Are clothing stores making cheaper stuff

[Deleted]

To keep their prices the same or something?

I feel like I used to find tons of good stuff at target, old navy, Gymboree, gap,
American eagle, and express.

I've now almost completely written all of these stores off because stuff pills immediately or things get holes on the third wash or jeans lose their shape in an hr etc.

I mean, I paid $30 apiece for some hooded superhero tees for ds at Gap, and they all look like TOTAL SHIT after three washes. Wtf.

I had a pair of AE jeans that fit right and were a few months old just spontaneously rip out through the crotch when I was putting them on.

[ElizabethBennet]

I haven't been pleased with the quality of most things for awhile.

[noodleoo]

I know. It sucks. I'd rather pay a little more for nicer quality stuff but I can't even find it! Al the T shirts are basically see through. I have old T shirts that are like 5 years old and still look nice. New stuff doesn't last more than one season.

[kristie]

Yeah, it is hard to find quality anymore. I have given up shopping at a lot of places I used to frequent.

[papie]

Yes! It is like everything is made to be worn once or twice and then it looks like crap. WTF?

[Deleted]

I'm fed up with GAP, Old Navy and Target for sure. I'll buy kid's clothes at GAP for like 80% of, but that's about it. No wait, her Old Navy clothes hold up well enough for the time she wears them. But for me, I'm done. I've been burned too many times by GAP jeans that sag out two additional sizes within an hour of wearing them and shirts with holes after three washings.

Don't even get me started on Target and Old Navy.

[fryjack2]

Aug 21, 2013 9:13:08 GMT -5 @stellasmom said:

To keep their prices the same or something?

I feel like I used to find tons of good stuff at target, old navy, Gymboree, gap,
American eagle, and express.

I've now almost completely written all of these stores off because stuff pills immediately or things get holes on the third wash or jeans lose their shape in an hr etc.

I mean, I paid $30 apiece for some hooded superhero tees for ds at Gap, and they all look like TOTAL SHIT after three washes. Wtf.

I had a pair of AE jeans that fit right and were a few months old just spontaneously rip out through the crotch when I was putting them on.

There's your first problem.  Never buy full price anything at GAP   I'm starting to think there is a reason they have a 40% off sale every other minute.  Their quality has gone to shit and their sizing is so off.  That said, half the boys' clothes are GAP.  I don't care if it falls apart after 10 wears at this age. At least most of their baby boy stuff isn't lame.

[wambam]

Gah I know! I'll pay more if you make shit that lasts, I promise!

[Kit]

I've noticed this. I used to think The Limited's quality was great for the money, but not anymore. Disappointing for sure.

[DotAndBuzz]

agree. I've pretty much written off Old Navy and Target for anything other than cheap kids t-shirts and shorts that I don't need to last any longer than a few months. I was never a big AE or Express shopper but it wouldn't surprise me if this is happening there too.

[fryjack2]

I don't find too many expensive brands to be THAT much better. I used to love Marc Jacobs, but the buttons have fallen off the last 2 coats I've bought within 2 months. I do love Citizens for Humanity jeans. The pairs I own have held up so well.

[Deleted]

If anyone likes Lucky Brand jeans, they're now producing some of their line in the US again. I bought three pairs on Monday and they're amazing. I got the Sofia skinnies, and I like them way better than my J Brand ones. They cost about $100 less too.

[sergey]

I tried paying a little more for things that should last and it's all just as bad quality. I'm almost swinging the other way and just wanting to buy sale/discount and considering everything disposable clothing (the idea of which I hate).

[eddy]

Now that I am done with babies and presumably done gaining large amounts of weight I want to reinvest in my work wardrobe staples.

I have zero idea where to shop that isn't total crap or doesn't cost $200 for a pair of pants.

[muffin0]

yes.

I got DD1 a bunch of shirts from Gap. One wash and they all shrunk weird. They still fit but instead of being long and lean they are kind of short and stumpy. I'm super annoyed.

I may try and take them back today and complain.

[eddy]

Aug 21, 2013 9:29:37 GMT -5 @booby said:

i will say that this is why i've started buying a lot of my clothes at lands end or lands end canvas. wonderfully made, not terribly expensive. my only issue is that only 20% of it is age appropriate....a lot of it is old lady. BUT, the stuff that is 'younger', i really love. especially the pants and outerwear.

I don't know how their dresses fit, but I really like the look of some of their simple wrap dresses.

Maybe I need to check out Land's End for stuff......

[iamgrace]

Most of Henry's gap stuff holds up pretty well, but old navy is shit if stuff is worn very regularly. I still buy it, though.

[iamgrace]

Aug 21, 2013 9:29:19 GMT -5 muffin0 said:

yes.

I got DD1 a bunch of shirts from Gap. One wash and they all shrunk weird. They still fit but instead of being long and lean they are kind of short and stumpy. I'm super annoyed.

I may try and take them back today and complain.

I don't buy certain fabrics for H from gap for this very reason. 

[eddy]

It is funny because I have a ton of Gap stuff from jack as a baby (so 5 years old) and it is great quality. Now if I buy something for Leo I am like "really?"

I am glad I kept so much of our hand me downs.

I also hate Old Navy kid tees because they never fit my kids. They are so tight and short. I mean I make rolly polly babies, but come on.

[circa1978]

Seriously. I bought a sheath dress from the Limited earlier this summer online and when it came in the mail the fabric was like paper. It lasted three wears while I still have work staples I bought there before I got married seven years ago that still look great.

[litebright]

I gave up on Target clothes for my kids when I pulled DD1's stuff out of storage for DD2 and realized how terrible the Target stuff looked. Baby Gap and Carters held up fine, but I threw out most of the Target stuff out because it was faded/pilled/lost shape. And it's like that stuff holds onto stains, whereas I can usually wash them out of better quality clothes.

Gap Kids is hit or miss, as is Old Navy -- ON still has some very good jeans for kids, although it's to the point where I'll buy their jeans and underwear there and that's it.

Since I have two girls and try to buy clothes that will last for both of them, I've really been frustrated by the lack of longevity.

[eddy]

Aug 21, 2013 9:33:45 GMT -5 @booby said:

Aug 21, 2013 9:32:08 GMT -5 eddy said:

I don't know how their dresses fit, but I really like the look of some of their simple wrap dresses.

Maybe I need to check out Land's End for stuff......

i haven't had good luck with their dresses (BUT, i can't do wraps or empire waists, which is basically every dress they sell).  but if you are lookig for pants, i can tell you exactly the ones to buy b/c over the last 3 years i have tried them ALL.  lol.

Tell me!

[themysteriouswife]

Old Navy is awful. The clothes fade and get pin holes. We stopped shopping there last year.

Our Gymboree has horrible customer service. We stopped shopping there.

[sneetch]

I agree. I've particularly found Loft quality to be terrible and getting worse over the past year.

[ElizabethBennet]

For kids clothes I've been decently satisfied with osh kosh. Their jeans hold up really well for DD.

[tisevee]

I agree, which is another reason I buy used clothing.  The quality is better (because it was constructed when people weren't cheapo's) and if it doesn't hold up I'm not crying about wasting 30 dollars on a shirt. I won't cry if a 4 dollar shirt turns crappy.

[eddy]

Aug 21, 2013 9:57:36 GMT -5 @booby said:

Aug 21, 2013 9:53:23 GMT -5 eddy said:

Tell me!

basic trousers
www.landsend.com/products/womens-fit-2-wear-to-work-trousers/id_257430

AMAZING fit (your c/s pooch, if you still have one, will love you for these):
www.landsend.com/products/womens-fit-2-side-zip-ankle-pants/id_257428


and these are on my list to try:
www.landsend.com/products/womens-fit-2-5-pocket-colored-denim-slim-ankle-jeans/id_257434


if you prefer a lower rise, you may want to investigate 'fit 1'.  i like the fit 2 b/c i like things a bit higher to hold in my belly, but they aren't weird high if that makes sense.   'fit 3' is lol-funny, do not go there.

I love you, thank you.

[JayhawkGirl]

Yes! The recession brought out the worst. And while prices held for a while with the lower quality fabric/construction, now the prices are going up too.

We have quit shopping Kohls all together. DH has shorts from kohls 2006 that are better than anything we can buy there now. Their "tech" fabric polos now fit him all weird and wear too fast. I just took a load of clothes to donate and was amazed at the fabric quality. If only they were still in style!

We are in the same limbo land of where to shop. Lots more lands end and ll bean in our world.

[pantsparty]

I would KILL to have my AE sweaters from 2002.

[Deleted]

Gap jeans make me look like I shit myself about 2 hours into my day.

I'm having good luck with J Crew factory, actually. I can't even take regular J Crew seriously with those prices, but the outlet stuff isn't too bad if you stick to the basic tees and ponte knit items. The sweaters have held up well too.