Vent - disgusted with quality of Eileen Fisher (and "high-end" clothes generally)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My experience is generally that really "low end" (i.e. target, walmart) tends to fall apart pretty quickly, but the difference between something like the GAP or Express and super expensive designer clothes is pretty minimal in terms of how well they are made and how long they last. But I also agree that most clothes I have bought recently are pretty crappily made, regardless of whether they are "high end" or "low end".

Agree with this. Some of my Gap stuff is the most sturdy that I have, although these days I rarely find anything I like there beyond plain basics. And I've noticed that they seem to make the highest quality kids clothes too!

Lands End has some good quality kids clothes. I have two boys, and have been able to pass on 100% of my older son's LE stuff to his younger brother, looking the same as when it was first bought. That's saying something, considering the punishment boys give their clothes (especially the knees).

[Anonymous]

Everlane is great for basics. Not everything is made in the US, but the company is very transparent about its factories.

[Anonymous]

Any opinions on Elie Tahari clothing quality?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I feel like all clothing these days is crappy. I have clothes from ten years ago that have held up, whereas new purchases seem to barely last a season.

Completely agree. And it's going downhill fast across the entire spectrum, from high-end to Walmart.

I was cleaning DD's closet recently and fished out a couple of Gap and Old Navy t-shirts purchased 4 years ago. Compared to what I bought from them recently, stuff dating back 4 years is excellent - made of thick cotton, washed well and generally looks like new. Long-sleeve shirts I got this fall are extremely thin and have already shrunk. Bummer.

Agree with this. DD's wardrobe is primarily hand-me-downs from her older cousin (about 7 yrs older), and everything still looks amazing from Gap to much higher end brands. The couple of Gap items I've bought her recently have fallen apart after less than a season. I actually noticed the same thing with maternity clothes my sister saved for me. I went out and bought the exact same work pants my sister had worn through two pregnancies before giving them to me in a second color because I liked them so much (same brand and style), and I ended up having to return them since the fabric was so much cheaper I couldn't even see myself wearing them to work once.

It's astonishing how poorly made clothes have been recently.

[Anonymous]

I find that the cheap brands that used to use standard synthetics are now using the cheapest synthetics on the planet - stuff that i worry might disintegrate if it touched water. Meanwhile, the expensive brands that used to use wool and cotton and linen are using the standard synthetics that you used to see on the cheap brands. So bcbg or elie tahari or whatever are now using cheaper fabrics but better quality than H&M and forever 21. However, they are all clearly made in the same factories on assembly lines with limited quality control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ladies, why nt just buy made in America products? Then you are supporting US Companies and US employees who have some pride.

Can you list a few? The only one I know is Giant hoodies and there's a wait list for those!

I got my husband one of these hoodies for Christmas ($89), and he LOVES it. He doesn't usually express an opinion about clothing at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bought a sweater and a pair of Leggins by Eileen Fisher. I have been disappointed in the quality. After handwashing the sweater and laying flat to dry The sweater still shrunk. Purchased at Dillards in Memphis. They are giving me a hard time and not wanting to make it right.

Try to deal with Eileen Fisher directly. They need to know. But, who has time for that nonsense.

[Anonymous]

Try Zady! Their stuff is high quality and made in the us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Polyester is everywhere. I'm willing to pay $125 for a polyester dress, but not $300. What ever happened to cotton, wool and linen?

Why would you pay $125, for cheap, synthetic fabric that takes minimum cost to produce. Plus it is uncomfortable to wear. I would pay good price for cotton, silk and other natural fibers but synthetic is a no no

[Anonymous]

I am actually considering sewing some clothes for myself! I was thinking of starting with a very basic cotton skirt for the summertime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Polyester is everywhere. I'm willing to pay $125 for a polyester dress, but not $300. What ever happened to cotton, wool and linen?

Why would you pay $125, for cheap, synthetic fabric that takes minimum cost to produce. Plus it is uncomfortable to wear. I would pay good price for cotton, silk and other natural fibers but synthetic is a no no

Before everything was a polyester nightmare, there were also high-quality synthetic-cotton blends in some clothes. These were my favorite- they were the perfect combination of stretch, color durability, and comfort. Sigh!

[Anonymous]

I've been somewhat impressed with Uniqlo. Not that it's the best or sturdiest stuff around. But bought various lambswool and merino sweaters for between $20-30 (!) this fall and they are holding up pretty well. And about 1/3 of the price of J Crew, whose sweaters have taken a enormous nosedive. Last winter I bought a couple sweaters from them, and two were utterly unwearable with pilling and stretching within about a month or two (and I'm not all that picky). Like to the point that I used one to line our cat's bed.

(Kids clothes aren't bad either... although limited in range and supply)

[Anonymous]

I never had anything made by Eileen Fisher - too expensive - until I happened upon a sample sale over the summer and bought a few sweaters. They are the finest garments I own - no pilling, no fraying. But I guess those things were not factory-made.

Maybe my husband is on to something with his custom-made shirts. $150/shirt doesn't seem like so much considering they last him 10 to 15 years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any opinions on Elie Tahari clothing quality?

I bought Elie Tahari in 2008 and 2009 and I had some AMAZING high-quality pieces that I still receive compliments on. Today, I won't go near the crap. It's so cheaply made that it resembles the old Tahari line. Same with a lot of Tory Burch too. I will pay good money, but I won't pay for crisp with a label stuck on it.

These days, I like Massimo Dutti, Reiss (very good quality), Sandro, and for very high end Akris Punto (on sale). For lower end, Uniqlo is extremely good quality and is my new go-to store. They are allegedly opening in Tyson's later this year. I also like some of the designer collaborations like Lemaire (Hermes) for uniqlo and Thakoon for Kohls. Extremely good quality and better than the crap that Elie Tahari is pumping out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Any opinions on Elie Tahari clothing quality?

I bought Elie Tahari in 2008 and 2009 and I had some AMAZING high-quality pieces that I still receive compliments on. Today, I won't go near the crap. It's so cheaply made that it resembles the old Tahari line. Same with a lot of Tory Burch too. I will pay good money, but I won't pay for crisp with a label stuck on it.

These days, I like Massimo Dutti, Reiss (very good quality), Sandro, and for very high end Akris Punto (on sale). For lower end, Uniqlo is extremely good quality and is my new go-to store. They are allegedly opening in Tyson's later this year. I also like some of the designer collaborations like Lemaire (Hermes) for uniqlo and Thakoon for Kohls. Extremely good quality and better than the crap that Elie Tahari is pumping out.

Wow, that's good to know! Thank you.