economie

8 red flags your clothes won’t last long, according to style experts

October 3, 20240
One material to avoid, especially in sweaters, is acrylic.

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You’ve probably got a sweater in your closet that used to be the softest thing in the world but now is an itchy nightmare. If that’s true, you also probably didn’t read the garment tag before you bought it.

“I think looking at the fabric details on a tag might seem tedious for people, but it’s actually a really important thing that you should do when you’re shopping,” said Welch. “I tell my clients it’s like a routine that you should have in your shopping experience.”

But what fabrics are good, and what fabrics are bad?

Short answer: It’s complicated.

“My rule of thumb is to look for natural fibers, but not all natural fibers are good quality either,” said Jennifer Wang, a Toronto-based clinical pharmacist and content creator who teaches her online followers how to shop for quality fashion and beauty products.

Natural fibers include materials like silk, cashmere, cotton, wool, and linen. But you should check if these natural materials have been blended with synthetic fibers because that can have an impact on the long-term quality, feel, and price of the garment.

One synthetic fiber to avoid — specifically in sweaters — is acrylic.

“Acrylic is designed to mimic cashmere,” said Wang. But once you wear and wash it a few times, “that acrylic is going to pill up or ball up on the surface, it’s not going to look quite as good, and it’s not going to feel quite as nice … so it’s really not for longevity and it’s more for making a sale in the store.”

One of the best things you can do to further your knowledge of textiles is research. Wang recommends the book “Textilepedia.”

“It’s a really great resource for beginners just to learn about the fabrics of clothes,” she said.

And given Circle Economy’s findings that not all labels are accurate, it’s wise to be aware of other red flags, too.

There are mistakes in the sewing.
Minor damages on the racks like loose threads could be a sign of poor construction.

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It’s important to check for minor damages to the clothes you see on the racks, like loose threads or snags in the fabric.

Sometimes the solution is as simple as selecting another piece in the same size, and other times the flaw indicates a larger issue with the item’s quality that suggests it won’t last long.

“If there’s damage on the items that are on the racks, then I would say that item is probably too delicate for daily use, so that’s probably something I would avoid,” said Wang.

Sweaters are piling on the racks.
Welch recommended checking if clothing has a lining.

Raina Aniar/Shutterstock

Sheer dresses may be popular on the red carpet, but that doesn’t mean it’s the look you’re going for at Sunday brunch.

“Whenever I’m buying a dress, or I’m buying any piece of clothing that I feel like could be slightly flimsy or be a lighter-weight fabric, I’m always looking to have a lining in it because I feel like that is important just so that I don’t have to buy additional undergarments. It provides that added layer of protection for your clothing,” Welch said.

However, she acknowledged that those in warmer climates may prefer items without it.

The garment lacks symmetry in its patterns or pockets.
Customers should check a zipper’s quality when holding and wearing it.

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Low-quality zippers aren’t worth your money or your time.

In July 2023, Wang posted the YouTube video, “How to tell the difference between good and bad quality clothes (in 5 easy points!).” One of the tips she offered viewers was to test the zipper not just when you’re holding the garment, but when you’re wearing it, too.

“Zippers can zip differently when they’re flat versus when they’re on your body,” she said in the video.

The buttons are made of cheap plastic.
Wang told viewers one way to check if a button is made with natural materials is to press it against their cheek and see if it feels cold.

Beat Bieler/Shutterstock

Another tip that Wang offered in her video was to take a closer look at the buttons: Are they cheap plastic, or are they higher quality?

“One way to check for natural buttons made out of shell or stone is by placing the button on your cheek, and if it feels cold, that’s a sign that it’s a natural material and that’s a sign of a good quality button,” Wang told viewers.

Shoppers should also check if the buttons actually work, or if they’re just sewn into place for decoration.