Why You Must Pay Attention To Fabrics While Shopping

Not all clothing is made to last. The quality of our clothes is in decline, some argue, and the culprit is a global fashion system that prioritizes lightning-fast production and a cheap price tag. We shop constantly, and always want more new stuff, creating a culture of disposable, low-quality clothes.

[ Related: How To Take Care Of Your Clothes ]

You don’t have to be a clothing expert to judge whether that next item you’re thinking of buying is good quality or not. You may need to take some time to learn what quality looks and feels like, but here are a few basic tips:

Check The Label

A garment’s fabric content matters. I prefer fibers extracted from plants and animals as cotton, wool, linen, or silk. But synthetics are taking over the market in the form of polyester, acrylic, spandex, rayon, and other manmade fibers spun from plastics and petrochemicals.

Go By The Touch

The best way to judge a fabric, knit or woven, is to touch it. Does it feel thin, brittle, and rough? Or does it feel smooth, soft, and substantial? The more fiber there is, the more likely it’s going to last longer. A fabric doesn’t necessarily need to be heavy to be good. If the yarns are tightly packed but thin, the cloth can still be lightweight. What you’re looking for is density.

Hold It Up To The Light

Holding the fabric up to the light and giving it a close look, especially with an item such as a button-up shirt. For knits in particular, try stretching a small part of the fabric in an inconspicuous spot. It should ideally bounce back to its original shape. If it doesn’t in that moment, it won’t when you wear it either, meaning it may quickly start to look stretched out and misshapen.

Quality Costs Money
The reality is that if you want good quality, you’ll most likely have to pay for it. Consider spending enough that it stings a little. But there’s one notable caveat: While a very cheap item is usually going to be low-quality, a high price tag doesn’t necessarily indicate good quality.

Last but not the least, let's not forget that taking care of your clothes will also extend their life. I have shared from basic clothing care tips here. Do let me know if you would like to add something to the list in the comments below.

Four looks from another short week! Work Wear Wardrobe - XIII

TUESDAY

 

Blouse | Pants | Shoes | Bag

WEDNESDAY

 

Cardigan | Jumpsuit | Flats

THURSDAY

Dress | Shoes

(Casual) FRIDAY

Tunic | Jeans | Flats

Do you pay attention to the fabrics while shopping?