Major apparel brands have cut corners in recent years to limit price hikes on shoppers, embracing lower-quality fabric and finishes to protect their margins.
You’re not imagining it: Well-made clothing is harder to come by. The U.S. fashion industry is having a hard time maintaining quality standards amid stiff competition from overseas rivals and supply-chain shakeups.
Twenty-seven percent of textile and apparel professionals reported that ensuring consistent quality was “difficult” or “very difficult” over the past year, up from 23% in 2024, according to a recent survey the product auditing firm QIMA provided to NBC News. ...
Clothing retailers “know if they raise the price, they lose consumers,” said Sheng Lu, a professor of fashion and apparel studies at the University of Delaware. While a basic wardrobe of clothing and shoes is essential, households typically approach such purchases as discretionary — nice-to-haves, at least relative to keeping their cars filled with gas and their fridges stocked with milk and eggs. And over the past year, consumers have repeatedly proved to be laser-focused on value, chasing deals and discounts wherever they can find them. ...
Julia Hughes, president of the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, acknowledged anecdotal reports of quality concerns in a statement but said that “for our members — well-known brands and retailers — they maintain the same or better quality requirements today. ”For shoppers looking for the best bang for their buck, it can make for a frustrating experience. To identify well-made clothing, Bishop recommends taking the time to examine each garment closely in person. Stitching and fabric are two key indicators of overall quality," she said, adding that heavier fabrics tend to be more durable than lightweight ones.