Sick of throw away thin material clothes-retail ripoff

Ldan0909 on 07/01/2019 - 16:43

Hi All,

I have been buying clothes from local shops and all I get is thin material clothes that don't last. I remember my dad buying his clothes when i was younger and they lasted very long time & so many washes, he still has some of the shirts. What happened to good thick clothes? I have tried Myer (not the most expensive brands but mid range and Myer owned brands), cotton on, Conner, target and big w clothes. All shit. They barely last 8-10 washes. Seems retail stores dump fashionable but cheap material clothes in the market so they can sell more every 6-8 months.

I normally wear uniform type collared t-shirts five days a week. Where can I buy Collared t-shirts with thicker material and pants that will last (not tradie pants)? I don't mind paying twice the amount for clothes that last 4-5 times longer.

Fashion & Apparel

Comments

  • Hybroid on 07/01/2019 - 16:47
    +22

    If you are male:-

    Shirts: http://hawesandcurtis.com.au/
    Casuals: http://next.com.au/
    Cargo pants: https://www.next.com.au/en/search?w=cargo&isort=score&af=#1_…
    Internals and everything else: https://www.marksandspencer.com/au/l/men/
    Collared t-shirt (polo?): https://www.tog24.com/mens/clothing/mens-tops-shirts-and-swe…

    All you really need. UK brands but they ship here free/cheap and great quality. Nothing too fancy or stylish but good stuff.

    • dan0909 on 07/01/2019 - 17:14
      +6

      Love it how you are straight to the point. Most Ozbargainers can benefit from your comment. Thank you.

    • pauper on 07/01/2019 - 21:49

      Thank you - I just saved this list for my next shopping

    • ylangylang55 on 28/05/2019 - 11:01

      hi,
      how about the jumper? I am looking for men jumper and jacket for this winter. Thank you so much

      • Hybroid on 28/05/2019 - 11:18

        I don’t wear jumpers or knitted apparel so unable to comment unfortunately.

      • smux on 29/05/2019 - 16:26
        +1

        Uniqlo have merino wool and cashmere knit jumpers

  • GG57 on 07/01/2019 - 16:48
    +5

    Welcome to the disposable economy.

  • HighAndDry on 07/01/2019 - 16:54
    +8

    They barely last 8-10 washes.

    Okay what? Wtf are you washing them with/in? Rocks in a river? Quality and materials probably have gone down from previous decades (/centuries) but I haven't had clothes not last significantly longer than 10 washes.

    • dan0909 on 07/01/2019 - 17:08
      +1

      10 washes mean it was worn 4 months or so. After 4 months it fades or becomes not worth wearing outside (it is not torn - still wearable in the house). (how often) I put them in laundry basket after wearing them once or twice. (what i wash them with) We use aldi's premium liquid wash.

      • whooah1979 on 07/01/2019 - 17:35

        worn 4 months or so

        Who wears a shirt for 4 months before a wash?

        • dan0909 on 07/01/2019 - 17:44

          Hahaha…10 washes in 4 months.

        • bobbified on 08/01/2019 - 04:13

          Probably wore it for four months straight, then washed it 10 times straight before trying to wear it again :p

      • Geoff-bargain on 08/01/2019 - 23:18

        My girlfriend just bought me a new shirt, the style is faded, guess that's one way to not worry about it going faded!

    • whooah1979 on 07/01/2019 - 17:37
      +3

      They barely last 8-10 washes.

      It sounds like an exaggeration.

    • dec1an on 08/01/2019 - 13:37
      +1

      8-10 washes sounds right. 'Fast fashion' makers admit many clothes are only designed to last this long. There's a lot of information out there about this kind of stuff. Try, for example https://www.thefashionlaw.com/learn/fast-fashions-green-init…

      • dan0909 on 27/01/2019 - 11:40
        +1

        Thank you, very interesting information.

  • tebbybabes on 07/01/2019 - 16:57
    +2

    I have to agree with @GG57, it is a measure of how disposable the economy is. I know exactly the kind of clothes you speak of. I don't see them in shops either.

    If you're really really keen, you can go the bespoke route and then be able to specify the fabric and even get a better fit. You'll pay through the nose compared to what you can get now, but they will last longer.

    OTOH, while I lament the loss of this type of durability in our wearables, I also have the impresssion that apparel is significantly more affordable than before. I'm not talking about it's price, I'm talking more along the lines of how much of a percentage of income it would take to purchase a shirt and pair of pants or even pair of shoes. My impression is, they take a bit smaller slice than they did 40 years ago.

    • Geoff-bargain on 08/01/2019 - 23:19
      +1

      I posted this below but since you mentioned bespoke I thought I'd reply to you too. These guys (I know one of the founders, but not well) are doing bespoke fairly cheaply. www.citizenwolf.com

      • tebbybabes on 09/01/2019 - 10:34

        It's been many years since I've had bespoke stuff made. I guess I'm at a different life stage, but thanks for the link. I'm keen to check them out.

  • tsu-chan on 07/01/2019 - 17:06
    +8

    Can I suggest thrift shops/Op shopping? There are amazing stuff out there that people donate away with tags and they have lasted more than the 8-10 washes you talked about.

    • serpserpserp on 07/01/2019 - 20:54
      +1

      +1 on this. It is amazing what you can find. However most people just want cheap and brand new "on trend" clothes. But then some people believe that they should last for years. Really, if you want something to last a few years, you are going to have to pay for it and then actually really look after it.

      I really like Lloyds shoes as a inbetween brand of leather shoes that will cost you $200-$350 but can actually last you over a decade (in my experience) if you look after them and have the soles replaced (with the Lloyds branded soles) regularly. I mean I wear these shoes every second day, make sure they are kept dry and when scuffed try to fix up immediately.

      It is amazing how people buy leather shoes for $100-$150 during the sales from Florsheim or the like, wear them every day to work for a year, smashing them on the commute, and wondering why they look ratty after 6 months and are dead by 12 months?

      Same thing goes for lightweight t-shirts. Following the washing instructions very carefully (a lot these days are hand wash, no spin dry/dryer or every hanging on clothes line (ie. they want you to treat them like woolens) it is ridiculous but if you want them to last, you have to be over zealous with the cleaning instructions.

      • moar bargains on 08/01/2019 - 13:32
        +1

        It is amazing what you can find.

        Certainly is! One time at Salvos, I saw the exact same t-shirt I was just looking at in Kmart 15 minutes earlier. Kmart price: $4. Salvos price: $7. 🤔

        You can find good bargains though if you're lucky.

  • Blue Cat on 07/01/2019 - 17:13
    +3

    Just buy at Kmart or some other budget shop (Best&Less?).
    I found it is more cost-efficient to buy cheap stuff often and just throw out when it shits itself after some wash or accident.
    I used to buy expensive "premium" tradie apparel like pants, shirts, shoes etc. but then I once tried The Reject Shop and Kmart offerings, and the cheapest (I think $35?) work boots at Bunnings.
    The result: while they don't keep their "aesthetic" quality (faded colors, peeling leather), they last way longer than any of the premium offerings. These Puma Workboots started getting broken leather and holes on the toe flex points after 4 months and were unusable after 6 months (funny how the "warranty" is only for 6 months on them too; coincidence?), while those Bunnings $34 cheapies have lasted more than 9 months and took a lot of daily abuse and were often covered in concrete and they were still going perfectly. I only bought a new pair because it looked bad, not because it was getting broken. I have bought a new pair and still rocking them 6 months later, with just "aesthetic" visual quality decrease.
    Even this cheap high-vis drill shirt is lasting way longer than whatever my building company used to supply. Yeah, the color fades but the material is still strong and does not rip or tear easily.
    Yes, I know it is not environmentally friendly, but when the money spent on a product will be a major indicator of quality (now seems you are only paying for the brand or whatever?), I will stop buying those (kind of) high quality cheapies.
    And another advantage is you don't have to "care" or "stress" about making sure you keep your apparel at top shape, because if some accident happens and it gets damaged to the point where it can't be used again - just buy another one! It is so cheap anyway it doesn't matter!
    Just speaking from my experience.
    In my opinion, try some cheapies and see if that works out better for you.

    • Shiny Mew on 31/10/2019 - 17:16

      By 'throw out' I hope people mean donating to an op-shop or a recycler (e.g., H&M) and not the kerbside bin. If not, dafuq is wrong with you people.

  • Gandalf the Thrifty on 07/01/2019 - 17:29
    +2

    https://www.ctshirts.com/au/home polo shirts are fairly thick. They have special on every so often can get them under $30

  • JimmyF on 07/01/2019 - 17:41
    +3

    Sick of throw away thin material clothes-retail ripoff

    Then stop buying them.

    • Wystri Warrick on 07/01/2019 - 20:20
      +1

      Go the Scab way, full la naturel!

  • wordplay on 07/01/2019 - 17:55
    +2

    Buy stuff at op-shops. cheap and if you are lucky will be old stuff like your dads that lasts

  • askme69 on 07/01/2019 - 18:23
    +3

    All my skate branded t-shirts from 2003 etc are still going, but starting to age. Some I wear to the gym once per week for 10 years, yes they were $35 back then. But the same shirts you buy now are paper thin and $45.

    As for the K-Mart shirts etc. I have one on now that i have worn 15 times to the gym and it's started to go.

    Shirts from the USA are better quality than the crap we get.

    Someone's making some money.

    • smux on 08/01/2019 - 10:57

      Most t shirts I see in places like kmart, just jeans, etc, are a very fine cotton with the bare minimum amount of elastic around the collar and the bare minimum of stitching. The result is that the collar starts to look worn out and crap very quickly, and the seams start to come loose in certain areas very quickly. I think I'm going to stick to heavier cotton.

      I heard that Uniqlo is selling heavy cotton t-shirts at the moment so I might check that out. Also, Gildan brand basic t-shirts (from North America) are pretty heavy cotton with quality collar elastic and and have lasted me 5+ years.

  • tsunamisurfer on 07/01/2019 - 19:18
    +2

    Alternatively…

    1) Put your washing machine into delicate wash.

    Or.

    2) Put all your clothes into protective laundry bags

    • VictimEqualsProfit on 08/01/2019 - 10:25

      Exactly. I reckon delicate should be the default setting for all clothes except for work gear and badly soiled clothes. Today's el cheapo garments simply won't stand up to a normal wash.

    • dec1an on 08/01/2019 - 13:42

      That advice isn't helpful if the clothes are designed to only last a few uses. Buy less but better quality and it's less waste and hassle in the long run.

  • GangGang on 07/01/2019 - 19:54
    +3

    I've never had a problem with cheap clothing. My problem is my stomach grows quicker for the next size up before the t-shirt gets worn out.

    All seriousness. Check to see if you're using the correct setting for washing. Should last longer.

  • ladybug1 on 07/01/2019 - 20:06
    +3

    Just popping in to say this even applies to mid-market women's tees- Seed, French Connection, Witchery, they all lose their shape in a few washes after you spend $40 to $100 on them. Infuriating.I, for one, always use a delicates wash for tshirts.

  • AdosHouse on 07/01/2019 - 20:16

    Yet my $5 t-shirts from kmart have lasted 2 years now. No fading, no rips or loose threads.

    • VictimEqualsProfit on 08/01/2019 - 10:27
      -1

      I have about 10 of the black $4 shirts from Target. They last 1 year then I go buy some more.

      • AdosHouse on 08/01/2019 - 14:13

        Are they wearing out in 1 year? Like fading or seams coming out?

      • Shiny Mew on 27/01/2019 - 20:43

        You go through ten shirts a year? Have you for environmental reasons thought about buying proper quality shirts in the first place?

  • tryagain on 07/01/2019 - 21:34

    What washing machine are you using and are you using a drier all the time?

    • dan0909 on 08/01/2019 - 06:18

      No dryer, 5 years old simpson washing machine.

  • OzRolla on 07/01/2019 - 22:39
    +1

    Try Uniqlo, Ralph Lauren (DFO Outlet) & Tommy Hilfiger (DFO Outlet) and Superdry (Costco or Final Days). Those four brands I mentioned are superior in quality and tend to last longer than Connor, YD etc.

    • samfisher5986 on 30/01/2019 - 15:15

      I just thought I would point out that Ralph Lauren outlet stores use cheap thinner material then their regular stores.

      Thankfully Tommy Hilfiger don't seem to do this, or at least it feels good enough.

  • singingwolf on 08/01/2019 - 08:27
    +1

    Agree with OP. Affects many brands. You need to search out the thicker clothing. I still buy the thin ones as i use these on hot days

  • Lastchancetosee on 08/01/2019 - 08:35
    +2

    I've done this and my clothes last me years. I have many articles that I've worn for ten years, and get compliments for always looking well-dressed for work. I'd also add that I have a limited wardrobe, space and money, so you don't need tons of clothes.

    Try classic tailored styles for your base wardrobe - jackets, trousers, skirts, jumpers.

    Buy natural materials - they feel great, are warmer or cooler than synthetics, and tend to hold their shape.

    Try airing wool and other natural materials rather than immediately washing each time you wear them. This is especially important for jackets, so the moisture can escape. Same goes for leather shoes. It helps to use a good, non-staining deodorant with neutral or no perfume.

    Follow the washing instructions to the letter. If in doubt cold wash delicate.

    Spot clean rather than wash, if it's just a mark.

    Dry clothes inside out or in the shade to prevent fading. Washing them inside out also avoids picking up fluff.

    Vary you clothes from week to week. Don't wear the same shirt three days a week, every week.

    Buy the best quality you can afford, when clothes are on special, and look for good brand clothes in op shops. Consider alterations if the clothes are a bit large, for example around the waist.

    Get clothes and accessories repaired whenever possible. Resole shoes, replace straps, etc.

    Store clothes properly, between seasons.

    • dan0909 on 08/01/2019 - 12:30

      Thank you. Very good tips.

  • Hedgehog on 08/01/2019 - 10:00
    +2

    https://www.landsend.com/ has good quality stuff but I only purchase the stuff on sale which suits us as they are dumping winter stuff just before our down under winter starts. Great having cheaper stuff due to opposite seasons. I have stuff over 20 years old, shirts etc which I thrash and can't seem to wear out. You will pay postage so you need to juggle your purchase to get maximum bang for your buck but hey, you are an OzBargainer and already know that….

    • Half Price Hunter on 08/01/2019 - 11:03
      +1

      My dad loves the Land's End business shirts. He's had a few last 10 years because they're made with such sturdy comfortable fabrics. He has a long/tall torso and the Land's End men's tall shirts had enough fabric length to tuck in at the back and not have it pop out immediately when he bent over.

  • mshanann on 08/01/2019 - 11:40

    100% in agreement with you OP.

    My strategy for t-shirts is to buy a shi# load of them from ASOS - and then upon arrival work out which ones fit correct and are likely to last due to better cotton/thread-count, and return the rest of them.

    Last purchase was 20 shirts - and I returned about 15.

    • s1998 on 08/01/2019 - 12:16
      +2

      Most returned clothes from online retailers ends up in landfills.
      http://blog.boldmetrics.com/do-you-know-what-happens-to-clot…

      • mshanann on 08/01/2019 - 13:19

        Fortunately cotton is completely biodegradable ; the carbon footprint in transporting the returned items is not so good

        • dec1an on 08/01/2019 - 13:40
          +3

          Not to mention the chemical and water resources to produce the cotton (over 2000L of water for a tshirt)…

  • TransportPosters on 08/01/2019 - 13:37

    Bess & Less for cargo pants, they are $15 - cheaper than Big W and Kmart, and they are definitely a better quality. I've gone through heaps of the $18 Big W ones.

  • HardlyCharly on 08/01/2019 - 14:47
    -1

    One word: Uniqlo.

    • dan0909 on 08/01/2019 - 19:20

      thank you

  • eggles01 on 08/01/2019 - 15:09

    I look for shirts that are made in BANGLADESH I do not know about T-Shirts collar or collar less,most of these shirts are good occasionally you find that they are on the thin side but most are reasonably good wearing,The problem I am having is I am a bit on the pudgy side and to purchase my normal size Big W,Kmart and both Coles and Woolworths have changed their REGULAR sizes to SLIM STYLE,my normal size 4yrs ago was XL-XXL and now to fit me I have to go to XXXXL-XXXXXL which are no good to me as the shoulders hang half was down my arms and sleeves are 6" to 8" too long,I am still wearing shirts I purchased from all the mentioned stores 5yrs ago as I purchased them in lots of 10 per purchase,my summer shirts I normally take a neck 42" collar but that size does not fit me any more and I have to go to a 46" neck size,I now have to check out St Vinnies and the Salvos hoping to find some decent shirts there in but the quantity is getting lower and lower,

    Best bet is when you find exactly or near quality you want go back and buy or lay buy as many as you can,I buy at the end of Summer the same as the end of Winter for the following year,mark downs of course,

    try Lowes store,I purchased 2 summer BANGLADESH shirts from Lowes in 2012 and all that has been wrong is I had lost 2-3 buttons and about 4 inches of the side stitching gave way but a needle and cotton did the trick and they are still in with the mix of Summer shirts,

    • Shiny Mew on 27/01/2019 - 20:38
      +1

      Full stops wouldn't go astray.

  • try2bhelpful on 08/01/2019 - 18:58

    Try the DFO stores. A lot of well branded options, that are well priced, when the sales are on. I get my T-shirt’s from Crazy Shirts in America, they aren’t cheap but they are great quality.

    https://www.crazyshirts.com/home.do

  • Geoff-bargain on 08/01/2019 - 23:13

    I know the guy that started this company. Haven't tried it myself yet but will when back in Australia:
    www.citizenwolf.com

  • [Deactivated] on 09/01/2019 - 15:18

    Most clothes are synthetic junk.

    I remember seeing a lot of ads for uniqlo airism, but when I went in person to see what it is. It's some thin synthetic material, ordinary stuff but with some holes in it… Lol. Laughed really hard when inside the store. Everyone clapped though.

    They used to make good clothes at cheap prices, but now I don't know why the trend is towards synthetics.

    The best stuff I would gather that has excellent cooling is cotton. If I recall the arabs wear a whole thawb, they stay remarkably cool.

    Just check the labels and feel the material, you'll be fine. Not to beat up on Uniqlo, but some of their range is seriously substandard.

    Uniqlo has moved towards fast fashion, not sure if that's a good thing or not. It was better years ago.

  • Reggie74 on 10/01/2019 - 01:16

    I'm a bargain clothes shopper & generally I know what I'm getting for the money I pay. I don't seem to have any issues though with the cheap clothing I've bought as my clothes always last for ages. I'm always on the hunt for cheap clothes at K-Mart, Big W, Target etc. & have picked up some real quality over the years that was marked down due to end of season. I looked in a charity shop about 12 months for clothes & found they are now on par with prices at K-Mart, Big W, Target etc. I didn't see any new clothes just second hand ones. In that case I'd rather buy new for the same price as second hand. As mentioned we are a disposable society nowadays

    • dan0909 on 27/01/2019 - 21:09
      +1

      Thanks Reggie74, you speak from experience. I went to charity shops after reading the comments here and found their pricing similar to kmart clothes prices.

  • XabiFernando on 10/01/2019 - 22:33
    +3

    Going to throw another vote in for Superdry - first t-shirt I owned of theirs 10 years ago was noticeably thicker than anything else at the time. Have gone back to their range recently and quality has maintained. Bonus OzB Street cred for being able to find their range at Costco occasionally.

    • jace88 on 02/02/2019 - 22:58

      Ditto. I really like the basic Superdry tshirts. Reasonable price and the quality feels significantly above the average t-shirt.

  • Shiny Mew on 27/01/2019 - 20:36
    +1

    There's quite a few quality brands if you look beyond 'mall-tier'. In my experience, the following Australian brands offer great quality for the money（on sale): Marcs, SABA，Mr Simple, Wayver, Deus Ex Machina.

    • dan0909 on 27/01/2019 - 21:04

      Thank you for those names.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/06/2019 - 20:32

    Old threat, but resurrecting.

    You should look at everlane. American company doing quality basics at a decent price. Myself and my partner just got some and they are so much more quality than what you'd find from aussie shops.

    Also they're an ethical company so that's nice.

  • ericoppel on 23/09/2019 - 09:47

    Rivers used to sell the best basic tshirts. Thicker material than others and would last many years even with daily use. Not sure if they s till do? I think things changed for the worse a few years ago when Rivers was sold? Does anyone know?

    • TransportPosters on 24/09/2019 - 08:19

      Very true. I loved going to my local Rivers during the sales before it closed, they had great quality stuff at bargain prices about 5 years ago.

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