Quality vs cost
None of this is expert advice. It's what people worked out for themselves, usually the hard way — what actually helped, and what they'd tell someone standing where you are. Take what fits and leave the rest.
If you only read a few
Keep clothes until they fall apart when money is tight.
Gotta make things last when money's tight.
- It can be emotionally difficult to let go.
one person who lived it
Choose wool and silk over synthetic materials for longevity, looking for sales to keep costs low.
Wool and silk last much longer than other materials.
- You must take care of these fabrics correctly.
one person who lived it
Shop Brooks Brothers clearance sections for dress shirts that retain non-iron properties and color for years.
Items from this brand rarely wear out; dress shirts can look brand new after ten years, though heavy rotation may cause slight fading after six years.
one person who lived it
Return items to Kohl's for store credit or a full refund, even if products are damaged or worn.
Kohl's has a 'no questions asked' return policy.
- Kohl's sells junk.
one person who lived it
Wash dark clothing in cold water and line dry to prevent fading and extend life.
The dryer causes clothing to wear out faster and fade.
one person who lived it
buy, wear, last, durability30
Use Darn Tough socks and use their lifetime replacement warranty.
Buy LL Bean belts, which they replace on request.
This makes them a permanent belt.
one person who lived it
Do not wash bras with shirts without a lingerie bag, and do not wash zippers with shirts.
Hooks and zippers can create holes in other garments.
one person who lived it
Rotate between multiple pairs of jeans and avoid wearing the same pair on consecutive days to spread out wear and tear.
Spreading wear across multiple days extends the life of the garment.
2 people, independently
Avoid setting your dryer to high heat when washing clothes.
High heat can weaken clothing fibers quickly.
one person who lived it
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Buy natural fibers second-hand because they last much longer.
They last much longer.
one person who lived it
Invest in high-quality leather purses with real metal hardware instead of cheap ones.
The initial expense pays off through longevity, with some lasting five years with minimal wear.
one person who lived it
Buy smaller packs of hair ties (e.g., 20-pack) instead of large bulk packs for better quality and longevity.
Smaller packages contain higher-quality ties that last longer.
one person who lived it
If you go through cheap belts quickly, try a CCW leather belt for greater durability.
one person who lived it
Choose Levi's 501s or 505s over thinner, stretchier models like 514s or 527s.
One person found the 501s and 505s to be 'beefy' with no issues, while the 514s and 527s were thinner and stretchy.
one person who lived it
Focus on higher upfront costs for high-quality coats to save money in the long run.
It saves money in the long run.
one person who lived it
Buy boy's socks for women with smaller feet as they are cheaper and fit better.
Women's socks may be too big, causing the heel to sit on the ankle.
one person who lived it
Select natural materials such as cotton or wool for greater durability compared to synthetic mixes.
Natural fibers tend to endure longer and withstand the passage of time.
4 people, independently
Buy Levi's directly from Levi's.com or a Levi's store rather than department stores.
Direct purchases reportedly have higher thread count and are more durable than department store versions, which have lower thread count.
one person who lived it
Buy wool items like blankets and sweaters at thrift stores for lifelong durability.
They will last a lifetime.
one person who lived it
Stick to Old Navy basics and check fabric compositions, particularly their workout wear.
One person found their sports bras and leggings lasted several years.
one person who lived it
Choose jeans from brands known for durability, such as Levi's or Duluth Trading Company.
Levi's often lasts forever, and Duluth Trading Company jeans feature a gusseted crotch that is nearly indestructible.
one person who lived it
Avoid using the dryer to extend the lifespan of your clothes.
Using a dryer seriously decreases the lifespan of garments.
one person who lived it
Buy early 80s washers and dryers and replace parts as needed for long-term use, as one user replaced bearings, belts, motors, and valves for low costs while friends' newer machines broke quickly.
one person who lived it
Buy Fjallraven Forest Trousers for durable winter wear.
One user reported these trousers lasted forever and looked brand new despite harsh winter use.
one person who lived it
Buy plain basic craft shirts from Hobby Lobby when they are clearing out old styles.
one person who lived it
Use Darn Tough socks and use their lifetime replacement warranty.
7 people, independently
Use waterproofing spray suited to specific materials like GoreTex or eVent, but never use fabric softener as it removes waterproofing.
Fabric softener contains petroleum-based chemicals that remove waterproofing.
one person who lived it
Sanitize second-hand jeans by washing them on a super hot setting with detergent and drying in an electric dryer.
This saves money while ensuring the item is safe and sanitary.
one person who lived it
Add a tablespoon of vinegar to the wash instead of fabric softener to protect clothes.
Fabric softener has undesirable effects on clothes.
one person who lived it
Inspect the inside of garments for even, straight stitching; avoid those with crooked or jagged lines.
Even lines indicate better construction, while crooked lines suggest poor quality. One person noted that large stitches used by commercial machines break quickly.
one person who lived it
Use worn-out natural fabric clothes as cleaning rags, then compost them if the pile gets hot enough.
one person who lived it
Inspect the inside of garments to ensure seams and hems are high-quality enough to look beautiful if turned inside out.
High-quality clothes maintain beauty even when viewed from the inside.
one person who lived it
Use reusable garment bags when washing delicates.
It makes a big difference.
one person who lived it
Invest in lined Dickies or Carhartt pants with double fronts for extended durability, particularly in winter.
Double-front styles last even longer.
one person who lived it
Use Lodge cast iron skillets for long-term durability, as one person reported using a set passed down from their grandmother for decades.
one person who lived it
Do not trust specific brands blindly.
Brands may be bought out or change processes to increase profit, causing quality to suffer.
one person who lived it
Buy Craftsman tools or Harbor Freight equivalents for lifetime warranties.
Harbor Freight now has a brand with the same warranty as Craftsman.
one person who lived it
Use manufacturer warranties for outdoor gear from brands like Osprey and OGIO.
They have strong replacement policies.
one person who lived it