Fashion experts reveal signs your clothes won’t last, from stitching secrets to lack of linings

Have you ever wondered why your clothes seem to be falling apart after only a few wears when they used to last for years? 

Fortunately, you can look for some simple signs that clothing might not last long, according to fashion experts who are constantly giving out advice that will make shopping much easier. 

Rachel Kibbe, CEO of American Circular Textiles, a policy collective representing circular fashion and textile brands, told DailyMail.com, ‘When it comes to spotting poorly made clothing, there are some obvious signs that some brands hope you’ll ignore.’

On TikTok, fashionistas explain exactly how to make sure the clothing you’re buying is good quality, no matter how much money you’re spending. 

FEMAIL discovered some of the leading ways to figure out if your next purchase will stand the test of time, from examining the stitching inside the garment to looking for linings. 

Examine the stitching

Many experts say it’s best to look carefully at the stitching when you shop because if the seams don’t look right or the stitching is crooked, it means the garment won’t lie right on your body. 

Colleen Kleinmann, based in Greenwich, Connecticut, and Paris, France, took her followers to Forever 21 to ‘show examples of stuff that is sewn poorly,’ before showing ‘loose seams’ and ‘interior seams that are not finished,’ and which would unravel easily. 

Colleen, who focuses on teaching her 40,000 followers how to build a more sustainable wardrobe, also showed puckering at the seams and explained that means a garment is not sewn well. 

If the thread is coming out or it’s bubbling out, that’s also a sign the garment won’t last long. 

Etiquette expert Jo Hayes tells her clients to ‘buy the best quality that you can afford’

It’s also best to avoid uneven hemlines, which show poor craftsmanship, and to make sure there’s no puckering throughout the seam. 

Etiquette expert Jo Hayes, based in Australia, often tells her clients to ‘buy the best quality that you can afford,’ and advises them on how to look for high quality garments.

Jo told FEMAIL, ‘The stitching should be tight, even, and straight. Loose or uneven stitching is a sign of poor quality and can cause the garment to fall apart quickly.’

‘Check for double-stitched seams, and finished seams, which add strength and durability, and help prevent fraying,’ Jo said. 

Ditch acrylic fabrics   

Colleen makes videos about why people should buy natural fibers over synthetic fibers because they last longer and are far more sustainable

There are specific materials to avoid, including acrylic – instead, it’s best to look for natural fibers like silk, cashmere, and cotton, which last longer

There are also specific materials to avoid, including acrylic – instead, it’s best to look for natural fibers like silk, cashmere, and cotton, which last longer. 

Elizabeth Cline, who wrote The Conscious Closet, previously told FEMAIL, ‘Very cheap polyester and other synthetic materials are far more popular and ubiquitous than they were a decade or two ago’

Brooklyn-based author and professor Elizabeth Cline, who wrote The Conscious Closet, and who is an expert on fast fashion and sustainability, previously told FEMAIL, ‘Very cheap polyester and other synthetic materials are far more popular and ubiquitous than they were a decade or two ago.’ 

According to Elizabeth, ‘cheap synthetics that mimic luxury materials push quality natural fabrics like cashmere, leather, wool, and 100 percent cotton into more of a luxury niche.’

Because it’s more difficult to find cotton at an affordable price, it’s easy to buy acrylic items – but that sweater or pajamas in the fabric won’t be as long lasting and it’s far more likely to pill. 

Colleen makes videos about why people should buy natural fibers over synthetic fibers, and told her TikTok followers, ‘We want to buy clothes with the intent they last for years, not mere months.’ 

‘It’s about checking your care labels,’ Colleen advised, which she said is important to do while shopping, so you know what type of fabric you’re investing in. 

Jo told DailyMail.com her first piece of advice is to ‘always check the label,’ and ask, ‘What material is the garment made from?’

‘Go for quality, natural, durable fibers, such as cotton, silk, linen and wool,’ because ‘not only do they last, but they feel far better on the skin and generally fit better, than synthetic fibers,’ Jo explained. 

Look for loose threads 

If there are already loose threads in the fabric or you see a button coming undone, it’s a sign that the clothing won’t last past it’s first wearing and won’t survive a washing

If there are already loose threads in the fabric or you see a button coming undone, it’s a sign that the clothing won’t last past it’s first wearing and won’t survive a washing. 

it’s not just about loose threads on the clothing – make sure to look inside, as well.  

‘Any type of loose threads on the interior is usually a sign of poor craftsmanship,’ Colleen explained in her viral video about poor quality clothing. 

Instead, look for clean seams sewn well, which won’t come loose and will last much longer.  

Make sure there’s a lining

Unless you’re specifically looking for a sheer dress to channel your inner Kardashian, most garments should be lined to protect the clothing over time

Unless you’re specifically looking for a sheer dress to channel your inner Kardashian, most garments should be lined to protect the clothing over time. 

Elizabeth previously explained the reason garments feel like they’re falling apart is because often, brands skip final steps like lining a garment because they know ‘most consumers are buying clothes to wear for a few seasons and the brands and retailers would rather sell more clothing versus have us wear things until they wear out.’ 

In a Reddit thread titled ‘How do you determine if something is high vs low quality through online shopping?’ one user said, ‘There’s really not a foolproof method, however, there are some things that quality items tend to have that lower quality pieces do not, but it’s item specific and not accurate for every item,’ and clarified that one of the most important questions to ask is ‘Does an item that’s supposed to be lined have a lining?’

‘High-quality garments often have a lining, which adds structure and durability,’ Jo agreed. ‘The lining should be smooth and wrinkle-free.’

Rachel warned, ‘Look out for unlined pieces where structure matters, or embellishments and straps that are barely hanging on.’

It’s also best to make sure the lining lines up with the garment and doesn’t bulge or add bulk in any way. 

Of course, if you live in a warm climate you might not want a lining, and if the dress or shirt is high-quality silk, cotton, or linen, you might not need one at all. 

Stop struggling with the zippers

If you’re already struggling with the zippers in the fitting room, the garment’s quality is probably not quite right

If you’re already struggling with the zippers in the fitting room, the garment’s quality is probably not quite right. 

In a Reddit thread that asked, ‘What are some signs of low quality in a garment that today’s consumers don’t seem to notice?’ many commenters agreed that it’s the seams and lack of a lining. 

One commenter responded, ‘the switch to plastic zippers from metal’ and another said, ‘I actually check the zipper brand!’

They said, ‘I won’t buy an expensive piece unless it has a YKK (metal) zipper.’ 

‘In the zipper vein, heavy zippers on a lightweight item,’ another Reddit user declared. 

‘If you’re going to have an intentionally exposed zipper, the fabric needs to be able to sustain its weight so it’s not causing the garment to flop or twist because of the zipper weight,’ a fashion fan explained.