Can YOU spot the designer jacket from the dud?

While hosting a recent workshop I gave 3 black blazers to the participants with the labels covered up and asked them to put the jackets in price order. No one guessed correctly. 

That’s because it isn’t always obvious what you’re paying for when you buy a garment.  

Why you need to invest in quality

Investing in quality pieces is key to creating a long lasting wardrobe. They are the building blocks that you wear week in week out so it pays (literally) to know where to invest your hard earned money.

Investing in quality isn’t about spending a fortune on expensive labels. It’s about understanding what is value for money. You can find quality pieces in all price ranges and here’s how to spot them:

1. Overall appearance

The first thing to notice is how the garment looks on the hanger. If a garment looks slightly limp or is puckering on the hanger then it will only worsen over time. Don’t buy any knitwear that is showing signs of pulling threads or bobbling. It may only be a minor detail but remember it hasn’t even been worn yet worn so it is not likely to last.

2. Fabric quality

Check fabric labels. I do this for every garment I select for a client. Natural fibres tend to be more expensive but wear and breathe better than synthetics. Wool, for example, holds its shape and still looks smart after many wears. Viscose is an unstable fabric which is likely to change shape when washed, unlike silk. 

3. Craftsmanship

Look inside the garment at the seams, linings, zips and waistbands. The garment should look tidy inside, have clean seams without stitches missing and no loose threads. Waistbands that are lined inside (or faced) are a sign of a well made quality garment. A sticky zip is a sign that the brand has cut corners in the manufacturing process. A properly tailored zip is sturdy and easy to pull up and down.

4. Fit and construction

A quality piece flatters the body, will not restrict movement and recovers its shape after wearing.  A lot goes into a well made garment and not all the details are visible. Darts, seams and linings are details you are able to spot. The pattern and cut are not visible so always take time when trying on garments.

5. Pattern alignment

It costs more time and therefore money to match stripes, prints and checks at the seams. Most mid priced brands will match the obvious seams e.g. the front seams in a checked jacket. A couture garment will have all the seams matching which is why it costs more . 

Elevating your investing pieces will make your overall appearance more polished and professional. You’ll look and feel confidence as a result. Plus it saves you the faff of having to update your wardrobe every season. You can layer fresh pieces into these every season.

How I can help you avoid the expensive duds

It’s very easy to spend a lot of money on wardrobe pieces that don’t wear well, and will need replacing after only a few wears. 

That’s where I come in. As a former fashion buyer I know how to spot the gems, and avoid the duds. Book a Full Style Experience with me and I will help you pick out items that will give you the best possible return on investment – tailored to your budget. This is just like a did with my client Caroline.

During our wardrobe edit it became clear that Caroline’s wardrobe staple of cheap black trousers were past their best. When we shopped together I advised her to invest in higher quality black trousers from a brand that is renowned for making excellent tailored garments.

Caroline immediately felt fantastic in the trousers and loved how they elevated her whole look. She also saved money in the process as they are still going strong three years later so she hasn’t had to replace them – unlike her old trousers.

If you would like a hand to identify your investment pieces I’m here to help. Get in touch and in just a few hours you’ll have an elevated wardrobe of quality items that look and feel great.

ANSWER: No duds were featured in this article, both blazers are good quality, but there is a huge price difference between the two. The blazer on the left is from Cos and costs £155. The blazer on the right is from The Row and costs £1990.