How to Shop for Quality Clothes 

I answered a lot of your polyester questions here: twitter.com/zoehong/status/1145655227535642627

My friends wonder why I don't want to go shopping in a group. It's because I will find something I like and then turn it inside out just like you have in this video and analyze: "is this worth my hard earned money?" That takes time and if they want to move on to another store I tell them to go ahead. However, I have a wardrobe that I am always proud of because I took the time to look over these kind of details. This video was badly needed, especially in the "fast fashion" mindset that has taken hold. Zoe, you gave a wonderful in depth selection of garments and what to look for. Thank you a thousand times over.

I love this! It would be really interesting to take 3 garments that are the same (maybe a satin blouse?) at 3 different price points and compare the quality of the finishes.

I would love to see you go over a GUCCI or Versace jacket and point out what does or dosent justify the price point. I know that with those brands your paying for the logo heavily, yet I still wonder if the fabric is top shelf or the same quality as I buy. If you have already done this and anyone has the link, please drop it and thank you.

I was worried this was not going to be applicable for men, but our queen delivered fashion solutions for everyone!

I sometimes shop alone because I’ve become really picky about the clothing I bring into my closet and I don’t like my friends rushing me while I’m inspecting clothing. I love how in depth you went into this video :)!

I'm just cracking up out loud at the nipple pocket observation. Oh yes, I've seen that dynamic when the shirt gets larger but the pocket does not. Oh my goodness. What are they thinking?

This video needed to be made so badly. Thank you. I’m old enough to remember the times before fast fashion, but I feel like most people today don’t know what good quality is, so this is really helpful.

This is why I make my own clothes and I'm glad I had an instructor that installed in us to finish our seams, press everything, to take our time and love what you make.

I could watch videos like this all day. Please make more videos showing the differences between well-made and poorly-made garments. This content is gold!

Wow! Even a picky person like myself did not consider all of these details. A grand thank you!!

i really appreciate a consumer that demands excellence and quality standards like this. thank you for the education

You can never go wrong with quality!!!! What a great video so helpful!!!!

Thanks, great information. As consumers if we want better quality, we need to not buy fast fashion.

a great video! as someone who can't afford super expensive clothes (although expensive =/= quality) and has to rely on checking the construction to buy decent clothes, this was really helpful. would you consider doing something similar for shoes and handbags? maybe you could bring in a shoe/bag expert to help :)

I started dress making classes and been using your videos for reference. Thanks for the tips!

This is GREAT. I was raised by seamstresses and learned to sew when I was young, but you know, I don't think I've ever been given such instruction and detail. I'm subscribing and saving. Thank you!

Thanks for the upload!! I've had to learn the hard way that expensive doesn't necessarily (see: my $200 Paige jeans that didn't last 3 months) so I really appreciate this content!!

Am I only one who felt like a student in trouble when she pointed out the bad topstitching?😂 I feel attacked! Lol!

I was recently at an H&M looking at jeans and the stitching on the "leather" rectangle on the back ran completely off and onto the waistband. Couldn't believe it was in stores.

My mom was a seamstress and taught me some of the same things when I would shop for clothes as a teenager. There were several times that she stopped me from buying cheap or badly made stuff.😄

OMG i have watched tons of videos on clothing quality but yours is the most informational! I've now realized a lot of thought is given to construction of these garments.

I finally know the proper name of many details and things. I've been schooled. Thank you!

This was super helpful, Zoe!!!! I learned a lot and acquired more appreciation to garments/products that are made well. Mad respect to all the amazing designers out there! Thank you!

A very nice topic. Clothes that are made with superior quality feel like a dream to wear. Your videos are always very informative and helpful and I thank you for your invaluable help.

Really great video. It's so funny how most people these days have no idea how to spot quality differences.

Yes, very educational. I shall pay more attention to my new purchases as well as check the clothing I now own. Thanks so much.

So informative and entertaining too. Thank you for such useful information. I’m going to timetable much longer into my shopping trips to give myself time to investigate every part of every garment, whether new, preloved or vintage.

When a piece of clothing starts to disintegrate by pilling, ripping, pulled out threads or going out of shape just by hanging in the store and people touching it occasionally, you do not want to buy it. EDIT: The here's my boob pocket! THANK YOU! Finally someone said it ❤ I hate these alibi pockets with a passion! I have a large bust and not only do these stupid little pockets draw attention to my bust whether I want to or not, but it's always asymmetrical because it's just the one stupid pocket! ARGH!

This makes me want to buy a blazer from the thrift store and tailor it. I think I will

Best educational video I've seen in a very long time. Subscribed. Thank you.

Yaaassss I love this! Your commentary is me in my mind while shopping. I'm obsessive with looking at stitches when shopping. And 😂😂😂 @ Boob pockets 🤣. Definitely would like to see more videos like this

So much work put into this! Thanks for giving examples. This was the most helpful video for me buying clothes to last.

Thank you Zoe. You've done it again. No bull and no wasted time. Just packed full of information for the higher good. Stay healthy, kiddo.

Grate tips, thank you very much. I will definitely go over it a few times and use some of the tips you pointed out here, specifically the reinforcement of the back pockets because I specialize in shorts.

I love your videos!! They give such a clear vision of what fashion is. I'm a fashion design student who ofter struggles with a lack of knowledge but these videos are really helpful. Thank youu

I've found you channel not to long ago, and I am kind of binge watching this. It is all very helpfull and interesting as I am trying to sew quality clothing for myself!!

Yes, very helpful. I learnt everything. I didn't know there was so much to know. I am now going to check my clothing and now I know what to look for when shopping. Thank you so much.

Thank you!! Very informative! Plz do a cheap vs well constructed handbag vlog!! Also plz share your recommendations for stores/brands to buy that are usually well made!! Ie Talbots has nicely sewn garments

This video is so helpful!! Makes me so excited to start TXMD school this fall, and then eventually start my own line of thoughtfully made clothing

Zoe, you are the best!! I am so happy that I found your chanel!

I love how straightforward you are!! In the first few seconds of the video, you jump into talking about the topic of this video; also, really appreciate each picture depiction and very thorough explanations with each point. Xoxo Zoe!

Great informations, thanks for taking the time to educate us it makes a lot of difference when going shopping! 👏👏

OMG ZOE can you do this type of video regulary???? PLEASE this is so imformative, i looove it! xoxo greetings from germany LY

Excellent info!! I've been seeing for decades and do all of what you said naturally. When one knows how much fabric generally costs per yard/metre there is NO WAY you can be ripped off by manufacturer's charging exorbitant prices for very simple or basic items. I saw a lovely bright pink jacket the other day, dirt cheap, but I didn't buy it for the simple fact that it already had a ton load of mini balls of fabric on it already, so searching for quality garments, especially if you can get it quite cheap, is SO worth it!

This video just came to my awareness, it's so good! I'm a designer working on a small brand. I went to school for fashion. The first rule I always have is matching the effort I put into something, to the material. I can make things worth thousands of dollars. Something I wouldn't ever do, is make those things out of synthetics without just cause. If I need a high quality outdoor item that is water-repellent etc, I'd use synthetics if leather wasn't viable. If I'm making a suit, I'm using some form of wool. Not even necessarily the best wool but A wool

Wow so useful! I was curious to watch just to be better at buying quality clothes for myself, and this video is invaluable. I am going to start inspecting the quality of construction of garments before I buy. =) great tips

Hi Zoe! Loved loved loved this video. It would be great if you keep doing series like this! Thank you for such a great video!!!!

Awesome video. Very informative but not dry to watch! I really enjoyed learning about my clothing I’m buying, as I’m trying to transition my closet from fast fashion to quality items. I would love to see more videos like this explaining how to discern quality. It’s pretty easy to just assume a higher price tag brings more quality, when in fact it’s not always true!

Ive been looking for a video like this for a long time! Thank you so much for the shared information 😊

I had an ex-partner that told me I couldn't make good clothes because I didn't have an overlocker smh. This person had never seen a french seam or bias tape etc, and thought anything but an overlock made the garments look "hand-made", lol, like that is bad. (FYI, no one could tell for a long time that I made my own clothes, including my ex-partner, until I started telling them and they got to now my 'style')

I am learning very much from all the info that you are giving

All this information will be helping me when I am making clothes. Thank you.

Really love how in depth you go, and also relieved that I am not the only person who thinks 'That garment is not worth buying the seams are rough edged' or the pattern/stripes do no match. Thank you for the 'pointers'.

Love your videos 💕 I’m learning a lot Keep it up 👍🏽

Really useful for design purposes too indeed! I would expect an extension of this video per category of garment ;) ... just saying :))) Thank you so much Zoe!

Just when we need it!!... We are preparing a brief know how to standardised workmanship tiering. Thank you Zoe.... Always... So easy to understand and USEFUL!! 💕🙏

Thank you for this informations. It will help make my construction and buyer garments definitely more thought out with my new understanding of good quality.

This is awesome please do more videos like these !!! I never knew I could use stitched in suit pockets Thanks Zo

This was so great and I always learn something from your videos💕

Of course, as always, I learned something new today, like the buttom space for the other fabric. I've always been aware of stitching as a parameter of quality in a garment. I think that offer the best quality we can is one of the best ways to establish a relationship of mutual respect with our customers. Thank Zoe, have a great week!

I'm guessing that I can also use these tips for checking production orders from a factory.

Really useful! Please make a second part!

Thank you so much for teaching me (us) please keep the videos coming and my god bless you for all your hard work 🙏😍❤

thank you soo much zoe we love you!!🤘🏽

Thank you for adding embroidery to your video. I do embroidery and I totally agree that there should be enough and adequate "Density" to cover the background fabric, but not too tight that it will pucker. Good embroidery should should texture, but need to lay flat. It should look the same in the front as well as the back. The stitches should flow within the design and not look like a Highway of hanging stitches. Same as the beading. I also look for clothes for ease of alterations if needed. Thanks for all the insights and tips.

this is THE MOST helpful video i’ve seen so far on high-quality construction

Ohh. This is really (really) giving the knowledge about garments. Thank you so much.

i wanna start making videos about this! u are soo good i love ur videos

I’ll be honest I didn’t know the technical aspects of shopping in this way or what to look for. But when you have a good eye for quality sometimes you just know and it doesn’t matter the store or brand it’s the piece. So I’m glad to finally be able to verbalize what I’m looking for. Thanks!

Yes!! I'm here for it ❤

Brilliant video. Thank you for all the valuable info

Great video. Gives very good insight about product quality. Now I'm even more stressed about my products' quality 😂

Extremely helpful, thanks so much

Fascinating!!! Thank you for this video.

Love this video! please do more videos like this to educate us.

Yeahh.. This sharing really gives me a great lesson to study about stitches and value of garments...

@3:8 it's funny ... Another great video ... You are my favorite

Yes, more videos like that, please!

This was really great! Thank you!

Thank you so much! Just amaizing video. Really educational 😊

Great video 👍🏼 thanks Zoe.

Wow such a helpful video! Thank you.

Thank you Zoe , this is so helpful 💯🧚🏾‍♀️

Great video! This will help me a lot in shopping ^^ Also, can you also make a video about maintenance/washing of clothes? Especially with different kinds of materials

Great video ma, watched most of your videos and I am loving what I am learning.. I am also a young guy that's going into fashion designing but still confused on how to be different, how to get inspirations for style... 😞😞

Thank you. Very helpful for the layperson

I used to work in a garment factory. So I am familiar with lot of quality aspects. So when I saw your vedio I thought "oh this I dont need. I already know this stuff. " but this vedio kept coming up in my feed and your thumbnail finally intrigued me to watching this vedio. I am glad I did. I learned so many new things and helped to remember things I have forgotten. Great vedio as always

Omg I’ve learned so much watching your video! I’d like to learn to shop for more quality clothing and I found this video. But I hate you for calling it a “boob pocket” but that is so freaking truuueee! 😂😂😂I love your explanation! Thank you Zoe!

Great information. Fun presentation. Thanks!

Thank you Zoe, very informative

Awesome Thank you soo much for this video!

This is great! What program did you use for the editing and narrative? Your voice is so crisp and clear, you must have invested in a really high quality microphone and filter. Much respect fam!

I'm checking out this channel for help with online clothes shopping! I have no clue what fabrics are best for long term

I saw an UGG 100% acrylic throw for like $200 or more. It looks like faux fur and the other sideline sheep skin. Almost bought it until i saw it was all just acrylic and was shocked.

Great video! Please do more of this

Hey hey party teacher!!! I’m here again.... 💕💕💕🥰

Hi Zoe, I know you might not notice this, but the past two weeks have really just been THE best weeks of my life. During my high school syllabus my parents never allowed me to choose art as a subject, but not too long ago they finally approved my will of going to art school (if I could get into one). Having not been to much art classes in the past three years, my artistic abilities have decayed a lot and my parents often question me if I really can get into art school with those poor drawings of mine. I wanted to be a fashion designer and my dad was always against about that, being a fashion designer to him is like being a tailor. I come from a family of doctors, double masters, university professors, and to my dad I was a shame that he didn’t want to present in front of our relatives. My parents didn’t even show up last week at my high school graduation ceremony. My mom was never a good help to me neither. She has anger management issues and I used to see the school psychologist a lot. One time the school found that I was getting beaten very severely at home and called the cops. To my mom that was more of my fault of me telling the school about my situation at home, than their poor parenting. During my whole art school applying process she would always tell me how bad my art was and laugh how dumb and stupid I look. She never provided me any support and my portfolio to her is like a worthless work that I put way too much effort into. The day before my baccalaureate exam she suddenly started beating me up, dragged me to the door and wanted to lock me outside of the house. I was wearing a big sweater and I had no way to escape her demonic grip. I had no choice but to quickly take off my sweater and run towards the hallway, I proceeded to lock her outside of the living room hallway that led to the bedrooms. She started banging the door, I fell asleep in my room while crying. Later when I got out to check if she had calmed down she wasn’t at home anymore. She had cut all my clothes that were left in the washing room and even my shoes that fell off while I was running away from her. I went to the bathroom, noticed some “mud” on the floor, and whipped it with a tissue. Just as I threw the tissue into the garbage can, I noticed that my mom had opened up every single of my skincare products and dumped them into the garbage can. The liquids and cream all came out, mixed with eyeshadow, makeup pigments and weren’t usable anymore. She also used a knife to scope out every single of my eyeshadow from makeup pallets. The “mud” that I saw on the floor turned out to be brown eyeshadow that fell out during the scoping. I couldn’t control my anger and sadness anymore and cried in the bathtub the whole night, trying to “rescue” products that still could be used. I was so angry and upset and sad. I tried to calm myself down and repeated to myself that I could not be let down at this moment. Anytime but not now. I cannot be beaten. Nothing will beat me. I didn’t get a single sleep that night. I went to the exam center with a heavy heart. Anyway, here’s where the good part comes. Last week I had my interview with the art school that I wanted to attend and not too long after I got home afterwards I received their response that I have been accepted. Earlier today my baccalaureate results came out and I scored way over the acceptance score. Everything just happened to be the way I wanted them to be and I still can’t believe it. Looking back at the times when my mom would roll her eyes on me and call me with vulgar language, I just want to show a big f you in her face. Look what I‘m able to achieve despite you never supporting me. No matter what you say or how bad you treat me, you still can’t beat me. And Zoe I really want to say a huge thank you to you, I used to watch your videos all the time back when I was preparing my portfolio. I still learn a lot from you and your videos are so helpful and informative. You have been a great help to me and you don’t even know how much I appreciate you. Thank you .

Love this video, very helpful information

Thank you for the knowledge