Clothing Materials and Quality

[MelissaAndProudOfIt]

Hi all..  Being that i am a Retro Girl born in the 1960s and experienced clothing since i was about 6 years old, it"s struck me how clothing quality has gone remarkably down the proverbial hill since the 70s til now....in the 70s it was polyester, satin, silk, rayon, viscose, chiffon, taffeta and so on... These days its plastic lace effect and cotton, it really wouldnt surprise me if knickers/pantys where to start being made out of wool...  Where has the quality of yesteryears clothing gone..  I really hope it makes a come back, i only have my dresses collection and i qm very fussy and i do not ho for cotton dresses...boring....polyester etc should be enjoyed by a new generation....by the way...the true reason why most women wear trousers nowadays is possibly a direct result of bad selective merchandising.    

[tracy_j]

It's interesting you bring this up Melissa. With the influx of Eastern European workers I noticed a few years ago the difference in some of the clothing they wore compared to that available here. I think that difference has evaporated in recent times, but some of the clothes then looked really robust.

 

I do do a little sewing so do look how things are made. I was only looking at a tunic dress the other evening in Sainsbury's. I don't know, but would say that it appeared to be made out of one piece of stretch polyester type of material and the entire thing probably could be sewn on an overlocker by a skilled worker in the far east in far less than five minutes.

 

In my opinion it is probably fashion and the throwaway society which has changed things. I find it nice to have a dress which I love to wear time and time again, but fashion dictates that women (and increasingly men) should change their style / wardrobe several times a year. I find it best to look around and put of buying on a whim.

 

Tracy

[MelissaAndProudOfIt]

I will defy fashion till it makes sense and looks wearable and comfortable...lol

[MelissaAndProudOfIt]

Forget hi end highstreet stores and hello charity shops for decent stuff... I say.

[MelissaAndProudOfIt]

I am an advocate for yesturyear..  It's when clothes were flamboyant romantic and dare i say it Sexy... Today in comparison feels like your wearing a canvas shopping bag..

[Geselle]

Hi there Ladies,I have been reading your comments and learning as I have just joined last week.i hope I am not intruding but I started learning to sew about 6 months ago and I have progressed very rapidly.I have made leggings,skirts,Dresses and have recently made several bras and panties . I guess I have a knack for this as I really enjoy sewing . Thank you all for your comments I cannot tell you how much I need to hear what you have to say  

 

[Jani]

Good for you Geselle!  Sewing can be fun and you do get to wear the results.  Bravo! 

[tracy_j]

Well done Geselle! I do a little sewing myself, and currently, am in the latter stages of completing a skirt. It's the first garment for a while though, so having to re-learn a bit lol.

 

Tracy

[Josie Beth]

Yes, thrift stores have some surprises for quality. I’ve always been a thrift shopper and some of my best finds were there. However European clothing seems to have better quality. I miss my cashmere sweater. I’m not a big fan of cotton. It’s got it’s place for some occasions but dressing up, no. Socks are especially horrible these days. They feel like plastic.