Walmart vs. Macy's
This is an age old debate with strong supporters on both sides. On one side you have the argument that buying cheap clothes is the better buy. Despite the fact that clothes with a cheap price tag have a higher potential of being cheaply made (i.e. they may or may not last through the current season), the feeling is that you save money in the long run because you do not spend as much per purchase. On the other side of the argument are those that feel spending money on quality clothing is worth the higher price tag. Higher priced clothes have the perception of being made of a higher quality which will last, and as a result, even though you spend more upfront, you won't have to keep respending in order to replace the garments.
Who is right? Well, neither side really. Instead of focusing on the price tag, you should redirect your focus to the workmanship of the garment. Purchasing quality clothing does not necessarily mean you have to shop at only the high-end stores. You can find quality garments at both Walmart and Macy's....and every store in between.
Finding Quality Clothes
What are quality clothes? Basically, they are clothes that have been well-made, thus resulting in a long life. I once worked at a very well-known university in Texas. Most of the students came from very privileged backgrounds where money was never in short supply. However, one of the student workers in our office came from a family of very modest means and was attending the university on an academic scholarship. She did not have the benefit of a seemingly endless bank account that allowed her to spend a lot of money on clothes. Despite this fact, she was always very well dressed as she was fortunate to have a mother who was an extremely talented seamstress. Her mother sewed all of her clothes and they were absolutely gorgeous. She received many compliments on her clothes and the other girls always wanted to know where they could purchase them. Quality does not have to be expensive.
Here are some tips to help you select quality garments at reasonable prices.
Signs of a poorly made garment: loose threads, loose buttons, seams that do not lie flat, uneven hems, uneven stitching, frayed edges, curled hems, unmatched fabric patterns, and buttonholes that pucker. Look for items that are lined rather than unlined. The lining will help extend the life of the garment. Check to be certain that the lining is the right size for the garment and doesn't extend too close to the hem or beyond the hem. Always try clothes on prior to purchasing. Make certain seams and pockets lie flat and buttons line up with the buttonholes. Scrutinize the hem to be certain it is even all the way around or that each side matches evenly (if pants or shorts). Zip and unzip the zipper to make sure it works properly and doesn't snag the fabric. Clothes that have to be dry cleaned are not necessarily better quality. The "Dry Clean Only" designation simply means that they cannot be washed safely. Don't forget to factor the cost of dry cleaning into the overall cost of the garment.
Other tips: Take into consideration whether or not you have to purchase additional accessories to go with a particular garment. If you do not have shoes to match, then a certain dress may not be a wise purchase. Keep a stain removal guide on hand so that you will know how to remove a particular stain. Otherwise, you will be tempted to hang the garment in the back of your closet because it is not wearable with the stain. Even if you don't sew, keep a small sewing kit handy so you can easily make small repairs. Shop off season to take advantage of sales. Sign up to receive notifications of upcoming sales for your favorite stores. Know your measurements and shop online. I love Talbots clothes because they fit me perfectly, they are classic rather than trendy, and they are made to last. I have Talbots skirts in my closet that I have worn faithfully for over 10 years. Since I am so familiar with Talbots clothes, I know what will fit and what won't fit without trying it on each time. This has allowed me to shop on Ebay with great results. I simply sign up to be notifed whenever new Talbots items in my size are posted. I have bought jackets and skirts for .99 each. Every item I have purchased is in excellent condition and always as described.Have a question about purchasing quality clothes? Have you found a great deal on clothes, either online or at a brick-and-mortar store? Do you have a secret for making your clothes last longer? If so, drop by the Home Finance forum today and post your question or share your stories with others.
