Quality clothing for women is not always easy to find, even if you are on a tight budget. Once you sift through all the cheap, poorly made garments that most discount stores seem to stock, it can be hard to find something that lasts and feels good. The trick is knowing what to look for when shopping for affordable casual or formal dresses that won’t fall apart after one or two washes.
Quality pieces are often hidden underneath layers of less desirable clothes in thrift stores and outlet shops, but there are some telltale signs that give away whether or not an item is worth buying. You just need to know where to look. If you’re struggling to find good quality at discounted rates when it comes to women’s clothing, read on for some useful tips on how you can find quality at a reduced price.
Check the seams
The fabric won’t be the only thing that determines the quality of a garment, but an indication of how it was made will give you a sense of its durability. Seams on cheaper garments are often poorly stitched, or the thread used is loose and weak. You can find quality garments by checking the seams to see if they are stitched correctly. Ideally, they should be sewn with durable thread that has been double or triple-stitched in areas where stress points will be, like the armpit and where the waistband meets the pants.
Also, make sure that the seams are straight and not puckered or bunched up, especially in denim jeans. A crooked seam can be a sign that the garment is cheaply made, as can loose or uneven stitching. If the sewing is bad, the garment is likely to fall apart quickly. Good quality clothing will have durable seams that will last for several years or more.
Look for fabric quality
Fabric is the most important part of an item of clothing. It will determine how the garment feels, how long it lasts and how often you need to wash it. When you are shopping at discounted rates for women’s clothing, make sure you feel the fabric so that you can get a feel for the quality.
Cheap fabrics often have a shiny or synthetic feel to them, while better quality items will be made with natural fibers such as cotton or wool. If you aren’t sure what the fabric is, check to see if there is a tag with information about it. If there isn’t a tag, don’t be afraid to ask an employee if they know what type of fabric the garment is made from.
Watch out for shipping costs
Just because an item is cheap doesn’t mean that you should buy it. Shipping costs can often add hundreds of dollars to the price of an item, so make sure you factor them in when you are comparing prices. It is best to shop for discounted rates on clothing during the off-season like embroidered dresses, as these are times when many clothing companies will reduce their prices.
However, you should double-check the shipping costs to ensure that you are getting a good deal. If you are shopping online, you can use a shipping cost calculator to determine how much it will cost for the item to be delivered to your house. This will help you to compare prices between different websites and find out which one offers the best deal.
Check the zipper and buttons
The zipper and buttons are important parts of any garment that is worth buying. Poorly made garments will often have loose or broken zippers, and buttons that are loose or difficult to use. Check the zipper on the garment to make sure that it zips up easily and doesn’t get stuck.
Similarly, the buttons should be sewn on correctly, and there should be enough room between them and the fabric to make them easy to use. Look at the stitching on the buttons and the rest of the garment to make sure that it is well made. A good quality zipper and buttons will last for years even if the rest of a garment falls apart.
Avoid overly bleached fabrics
Some inexpensive fabrics are bleached to make them appear brighter and newer. However, this process can weaken the fabric and make it less durable. You can avoid garments with overly bleached fabrics by shopping for quality items at discounted rates that have a natural or dull appearance. If you aren’t sure what type of fabric a garment is made from, you can take it to a dry cleaner to have it examined.
Most dry cleaners can tell you what type of fabric a garment is made from by running it through ultraviolet light. This is often free of charge. If the fabric has been overly bleached, you will be able to see a yellow tint. This means that the garment is of poor quality and not worth buying.
Assess the fit
Before you bring an item of clothing home, you should try it on to see if it actually fits. Unfortunately, many retailers sell garments that are vastly different in size from what is printed on the tag. You can avoid this by trying on the garment before you buy it. Even if the size is correct, you should also check the fit of the garment to make sure that it isn’t too tight or too loose.
Tight garments are uncomfortable and can restrict movement, while loose clothing can be both unflattering and unsafe in certain situations. Make sure that the fabric around the waistline is neither too tight nor too loose. You can also adjust the waistline of certain garments, such as belts, to make them fit more snugly around your body.
Conclusion
The most important thing to remember when shopping for discounted rates on women’s clothing is to look past the price tag. You should try on garments and inspect them for quality before you buy them, even if they are dirt cheap. Poor quality clothing is a false economy, as it will fall apart quickly and need to be replaced often.
If you are willing to spend a little extra, you can find quality garments that will last for years. By checking the seams, fabrics, zippers, and buttons, and trying on garments to make sure that they fit, you can find quality clothing at discounted rates.