Fashion Fridays: The Basics, Feel

Welcome back to part 2 in our Fashion Fridays Basics series.  Last week we covered the ever critical “fit.” Today, we cover “feel,” or the quality of the clothes.

Most of us out there have budgetary constraints that prohibit us from buying high end custom clothing.  Or we want to do something more philanthropic with what we have rather than buy blouses that cost $300.

At the same time, if you have a career, and aren’t about to retire, you likely still want to present yourself as polished, confident and successful.

Quality clothes help achieve that goal.

However, there’s far more poorly made options on the market than the alternative.

This is another place where on-line shopping kills us.  I mentioned last week, if you are not willing to return the clothes (to the store or in the mail), then stop on-line shopping.  Because you end up with ill-fitting, poorly constructed outfits simply because you fail to return what doesn’t work well.  (At least, that’s how it works for me!)

What are things to look for to distinguish between well and cheaply made?

1.  Embellishments.  An embellished blouse or handbag can quickly make an outfit look high end or wretched depending on the quality of the material used.  This covers lace, sequins, buttons, snaps, zippers, buckles, really anything which shows.

I know you, looking at these two pictures, can tell me which item cost more.  So can everyone else who notices what you’re wearing or carrying.

{The first one is a designer bag from Nordstrom’s – real leather and hand stitched with high end embellishments.  The second is a $40 bag from Charming Charlie’s – poor construction and metals that will turn quickly, already looking dinghy.}

2.  Stitching.  This is one I often forget, but look at the stitching on an item of clothing.  How is it sewn?  How does the material come together?  Is the thread frayed or the fabric uneven?

It’s hard to depict in photographs but easy enough to spot when hems are fraying or lose, zippers lay flat or bulge, and pleats/shoulder seams/layers fall well or poorly on your body.

3.  Fabric/Material.  We most often think of the fabric when we think of quality and it is the most critical component in our clothes.  There are some on trend items where this matters less, take for example an inexpensive scarf in a “hot” pattern, but some clothing items should warrant a higher price tag and beautiful fabric.  Think of your go-to interview or presentation suit, your regularly used trousers, white button down, black blazer and cocktail dress.  This not only goes for the feel of the material, but the color.  You can tell when the dye used renders a beautiful or harsh shade.

So how about you?  What are your tests for finding quality pieces?  What is your go to shopping spot for well made items at less than a budget breaking cost?

And join us next week as we explore what our style brings to the fashion basics!