During these tough economic conditions, we all want to stretch our dollar further than ever. That's why it's best to make our clothing last. Clothing made in the USA tends to be of superior quality than traditional sweatshop-made apparel, so buying American is just one of many ways to get the best value. Let me suggest a few other ways.
Because of the current condition of our economy, we all need to make every dollar stretch. That doesn't always mean eyeballing the price tag--it also means we each need to search for the best value and high quality, particularly in the clothes we buy, more important than ever now that winter is upon us. But how can you be sure you're getting a deal you can be proud of? Let me give you some tips.
Many of us shop for clothes by preferred brands--typically because they produce styles we find attractive. But as you hit the mall, you need to shirk those labels whose apparel does not withstand daily wear-and-tear. Keep mental notes of those items that have been ruined and why.
Tears and holes typically occur because the fabric was of poor quality and/or thinly woven. So try to turn your attention from the appearance of the garb to the way it feels. Hold your fingers on one side of the garment in question and determine if you can see them through the material. If you can, then this particular bit of clothing is probably too thin.
Of course, some pieces of apparel are meant to be sheer, so these ought to be treated with utmost care. That doesn't apply strictly to thin clothing. Apparel with lace trim is easily ripped, too. So be careful! Do not tug on it excessively or allow it to get caught on anything.
You should do your part to take good care of all the clothes you have. This means you should follow all care instructions, including hand-washing or dry cleaning when necessary. When you put your clothes at risk for staining, burning, or ripping, you should try to take precautions. Wear an apron whenever you're cooking, as I know failing to do so is how I've lost some of my favorite blouses.
Learning some basic mending skills is tremendously useful to preserving your clothes. Plus, you can hem pants and skirts to keep them from trailing on the ground or catching on shoes.
How else can you spot quality? Pay attention to where each item was made as you check labels while browsing in the store. Clothing made in the USA is bound to be of superior quality than anything made in a remote sweatshop across the globe. Though you would think that American made jeans would be more expensive than your favorite designer pants, the truth is that they are often a better value than you would expect.
By taking these measures, you can get the most value out of the clothing you buy, stretching your dollar further than ever during these tough times.