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temp225566 t1_iuo5gl1 wrote

It’s like this with all brands. They have figured out how to make stuff cheaper…using shorter threads, lower quality material, etc

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nooneneededtoknow t1_iuogpdq wrote

They call that "value engineering". I unfortunately work with a lot of companies on these types of products. Crazy to see the lengths and overhead invested to try and save pennies. My line of work, unfortunately is more trendy so companies look at pay little for inferior products that won't last and need to be swapped out in 5-7years. They are OK with this because it allows them to redecorate/remerchandise and keep up with the "trends". I find it complete idiocy we have developed a society that wants new shiny POS rather than life long good products. The majority of the materials we use are not recyclable.

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Bcruz75 t1_iuokqsn wrote

Interesting. You sound like you know what you're talking about.

Anything the consumer should look for that would indicate a significant loss of quality?

I was surprised to see quality go down with what I would consider BIFL brands like Eddie Bauer and Filson.

Any brands you can share that are holding their quality? Any that you can share that have lowered their quality? There are plenty of lists on this sub, but I'm very interested in your observations.

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latefortheskyagain t1_iupl7uf wrote

I’m a big fan of Patagonia

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latefortheskyagain t1_iupvzmx wrote

I’ve purchased everything from socks to Black Hole luggage to Tres down coats to fanny packs and backpacks, long sleeved sun shirts, ski pants and base layers and on and on. The only product that I’ve had a problem with was a ultra-light down sweater that had stitching coming out, which I returned and was given a brand new one. I have to be honest though, some of their designs can be trendy and are only offered a season or two. I don’t like how they will change the cut on a product line between seasons; I have two Better Sweaters from different years and the newest one is cut for a much thinner person and that irked me. I guess every brand isn’t perfect all the time but Patagonia’s stuff typically wears like iron.
Back to your question - everything I’ve bought in the last 15 years I’m still wearing and using. I have such a stash that anymore I only buy a couple new items a year. I’ve not noticed a quality difference.

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g-e-o-f-f t1_iur3kk0 wrote

I'm a Patagonia fan. I own a lot. Love their products but their sizing sucks. Buy a button down shirt in XL and it fits like a tent. Buy a down sweater in XL and it won't zip. Get a fleece for under my ski jacket and it fits ok in the body, but the sleeves are super tight. Zero consistency, even for the same product in different years.

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chumbawumba_bruh t1_iurhphe wrote

I mean, part of the issue here is that people do all of their shopping online vs in store. I feel like sizing issues have always been pretty common but it used to be that you’d try it on in store and figure it out before it became a hassle.

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eayaz t1_iuravrf wrote

I like the one brand with the whale. The preppy one. My wife buys them for me and they’re all just different from every other brand.

Different as in, they feel incredible to wear, they move with my body better, they fit great, they’re lightweight, they look great..

But then again - the only stuff i buy for myself is from Costco.

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KarmaticEvolution t1_iuppmgq wrote

Do you notice any discerning difference in their recent products or still up to their par?

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d-pdx t1_iurjcu8 wrote

I have a pair of grey Patagonia shorts that faded worse than OP’s Dickies after 3-6 mo. Returned them for a new pair and same thing happened. Returned once more and talked w person at checkout to figure out issue and they swore they’d never seen their products do that. Otherwise been happy w Patagonia, but the third pair of shorts faded the same and I just gave up on those.

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mcCola5 t1_iupbnpj wrote

Kuhl. Kuhl is king.

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TyreesesCup t1_iuprg8c wrote

I got a Kuhl coat and loved it at first, zipper broke after one winter(just last year). Not a huge fan due to that but the quality otherwise is decent

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mcCola5 t1_iur8amv wrote

That stinks! I have never had issues with any of my Kuhl products, but to be fair they are all 10 years old. So I'm not sure maybe something has changed, just like butterfingers... used to be great, now it tastes like flattened Styrofoam and corn syrup.

As a side note they do have a warranty program as well and would almost certainly repair or replace the zipper/coat.

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Funny-Tradition-2906 t1_iupuari wrote

Meh. Wore their pants for work. They break down as quick as some of the cheaper stuff I wear, like Wrangler ATG, which are half the price

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Bcruz75 t1_iur41g7 wrote

Yeah well, I have a pair of their convertable pants that I loved, but they shrunk around the waist making them worthless to me. They just shrunk in the waist after I stopped mtn biking all the time. Seriously, those pants are flawed. I mean there's no other way the pants could have shrunk, unless, well, maybe they didn't shrink, then that would mean......ooooooooohhhh.

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kobemustard t1_iupia89 wrote

I had this issue with Icebreaker sweaters, my first one i bought 10 years ago is in perfect condition but the few i've bought since have all fallen apart

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tallulahQ t1_iupon8y wrote

Yeah the quality of their stuff has really dropped. I can’t even wear their merino-nylon blends anymore, they behave barely better than cotton (even at 84% merino)

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crowislanddive t1_iuq8i3u wrote

Ibex is back in the wool market. I’ll be interested to see how it stacks up.

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2048kb t1_iuqfyo8 wrote

I bought a few Icebreaker products a few years back thinking they would be awesome. Was really disappointed and they have all left my wardrobe. Would never buy again.

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Affectionate_Bus_884 t1_iuq5uzi wrote

Spent much time in Asia? Where everything is shiny and bright and still manages to look like a knock off built by aliens who are mimicking human construction.

Same impression I got from vegas. Everything looks like it’s nothing but a styrofoam facade covering up total shit. Disneyland is more real.

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Incorect_Speling t1_iuqiv2c wrote

I think the problem isn't with value engineering directly. Nothing wrong with optimizing a process/materials to reduce the cost while keeping same requirements.

The problem is that durability used to be a strong requirement, but isn't anymore due to a neverending search for profit growth. So you have short-sighted things like that, slowly destroying good brands quality.

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spottiesvirus t1_iuqwba7 wrote

I think consumers are part of the problem. The great pressure on prices to the detriment of durability is really helped by the fashion will of the people.

Just look how often they will prefer to buy a bunch of cheap stuff on SheIn every year instead of less durable clothes because that way they can have more variety and swap outfit more often

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Incorect_Speling t1_iur0m99 wrote

I think the issue is from both sides, offer and demand. Definitely the consumer has a responsibility too.

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KnotsAndJewels t1_iuqlrkm wrote

It's sadly a better business model today to sell low durability stuff, as you can sell the same thing to the same customer every year or two. If your stuff is indestructible you'll make way less money.

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Incorect_Speling t1_iuqokz5 wrote

You just explained why capitalism is a problem when there's nothing keeping it in check.

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Redeyes1985 t1_iuqhzws wrote

Not the society... The company owners...

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ILikeBumblebees t1_iurkj5u wrote

No, the companies are just adapting to market conditions. They make money by selling cheap, trendy products because more people are choosing cheap, trendy products over more durable ones.

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temp225566 t1_iuossw4 wrote

Not everyone is like this. Busy parents aren’t like this. The only type of people who are like this are teenagers & single people

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VelkaFrey t1_iup1dnp wrote

I'm always surprised by how many parents in my circles purchase fancy clothes for their toddlers. And always have something new to wear for themselves.

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pilondav t1_iurn09p wrote

Would you care to back that claim up with research citations?

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temp225566 t1_ius2h5b wrote

It depends on the person but, when people are busy, sometimes they are more stressed & eat more. They care less about how they look…

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sunflowerssunflowers t1_iup8fye wrote

It’s true. In the 90’s/00’s as a kid I had great quality long lasting clothes. Now I’m lucky if a $200 sweater looks good for more than 6 months

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cheek_splitter t1_iuq4kh7 wrote

Can we talk for a minute about how perfect Old Navy jeans were in the 90s? I think I still have a pair floating around.

I'll never forgive them for moving onto the skinny jean fad in the 00s.

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sunflowerssunflowers t1_iuqqb14 wrote

90’s and earlier jeans really are amazing! I need to start vintage shopping again.

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Spready_Unsettling t1_iurevbb wrote

I bought a pair of modern Levi's a few years back, because I wanted a good pair of jeans that would actually last. They were shredded to bits in just two years. I got two pairs of hand me down Levi's from my parents (bought in the 80s/90s) and they both lasted several times longer despite already being used for years beforehand.

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HinamizawaVictim t1_iurqs7t wrote

Do you work in a job that requires daily labour? I otherwise can't imagine how they'd become unwearable after two years, even if it's a pair of mall Levi's.

Their Made & Crafted line tends to maintain a high(er) standard of quality, but you'd have to go to independent boutiques or flagship Levi's stores to find them and prices are in line with other higher end/quality makers more well known amongst denimheads. They rarely discount them as well, IIRC.

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0b_101010 t1_iur8b99 wrote

Time for the EU to start madating a 1-year warranty for all clothing items costing over $25 and more over $100, or something much like that.

Fast fashion is unethical, unsustainable and also bad for the consumers. Fuck this shit!

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wellriddleme-this t1_iuotavb wrote

I’ve always disliked Dickie’s. It just seems to fall apart.

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99available t1_iupjmab wrote

It was bottom of the value line workwear. When Walmart got them, the quality really went down.

I remember the days when JCPenney sold high quality workwear at a price a worker could afford.

We don't even have a nation BITL anymore.

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