Recognizing the quality of low-cost clothing

There are the big global fashion brands, like Zara and H&M, large chain stores like the Irish giant Primark, online platforms, starting with the Chinese Shein and Temu: low-cost fashion is a gigantic market, which suffers less than luxury, which has been in crisis for some time, and it grinds out turnover and profits. But can we trust a dress we paid €7 for at Primark? Or what's often junk, like T-shirts and other clothing products sold through Chinese platforms, and elsewhere?

To avoid wasting money and hoping to find a good deal, there are a few simple and clear things to keep in mind: these are what determine whether a low-cost dress is truly a good deal or whether it's something very close to a scam.

Synthetic materials. Low-cost clothing is often made of materials like polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which are less breathable and tend to deteriorate more quickly. The important thing is read the label carefully, and don't just stop at the price.
Stitching. They should be straight and even: if you notice that they are messy, frayed or if you see threads sticking out, it is probably a low-quality product.
Hinges. Those on low-cost items tend to get stuck easily, break, or not slide easily. Always check that the zip works properly.
Finishes and edges. Hems should be well sewn and fairly clean, with no burrs or seams that come apart.
Shape and fit. A quality suit, even if it's inexpensive, should retain its shape after wearing. If the fabric deforms easily or loses its shape after wearing it for a few hours, the quality is likely poor. Quality is also evident in the fit, which shouldn't be too stiff or uncomfortable.
The touch test. If a garment feels rough or unpleasant to the touch, it may be a very poor quality, and therefore useless, product. You're just wasting money, while you delude yourself into thinking you've got a good deal.
Duration: cheap clothes tend to lose color or lose their shape after just a few washes. Always check the washing instructions and see if they include information about the garment's resistance.

The low-cost industry generally relies on several factors. The firstThese are brands that manage to achieve significant economies of scale, both in production and distribution. This allows them to lower prices.. Second: In shops, people almost always serve themselves, and the staff is concentrated only at the cash registers. Another saving that has a significant impact on production costs. Third: generally, the production of these garments is located in countries, such as India or Bangladesh, where labor is still cheap and the environmental conditions are often those of modern slavery.. Fourth: in some cases the garments are made at zero kilometer, that is, in the same area where they are distributedAnd cutting out some steps, from producer to consumer, means huge cost savings. But to these factors we must add another, very common one: poor product quality. Enough to waste your money.

How to recognize the quality of low-cost clothes

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