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

[Anonymous]

Are clothing companies dumping the crap in the US market only? Or is this a worldwide problem? I know that higher quality clothing used to be available in Europe, because Europeans are more discriminating shoppers and have higher expectations. Is this still the case?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately, a lot of those brands are made in China (Theory, Eileen Fisher, etc) so you've got to wonder what you are paying for sometimes.

The last theory dress I bought did NOT hold up well..little holes in the jersey fabric.

I had a beautiful theory dress that fell apart after one wear. I bought a second because it was such a nice shape. Same thing happened.

[Anonymous]

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.

Agree! I have several items from H&M circa 2002 that still look great. Wouldn’t set foot in there now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:On a related note, it is increasingly difficult to find wool pants that are lined for work. When did lining become a luxury? And, some "nicer" dresses I have bought in the last two years are lined with awful polyester. Why line a summer linen sheath dress with polyester (which does not breathe?)

Completely agree. It is ridiculous to have so many unlined wool pants. I find them uncomfortable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are clothing companies dumping the crap in the US market only? Or is this a worldwide problem? I know that higher quality clothing used to be available in Europe, because Europeans are more discriminating shoppers and have higher expectations. Is this still the case?

The clothing in Europe at the same price point isn't any better quality, unfortunately. It's the same junk as in the US, made in the same factories.

I did fine better clothing at the same price point in Japan, but this isn't really practical unless your body is "Japanese fit" which is shorter and very slim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Any opinions on Elie Tahari clothing quality?

Gone way downhill, imo. I bought a lot of it 10 years ago and it was silk and high quality. I think it's gone way, way downhill. I don't/won't buy it any more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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)

I love Uniqlo I buy all my basics there. Both quality and price are good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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)

I love Uniqlo I buy all my basics there. Both quality and price are good.

Uniqlo is to modern day as Gap was to the 1990s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Is it American Giant brand? Trying to find husband some good quality sports stuff with no team, etc logos...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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!

There is not a wait list anymore. I order them for my HS DD all of the time.

On Modcloth.com you can do a made in the USA search.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are clothing companies dumping the crap in the US market only? Or is this a worldwide problem? I know that higher quality clothing used to be available in Europe, because Europeans are more discriminating shoppers and have higher expectations. Is this still the case?

I think this is BS. All the cheap, throw-away high street fashions are European: TopShop, Zara, H&M. So much for the "discriminating European shopper"!

[Anonymous]

I think it would be worthwhile for those of you who are complaining about your Eileen Fisher clothing to understand what the line is all about. First of all, it is about timelessness and simplicity. It is supposed to be comfortable and EASY. The brand is meant to be made from sustainable fabrics and recycling them is encouraged. They will be remade into something useful. Also, if I'm not mistaken, they are produced in upstate New York. Eileen Fisher does not compete with designers like Versache or Dolch and Gabanna, primarily because when wearing Eileen, rather than having someone tell you your outfit is beautiful, they will tell you that YOU are beautiful. You wear the clothes, they dont wear you.

From what I have read about Eileen Fisher herself, she would be MORTIFIED to think that the quality of your jacket was poor. I hope when you returned it, Nordstroms was appalled by the disintegration (in ONE wearing) of that expensive piece...there is no justification, particularly for an American brand. We have too few American designers, their standards MUST be upheld and maintained. Give Eileen Fisher another try. Note the fabulous material and impeccable fit. Assume that you got a "mistake." For the greater majority of those who wear Eileen, the joy of knowing how much thought was put into whatever you have chosen to wear, the knowledge that you are correctly dressed, and the sheer joy of being comfortable, are worth the price. Even Cadillac makes a lemon once in a while.

[Anonymous]

16:25 PP, do you work in marketing for Eileen Fisher? Interesting choice to resurrect a zombie thread after almost exactly 3 years...

[Anonymous]

And to keep calling it Eileen 👀

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:16:25 PP, do you work in marketing for Eileen Fisher? Interesting choice to resurrect a zombie thread after almost exactly 3 years...

Has to be