How to keep my clothes longer & in good condition? Zara vs. high end? How long do you keep yours?

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mellecyn

mellecyn

O.G.
Feb 28, 2006
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2,761
#1
I am very frustrated by the lack of quality of clothes.

Wool sweaters piling, cotton shirts impossible to iron and not look constantly wrinkled. My white clothes losing their spark.
I tend to keep my clothes around 2 years. I have also noticed that I keep higher brands, more expensive items, longer 5-7 years. They are also more foundation items and less trendy.
My mum keeps hers forever...how? She only hand washes them. She doesnt buy Zara but doesnt buy high end either...

I have noticed that my beloved pieces from H&M and Zara pile after just only a few wears, especially the sweaters/pull overs. But also a jacket that was on the cheap side at 20€. I try to wash sparingly and cold water but machine, to avoid the sweat smell.
The jeans hold well, but the cotton items don´t iron well and lose their shape. I can´t keep replacing just to have decent looking clothes on me.

So....Zara but only the higher priced items? I must admit I really like the style, so its really hard for me to say no.
I have ventured towards Shein and I was disappointed everytime, so on top of the guilt of supporting an awful brand, I also wasn´t happy.
Items from brands like Cos or &Other stories tend to hold pretty well, and the price is around 100€/item.
Brands like Zadig & Volatire are a rip off, 300€ for a shirt 100% viscose isnt worth it.
And yet, a cheap skirt from Uniqlo that I love I always wear it and it´s perfect on its second season.

Lately, I got a few items from a few reputable brands I wanted : Figaret for shirts and Eric Bompard for cashmere. Its too early to tell.
But a pullover from Prada also piled after a few wears.

What are the brands worth it? What are the items that tend to NEED to be more expensive or better quality? And what to look for?
Do you hand wash your clothes? Or use special product to keep them white and shiny?
 
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#3
Wool and cashmere sweaters pill no matter what unfortunately. I bought a little comb to pull them off but I haven't used it yet.
Can you buy a handheld steamer to freshen your clothes?
 
#4
I love Oxiclean to keep white clothing from becoming discolored.

In my experience, thick cotton lasts longer and keeps its shape better. I machine wash things, and for cotton I find that if I buy something slightly too big, I can machine dry it with heat to get it to shrink a little, which tightens up the fibers and prevents the garment from becoming too stretched out/distorted.

I don’t hand wash (too much work) or dry clean (even “green” dry cleaning is a bunch of chemicals and I am allergic to everything). If I buy something labeled “dry clean only” it’s going in the wash on Delicate with cold water and then hang drying. Most of my clothes last for many years, and I don’t buy expensive things.

Instead of buying only according to brands or just material, I think you need to evaluate piece by piece unfortunately, which is more work. Because 100% cotton/wool/etc. could be low quality and paper thin, or thicker and better quality.

Everlane seems to have a good balance of quality to price. They have limited styles though and seem more classic than trendy.

Honestly it’s pretty hard to find 100% natural fiber clothing at most price points. I think brands have switched to blends with synthetics for cost savings, but also I find clothes with blends tend to keep their size/shape better and do seem more durable. So like a 70% wool/30% synthetic coat might work well for you durability-wise and price-wise.
 
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#5
mocktail said:
I love Oxiclean to keep white clothing from becoming discolored.

In my experience, thick cotton lasts longer and keeps its shape better. I machine wash things, and for cotton I find that if I buy something slightly too big, I can machine dry it with heat to get it to shrink a little, which tightens up the fibers and prevents the garment from becoming too stretched out/distorted.

I don’t hand wash (too much work) or dry clean (even “green” dry cleaning is a bunch of chemicals and I am allergic to everything). If I buy something labeled “dry clean only” it’s going in the wash on Delicate with cold water and then hang drying. Most of my clothes last for many years, and I don’t buy expensive things.

Instead of buying only according to brands or just material, I think you need to evaluate piece by piece unfortunately, which is more work. Because 100% cotton/wool/etc. could be low quality and paper thin, or thicker and better quality.

Everlane seems to have a good balance of quality to price. They have limited styles though and seem more classic than trendy.

Honestly it’s pretty hard to find 100% natural fiber clothing at most price points. I think brands have switched to blends with synthetics for cost savings, but also I find clothes with blends tend to keep their size/shape better and do seem more durable. So like a 70% wool/30% synthetic coat might work well for you durability-wise and price-wise.
Click to expand...
I wonder if Oxiclean would help my white sheets. I think once they start to yellow you can't bring them back to white
 
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#6
GREAT TOPIC.

I completely stopped buying Zara/H&M/fast fashion because the things just don't last anymore. H&M from 10+ years ago was much better than today. I just find them a money guzzle and I hate thinking about clothes ending up in a landfill. I just give up.

My solution has been buy luxury staples like Loro Piana cashmere new or luxury/high end brands vintage. I have so much fun finding vintage and the pieces hold up so much better than anything I see today. If you are willing to buy used you can snag fair deals on pieces on the many different online resale platforms. I do find pieces that have been 'cut' with a synthetic fabric like 5% viscose with 95% silk hold up really well.

I think washing and drying matters a lot. I try to follow care labels as much as possible. Also don't be afraid to handwash instead of just putting it in the washing machine under the hand wash setting. Mocktail made excellent points, sometimes you can swap dry cleaning for handwashing.

eta idk if storing makes a huge difference but I follow the Chanel care instructions for storage: https://www.chanel.com/sg/fashion/care-instructions/ready-to-wear/
 
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#7
I'm more particular when I am buying woollens. I will spend more per piece. I still have pieces that are 10 to 15 years old that are in excellent condition. With all clothes now while I buy less, I do spend more on quality cos I want things to last. Scanlan and Theodore is a brand I have purchased from consistently over the last 15 years.

I have certain pieces I know I must dry clean but for my woollens, knits and delicates like silks and dresses I know I can get away with not dry cleaning, I will handwash, press between towels to dry and dry flat on a rack. Yes I'll need to wash my towels after but it's a very gentle way of getting majority of the moisture out. Sometimes I may put items in a garment bag and machine wash on a delicate + steam cycle.

Having a good machine helps. I've been very happy with mine.
 
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#9
Adding on, storage is really important too. I know there are members here who have extensive and amazing rtw collections who may have better advice.

I have lots of deep drawers for storage, areas for pants, tall hanging space for gowns etc., and a separate section where I can hang and store items which I have worn. These are items that have been worn say in winter and don't need washing, but still able to be worn again.

In all robes and drawers, with the exception of my handbag and shoe cabinets, I have little pillows where I apply small amounts of essential oil to keep bugs away regardless of what items are stored (I've never seen any bugs, but do it for prevention).
 
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#11
I’m in the minority here. I buy my clothing from fast fashion, like Zara and H&M and mid range like Sezane, Cos, & Other Stories. I have brought few items from expensive brands, but didn’t think it was worth it.

I make all my clothing last 5+ years. I’ve noticed that it really depends on the type of clothing, the material you buy that can make look worn and cheap quickly vs what lasts longer. It’s not just fast fashion but also mid range to expensive clothing. Agree with the post above blended materials tend to be better lasting.

I am really careful with what I purchase and how I store. All sweaters or knits has to be folded, cannot be hanged.

I use gentle wash cycle for most of my clothing with cold water and hang to dry.

Here’s an example of two knit skirts, just by looking at the two I think the pink/yellow skirt can look worn quickly and frumpy even if in another colour.
The second one I think can still hold it’s shape and wear nicely over a few years. Just my opinion based on how these look, I don’t own either of these items.



 
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#12
Minimalist_Chic said:
I’m in the minority here. I buy my clothing from fast fashion, like Zara and H&M and mid range like Sezane, Cos, & Other Stories. I have brought few items from expensive brands, but didn’t think it was worth it.

I make all my clothing last 5+ years. I’ve noticed that it really depends on the type of clothing, the material you buy that can make look worn and cheap quickly vs what lasts longer. It’s not just fast fashion but also mid range to expensive clothing. Agree with the post above blended materials tend to be better lasting.

I am really careful with what I purchase and how I store. All sweaters or knits has to be folded, cannot be hanged.

I use gentle wash cycle for most of my clothing with cold water and hang to dry.

Here’s an example of two knit skirts, just by looking at the two I think the pink/yellow skirt can look worn quickly and frumpy even if in another colour.
The second one I think can still hold it’s shape and wear nicely over a few years. Just my opinion based on how these look, I don’t own either of these items.



Click to expand...
Is it the difference in fabrics or the knit that makes you feel one will last longer than the other?
 
#15
Minimalist_Chic said:
I’m in the minority here. I buy my clothing from fast fashion, like Zara and H&M and mid range like Sezane, Cos, & Other Stories. I have brought few items from expensive brands, but didn’t think it was worth it.

I make all my clothing last 5+ years. I’ve noticed that it really depends on the type of clothing, the material you buy that can make look worn and cheap quickly vs what lasts longer. It’s not just fast fashion but also mid range to expensive clothing. Agree with the post above blended materials tend to be better lasting.

I am really careful with what I purchase and how I store. All sweaters or knits has to be folded, cannot be hanged.

I use gentle wash cycle for most of my clothing with cold water and hang to dry.

Here’s an example of two knit skirts, just by looking at the two I think the pink/yellow skirt can look worn quickly and frumpy even if in another colour.
The second one I think can still hold it’s shape and wear nicely over a few years. Just my opinion based on how these look, I don’t own either of these items.



Click to expand...
Really insightful.
Thank you all for the insights on what to look for, and how to take care of clothes so they last longer.
 
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