Looking for Quality?

from Alconbury March 2022

Outdoor Adventures

Quality clothing should look, last and feel good for longer. Deciding what is quality and what isn’t is not necessarily so easy. In simplistic terms it should feel good to the touch and have some weight to it. For many years the mantra is ‘you get what you pay for’, but it isn’t always so straightforward. Yes, the very cheap end of the market will not last well. But higher end clothing does not always mean quality or quality that will last. Designer clothes can still use cheaper fabrics and not last in the way you might expect of the pricetag. • Jackets, and coats’ shoulder seams should finish at the outer edge of your shoulder. • Patterns should match at the seams – particularly in stripes or checks! • Lining – does it give you enough space to move easily? Linings are expensive to replace if they get damaged through being too tight or poorly fitting. • Zips – double check that a zip fastens easily.

It’s infuriating when it repeatedly jams. If this does happen try a lubricant but you need to be mindful which to choose as they can damage the fabric. Your options could be; a graphite pencil, talc powder, lip balm, vaseline, bar soap, glass cleaner and even wax paper. Apply your chosen lubricant along the teeth of the zip to help it slide. • Enough fabric? Cheaper items tend to skimp on the amount of fabric that is used so consider going a size up. Hems should have a generous amount of fabric (1.5”) to add weight which means it should hang well. • Knitwear – natural fibres will generally last better and look better in the long term than acrylic options, so choose those whenever you can.

If you find a jumper has pilled then invest in a knitwear comb and gently use it to remove the loose fibres, wash and then press and your jumper can look as good as new. • Consider your own needs in terms of durability.

Silk is still a beautiful fabric and can be extremely good quality but it isn’t necessarily the most robust so think about what the item of clothing is going to be used for. • Seams. Looking at seams can be revealing. Good quality items tend to have more generous seams and are well finished, neat and don’t have threads loose. • Alterations can make a difference to the fit and durability of an item. Make sure that the alteration is as good as or better than the original work on the garment. • Lighter colours need to be good quality as they look cheaper faster so be prepared to look carefully and potentially spend more. • Looking after your clothes means they will last longer too! Enjoy the new Spring season!

Article by Jennie Billings – House of Colour House of Colour has a network of stylists to help you update your look – find your nearest at houseofcolour.co.uk/find-a-stylist