE TREE (sustainable, organic, ethical - however to me clothes are too classic and generic),
LILYSILK (I especially recommend wool trousers, silk)
PATRIZIA ARYTON (COATS. could be only in Poland, but if you have a chance to shop there it’s a cheaper, but same quality as Max Mara)
OFFICINE GENERALE (tailoring, knitwear)

BAGS
CHYLAK (of course!!)
SONGMONT (haven’t been disappointed with a quality of my 2 bags, leather+silk lining)

[rusope]

also fun fact, my parents bought me a wool coat from H&M when i was 16. i am now 37, still have and wear that coat, and it's in perfect condition. except for the lining which i need to replace actually. but you would never ever find quality like this at H&M today! it is really sad.

[tonyp]

Excellent video. I’m a 10 year professional in world class made to measure men’s suits from the top mills in the world. Women’s clothing is light years behind in quality for most brands compared to men’s classic suiting

[kristinajohansson]

How to wear your quality clothes should be the next video. In the old days they used undergarment that could protect your expensiv clothes. I remember those small blouses my mother called ”blous protecter” a cotton blouse for wearing under your more expensiv blouse. Easy to wash and protected the expensiv blous from deodorant and sweat stains. Of course we couldn´t copy everything but there certainly is a lot to learn.

[lillianbarker]

I live in a hot climate and use a lot of linen. I’ve noticed it’s hard to find heavier linen or good quality light linen. There’s a lot of poor quality linen being sold.

[Hasmiral]

My grandfather was a tailor and I learned as a small girl what good garments feel and look like. Today I am 51 and I still look at every garment inside to see what it`s made of and if the cut and shape is timeless. I buy the most in italy, often in outlets of well known established italian brands and most of my clothes and many shoes I have since 25 years now. I also knit sweaters myself with high quality yarns like alpaca, mohair and cashmere-they are priceless ;-)

[guhreenskittles]

Max Mara is known for high quality coats but their S Max Mara line is made in China vs in Italy. Completely agree that we shouldn’t trust brands..

[nikkisue]

This was a very detailed and informative video on buying quality clothes. I now read labels on clothes to determine the fabric content. So many retailers use acrylic, nylon and polyester. I notice that many high-end designers charge a lot of money for blazers ($600) that are made with a high-content of polyester. Thank you for your time.

[gloriaa]

This would be a good optional lecture, extra credit in high school. Mostly girls would attend but it would start them an a different trajectory for life and put a dent into fast fashion. I am sick of seeing people compare two vastly different quality items and say: same thing and this one is cheaper.

[kimberlyberlin]

What a thorough video on a much needed subject. I wholeheartedly agree 100% with what you say here. I have a difficult time finding blazer and coat linings that are natural fabrics. Most are polyester and acetate.

[JollyHipp]

Can we appreciate that she didn't distill these topics across multiple short videos but presented them all in one place🎉

[christinecoates]

This was one of the best videos I've seen this year. I'm with you 100%. Only quality. I nearly always buy vintage. Last week I got a wonderful nearly-new Max Mara grey wool, cashmere & silk coat for €40.

[shellbell]

I am with you on the linen bedding- with a linen flat sheet for the most luxurious night’s sleep ever! Once you do natural fibres you never go back. It’s false economy to buy cheap clothes that fall apart and leave you feeling stinky at the end of the day.

[derbywinner]

Sustainability clothing is the way to dress. You’re one of the YouTubers influencers who’s not promoting cheap and low quality clothing. 👍

[lucyjones]

The video I’ve been waiting for!! I’m so fed up of influencers singing the praises of the quality of an item, yet when you ask them what they mean by that, WHY do they consider it high quality, they’re usually stumped. And no one other than me (and you!) seems to care! It really annoys me. So, THANK YOU for demonstrating what better quality really means. xx

[vivienkoles]

Thank you for the detailed video.

It's so bad that brands don't upload pictures about the inside of the garments.

I check always the material of the garment, because my mom worked in the 80's in textile industry, I'm from Hungary and before the fall of the wall my country produced a lot of wool fabric for the Soviet market. They were not fashion fabrics, but heavy-duty ones. My mom told me that she worked as a tester too, and the well made wool fabrics were water-proof.

The designer clothes are getting annoying. I was outraged when I saw a polyesther mesh fabric for hundreds of dollars just because it is desingner. The most annoying thing they do is putting a plastic fiber lining inside of a silk garment. If the silk doesn't touch your skin, what is the point?

[brendaroberts]

I have just found your channel and I'm loving it. At my age 70 in a few months I'm looking for quality that will last and no longer high fashion that lasts 2 minutes.

[LikeTheVik]

this is by far the best most essential video about clothing on YouTube, everybody needs to watch this

[kenim]

Ive been shopping for material for a few years now. It made my shopping experience much easier -> whenever I see something interesting, look for the lable, see polyester, immediately pass. Now I don't even need to walk into 80% of the stores in a mall, no decision fatigues 😂😢

I usually just buy the first piece that meets the material and my fit test. No more "I need to compare this item with a million other options" struggles.

[kimberlyperrotis]

Natural fibers only! I developed skin allergies to synthetics (plastics), this happens from repeated exposure. I can also tolerate the manmade cellulosic fibers well (lyocell, rayon). Silk is my favorite fabric, and I gradually built up a wardrobe of silk items over the years, so I have plenty of daily choices. Wool is underrated, it not only is warm, but very resilient, looks beautiful and doesn’t wrinkle, or the creases hang out overnight. I recently got a pair of polyester pants from H&M, but there’s just no way to get the creases out, I’ve tried everything from washing, wet ironing, steaming, soaking in warm water, stretch ironing, etc. what a waste of money, I just had a weak moment because they fit me so perfectly (I was going to wear them over silk Long Johns to protect my skin).

[debbiemalina]

Loved this video ! Very informative! I’m a BIG THRIFTER SECOND HAND shopper and have found very nice good quality items at a good price ! This video helps me look for even better higher quality materials !