Are More Expensive Clothes Actually Better Quality?

Summary

The video script explores the common belief that higher prices equate to better quality, specifically in the context of clothing. The presenter delves into what constitutes quality in garments, focusing on material, construction, silhouette, and durability. They compare different tiers of fashion brands, from ultra-fast fashion to luxury, examining the quality of clothing at each level. The video emphasizes that while there is a correlation between price and quality in certain price ranges, this trend plateaus with accessible luxury brands. It suggests that beyond this point, the significant price increase does not necessarily reflect a corresponding improvement in garment quality. The presenter also touches on the importance of garment care and the potential placebo effect of valuing and taking better care of more expensive items. They conclude by advocating for intentional purchasing, suggesting that investing in fewer, higher quality pieces may be more beneficial than buying multiple cheaper items.

Takeaways

• 💬 Quality in clothing is determined by material, construction, silhouette, and durability.
• 👕 Expensive clothing doesn't always equate to better quality; it depends on the brand and the tier of fashion.
• 🛍️ Ultra-fast fashion brands like Primark offer the cheapest products but are not expected to have high quality.
• 📈 As you move up from mass market to accessible luxury brands, there's a more noticeable correlation between price and quality.
• 🧵 Pay attention to the stitching and fabric feel; loose or uneven stitching and rough fabric can indicate poor quality.
• 📏 Pattern alignment in clothing is a sign of quality construction, with misaligned patterns suggesting cost-cutting measures.
• 🔍 Check the garment care label for material composition; avoid polyester and opt for natural blends for better quality.
• 🧥 Lining in jackets or coats can add structure and durability, which is often a feature in higher quality garments.
• 👚 The fit and silhouette of a garment are subjective and should be aesthetically pleasing on the individual's body.
• 👖 Fast fashion brands may have quicker production times, leading to less thoughtful design and subpar silhouettes.
• 💧 Aftercare is important; check for color fading and fabric deterioration post-wash as indicators of quality.
• 💰 There's a plateau in the correlation between price and quality once you reach accessible luxury brands and beyond.
• 💎 In jewelry, there's often a direct increase in quality with price, with materials like platinum and diamonds significantly raising the cost.
• 👉 It's suggested to invest in fewer, higher quality pieces over many cheaper items for better value and longer-lasting enjoyment.

Q & A

What is the common saying that implies a relationship between price and quality?

The saying is 'you get what you pay for,' which suggests that higher-priced items often come with better quality, service, or experience.

What are the four main factors to consider when determining the quality of a garment?

The four main factors are material, construction, silhouette, and durability.

What type of brands are Primark, H&M, and Zara considered in the fashion industry?

They are considered ultra-fast fashion brands, known for providing the cheapest products possible.

What is one way to tell if a garment has poor quality just by feeling the fabric?

If the fabric feels very rough to the touch, has too tight knit tension, and does not feel premium, it could be a sign of poor quality.

What is a sign of poor construction quality in a garment?

Loose or uneven stitching, especially at the seams and hems, is a sign of poor construction quality.

Why might a brand use a mix of natural and synthetic materials in their garments?

Brands often use a mix to cut costs, as synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic, or nylon are cheaper than 100% natural materials like cotton or wool.

What is the significance of a garment's care label in determining its quality?

The care label provides information on the material composition, which can indicate whether cheaper synthetic materials have been used that could affect the garment's quality.

How does the fit and silhouette of a garment relate to its quality?

A well-fitting garment with an aesthetically pleasing silhouette is often a result of more thoughtful design and better quality materials, which are typically found in more expensive or premium brands.

What happens to the direct correlation between price and quality when comparing accessible luxury brands to ultra luxury brands?

The direct correlation between price and quality tends to stagnate. Significant price increases in ultra luxury brands are rarely justified solely by the garment's quality.

Why might someone choose to buy fewer, more expensive, higher quality items rather than multiple cheaper items?

Choosing fewer higher quality items can lead to more intentional purchasing, better care for the items, longer-lasting garments, and a greater appreciation for the craftsmanship and design.

What is the 'placebo effect' of spending more money on clothing, and how can it impact the longevity of the garments?

The placebo effect refers to the psychological impact of valuing an item more because it cost more, leading to better care and longer-lasting garments due to the owner's increased appreciation and attention.

In which category of fashion do you often see a direct increase in quality with the increase in price?

In the category of jewelry, there is often a direct increase in the quality of the material in proportion to the price increase.

Outlines

00:00

🧥 Understanding Clothing Quality and Price

The first paragraph discusses the common belief that higher prices equate to better quality. It challenges this notion by focusing on clothing and explores if more expensive clothing is indeed superior in quality. The video sets out to define quality in terms of material, construction, silhouette, and durability. It also outlines the different tiers of fashion brands, from ultra-fast fashion to luxury, and how these tiers may affect the quality and price of clothing. The importance of initial fabric inspection, stitching quality, pattern alignment, and additional features like lining are highlighted as indicators of quality. The material composition is also discussed, with a preference for natural fibers over synthetic blends.

05:01

👚 Fitting and Design in Relation to Quality

The second paragraph emphasizes the importance of fit and silhouette in determining the quality of clothing. It notes that while fit is subjective and varies by individual body shape, the silhouette should be aesthetically pleasing. The paragraph points out that fast fashion brands may prioritize speed of production over design quality, leading to garments that do not fit well. In contrast, more premium brands are likely to invest more time in perfecting the fit and design of each garment. The durability of a garment after washing is also mentioned as a quality check, with signs of wear like color fading or fabric deterioration indicating lower quality. The paragraph concludes by suggesting that while there is a correlation between price and quality up to a certain point, beyond accessible luxury brands, the increase in price does not necessarily reflect a corresponding increase in quality.

10:03

💍 Jewelry Quality and the Placebo Effect of Expensive Fashion

The third paragraph briefly touches on the quality of jewelry, noting that in this category, there is often a direct correlation between price and material quality. It advises viewers to look for higher quality materials like stainless steel or silver instead of plated brass for better durability and skin compatibility. The paragraph also discusses the placebo effect of spending more on clothing, which can lead to better care and longer-lasting garments. It concludes by advocating for intentional purchasing, suggesting that investing in one higher quality item is preferable to buying several lesser quality items for the same price, especially when it comes to luxury brands where the brand name may command a higher price than the garment's quality justifies.

Keywords

💡Quality

Quality refers to the standard of something as measured by various factors like its materials, durability, and craftsmanship. In the context of the video, quality is pivotal as it discusses whether more expensive clothing equates to better quality. The video outlines four aspects to consider when evaluating quality: material, construction, silhouette, and durability. An example from the script is the rough feel of a Weekday sweater, indicating potentially lower quality.

💡Price Correlation

Price correlation suggests a relationship between the cost of an item and its quality. The video aims to determine if there's a direct correlation between the price of clothing and its quality. It is a central theme as the speaker explores various price points of clothing brands to see if higher prices indeed reflect superior quality. The video suggests a general correlation but also notes exceptions, particularly in luxury brands where the price may be more about the brand's reputation than the garment's quality.

💡Material

Material denotes the substance from which a garment is made, which greatly influences its quality. The video emphasizes the importance of feeling the fabric and understanding its properties, such as being smooth or rough, heavy or light, and stretchy or stiff. An example is the preference for a lightweight, breathable fabric for a summer linen shirt versus a heavier, more insulating material for a winter sweater.

💡Construction

Construction refers to how a garment is made, including the stitching and assembly of its parts. The video mentions checking for tight and even stitching, especially at seams and hems, as an indicator of good construction quality. Misaligned patterns, as seen with a striped shirt from Primark, are cited as an example of poor construction.

💡Silhouette

Silhouette describes the shape and outline of a garment when worn. It is a key aspect of quality because it affects how a garment looks on the body. The video discusses how different brands, from fast fashion to luxury, vary in their attention to silhouette, with premium and luxury brands typically investing more in design to ensure a garment's silhouette is aesthetically pleasing and fits as intended.

💡Durability

Durability indicates how long a garment can withstand wear and tear before showing signs of wear. The video highlights that after washing, one should check for signs of color fading and fabric deterioration as indicators of a garment's durability. It suggests that higher quality items are more likely to maintain their appearance over time.

💡Fast Fashion

Fast fashion refers to the rapid production and turnover of inexpensive clothing by mass-market retailers. The video places brands like Primark, H&M, and Zara in this category. Fast fashion is characterized by low prices but often lower quality, with garments that may not be as durable or well-constructed as those from more premium brands.

💡Luxury Brands

Luxury brands are high-end fashion labels known for their exclusivity, premium quality, and often significant price tags. The video discusses the top tier of the fashion pyramid, including brands like Prada, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton. While these brands often offer well-crafted items, the video suggests that the price may not always reflect the quality, with the brand name contributing significantly to the cost.

💡Garment Care Label

The garment care label provides instructions on how to clean and maintain a piece of clothing. The video emphasizes looking at the material composition on the care label rather than the cleaning instructions. It advises against garments made with polyester and other synthetic materials, which are often used to cut costs, recommending natural fabrics like wool or cotton for better quality.

💡Placebo Effect

The placebo effect, in the context of the video, refers to the psychological impact of paying a higher price for an item, which may lead to a perceived increase in its quality. The video suggests that spending more on clothing can make individuals more likely to take better care of their garments, thus extending their lifespan and increasing the value received from the purchase.

💡Intentional Purchases

Intentional purchases are those made with a deliberate and thoughtful approach, considering factors beyond price, such as quality, sustainability, and personal style. The video encourages viewers to opt for fewer, higher-quality items rather than multiple lower-quality pieces. This approach is suggested to promote a more sustainable and satisfying relationship with fashion.

Highlights

The saying 'you get what you pay for' doesn't always apply to clothing quality.

Quality in clothing is determined by material, construction, silhouette, and durability.

Primark represents the bottom tier of fashion brands, offering the cheapest products.

Mass Market High Street Brands like H&M and Zara offer products at a higher price point than ultra fast fashion.

Premium High Street Brands and Accessible Luxury Brands provide a balance between cost and quality.

Luxury Brands are at the top of the pyramid, but their high prices may not always reflect the quality.

The initial inspection of clothing involves feeling the fabric and checking for even stitching.

Loose or uneven stitching and misaligned patterns can indicate poor construction.

Checking the functionality of zippers and buttons is crucial for assessing garment quality.

The presence of a lining in a garment can add structure and durability.

The material composition on the garment care label can reveal the quality of the materials used.

Polyester and other plastic-based materials are often used in cheaper garments to cut costs.

Trying on the garment helps assess the fit and silhouette, which can vary by brand and price point.

Fast fashion brands may have quicker production times, leading to less thoughtful designs.

More expensive pieces often have more thoughtfully crafted designs and better silhouettes.

Washing the garment can reveal its true quality, as lower quality items may fade or deteriorate.

There's a placebo effect where spending more on clothing can lead to better care and longer-lasting items.

It's suggested to invest in one higher quality item rather than multiple lesser quality pieces.

Luxury brands may command higher prices, but the increase is not always justified by quality.

Jewelry quality often increases directly with price, especially in materials like gold and platinum.

Transcripts

you get what you pay for we've all heard

of this saying and that can be true for

many things a higher price often comes

with better service a better experience

better performance or simply a better

product but as I'm sure you've

experienced firsthand this doesn't

always apply so in today's video we're

going to find out if it applies to

clothing are more expensive clothes

actually better

quality well first off let's define what

quality actually means are we talking

about how the clothing looks how it

feels how durable it is to make it

simple there are four things that I

would look at to determine the quality

of a garment material construction

silhouette and durability and I'm going

to delve deeper into those in a minute

and tell you exactly how to recognize

poor quality versus good quality

clothing but first let's go shopping

this is Primark and it sits at the

bottom of the totem pole when it comes

to fashion brands along with the likes

of vhu and Asos these are the ultra fast

fashion brands of the industry that

provide the cheapest product

possible

so you can see already on this peac got

some loose threats coming out on the

lapels it's on a small hanger but it's a

medium 100% cotton for only 15b it's a

bargain at one step above the ultra fast

fashion brands we have the mass Market

High Street Brands such as H&M Zara or

Unico then you have the premium High

Street Brands like cause arit or mimo

Duty that offer a slightly more

expensive product for people who are

looking for a more premium product at a

reasonable price that's kind of cool

that looks hella long though is going to

be oversized as on

me what about one of these trench

coats I never wear trench coats I get

them and I don't wear

them then you have the accessible luxury

Brands these are Brands like Ralph

Lauren Amy Paris Cole buckton or Studio

Nicholson they cater to people who are

ready to invest more to get a luxury

product without completely going into

the luxury price tag at the top of the

pyramid you have the luxury Brands the

Pras Gucci and LVS of the world just to

name a few but then you also have many

that are less known to the masses such

as gel sander Lam mer or to an extent

fear of God these Brands carry some of

the most expensive clothing possible but

even Within These you can still have a

widely varying range of pricing but does

the quality of the clothing actually go

up in direct correlation with the price

of the clothing in order to find that

out we got our hands on a few pieces

from each of these tiers of clothing

brands most of the work is done on

initial inspection before you even try

to clothing start by feeling the fabric

how does it feel on on your skin is it

smooth or rough heavy or light stretchy

or stiff you want to make sure these

characteristics align with the purpose

of the Garment for example if you're

buying a linen shirt for summer you'll

want it to be lightweight relatively

thin and breathable whereas if you want

to Winter sweater you'll probably prefer

something heavier and more insulating to

sustain the colder temperatures but for

some garments you can instantly tell

just from feeling the fabric that it's

not great quality for example this

weekday sweater it feels very rough to

the touch the tension of the knit is way

too tight and I know it might be hard to

tell on camera but it just doesn't feel

premium at all next look at the

stitching you want to check for tight

and even stitching especially at the

seams and the hems loose or uneven

stitching is a sign of poor construction

quality also if your garment is

patterned see if the patterns line up at

the seams you can see here we have a

striped shirt from Primark and the

pattern is completely misaligned at the

shoulder seams which is what you can

expect when they're selling it for 50 lb

you know they're cutting Corners if your

garment has buttons or Zips always

double check that the zip is working

properly and that there aren't any loose

buttons this is another area where some

Brands will cut Corners although not

having lining isn't necessarily a sign

of poror quality having a lining inside

your jacket or coat is always a nice

touch that will add structure and

durability to your garment as you can

see this wool Overcoat from fear of God

has a lining inside made from Japanese

cpro that gives the Garment more more

structure and makes it a tad warmer

cheaper Brands will sometimes skip the

lining or go for lower quality Fabrics

to cut costs the next thing you want to

check is the Garment Care label but not

for the care instructions you want to

look at the material composition of the

Garment ideally it's better to stay away

from polyester and other plastic based

materials like acrylic or nylon many

Brands will opt for wool Blends or

cotton Blends using polyester in order

to cut costs because plastic based

materials and blends are cheaper than

going for a 100% cotton or 100% wool

garment you'd be surprised at how often

even luxury brands do this this L mer

coat has a beautiful design and

silhouette but if you look at the

material composition you can see that

it's made from 80% wool and 20%

polyamide fear of God also do this with

their sister line Essentials so a

Mainline hoodie will be 100% cotton made

in Italy or USA whereas an Essentials

hoodie will most likely be made in China

with a cotton polyester blend which

makes sense in this case because

Essentials is supposed to be this more

accessible sub brand so they won't be

able to produce at the same factories

with the same materials if they want to

remain profitable at lower prices once

you've done the initial inspection you

can try on the Garment this is when you

want to pay attention to the fit and

silhouette of the clothes now obviously

the fit will be subjective and will vary

depending on your body shape not every

garment will be made to fit you

perfectly but try to get the sizing

right and then look at the silhouette of

the Garment on you how does it drape on

your body do the proportions look

aesthetically pleasing something we

often forget to take into account when

it comes to fast fashion brands is that

one of the reasons they're able to

release new products at such quick pace

is they don't put as much time and

effort into the design of the product

they will sometimes just send a picture

or a rough sketch of what a product

should look like and the factory will

try to mimic that and have it produced

in as short of a time span as possible

which is why these Brands sometimes end

up with products with subpar Silhouettes

where the Garment just feels slightly

off on your body maybe the sleeve is a

little too short or too long or it just

doesn't sit right on the other hand more

premium Brands and luxury fashion houses

will have fewer designs but devote more

time and effort into perfecting each

design altering small measurements to

ensure that the Garment has the exact

fit intended by the designer at the end

of the day what matters is that the

clothes look great on you regardless of

the price but from my personal

experience I've noticed that more

expensive pieces tend to have more

thoughtfully crafted designs and better

Silhouettes it is definitely not always

the case but it is more likely than in

your average High Street fast Fashion

Store the last quality check happens

after you wash the Garment a little bit

of shrinkage is normal if the Garment

hasn't been pre-washed especially for

cotton and denim but the main thing you

want to watch out for is color fading

and fabric deterioration so if threads

go loose or the fabric starts to

deteriorate or the color starts fading

after a few washes that is a sign of a

lower quality product with that said you

do want to make sure that you're

following the wash instructions on the

care label because no wool sweater is

going to survive a 40° machine wash on a

cotton cycle at a high spin speed so

does quality increase with price well as

far as I've experienced paying attention

to these seven things with Brands across

the Spectrum I would say yes and no the

answer isn't so black and white let me

explain with the ultra fast fashion

brands it's fair to say you shouldn't

expect anything of good quality but most

people know that nobody's walking into

Primark expecting to find some super

high quality stuff you're going in there

to get the lowest price possible then

from the mass Market High Street Brands

all the way to the accessible luxury

Brands that's where we can notice a more

direct correlation between price and

quality where you kind of get what you

pay for Mass Market High Street Brands

will often try to minimize production

costs by opting for lower quality

fabrics and putting less time and effort

eort into the designs so you'll get more

manufacturing defects and occasional

construction quality issues but you can

still find good products it's just a bit

more hit or miss premium High Street

brands are more consistent with the

quality far less manufacturing defects

and you tend to get more natural Fabrics

it's good quality at reasonable prices

accessible luxury brands are the next

step up the brands in this category will

tend to have a more ethical supply chain

with more manufacturing done in Europe

instead of Asia better quality Fabrics

construction and doesn't feel like

they're trying to cut Corners with the

manufacturing if anything you can feel

the amount of time effort and

thoughtfulness put into the designs

however that's roughly the stage where

the direct correlation between price and

quality stagnates I found that when you

go beyond that into the proper luxury

and Ultra Luxury Brands the significant

increase in pricing is rarely justified

in relation to the quality of the

Garment especially with household names

it often feels like you're paying more

for the brand name rather than the

Garment itself with all of this being

said though there are definitely

exceptions in every category you can

find absolute gems even in the cheapest

fast fashion brands just like you can

find a lazy design or defects in a

luxury brand so take all of this with a

pinch of

salt one category of fashion that I'd

like to briefly touch up on is jewelry

this is an area where you will often see

a direct increase in the quality of the

material in proportion to the price

increase the cheapest jewelry will often

be made for from brass and then plated

to make it look like silver or gold

don't be fooled though because sometimes

even big luxury Brands will try to sell

you a brass piece of jewelry for

ridiculous price instead look for

stainless steel jewelry even if it's

plated gold it will still be better

quality and better for your skin than

brass silver tends to be a bit more

expensive then you have gold which

usually comes with a big price jump if

it's an actual full gold piece rather

than goldplated and if you want silver

color jewelry the step up after sterling

silver would be white gold which starts

going into the very expensive territory

as it's one of the most precious metals

that you can have and then you have

Platinum which is a whole Le ball game

you'll see with certain brands the items

that are made of platinum don't even

have a price listed next to them and of

course adding diamonds to any jewelry

will also drastically increase the price

one last thing I want to add about the

price to Quality relationship in fashion

is that there can be a placebo effect of

spending more money on something making

you value that item more and therefore

taking better care of it so in the long

run your clothes will last longer and

you'll be more intentional with your

purchases I'm sure you've experienced it

yourself or maybe you spent a bit more

than usual on an item and that made you

want to take extra good care of it so I

think that if you can afford it and you

enjoy fashion which if you're watching

this video you very likely do I would

always suggest going for one more

expensive higher quality item than let's

say three lesser quality pieces for the

same price that way you'll be more

intentional with your purchases you'll

take better care of your items they will

last longer and you'll get to enjoy the

higher end of what fashion has to offer

or at least that's how I like to think

about it of course with the exception of

the luxury category of Brands not to say

that you shouldn't ever buy luxury but

if you do understand that you are

probably overpaying which can be fine if

you're doing it intentionally but what

do you think would you ever buy from an

ultra luxury brand and is it worth

spending more on higher quality or is

cheaper the way to go let me know in the

comments I hope you enjoyed this video

my friends and I wish wish you a

beautiful day