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| skirt~Anne Klein jacket~Emanual Ungaro |
With the downturn in the economy, I've noticed a decrease in the quality of clothing. Things like small seams, inferior workmanship and flimsy materials seem like the current standard. With that, I decided to pull some items from my closet that are of good quality this week.
Sometimes, one can depend on a designer label for high quality. My jacket and skirt are such items; one bought at a fire sale the other second hand. The material in each are luxurious and have lasted the test of time. (Each are over 10 years old.)
Some tid-bits of info regarding these designer duds. When Anne Klein died of breast cancer at 50, do you know who her partner chose as the designer to succeed her? Donna Karan.
This jacket is an Emanual Ungaro found at a fire sale. After Ungaro sold his business in 2005, there was a brief stint from Lindsey Lohan as it's artistic director. Hmmm.
Hi to all visiting from Patti's Visible Monday! And stay tuned for more quality items this week!
Great skirt and I love the boots!!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about how the economy has affected the industry, Paula. I found a fabulous designer a couple of years ago, Jana Kos. Her designs, fit, quality were amazing. I was heart stricken when I heard she was going out of business...she just could not stack afloat. Also, with some of my favorite lines, I have seen a drop in craftsmanship. It does make more since to hang on to those vintage pieces that were made with such care!
ReplyDeleteOk, I should have edited myself...I meant stay afloat and make more SENSE!
DeleteExactly Pam! Im finding more quality with vintage; but they are NOT inexpensive here in NE!
DeleteBlame it on the price of cotton! Merchants are using lower grade cotton fabrics to reduce their per unit costs. I guess that excuse would only work for pieces made from cotton though, huh? Lol
DeleteYou look awesome in your "goodies" though!
XO,
Alyssa
Beautiful colors on you! I vote yes for quality-hard to come by today unless you pay $$$$$ or shop in consignment/vintage/thrift stores.
ReplyDeleteYes I certainly did notice! I used to be able to get inexpensive but high quality items in high street stores but noticed the quality nosedived considerably when recession hit, and in all the same areas you mention, workmanship, fabric etc...
ReplyDeleteThat green Ungaro jacket is lovely! I never understood the Lindsay Lohan stint either!
The Lindsay thing didnt last long--thank God for small favors!
DeleteI agree. Even some of the expensive higher-end items I look at lately have some shoddy workmanship. I love that wonderful green sweater you are wearing with that beautifully colored skirt.
ReplyDeleteThx Marla!
DeleteYes, I have noticed this too, Paula. Your ten-year-old items look new and gorgeous. Thanks so much for linking them up to Visible Monday : >
ReplyDeleteWelcome back Paula! I hope that you vacation was amazing and happy late 2013 to you!
DeleteYou are so right about the quality of today's clothes. Even the t-shirts are made with less cotton and are way more thin than before. Also many high end designers like Prada are now producing some of her clothes in India.
Patti and Ofelia~Thanks and it looks like we all can agree!
DeleteI tried on a pair of shoes that had mismatched leather and I commented that I did not like that. The salesman said, would it really bother you at $69? I said yes, emphatically. The quality was not there. And for me $69.00 on sale is not cheap and should be of quality.
ReplyDeleteLove your outfit. That jacket color is beautiful and it looks good on you.
lol--I agree 70 bucks is too much for mismatched shoes!
DeleteI have been thinking the same thing.....the fabrics are so thin....too thin for even layering (IMHO)...seams are crooked, or not even sewn. I suppose it's the quantity that is important...not the quality. It's not only clothing, but furniture, appliances too. And, thanks for visiting my blog and the nice comment.
ReplyDeleteYou are entirely welcome Linda!
DeleteThis is the age of disposable fashion. No wonder so many people are really into thrifting and upcycling now. It's hard to find something decent when all you want is a plain T-shirt. I hope it's a trend, these light drapey fabrics, and maybe things will turn around again.
ReplyDeletePaula, your outfit is lovely and bright! That cream obi is a great accessory to have.
I hope it is only a trend too and result of manufacturers trying to make the bottom line.
DeleteAnd yes, the obi is one of my favorites!
agreed that workmanship and fabric are not what they were. maybe if we all stopped buying new stuff, manufacturers would get the message and offer better quality.
ReplyDeleteor maybe they will see all the comments on my blog, loL!
DeleteI've totally noticed the decrease of quality. another reason why i thrift--I can find better qualilty at the Goodwill than at the mall.
ReplyDeleteLove your outfit-especially the lime jacket!
There are a lot of cheap thrifted items too. Some of the fabrics that last the longest are the synthetic ones....ugh
DeleteYou make a good point. Since I wear second hand so frequently, I hadn't noticed. Lovely outfit and the addition of the obi pulls you quality ensemble together. The gorgeous green jacket brings out the blue in your eyes!
ReplyDeleteThrifted stores here in my neighborhood are not always reasonable--and I mix my shopping with discount and vintage!
DeleteLooks like you hit the nail on the head with this post. I totally agree with you. Wish I had been smart enough to save many of my designer blouses, jackets and skirts from 5-10 years ago. You were wise to hang on to that fun lime green jacket, it's refreshing, fabulous and looks great on you.
ReplyDeleteIts so hard to figure out what to toss and what to keep sometimes! and being the collectors that we are, we could not afford to keep all our stuff!
DeleteI've never really shopped the higher end/higher quality stores, so "quality" of an item is not even on my radar. ha Walmart and Fashion Bug were affordable places (that fit my meager pocketbook) to shop many years ago and now I just thrift...but can sometimes turn up really low priced good name clothing that way. When that happens I feel like I've hit the jackpot. lol I suppose I should have trained myself early on to buy fewer (although more expensive) "quality" items, but my brain never seemed to work that way for some reason. I do admire a well dressed woman's style though and I'm working on it it my own way.
ReplyDeleteLove you bright green jacket and your hair looks great. :)
My brain dosent work that way either actually, but I do find sales items at the higher end stores. And sometimes I splurge!
DeleteI so agree with you, Paula. Although it is a matter of sharpening the eye, lol
ReplyDeleteI love you in skirts so much, ahhhhhhh
Much love always.
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Yes, it is getting to be more of an art to find the diamond in all the rough~
DeleteSo true, I find that the clothes from 10-15 years ago to be of better quality. Many things will come around again as the economy picks up.
ReplyDeleteblue hue wonderland