The fashion industry is one of the largest in the world, with annual revenues of $2.5 trillion and millions of people employed. Fashion poses significant environmental issues; it accounts for around 8-10% of global carbon emissions, is the second-largest consumer of water among all businesses, and is responsible for the release of trillions of microplastics into the oceans. The transition to sustainable fashion, a basic principle of which is the use and ownership of clothing for as long as feasible, is part of the attempt to lessen the negative effects of the fashion industry. Moving towards items such as sustainable shoes and sustainable jewelry is the way of the future.
Buying high-quality clothing in the first place is one approach to encourage rewear. Clothing that is made to last is stitched in such a way that it can withstand a lot of machine washing, sunshine, and repeated usage. Nobody wants to spend money on something that would fall apart after only a few washes.
However, determining what is and is not excellent clothes apparel can be difficult. I’ve been designing and making my own apparel for the past six years, and it’s grown into a menswear brand that I’m quite proud of. To that end, here are few tips:
1. It is appropriate for its intended use
The first indicator of excellent is whether the clothing is appropriate for the characteristic for which it is being bought. This may seem self-evident; after all, if you’re buying clothes you want, they must have a purpose, right? Not quite, because clothing purchasing is rarely that simple. You can also go to vzzr.com.
We’ve all had the experience of buying clothes just because they looked nice on the rack. Most of us have had the experience of purchasing clothing for an upcoming function only to discover as the date approaches that it is either too elegant or too casual for the occasion. This is the quickest method for garments or fashion items to be thrown away, so at the very least, make sure the clothing is appropriate for the reason for which you are purchasing it before you buy.
2. Material
The fabric in which clothing is created is one of the most important methods to recognize good quality clothes, and it should be included in your purchasing decision if you want quality clothing that lasts. Regardless of how well-designed the clothing is or how functional the garment is, if the fabric is of poor quality, it will not last long. To do so, you’ll need to figure out what you’ll be wearing the garments for and which textiles will work best.
A brief online search can help you become familiar with the many sorts of materials that are suitable for different styles of clothing. Natural fibers such as linen or organic cotton, for example, are better than wool for summer dresses since they are lightweight and produced responsibly. With this information, you may start looking for the right outfit. Another fast hack is to take the contents of the label and do a quick search on them as well before purchasing. When in doubt, this will help you decipher the jargon and adjectives on the label and select the best fabric choice.
Fabric ‘blends’ are another item to keep an eye out for. Some dressmakers in my part of the world may utilize fabric mixtures while Clothes passing them off as 100% wool or cotton. The first test for cotton is how it feels against the skin. Is the cloth comfortable to wear? Does it feel light and airy against your skin? Holding the fabric up against sunshine or any light is a hack for checking how tightly knit it is. You shouldn’t be able to see items in good-quality organic cotton. Fabrics that are less expensive are often thin and have faults.
Linen is a popular natural fiber that is grown sustainably. While linen does not have the same softness as cotton, it should never be scratchy. Here are a few questions:
- Is the fabric soft and pleasant to the touch?
- Are there any wrinkles or creases on the garment that can irritate you?
- Will the Clothes still look decent if it’s wrinkled a little?
Tightly knit fibers are another hallmark of an excellent and quality cloth. There are no gaps, and the weaves are interlaced horizontally and vertically in a seamless manner. Tears are considerably reduced as a result of this. The thread count is similar to the fiber weave.
3. Customization
Because the entire purpose of clothing is to be sewed and sewn correctly, this is a no-brainer. So, no matter how lovely the fabric or pattern is if you’re drooling over one that isn’t, don’t buy it. What I’ve realized is that when we see clothes we like that have some sewing flaws, we tend to overlook them in the hopes of getting the clothes to fit. But, at the end of the day, they’ll just end up in our closets, gathering dust.
The seams are responsible for the complete shape and structure of garments.
4. Use of color
The majority of fabrics begin their existence as neutral colors, usually white or a milky tone. However, many of the fabrics will be dyed as part of the design process, giving designers and customers a larger selection to choose from. Many eco-conscious designers and sustainable fashion manufacturers will choose natural, non-toxic colors produced from plants rather than synthetic chemical dyes. Now, depending on the quality of workmanship and effort put into the dyeing process, the colors may fade. Color bleeding and transfer are common, so study the label and discover what the manufacturer says about color and how to wash the item before making a purchase.
5. Look for any stray threads
A good stitching is another clue that a piece of clothing is of great quality. How can you tell if a stitch is good? Check the stitch count per inch. The greater the number, the better! Keep an eye out for additional stitching. Extra stitching work is frequently done by companies who care about quality, so your piece of apparel doesn’t break apart after a few months. Always double-check that buttons are securely sewed to the fabric, as we’ve already stated.
Last but not least, there should be no loose threads; if there are, it signifies the stitching is bad and the clothing is likely of inferior quality.
