The Money Mustache Community
General Discussion => Welcome and General Discussion => Topic started by: ObviouslyNotAGolfer on November 08, 2018, 08:01:17 PM
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I searched but did not see such a thread here, but I'm almost certain there was one.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the several pairs of Darn Tough socks I bought two years ago. $20 for a pair is expensive, but they are indestructible, very comfortable, look good, and will last forever. I am looking for other men's clothes that will hold up as well and look good doing so, even if they are on the expensive side. I am looking for the whole gamut--jeans (BLACK only!), flannel shirts, dress shirts, polos, business casual attire--chinos, shoes, etc. I rarely wear ties; my job does not require it. However a sport coat/blazer would be of interest.
I pick up a shirt or two at the thrift store occasionally, and I also used to buy a lot of clothes from L.L. Bean. However, I think Bean's clothes have declined in quality in recent years; flannel shirts bought less than a decade ago are unraveling, and I don't really wear them all that often (It is always HOTTT! in th HELL A area).
I've looked at Patagonia, and did not see very much that appealed to me. I have one J. Crew pair of khaki slacks, and they seem to have held up quite well. Anyone heard of Proper Cloth?
Any suggestions appreciated. (I'm 6'1" and fairly slim)
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I got a couple pairs of darn tough socks for Christmas a couple years ago and knew nothing about them until a few weeks ago. I wanted to get some more socks and realized “these darn tough socks I’ve worn a ton for a couple years still look, feel, and smell brand new.” So I looked into them more and learned about the warranty and quality. Of course, the price too, but after some realization of the quality, that was easily justifiable.
Along those lines - this year I have really got on board with a lot of “buy for life” clothing. It is NOT cheap, but the quality is easily there. For boots, I recommend red wings heritage line. Hand crafted in the US and can be re-soled. I have two pairs of iron rangers and a pair of moc toes. They age beautifully.
For clothes, my very first suggest is https://www.blueowl.us their return policy and customer service unreal. I have bought a TON there with flawless experiences. With your height and build you are good for these types of clothes. For flannels, they are the highest quality I have found. I just bought a Gitman vintage flannel that is extremely high quality.
Two other brands I love are Freenote Cloth and 3sixteen. They are both carried at blue owl, but both have their own sites as well. Depending where you live, they may have physical shops nearby. 3sixteen makes an amazing Jean jacket (type 3) which isn’t a “dress” blazer for sure, but it looks very very clean. It’s selvedge denim and again, ages beautifully. I have a pair of chinos from Freenote that look very nice.
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For shoes and boots, hit up Allen Edmonds seconds at shoebank.com. The shoes are heavily marked down and generally have minor cosmetic imperfections. I have multiple office shoes and boots from them, they can be resoled and last a lifetime if properly maintained.
For blazers, I buy from eBay, specifically J Crew as I know my size. For you, likely 38 long. Good luck
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I checked our blue owl and man are those prices high. Explain to me how one is better off paying $80 for a T-shirt at blue owl over paying $8 for one at T J Maxx? The $72 difference invested is far more than $72 when you need to replace the TJ Maxx shirt in 5 years. If you just want brand new expensive ‘buy it for life clothing’ then I’m all for living life on your terms. I just don’t think that it’s frugal.
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There's a lot to be said for buying clothes at the thrift store - you can really tell what wears well and what doesn't.
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Darn Tough wearers - How does the quality compare to Smart Wool? I wear synthetic wool socks year-round (super sweaty feet - only things keeping my shoes from being swamps) and can burn out a pair of Smart Wool in about 2 years, and the less expensive Sam's band synthetic/merino wool socks in about 9 to 12 months.
The toughest T-Shirts I have are ones I got for free in high school (Glidan, I believe). Followed closely by a bunch of Hanes t-shirts I bought at Walmart in college.
The best shoes I've had have been Asics, each pair has lasted me around 6 years.
Dress clothes? A few off-brand (or no tag, so who knows?) sweaters bought secondhand.
Pants? Puh-lease...if anyone can show me a pair of jeans that doesn't wear out after 2 years, but are business appropriate, point me in that direction!
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I checked our blue owl and man are those prices high. Explain to me how one is better off paying $80 for a T-shirt at blue owl over paying $8 for one at T J Maxx? The $72 difference invested is far more than $72 when you need to replace the TJ Maxx shirt in 5 years. If you just want brand new expensive ‘buy it for life clothing’ then I’m all for living life on your terms. I just don’t think that it’s frugal.
You bring up several good points, and to an extent I agree with them all. While the quality of material is easily there in their t-shirts over something like TJ Maxx, that’s one example I’m not sure I would push for blue owl products over cheaper items.
There are some other items and reasons that I can justify say a $150 flannel over a $50 flannel. I own some flannels in both of those ranges. First, I believe the $150 flannel would easily last 3+ times a long as the cheap one. Not only that, is because it’s so much thicker/heavier, it will perform better keeping you warm. Also, less likely to tear.
Also, many of these products are made in the US by US companies. A lot can be said for supporting craftsmen within our country. Not only that, in terms of waste, you aren’t tossing old warm out clothes as often because they last longer.
Another good example is boots. As mentioned, I have a pie of Red Wing Moc Toes. Many companies make imitation Moc’s. Walking through the mall last week, I saw another brands “identical” shoes on a shelf. I picked them up, and they weighed 1/3 as much. The material and the sole was complete garbage. My wife and I just laughed because these were at a relatively “name brand” store.” I am 100% positive my red wings are so much better built that they would outlast something like that enough to justify their value. My work boots are steel toe Thorogoods, also a moc toe, and made in the US. These are also expensive, but around $60 less than my red wings. Even with these, I can easily see a difference in the quality of the leather.
Again - I’m not going to come on this website and encourage everyone that they need to buy these expensive clothes. They have their ups and downs for sure, but I do think that in many senses the costs can be justified for certain items
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I find that most clothing lasts me a long time regardless of price. Recently I purged a bunch of old trousers and dress shirts from my closet that I'd owned for 20+ years. They were all in VG/excellent condition, but they didn't fit properly (now or then). I've never worn out a blazer or sport coat -- probably because I don't wear them frequently enough.
Some clothing does wear out fairly frequently for me. But I'm not convinced there are viable alternatives. For example, my jeans tend to wear out in the knees after a few years of heavy use...but to make them last longer would (likely) require a heavyweight denim that isn't comfortable, or some synthetic material that doesn't breathe as well as cotton. My socks cost $1-$2 a pair and wear out in 1-2 years. I still think I'm coming out ahead $$-wise versus the $20 darn tough socks.
I am able to find reasonable quality clothing for such low prices that I'm almost never tempted to look at more expensive options and do a painstaking (for me) cost/benefit analysis. A couple years ago I picked up several pairs of jeans at the Levis outlet for $5-$10 each, and I expect they will last me more than a decade in rotation -- despite the questionable materials and workmanship. Over the last year I bought a few very decent quality dress shirts on Amazon that were discontinued patterns, for ~$15 each. I also bought a $120 made-to-measure dress shirt for a special occasion, and the Amazon shirts are nearly the same quality. All of them will probably be in my wardrobe in 10 years.
I don't wear leather dress shoes or leather work boots very often. If I did, those are likely the items that I would consider buying very high quality/buy for life.
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In general, the quality of manufactured goods overall has decreased over the past few decades as MBAs have shown that greater profits can be made by taking a lot of shortcuts. Companies used to consider quality their first priority and profit more a less a way to continue following their north star of quality.
Companies have bet on the consumer not caring enough about these shortcuts to stop buying cheap products. And they were right. We quickly recover from the hangover of broken, shoddy garbage and we are ready to get drunk on cheap crap soon again.
And then when we see appropriately priced goods, we balk and we think of the baseline price in our minds. But the baseline is based on this now ubiquitous model of profit first, and only as much quality as we need to avoid jeopardizing our profits.
Filson.
Taylor Stitch.
Red Wing.
Mission Workshop.
I think the "hipster" trope is finally fading. It doesn't make you a hipster to reject the decrease in quality that can occur when things are mass produced and prefer higher quality. Maybe it does if you aren't really utilizing these goods, but simply using them to boost your image or a further a narrative you have about yourself, but who cares? If you believe in quality, good for you.
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For example, my jeans tend to wear out in the knees after a few years of heavy use...but to make them last longer would (likely) require a heavyweight denim that isn't comfortable
I wear heavy jeans, and they're extremely comfortable after a week - like birkenstocks, they conform to your body. They last me 3+ years, except my smartphone in the pocket tends to be the area that can lead to wearing out if it's daily wear. I wear them hard as hell, and the knees are totally fine. Buy some heavy raw denim and they'll just get better with age.
They are not comfortable in hot/humid seasons/regions. I go for chinos and cut off chinos during the summer.
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I wear heavy jeans, and they're extremely comfortable after a week - like birkenstocks, they conform to your body. They last me 3+ years, except my smartphone in the pocket tends to be the area that can lead to wearing out if it's daily wear. I wear them hard as hell, and the knees are totally fine. Buy some heavy raw denim and they'll just get better with age.
They are not comfortable in hot/humid seasons/regions. I go for chinos and cut off chinos during the summer.
Yes, I should have clarified that heavier weight denim isn't comfortable for much of the year primarily due to heat/humidity. I tend to wear lighter weight denim or chinos during the warmer months.
It doesn't sound like your heavy weight jeans last longer than my medium/lighter weight denim. Also, different bodies and movements have different effects on jeans that cause them to wear at different rates. I do a fair amount of crouching and kneeling when I'm playing with my kids, and that's probably why the knees go out sooner. I also have knobby knees. :D
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Regarding Darn Tough - I'm a proponent of them and they are definitely durable, but not "indestrucible" and won't "last forever." They've lasted me about 1000 miles of hiking per pair to give an estimate of durability. If you mean you can use the warranty to get a replacement forever that is accurate.
Definitely interested in hearing more about jeans! Hard to find some good jeans.
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Following this thread with interest on behalf of DH, who would, in addition to recommendations for durable clothing, love recommendations for sources that have durable 28" inseam pants. :)
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Definitely interested in hearing more about jeans! Hard to find some good jeans.
Someone else can probably talk much more intelligently about denim weights, selvedge vs non-selvedge, raw vs sanforized, etc., and the effect on durability.
But when I scoured the clearance racks at the Levis outlet I did find various denim weights even among the same styles. One pair of 514's was very lightweight denim (maybe 6-8oz?) and another was medium (probably 12oz). I bought one pair of 508's which had surprisingly heavier weight denim -- my estimate is 18oz based on comparing it to a pair of 20oz denim I have in another brand. It set me back $7, and I expect it will last many years. Especially because it's too heavy to wear for much of the year so it doesn't get as much use as my other pairs :D
For me, 9 times out of 10 I'll choose a better fitting, more comfortable pair of jeans over a more durable pair. I haven't found one yet that checks all three boxes, regardless of price.
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Big fan of Darn Tough socks, but as stated by DS, they are not indestructible. I have around 200 hiking miles and countless everyday miles (~2 yrs) on my favourite pair and they are are starting to show wear in a couple of spots but they are still looking good. I've worn holes through Smart Wool socks but they are still pretty durable.
Tilley hats are almost indestructible and have a no questions asked life time warranty. I have a heavy weight cotton one that I bought in late 80s that will likely outlive me (Tilley marketed them as "put in your will" hats).
I've always had good luck with clothing made in Western industrial countries. 25 years ago I had a pair of made in England Doc Martens - wore them almost everyday and got close to 8 years out of them. Replaced with a pair of made in Thailand which were falling apart after a year. Made in Maine New Balance shoes, even with their 20%+/- offshore content are night and day better in quality than comparable Nike / Reebok / etc.
I will gladly pay a bit extra for made in Canada, USA, western Europe clothing.
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Definitely interested in hearing more about jeans! Hard to find some good jeans.
Someone else can probably talk much more intelligently about denim weights, selvedge vs non-selvedge, raw vs sanforized, etc., and the effect on durability.
But when I scoured the clearance racks at the Levis outlet I did find various denim weights even among the same styles. One pair of 514's was very lightweight denim (maybe 6-8oz?) and another was medium (probably 12oz). I bought one pair of 508's which had surprisingly heavier weight denim -- my estimate is 18oz based on comparing it to a pair of 20oz denim I have in another brand. It set me back $7, and I expect it will last many years. Especially because it's too heavy to wear for much of the year so it doesn't get as much use as my other pairs :D
For me, 9 times out of 10 I'll choose a better fitting, more comfortable pair of jeans over a more durable pair. I haven't found one yet that checks all three boxes, regardless of price.
I buy $20 jeans at Kohl’s. Maybe they last 3-5 years and I buy a new pair. Low end clothing has become insanely cheap over the last couple of decades. High end clothing can be a hobby/lifestyle and if you enjoy it then you should do it. I just can’t imagine that outside maybe a great pair of work boots, it would ever save you money in the long run. Especially if you calculate the future value of the price difference between low end and high end. Again, I pay money for sports events and drink alcohol and bought a $360,000 house in Ohio and a new $18,500 SUV. I’m going to live on my terms whether it’s frugal or not. My net worth not counting investment gains raises $5000 per month because I live way below my means. Buy whatever clothes you want. Just be mindful of the costs/benefits.
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I wear heavy jeans, and they're extremely comfortable after a week - like birkenstocks, they conform to your body. They last me 3+ years, except my smartphone in the pocket tends to be the area that can lead to wearing out if it's daily wear. I wear them hard as hell, and the knees are totally fine. Buy some heavy raw denim and they'll just get better with age.
They are not comfortable in hot/humid seasons/regions. I go for chinos and cut off chinos during the summer.
Yes, I should have clarified that heavier weight denim isn't comfortable for much of the year primarily due to heat/humidity. I tend to wear lighter weight denim or chinos during the warmer months.
It doesn't sound like your heavy weight jeans last longer than my medium/lighter weight denim. Also, different bodies and movements have different effects on jeans that cause them to wear at different rates. I do a fair amount of crouching and kneeling when I'm playing with my kids, and that's probably why the knees go out sooner. I also have knobby knees. :D
I should clarify, by 3+ I mean I've had a few pairs of raw denim for over the past 3 years and only one pair has a tear near the cell phone pocket. All the other pairs show minimal or even "desired" wear (raw denim enthusiasts tend to fetishize the wear-in process and the "patina" that can only be "earned" by wearing them, rather than the stonewashing and artificial fading effects done by clothing companies).
I fully expect my fleet of raw denim to last a decade or more, and I wear them for all types of stuff. Remodeling, woodworking, playing with my toddler, anything. It's the cell phone in and out of the pocket of the tighter fitting ones that seems to shorten the lifespan funnily enough.
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Buy whatever clothes you want. Just be mindful of the costs/benefits.
That's kind of the rub. My heart tells me that buying high quality clothing aligns more closely with my values, especially when it comes to avoiding the "disposable" mindset (buy cheap stuff, replace it often). But my frugal brain wins out almost all the time.
If I weren't still in accumulation mode, I think I'd be more likely to dabble in "buy it for life" clothing.
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as MBAs
For dress clothes I have them bespoked. Classic clothes never go out of style and I have odd trousers that look brand new that are a decade old. Suits and jackets ditto. You pay more up front but get a properly fitted product, well made, of superior material and workmanship that will last indefinitely.
Signed,
An MBA
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I don’t know how you guys keep clothes that long. Usually my stuff doesn’t wear out, it gets stains that make the clothing unpresentable in most situations. My last favorite pair of pants, a set of stretchy Levi’s 541s in “graphite” (now discontinued) were stained with white caulk on the crotch that made it look pretttty bad, and that was after only about 6 months.
I only paid $39.99 for them, but I was pretty bummed. I would’ve been suuuuper bummed if I had stained a set of nudie raw denim jeans though.
So yeah. Most of my clothing is firmly in the “disposable” category. I usually get a year or two out of my Levi’s and a couple years out of my button ups, though I rarely wear them for anything dirty and I wear an apron in the lab at work. My tee shirts get deodorant stains from heavy wear usually, or I get more free T-shirts that displace my less favorite ones.
I will spend some money on decent shoes though. I’d hardly say the shoes I buy are “buy for life” though, because usually super durable shoes are super uncomfortable. I have no idea how people wear RW Iron Ranger boots for more than a hour at a time. I have Allen Edmunds dress shoes that have lasted for 5 years or so, but I wear them about 3x a year so I’d be pretty pissed if they were worn out already...
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Full disclosure: I'm a lady. Hi!
I'm excited to follow this thread as I often buy clothes for my dear spouse (who happens to not be a lady).
We have slowly started moving towards "buy it for life at least the long haul" clothing. Overall, I recommend it, even if you start slowly (like, with kitchen items - I started with name brand hot mitts - seriously. Those things, at $15, seemed more expensive than my $0.50 dish towel, but come with 100% less burns.)
One caveat:
Doing this implies a bit of privilege, and some disposable income, which we currently have, which is why I felt comfortable starting. I understand the nature of this upfront expense is tough for some (like me in my younger days - I bought many a $4 cheap-cotton shirt back in the day).
Motivation:
I think, especially for women's clothing, (though I can't speak for the folks in the men's dept.) fast fashion has become the norm (including multiple rounds of "new arrivals per SEASON). Textiles are wildly, grossly un-sustainable and the size of peoples' closets has just grown exponentially, which has contributed to mass amounts of textiles in landfills, and they are shockingly slow to degrade.
This article, which is long, really got me thinking about the whole thing, and we're slowly converting:
http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/sustainablefashion/
Anyway, something about this resonated with me, so we are going for it. On to a few recommendations:
1. Without shame, I'm going to start talking about underwear. Oh yeah. ("Oh yeah" is exactly what I said the first time I put on a pair of Ex Officio undies.) Seriously, they make them for guys and gals and they have lasted for years with 500+ washings already logged. They look brand new. Plus, infinitely more comfortable than anything that comes in a Hanes plastic pack.
2. Return and various "worn wear" policies in general - REI, Patagonia, & LL Bean come to mind here. Not to be abused, but sometimes they will actually fix your original coat, which is much more fun and sustainable than switching you out for a new one.
2.5. On the LL Bean note, the LL Bean Boot - had a pair for a decade, brand new looking. Also, warranty is excellent so if by some accident yours are not, they will fix/replace them. Mine have gore-tex material inside: extra lovely for cold feet
3. Reasonable luck with Frye made shoes/boots - if they feel too silky or thin, no go, but if they seem durable, they are.
4. Patagonia Fjord Flannel Shirt - oddly specific, but also very durable.
We haven't had good luck on belts, under shirts, or oddly: shoe laces, so if anyone has tips& tricks, reply!
Caution note:
You can take this too far (into "I just love luxury goods" territory); I've had a coworker defend BMW's as "longer lasting" than my Honda - is there evidence for this? Not sure..... I'm also in the wedding stage of life, and if anyone else tells me "A diamond is forever" or some variation of "spending money on this megawatt diamond now so we don't have to upgrade later" (thanks, De Beers....)
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I don’t know how you guys keep clothes that long. Usually my stuff doesn’t wear out, it gets stains that make the clothing unpresentable in most situations. My last favorite pair of pants, a set of stretchy Levi’s 541s in “graphite” (now discontinued) were stained with white caulk on the crotch that made it look pretttty bad, and that was after only about 6 months.
I only paid $39.99 for them, but I was pretty bummed. I would’ve been suuuuper bummed if I had stained a set of nudie raw denim jeans though.
So yeah. Most of my clothing is firmly in the “disposable” category. I usually get a year or two out of my Levi’s and a couple years out of my button ups, though I rarely wear them for anything dirty and I wear an apron in the lab at work. My tee shirts get deodorant stains from heavy wear usually, or I get more free T-shirts that displace my less favorite ones.
I will spend some money on decent shoes though. I’d hardly say the shoes I buy are “buy for life” though, because usually super durable shoes are super uncomfortable. I have no idea how people wear RW Iron Ranger boots for more than a hour at a time. I have Allen Edmunds dress shoes that have lasted for 5 years or so, but I wear them about 3x a year so I’d be pretty pissed if they were worn out already...
Dark raw denim is about as stainproof as it gets. It's susceptible to bleach, but that's pretty rare.
If you get caulk or some sticky crap on there, you can scrape or even grind it off without worry.
Denim for me is area #1 to go for quality. Taylor Stitch jeans are like 100 bucks or under if they aren't selvage (which doesn't really contribute to the longevity, it's more of one of those telltale signs of quality - but the MBAs at Target have caught on so I wouldn't consider it such a sign anymore :)
Why? They look better, they feel better, they last longer, and you can beat them up as much as you want.
Often, stitching is a weakness that fast fashion completely flubs. Buttons come loose. Seams come apart. The quality of the thread, the design, and the execution all play a role.
Yeah, you can sew a button back on a pair of $40 jeans. But you're playing whack a mole. Sew a button back on a garment that's worth your time.
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Full disclosure: I'm a lady. Hi!
I'm excited to follow this thread as I often buy clothes for my dear spouse (who happens to not be a lady).
We have slowly started moving towards "buy it for life at least the long haul" clothing. Overall, I recommend it, even if you start slowly (like, with kitchen items - I started with name brand hot mitts - seriously. Those things, at $15, seemed more expensive than my $0.50 dish towel, but come with 100% less burns.)
One caveat:
Doing this implies a bit of privilege, and some disposable income, which we currently have, which is why I felt comfortable starting. I understand the nature of this upfront expense is tough for some (like me in my younger days - I bought many a $4 cheap-cotton shirt back in the day).
Motivation:
I think, especially for women's clothing, (though I can't speak for the folks in the men's dept.) fast fashion has become the norm (including multiple rounds of "new arrivals per SEASON). Textiles are wildly, grossly un-sustainable and the size of peoples' closets has just grown exponentially, which has contributed to mass amounts of textiles in landfills, and they are shockingly slow to degrade.
This article, which is long, really got me thinking about the whole thing, and we're slowly converting:
http://www.anthropocenemagazine.org/sustainablefashion/
Anyway, something about this resonated with me, so we are going for it. On to a few recommendations:
1. Without shame, I'm going to start talking about underwear. Oh yeah. ("Oh yeah" is exactly what I said the first time I put on a pair of Ex Officio pair of undies.) Seriously, they make them for guys and gals and they have lasted for years with 500+ washings already logged. They look brand new. Plus, infinitely more comfortable than anything that comes in a Hanes plastic pack.
2. Return and various "worn wear" policies in general - REI, Patagonia, & LL Bean come to mind here. Not to be abused, but sometimes they will actually fix your original coat, which is much more fun and sustainable than switching you out for a new one.
2.5. On the LL Bean note, the LL Bean Boot - had a pair for a decade, brand new looking. Also, warranty is excellent so if by some accident yours are not, they will fix/replace them. Mine have gore-tex material inside: extra lovely for cold feet
3. Reasonable luck with Frye made shoes/boots - if they feel too silky or thin, no go, but if they seem durable, they are.
4. Patagonia Fjord Flannel Shirt - oddly specific, but also very durable.
We haven't had good luck on belts, under shirts, or oddly: shoe laces, so if anyone has tips& tricks, reply!
Caution note:
You can take this too far (into "I just love luxury goods" territory); I've had a coworkers defend BMW's as "longer lasting" than my Honda - is there evidence for this? Not sure..... I'm also in the wedding stage of life, and if anyone else tells me "A diamond is forever" or some variation of "spending money on this megawatt diamond now so we don't have to upgrade later" (thanks, De Beers....)
I have several products from tanner goods, including a belt, and they are all very high quality. Far more durable than a similarly priced belt I have from a department store. Also, made in the USA. I’d like to check out pigeon tree crafting belts as well, looking for a black one eventually.
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Buy whatever clothes you want. Just be mindful of the costs/benefits.
That's kind of the rub. My heart tells me that buying high quality clothing aligns more closely with my values, especially when it comes to avoiding the "disposable" mindset (buy cheap stuff, replace it often). But my frugal brain wins out almost all the time.
If I weren't still in accumulation mode, I think I'd be more likely to dabble in "buy it for life" clothing.
That is the rub. High end clothing is probably better for the environment and definitely more ‘sustainable’ but it’s also worse for FIREing. Pick whatever you want but you can’t have both.
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I can make a lot of flannel shirts for $150.
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I searched but did not see such a thread here, but I'm almost certain there was one.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the several pairs of Darn Tough socks I bought two years ago. $20 for a pair is expensive, but they are indestructible, very comfortable, look good, and will last forever.
Conversely, I have a pair of Darn Tough socks and I am unimpressed with the durability. It took maybe a year for me to have patches which were so thin you could see through them. They did get heavier rotation than most of my socks, but we're talking maybe 4 days a month. I got annoyed and didn't wear them much after that. I should see if they will just wear through.
Edit: I just noticed I'm wearing the Philmont Tshirt I purchased in the '80s.
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I searched but did not see such a thread here, but I'm almost certain there was one.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the several pairs of Darn Tough socks I bought two years ago. $20 for a pair is expensive, but they are indestructible, very comfortable, look good, and will last forever.
Conversely, I have a pair of Darn Tough socks and I am unimpressed with the durability. It took maybe a year for me to have patches which were so thin you could see through them. They did get heavier rotation than most of my socks, but we're talking maybe 4 days a month. I got annoyed and didn't wear them much after that. I should see if they will just wear through.
Edit: I just noticed I'm wearing the Philmont Tshirt I purchased in the '80s.
Beings they have a life time warranty, essentially, in the long run, they would be cheaper than virtually any other sock in existence.
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...
2. Return and various "worn wear" policies in general - REI, Patagonia, & LL Bean come to mind here. Not to be abused, but sometimes they will actually fix your original coat, which is much more fun and sustainable than switching you out for a new one.
2.5. On the LL Bean note, the LL Bean Boot - had a pair for a decade, brand new looking. Also, warranty is excellent so if by some accident yours are not, they will fix/replace them. Mine have gore-tex material inside: extra lovely for cold feet
Just FYI...LL Bean changed its return policy: http://time.com/money/5141609/ll-bean-new-return-policy-changes/
L.L. Bean said the changed return policy is a result of “a small, but growing number of customers” who were abusing it and expecting refunds for heavily worn items that were years old or bought second-hand, according to a statement released by the Maine-based company Thursday. Customers will now have a year to return items with proof of purchase.
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I searched but did not see such a thread here, but I'm almost certain there was one.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the several pairs of Darn Tough socks I bought two years ago. $20 for a pair is expensive, but they are indestructible, very comfortable, look good, and will last forever.
Conversely, I have a pair of Darn Tough socks and I am unimpressed with the durability. It took maybe a year for me to have patches which were so thin you could see through them. They did get heavier rotation than most of my socks, but we're talking maybe 4 days a month. I got annoyed and didn't wear them much after that. I should see if they will just wear through.
Edit: I just noticed I'm wearing the Philmont Tshirt I purchased in the '80s.
Beings they have a life time warranty, essentially, in the long run, they would be cheaper than virtually any other sock in existence.
Does DT pay shipping both ways? Otherwise, it's cheaper for me to just buy Costco socks and throw them away when they get holes.
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I searched but did not see such a thread here, but I'm almost certain there was one.
Anyway, I am very pleased with the several pairs of Darn Tough socks I bought two years ago. $20 for a pair is expensive, but they are indestructible, very comfortable, look good, and will last forever.
Conversely, I have a pair of Darn Tough socks and I am unimpressed with the durability. It took maybe a year for me to have patches which were so thin you could see through them. They did get heavier rotation than most of my socks, but we're talking maybe 4 days a month. I got annoyed and didn't wear them much after that. I should see if they will just wear through.
Edit: I just noticed I'm wearing the Philmont Tshirt I purchased in the '80s.
Beings they have a life time warranty, essentially, in the long run, they would be cheaper than virtually any other sock in existence.
Does DT pay shipping both ways? Otherwise, it's cheaper for me to just buy Costco socks and throw them away when they get holes.
I’m not sure, even my DT socks that are a couple years old probably have 90% of their life left.
Another thing to consider is performance. About a month ago, I did a fast paced 5 mile run in 90 degree weather with around 80% humidity. Afterwards, I looked like I just got out of a pool. I pulled off my shoes, then my socks, and my DT socks were 90% dry. Regular cotton socks would be drenched. I showed my wife and she was also amazed at how dry they were compared to the rest of me.
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We haven't had good luck on belts, under shirts, or oddly: shoe laces, so if anyone has tips& tricks, reply!
A major problem I have with clothes and durability is that, by the time I figure out that I really like something and that it lasts a long time, it's often not available at stores any more. For example, my favorite summer undershirts are Uniqlo mesh tanktops. I have three left from 2007, which, to me, is when they were at their best. They've probably changed suppliers and subcontractors a dozen times since then, and the new undershirts they roll out just don't do it for me like the ones they had in 2007. I wish I'd known that then - I'd have bought ten.
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Haven't read the thread but BIFL clothes doesn't really make sense. Your interests and style will change and probably your weight to an extent. Yes you can have "timeless" pieces in your closet but the price tag of them doesn't really determine how durable they are.
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Haven't read the thread but BIFL clothes doesn't really make sense. Your interests and style will change and probably your weight to an extent. Yes you can have "timeless" pieces in your closet but the price tag of them doesn't really determine how durable they are.
In relations to fashion, price tag doesn’t always determine durability. I.e. I’m not sure a Gucci sweater is going to be more durable than a wal mart sweater.
That being said - in many cases, high quality, DURABLE, clothes will only be available at higher prices. Boots are a good example as I’ve spent nearly a decade wearing steel toe leather boots. $200 dancers last far longer and perform better than $40 wal mart steel toes.
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Nothing you wear on a frequent basis will last a lifetime. Simple friction will take care of that. Maybe a jacket. Underwear and socks? No. I have two pairs of Darn Tough socks I wear for hiking and they've held up well but they're starting to wear in places. They do have a lifetime warranty so I suppose that's technically buy it for life, since they'll send me replacements for free. The longest I've gotten out of a frequent use article of clothing is about a decade.
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Yeah, I think that with clothing -- as with computers -- only the high end and the low end are good buys. It's the middle range that's absurd. If you buy a pair of socks for ten bucks that last six months you're really getting screwed. Either buy your six-month socks for a buck or your lifetime socks for twenty-five.
But the reason I try to buy durable clothes has more to do with how much I hate shopping and deciding than anything else. Not having to shop for this particular item again for ten years? That's worth a lot to me :-)
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My local TJMaxx sells Darn Tough socks at more than 50% off. I don’t like the feel of them, but I buy them for my sister who does.
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Definitely interested in hearing more about jeans! Hard to find some good jeans.
Someone else can probably talk much more intelligently about denim weights, selvedge vs non-selvedge, raw vs sanforized, etc., and the effect on durability.
But when I scoured the clearance racks at the Levis outlet I did find various denim weights even among the same styles. One pair of 514's was very lightweight denim (maybe 6-8oz?) and another was medium (probably 12oz). I bought one pair of 508's which had surprisingly heavier weight denim -- my estimate is 18oz based on comparing it to a pair of 20oz denim I have in another brand. It set me back $7, and I expect it will last many years. Especially because it's too heavy to wear for much of the year so it doesn't get as much use as my other pairs :D
For me, 9 times out of 10 I'll choose a better fitting, more comfortable pair of jeans over a more durable pair. I haven't found one yet that checks all three boxes, regardless of price.
I buy 7 For All Man Kind jeans. They are priced at about $100-$150 a pair on sale but compared to anything else I bought in the past they last much much longer. Just about everything else would fall apart after about 6 months while these jeans that I wear just about every day last about 3 years plus they fit and look amazing in my opinion. After about 2.5 years the color seams to fade and they get a little bit of a stretch to them that makes them hang a little looser. So when that happens I look for another sale and purchase again. I keep the older pair as work jeans cause they are still in good shape. Something I don't mind getting filthy with grease or paint.
Unfortunately the last pair I received seams to just not be of the same higher quality as I am used to. I may have to start looking for another brand.
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I just picked up some fly and dry shirts from MJ Bale and they are amazing. Fit well and I just wash them at the end of the week, hang up and let dry. No wrinkles, no ironing (don’t iron or you ruin the special fabric), no dry cleaning. I took them away in luggage all rolled up, hung them in the shower, steamed up the bathroom and the wrinkles came out. Yes, they are pricey but if your job involves nice shirts and you travel or hate ironing and don’t want to pay for dry cleaning, these shirts are great. I’m hoping their the last dress shirts I ever have to buy.
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Does DT pay shipping both ways? Otherwise, it's cheaper for me to just buy Costco socks and throw them away when they get holes.
Darn tough doesn't pay to ship the socks to them, which costs maybe around $3/ pair depending on which socks you have. Also, they give you store credit instead of shipping you back the same pair. Still worth it in my opinion.
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One item I just thought about:
In 2008 I bought a light, Northface jacket for around $120. It feels like goretex. Not sure if it is, does say “Apex” on the sleeve.
This has been my go to fall, winter, spring jacket, except for super cold weather, for 10 years. It has no holes and virtually no where. I’ve worn it for everything.
Come to think of it, it is hands down the longest lasting item in my closet. I would suggest it to everyone.
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I just picked up some fly and dry shirts from MJ Bale and they are amazing. Fit well and I just wash them at the end of the week, hang up and let dry. No wrinkles, no ironing (don’t iron or you ruin the special fabric), no dry cleaning. I took them away in luggage all rolled up, hung them in the shower, steamed up the bathroom and the wrinkles came out. Yes, they are pricey but if your job involves nice shirts and you travel or hate ironing and don’t want to pay for dry cleaning, these shirts are great. I’m hoping their the last dress shirts I ever have to buy.
I have some express dress shirts. They look nice and fit amazing, but my gawddd is the material and workmanship cheap. Fortunately I only wear them once a week or so, otherwise it’s be worth higher quality.
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At the risk of being called a spendypants yuppie scum. Keep in mind that I'm an actual mountain guy and test this gear out in the proving grounds that are the PacNW cascades. Mountain biking, hiking, offroading and bushwacking. Although I certainly wear them to my office job as well I LOVE quality clothing that stands the test of time and outdoor use.
American Giant original hoodie, $75: I've got two, one I've had for 4 years and one for a year. The 4 year old one is not close to worn, I imagine I'll still have it in another 4 years. Thick, double material on wear points, beefy zippers, etc. These are built to last.
The North Face thermoball puffy: Get last year's on sale, use activejunky for 10%-15% I've had it for 3 years now and worn it all over the cascades and alaska Light, packable and a great all weather top layer (not waterproof, but dries super quick. Use a rain shell for real rainy weather)
The North Face surgent full zip hoodie: $70 (7% cashback on activejunky) I use this as general/office wear as well as for a top layer for mountain biking when it's chilly but not jacket worthy. It's awesome, I crashed tested it and it's held up.
Kitsbow Icon or Icon V2: $220 The price tag is shocking, but this works as a jacket for hiking, mountain biking or general adventure in 3 seasons. And it's durable AF.
Mountain Khakis slim fit khaki: $90 but super thick canvas, bombproof pants.Double stiched, reinforced at wear points (knees and back of the heal for instance) and just burly.
Darn Tough socks. Yeah, they're $20 socks but they're f'in worth it. Same with smartwool Phd.
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Besides quality you get your clothes to last longer if you take good care of them, for instance: If a small hole comes fix it right away, hand wash delicates, don't use too much detergent, use vinegar instead of softener, wear your clothes twice (if possible), don't use dryer, etc.
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The only clothing item I have that's anywhere close to "BIFL" is my jacket. It's a Columbia and my mom bought it for me when I was in high school, so I have no clue what it cost. But it's at least 10 years old now seeing daily use in the (Chicago) winter and it still looks brand new.
The rest of my clothes have worn out reasonably fast, but that's mostly because I have a pretty small inventory. I generally have around 6-8 shirts and 2-3 pairs of pants that all see use just about every week.
Yeah, I think that with clothing -- as with computers -- only the high end and the low end are good buys. It's the middle range that's absurd. If you buy a pair of socks for ten bucks that last six months you're really getting screwed. Either buy your six-month socks for a buck or your lifetime socks for twenty-five.
I feel like I've run into this with shoes. People talk about great shoes that last forever and are like $150-200. I've happily gone with $18 Costco shoes that last a little over a year, but then decided to get "better" shoes about a year ago for $50 and they are already basically trash (multiple visible holes in each), and I'm just pissed off about it.
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I like to get value for my money, which often (but not always) correlates with BIFL. Not all BIFL clothes has to be astronomically expensive, and cost often has little relationship to quality.
Among the clothes that I consider BIFL or at least extremely good value for money:
LLBean duck boots. I had a pair last over 30 years, although many of those years I lived in climates where they didn't get worn much.
Orvis Ultimate Khakis. I think I bought my first ones about six years ago and I still wear them regularly today.
Columbia PFG fishing shirts (the heavier cotton or synthetic ones). The first ones I bought are over ten years old now and I still wear them.
Alden, Brooks Brothers, and Church's dress shoes. In all three cases, I bought classic men's cap toes and wore them several days a week for many years and many resolings before the leather uppers gave out.
Wigwam ironman triathlete pro socks. They seem to last forever. I don't know when I bought my first pair, but it has been over a decade and still haven't worn through one.
Wood n' Stream shoes/boots. I've only had them for a couple of years, so I hesitate to mention them, but these are made in America boots (part of Weinbrenner, I think) that seem to have all the quality of Red Wings and I paid about $150 a pair (a pair of chukka boots and a pair of oxfords).
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Besides quality you get your clothes to last longer if you take good care of them, for instance: If a small hole comes fix it right away, hand wash delicates, don't use too much detergent, use vinegar instead of softener, wear your clothes twice (if possible), don't use dryer, etc.
This is the answer. I have cheap clothes and they last me for years by taking care of them just like it is mentioned above.
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Following for brands that are unisex and for my partner. I like to buy things that will last because it's better for the environment and they look and feel better along the way. I will spend more for stuff that I feel is worth it, and I'm trying to have less but nicer stuff in general. I've donated or gotten rid of lots of stuff that either isn't my style anymore, doesn't fit or wears out, so when I do spend more money on something I want it to last and be timeless. I also don't use a dryer, handwash delicates, and repair holes, so that probably helps things last longer.
I think Costco is a good source of cheaper but pretty durable clothes, Columbia makes great jackets for a reasonable price, and I just got Vivo barefoot shoes that seem like they will last and plus they feel great, but they were kinda expensive.
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I think Costco is a good source of cheaper but pretty durable clothes,
I am very upset the changed the cut on their Kirkland men's jeans. They used to be awesome for me. The size I wear in the old cut... now in the new cut is way too loose at the waist, and way too tight at the crotch.
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Dress clothes version:
Suits -- Brook Brothers. Mine are going on six years and counting and look great (although I've lost some weight and might need to buy some new ones).
Dress Shoes -- Allen Edmonds. I alternate between three pairs that I've owned for three years now and they look good as new.
Slacks -- Dockers. Can't go wrong.
Dress Shirts -- Brooks Brothers will give you a solid 3-4 years of wear, maybe more.
Belts -- Allen Edmonds. Again, the leatherwork is just as good as it gets.
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Just a heads up to do your homework. I went looking for a new pair of work/hiking boots last year. I use them in the woods for chainsaw duty, so they do get worked. My first round online just to see who has what and where to go found a good crop of potentials. Then I went to the stores. Contrary to what even current advertising might have you think, some of the premium USA made boots are NOT made in the USA. At a Red Wing store, I looked at literally every single boot style on display. Not one was made in the US. Bob's store has very nice Chippewa boots for a few hundred dollars, made in the USA. Get not much below this price point and it's made in the far east.
Now, I'm not saying that US stuff is flawless and Asian stuff is crap. But sorry....I did see quality differences. I ended up doing a local tour of the stores. I really didn't find what I wanted made in the US (those Chippewas weren't what I wanted.....heel way too high). I ended up finding some Cabela branded hiking boots in the bargain room, discontinued for a good price. Made in the far east, but for what I paid (1/10 what the Chippewas were), I'll live with them. They've worked moderately well.
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Just a heads up to do your homework. I went looking for a new pair of work/hiking boots last year. I use them in the woods for chainsaw duty, so they do get worked. My first round online just to see who has what and where to go found a good crop of potentials. Then I went to the stores. Contrary to what even current advertising might have you think, some of the premium USA made boots are NOT made in the USA. At a Red Wing store, I looked at literally every single boot style on display. Not one was made in the US. Bob's store has very nice Chippewa boots for a few hundred dollars, made in the USA. Get not much below this price point and it's made in the far east.
Now, I'm not saying that US stuff is flawless and Asian stuff is crap. But sorry....I did see quality differences. I ended up doing a local tour of the stores. I really didn't find what I wanted made in the US (those Chippewas weren't what I wanted.....heel way too high). I ended up finding some Cabela branded hiking boots in the bargain room, discontinued for a good price. Made in the far east, but for what I paid (1/10 what the Chippewas were), I'll live with them. They've worked moderately well.
This is definitely true. I mentioned mountain khakis above and while they are quality their branding makes it sounds like they're being sewn together by bearded mountain men in jackson wyoming. On the pants label though in TINY script under the big 'Mountain Khakis, Jackson Wyoming' lines is..... Made in China
I like to keep things local but with clothing it's tough. But there are quality products out of China, usually sold by a US company that is overseeing QC.
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Just a heads up to do your homework. I went looking for a new pair of work/hiking boots last year. I use them in the woods for chainsaw duty, so they do get worked. My first round online just to see who has what and where to go found a good crop of potentials. Then I went to the stores. Contrary to what even current advertising might have you think, some of the premium USA made boots are NOT made in the USA. At a Red Wing store, I looked at literally every single boot style on display. Not one was made in the US. Bob's store has very nice Chippewa boots for a few hundred dollars, made in the USA. Get not much below this price point and it's made in the far east.
Now, I'm not saying that US stuff is flawless and Asian stuff is crap. But sorry....I did see quality differences. I ended up doing a local tour of the stores. I really didn't find what I wanted made in the US (those Chippewas weren't what I wanted.....heel way too high). I ended up finding some Cabela branded hiking boots in the bargain room, discontinued for a good price. Made in the far east, but for what I paid (1/10 what the Chippewas were), I'll live with them. They've worked moderately well.
Red Wing Heritage Line are 100% made in the US. You were looking at the crappy non US boots.
I have 3 pairs of US made red wing heritage for dress boots, and 2 pairs of US Made steel toes, danners and thorogoods. All of these are quite a bit above most Chinese junk, but out of those the red wings are still a step up from the others. That being said, the American red wings aren’t “as much” work boots.
Also - its important to differentiate Japan from the other Asian countries. Japan makes a LOT of clothes that easily rival top American quality. I have not yet seen that quality from other Asian countries.
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Thanks for the suggestions folks. I will read through the replies more thoroughly when I have time. I understand the arguments on both sides; it's like the First Law of Thermodynamics--you can't win, you can only break even. As for the Second Law, that's more depressing...
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Iove Lululemon clothes. They're well made and seem to last forever. Plus they dry quick and wrinkle free. And they an athletic fit if that's your body type.
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I have had my Lowe Alpine waterproof jacket for 20 years now and still wear it regularly. The tag thingy on the zip died a couple of years in and I repaired it with a paper clip wrapped in heavy tape and it has been fine ever since. I guess it cost around £130 back then, but that's around 12p per week of ownership!
It can have a fleece zipped into it (fleece c15 years old) and because it's a little heavy but breathable it's brilliant on a cold windy day. Just think of the environmental benefits if everyone kept clothing 20 years!
I also have Crew Clothing Company pullovers that are 5-10 years old and I tend to buy Ralph Lauren Polo shirts, but these look like 5-10 years will be an easy ask, so for me the cost is not too silly. I still use my rugby shorts from 12 years ago for exercise, despite being 40lbs lighter now.
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I've had good luck with PrAna pants. They are great for our active lifestyle. I went canyoneering in a pair and tore the back pockets off, but considering how harsh canyons are on clothes, I think they stood up pretty well.
One of my best tips for clothing, is to be systematic with purchases. Buy less items and I can afford longer lating ones. I have a spreadsheet with all of my clothing items written down. Then I know exactly what items I have enough of, and which ones I can look out for a good deal. I choose a few stores that I like to buy clothing from, and then just shop their sales. I sign up for prAna's email newsletter and wait for their $90 pants to go on sale for $40. This Ted Talk on a 10 item wardrobe is my favorite. I haven't been able to trim down quite that much, but I would say I have a solid 20 item wardrobe with long lasting, high-quality clothes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3CLRL32Mcw&vl=en
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For over 30 years I've been wearing Brooks Brothers oxford shirts (model 132Q) like other people wear T-shirts. They don't last forever but close to it -- 500-800 washings before fraying, 200 for still-business-presentable. Most shirts last 30-50.
At $80 list, $50 on sale, they amortized really well.
Sadly, Brooks Brothers has revamped their line, taking these upmarket to $120 and making them of lighter fabric, still nice but I doubt as durable.
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I wear slacks to work and get them at Costco because no one I work with gives a shit what my slacks look like.
Home is a different story (although no one gives a shit what my pants look like at home either) but I own a mini-farm with 17 acres, animals, a wood stove and lots of stuff to do and fix. I have three pairs of Duluth Trading fire hose pants. They are awe-inspiring if you want pockets and durability. I rotate between two pairs during the week, then wash them over the weekend while wearing the third pair. I've been doing this for about five years now and have had to replace two of my original pairs which finally wore through. They are tough pants but a little hot in the summer. You can send them back and get replacements just for the return shipping but I don't play games like that.
Most of the rest of my stuff comes from the thrift store.
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Just wanted to add another vote for Darn Tough socks here.
I bought my first (and only so far) pair a couple years ago based on recommendations from this forum. They have outlived every single pair I have bought after them, and still look in perfect shape. Yes, they are twice as expensive as other brands, but in my experience, they last at least 4 times longer, and counting.
I have tried less expensive brands using similar materials, that were borderline plagiarizing Darn Tough (with a very similar mountain logo), but, even though they are tougher than other brands, they're starting to show some wear and tear. So, moving forward I think all my socks will be Darn Tough. The folks working for that company should be proud of themselves!
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Well, sales are everywhere. If to ask my wife, she'll give you a full list of sites which have sales, this list will be as long as the Bible. If being honest, she wrote them down on a piece of paper, and the first that's on that list is Seven. Deals. But if you're married, your wife should have such a list also, check her bookmarks. Ugh... these females. Why the hell do they need so many clothes? On this year's Black Friday she was like "Look, look how beautiful these pants are. And....OMG...they're on sale also. I have to buy them!". Yeah! As if in the rest of the year do not buy clothes which have discounts on SevenDeals (https://seven.deals/deals).
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I've got an American Rag t-shirt that I've worn frequently for a decade now and it's still in pretty good shape. In the last year I did get a couple of tiny holes in the front. I just bought another one a couple of months ago. I've got quite a few t-shirts from the same time frame that have fallen apart, or are in ok shape but were worn and washed far less.
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Darn Tough wearers - How does the quality compare to Smart Wool? I wear synthetic wool socks year-round (super sweaty feet - only things keeping my shoes from being swamps) and can burn out a pair of Smart Wool in about 2 years, and the less expensive Sam's band synthetic/merino wool socks in about 9 to 12 months.
I think Darn Tough socks are more durable, but wick less well than Smartwool. The extra durability seems to come from the increased synthetic, which traps moisture.
The very best socks I own are a couple pair of thin wool socks from Patagonia (10+ years old, from back when they made socks), and some Filson over-the-calf boot socks (also no longer made).
To the larger question, I'll concur with those who have advocated spending a bit more on denim. The environmental impact of denim made in the developing world is atrocious from everything I've read. I'll pay a few more bucks for denim that's dyed in the US or Japan if for no other reason than it's not turning some poor person's drinking water blue.
For boots, I'll agree with others that the Red Wing Heritage series is great. Also, my experience is that the made in Oregon Danners are still high quality.
For shoes, I also like Allen Edmonds, but my favorites are from Alden. Yeah, they're expensive, but I've bought several pair lightly used on eBay for very little.
Someone above mentioned Brooks Brothers dress shirts, which are my go-to as well. But, I'll add that the Stafford dress shirts from J.C. Penney's are way better than they should be for <$20, and better than what I've seen from LL Bean and J. Crew the past couple years.
But at least as much as the quality of the garment matters for longevity, I think figuring out an enduring fit is at least as important. I have a couple pair of pants from about 10 years ago at the height of the skinny fit trend that today just look dated. I doubt I'll ever manage to wear them out. There's a middle of the road slim-ish, straight-ish fit that would have fit right into a LIFE magazine shot in 1965, or a Ralph Lauren ad from 1985, or a J.Crew cover from 1995 that just seems to be enduring, and that's what I try to shoot for to make high quality clothes wearable for the long term.
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For $15 my wife picked up an old fashioned peacoat for me in 2012. It's holding up very nicely, though I am at risk for outgrowing it, and not because I'm so swole.
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I have a Boss polo shirt that I have been wearing quite a lot, it's at least 22 years old and it seems it may last another 22 years.
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Hello I am also a lady. I want to echo BocoPro's recommendation of ExOficio underwear. Fits well, wears well, dries quickly. Great if you're a bike commuter like me.
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I'm surprised no one's mentioned either Carhartt or Land's End. My ex did construction-type work and these always held up very well. My current husband does less physically demanding work, but threw a fit when all his jeans gave out at the same time. So I suggested Carhartt and converted him. He has two pairs of jeans that are holding up well (one small hole in back pocket from wallet that I'll fix) and several pairs of the lighter-weight pants in khaki, black, and gray that go well with his flannels, half-zip pullovers, or polos for office days.
Three out of four of us got new Land's End winter coats in the last few months during 50% off sales. My long, insulated stadium coat is the best investment I've made in years. I'll probably have it until I die (or retire someplace too warm to wear it!).
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I'm surprised no one's mentioned either Carhartt or Land's End. My ex did construction-type work and these always held up very well. My current husband does less physically demanding work, but threw a fit when all his jeans gave out at the same time. So I suggested Carhartt and converted him. He has two pairs of jeans that are holding up well (one small hole in back pocket from wallet that I'll fix) and several pairs of the lighter-weight pants in khaki, black, and gray that go well with his flannels, half-zip pullovers, or polos for office days.
Three out of four of us got new Land's End winter coats in the last few months during 50% off sales. My long, insulated stadium coat is the best investment I've made in years. I'll probably have it until I die (or retire someplace too warm to wear it!).
I don’t know how I didn’t mention my carhartt! I got my first carhartt jacket just over 9 years ago. I have worn it frequently in industrial construction over those years, and casually outside. The fabric near the hands was burnt up from helping a guy with some welding.
I have since got several more carhartt’s. Due to my work, I have been given/reimbursed for 3 more jackets, including an incredibly nice carhartt a few months ago that has carhartt durability but looks like a nicer dress jacket.
My wife knows how much I love my “original” carhartt, but the sleeves were on their last leg. She emailed carhartt and asked them about repair. They sent her a shipping label, she mailed them the jacket, and they repaired it with brand new cuff’s FOR FREE. Not sure if they always do this, but it further reinforced my love for carhartt.
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I don’t know how I didn’t mention my carhartt! I got my first carhartt jacket just over 9 years ago. I have worn it frequently in industrial construction over those years, and casually outside. The fabric near the hands was burnt up from helping a guy with some welding.
I have since got several more carhartt’s. Due to my work, I have been given/reimbursed for 3 more jackets, including an incredibly nice carhartt a few months ago that has carhartt durability but looks like a nicer dress jacket.
My wife knows how much I love my “original” carhartt, but the sleeves were on their last leg. She emailed carhartt and asked them about repair. They sent her a shipping label, she mailed them the jacket, and they repaired it with brand new cuff’s FOR FREE. Not sure if they always do this, but it further reinforced my love for carhartt.
Wow, nice! They also have a really decent veteran discount (which helped seal the deal with DH).