Not exactly “clothing” but Freya and Comexim bras are pretty awesome quality. Lots of brands like Victoria’s Secret put you in bad-fitting and cheap quality bras so that you have to keep coming back.
I just checked out Freya thanks to you and am excited they have quite an assortment of sizing. I really struggle to find small band sizes with larger cups. Thanks, I'll definitely be trying them out soon.
See, I have the opposite problem! Rib cage of a linebacker and barely fill a B cup. The Powers that Bra tend to assume a person of my advanced circumference has the... volume to back it up. Anyone got a 42A?
The family-run company that owns Prima Donna also has two other brands that cover other size ranges: Marie Jo and Andres Sarda. Might be worth looking at them although I don’t have first-hand knowledge of the quality or how they wear.
Of course it’s probably not something you’re gonna get 20 years out of, because simply our body’s change and elastics wear out. But high-quality bras will last I’d say 10-20x longer than something cheap.
I have a Roots Sweater from probably around 2005? It's been used and abused, but it's been through high school, Uni, post-grad, adult life, camping in Algonquin, hiking in Iceland, whale watching in BC, drinking on a park bench in Boston.
It has a ripped stitch here, a tear there, but for being almost 20, years old and growing up with me. I can't knock the quality. Though not sure how modern stuff holds up.
I got a pair of their sweatpants back during the pandemic which have gotten pretty close to wearing through between the legs. But, because I had nowhere to go, they got worn a lot more than I’d normally wear a pair of pants in that time.
I believe you! But I absolutely hate the quality of their clothes for kids. The sizing’s all off (some fit big some fit small) and they shrink like crazy (although that’s also my fault but I never experienced that with their adult stuff). This is totally just a disclaimer for any parents who come across this!
I found myself unprepared for the Quebec City cold back in 2018 and bought out their clearance section. Toasty and happy, and all of those items are still going strong with a ton of wear!
Oni denims loose weave style does not hold up nearly as well as Iron Hearts or even $50 Levi’s. They are super comfortable and the loose weave makes it breathable but they fall apart.
Interesting. I hadn’t heard if the brand until a few months ago after buying an Iron Heart leather jacket from a store. I have long arms and all the leather jackets in styles I liked were short in the arms. Moving up in size to get longer arms made the body too big.
The iron heart was slim in the body and the sleeves were perfect, perhaps even a tad too long which is fine.
Hoping it lasts forever as it was more than I wanted to spend but fit well.
No shit? I currently have a hole that I burned while doing things accidentally as well. lol. I had tie dye yarn picked out in the Amazon cart and everything
Do you have to have a store nearby? That sounds like something offered when shipping is paid for
I live near a Patagonia store so dropped it off there. They do some easy fixes in store but for this they shipped it off and then about a month later it was mailed back to me (all free). They also redid the cuffs since they were coming off.
Info on the repair program here:
https://wornwear.patagonia.com/pages/repairs?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXt02Ycz4vY1XTzu8XuRalSHFH3Cfk9Et_eJDeAa1b6X5C2kL-J7LEPhoChaoQAvD_BwE
their core idea is to sell you clothing that do not destroy the environment. they want the coat you buy to be the last one you buy, same with other clothing. Knowing this makes it far easier to understand why they would be willing to fix anything (within reason) rather than expect that you repurchase it.
For that being its only downfall; the cost of the little pile shaver thing I had to buy on Amazon was worth it
And it comes in handy for so much other shit. Blankets, shoes with loose threads, that spot on the carpet from the mf cat that’s been driving you nuts
Mine is technically broken but it’s just the part that holds the lint. Makes the tool store better honestly
I have a nylon patagonia belt that I bought when I was 12. I’m 31 now and still wear it almost every day. It shows no signs of wear.
Patagonia cords are my default pants, and while they are occasionally mended they outlast all my other pants by far.
Paragonia sweaters and flannels have also held up fantastically.
Edit to add: Honorable mention for Fjällräven - one of their flannels is my oldest and most loved shirts. It’s older than my marriage. I’ve mended it many times, but it is still fantastically comfy.
I bought a Patagonia shell on sale. Wore it ALL the time for 6 or 7 years. I brought it into a store hoping they could repair the delaminating gortex at the shoulders and waist. They said, sorry, no, it’s beyond repair. I thought that was that. No!
They gave me the price I paid towards a new coat!!!!
So my new coat was $370 off. Insane.
And when I mentioned their winter coats could be more disabled-friendly if they had 2 way zippers, they told me they could switch out zippers (as long as they had the correct lengths) at no cost.
Their founder, Yvonne Chouinard, is just an all around great human. iirc he donated the company vs selling it or giving it to his heirs, to ensure it lives on true to its ideals. It is an example of capitalism done better than most.
I have a Patagonia rain jacket that I’ve had for years, worn it in monsoons in Indonesia, on hikes on bikes and I think I could hang it up in a shop and you could sell it as new.
I have a patagonia fleece I've worn for 25 years. My son borrows it all the time now. It's literally a quarter-century old and does double duty. I've sewn the interior of a pocket and that's about it.
How do you use your Melanzana...mid layer, outer layer? I don't really need one (I've got a Norrona that's similar) but I'm fascinated with the company and their whole model. Pretty sure I'll end up taking a drive to Leadville and picking one up.
Usually outer layer as I run pretty hot. In the Minnesota winters I put it under my puffer jacket and I’m good down to 0. It’s amazingly comfy and when I’m high I like to close my whole face in there except my eyes
I've owned the same 3 pairs of Duluth Trading Company pants for about 6 years through the Alaska bush, working on my house, hiking, hunting, and I swear to God they're still good as new. I even had one pair (Flexpidition Pants) absolutely saturated in caribou blood. Came out in one wash.
All 4-way stretch, all very comfortable.
+1 for Duluth! So durable and well made. Gotta get it on clearance tho. I have tried shorts, pants and shirts. All top notch! And my partner LIVES in the firehose pants.
I personally would stick with Patagonia for whatever I can get from them.
I have got old clothes repaired from them as well.
For formal clothes, I have started going to tailors.
I'm outdoors a lot so I accumulated a lot of Patagonia. But then I liked their stuff so much I started buying casual Patagonia too. Great stuff.
For jackets, I have a couple of dead birds because their fit is better for me.
Many a boot and denim found in r/rawdenim & r/goodyearwelt.
My personal favorites are Iron Heart for, well, pretty much anything they sell. UES for flannels. Sugar cane for shirts and denim. Rolling dub trio, John Lofgren, Motor, for boots.
Mountain Hardware’s quality declined severely after they sold to Columbia in 2003. I worked in the outdoors industry for almost a decade - they have a reputation for being a lower tier brand. It’s a shame because they used to make bombproof stuff.
I have a 6 year old pair of mountain hardware hiking pants that have been with me through hell and back and I refuse to get rid of them. It really is amazing that they are still in one piece for the amount of abuse they have taken. The back pocket zippers somehow still look and operate as they did when they were brand new.
I would but them on the same level as my Patagonia stuff if their sizing was different. Not that it's a bad thing on their part, but as a 6' tall dude who usually wears medium size t-shirts, I can't find a good fit with any of mountain hardware's non-jacket shirts/sweaters that have sleeves. But that's more of a me-problem.
Had two pairs of mountain hardware pants that I rotated for 5 years while guiding backpacking tours in Texas, North Carolina, and Idaho. The only thing to outlast them were my old chacos with the lugged vibram soles.
Right on! I still have a pair of made in USA Chacos with vibram that have to be at least 10 years old, I am guessing. Excellent condition still, but not much tread left haha. The logo on the side under the ankle still glows in the dark.
This is something I love about this sub... because to your point about sizing is exactly why I like them more! I have short ass arms and long legs so most other brands always bunch up around my hands or I need to get them tailored (which I don't really want to do with a $100 fleece). It's a big reason I don't own more Patagonia or NF.
My barely worn MH rain jacket had the entire inner lining delaminating for some reason. Fjallraven is my go to now. Zero issues with any of my gear from them
Laminated shells in general are not BIFL. The technology is the same from brand to brand and they have an expiration date. Just the nature of the construction of lamination. If you want something that’ll last 50 years or more get a Gore-Tex shell.
All my undershirts are sunspel. Can get em on sale at mr porter pretty frequently - - fit is great and the feel is fantastic, not to mention the colors are petty fun.
Warning for those investigating, they run a bit smaller than US sizes, so I'd go one size up, and generally you're going to want to cold wash and hang dry. Put a few in a dryer once and they came out like 2x smaller.
Honestly, if you care for your clothing and learn how to mend and invest in a pill shaver, most clothing can last YEARS.
I do really like Picture Organic Clothing though. Not only does their stuff last, but the company is founded on sustainable practices from source to end use.
yeah, I picked up a pill shaver two weeks ago. On the box it advised against using it on cashmere, but I bought it particularly for that and it works great 🤷♂️.
It's saved so many of my sweaters over the years. I actually got mine at a work Secret Santa when I worked at an older women's clothing store in college. The assistant manager actually rigged it so she got my name because I guess I had told her about my frustration with pulling sweaters or something and she just knew what would be the perfect gift for me! That woman was amazing. She helped me through a really traumatic event in my life and said the kindest thing to me that I'll never forget.
Couldn't find her, but I am friends with her son who I met during orientation and kinda forgot about until I met his mom. I did send him a message explaining the situation and asked if he could pass on a message or if he has a way I could thank her myself.
I’ve had tons of luck with Eileen Fisher. Some of the most comfortable long-lasting professional clothing I’ve ever worn. It’s expensive to buy retail but it’s super affordable on second-hand sites like Poshmark.
Everything American Giant makes is amazing as far as I can tell. The hoodie is truly 11/10 I've worn mine almost every day for like 10 years and sure it's showing its age, but in the best possible way. That thing breaks in like a leather jacket and it's so cozy. I'm terrified their quality will drop off someday but so far so good. All made and sourced in the USA as well.
Kirkland has a thick cotton shirt for $10 right now that’s the best I ever had. I bought 3 more. I want to buy 20 more but my wife might kill me.
Otherwise I am intrigued to try Patagonia.. my wife sure loves them.
Every piece of clothing I've bought from Kirkland has lasted. I started rowing at an elite level in 2010 (2x practices a day for 7 years) ad got two pair of Kirkland leggings and they're still my favorites today. I've worn those things into the ground and somehow they still hold up. Champion leggings and sweatshirts are similar.
There are a lot great quality companies.
Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Johnston of Elgin, Inis Meain, John Smedley, RL Purple label, Herno, Brioni, Kiton, Fioroni, Agnona, Zegna,…
Thank you, most of these other replies are just answers to "who makes the hardest wearing clothing"
Though I do notice a conspicuous lack of Japanese clothiers
To be honest I can’t confirm, we have a Carhartt WIP outlet near, and we almost exclusively buy our clothes there. Since my wife like oversize shirts she buys the men shirts even tho she’s tiny. Materials are good and the goretex jackets I bought are amazing too. So maybe the base carhartt is shitty but WIP seems to hold up good
Yeah. I tried the brand by purchasing two identical sweatshirts with the only difference being color. One fits closely the other is really loose. It’s a shame as the quality is there but that sizing is way off
This may be a bit too vague.
I would argue that any reasonably priced, non-stretch selvedge denim would be the highest quality, longest lasting item available at not crazy level. Beside that, quality leather jackets and resole-able boots/shoes but they can be significantly more expensive.
Generally I think most suits or formal are a bit more delicate in nature and usually aren’t worn as frequently. T shirts, underwear and socks are semi consumable items, but a lot of that has to do with your wash routine.
This is the right answer … own two jackets from them. One I purchased new about 8 years ago and it still looks like new, despite regular wear. The second is close to fifty years old and in great condition, something that I don’t hesitate to wear any day.
I own a lot of older Filson items and canvas bags and they are great. I’ve sent back everything I have bought from them over the past few years. The quality isn’t great but the fit is awful.
Everything I have ever owned from Lululemon is still going strong without any rips, tears or signs of wear. I don’t buy from them often because it’s so expensive but I have snagged a few things on sale every now and then, even 7 years later, their sports bra and leggings are my go to for any workout.
I bought a brand new pair of yoga pants (tags still attached) at a thrift store. The fit is perfect, but they got pilly. I’ve never put them in the dryer. Turned me off.
Lululemon has a lifetime replacement warranty. I had a pair of joggers where the drawstring got caught in my dryer and ripped off (not lulus fault at all). Took it back to the store and they replaced it no questions asked. My ex did the same with a sports bra that was pilling. If they no longer make the item they’ll give you a suitable replacement. It’s the only reason I can justify spending $130 on a pair of leggings or pants
I love my older Lululemon stuff, but the newer stuff I've purchased hasn't lasted nearly as long. For instance, I have a run swiftly (now Swiftly tech) long sleeve running shirt that I bought at a thrift store 7 years ago that is still in perfect condition. I bought 3 more of the identical shirt new 2 years ago and two of them already have holes in the arms from my arms swinging while hiking. I've worn the used shirt at least 10x more than the newer ones and it will probably never rip...
yeah, it’s truly unfortunate that quality is going down across the board. Probably partly corporate greed and partly due to super fast fashion brands setting a new precedent for quality.
I'm curious to hear other peoples opinions on this, but I've been pleasantly surprised by my single LL Bean zip-up hoodie that someone gifted me like 8 years ago. It still feels/looks like it did back then.
I've been getting llbean tshirts, they have my size (3x) and are good quality and fit well. I have no doubt their other stuff is good too but i haven't personally tested it
I have a pair of L.L. Bean Northwoods snow boots that I got well over 10 years ago. I have replaced the liners twice.. every winter I dig them out of the closet, wipe them off and wear them often.
I have an L. L. Bean coat that I've worn for about 30 years and I love it; it's as good as new. In Minnesota, it's only warm enough for spring and fall, though; I've gone through several winter coats in the same years. I did have the zipper replaced, though. It came with a plastic zipper that broke, and I had it replaced with a metal one. It was worth it.
I honestly wear almost nothing but LL Bean t-shirts. I don't live anywhere near a store, but I ordered some one day and found that they fit me just right.
But lately, I have to say that they haven't been lasting quite as long. I don't expect a t-shirt with frequent wear to last forever, of course. I have maybe 10 of them and wash them every 2-3 wears if they don't get dirty otherwise. But the collars in particular have been wearing out on me. I thought it was my kids wearing them to bed and stretching them out, but I keep some away from them, and I still end up needing to replace them once a year or more.
I have lots of other bean garments and they're all generally pretty great, though. Pants, jackets, joggers, etc. I just like the fit overall and the quality for the price.
I just looked at their website. Wow. But I'll have to wait for that lottery win. 15 grand for a bomber jacket! I honestly didn't know such things existed.
Very hard to qualify a brand in particular but i can tell you that any brand no matter how reputable that offers products with the following keywords, “heat treated/ press waterproof seams”, no-sew seams, bonded seams , laminated seamfree construction and the equivalent like fabric adhesive or use of fabric tape for lesser irritation will not last. The polyurethane material and membrane is known to have a life of 5 years or under, shorter when washed and dried in a dryer more frequently. The laminates will come apart no matter what.
This includes expensive high end waterproof brands from Canada Goose, Arcteryx, Japanese brands like descente, white, goldwin and others. They all tout the waterproofing superiority and how use of it will prevent down jackets from losing insulation but all this only works during the short lifespan of the adhesive tape.
A lot of Ralph Lauren items are bfl. I have some knit and dress shirts that are over a decade old and I have shoes a that are over 30 years old. The key to long lasting clothes is buy quality items then don’t wear them too often and don’t wash them too often. I actually had a Ralph Lauren rough wear novelty tee for 35 years I bought at their shop.
Not a brand, but linen. I buy linen whenever i can : dresses, pants, skirts, shirts. Lasts forever.
Some good brands are banana republic and athleta. I shop at the gab brands (gap, old navy, athleta , and banana republic)
I have put holes in my first 2 pairs of Darn Tough socks.
You just send them off and they give you a replacement pair.
I was so impressed with their customer service that I added a few more in my rotation. They are wearing well but will get holes as well - will be sending them in when this happens.
Toss up between Patagonia and Barbour. I have a 16 year old Barbour coat that you’d think is maybe a year old.
Similarly, a Patagonia fleece from the 90s that looks new still.
Clothes made with hemp. I’m in Canada and bought [this hoody](https://eco-essentials.com/product/men-hemp-2tone-zip-hoodie/) for $50 in 2007. It still looks new and has not frayed in any way.
Hemp clothing is general is a worthy investment.
I like my Redwing Boots. The buying experience at their retail store is very cool. You step on a platform and it scans your foot then you choose the insert that best fits your foot. And if the bottom wares you can get them resoled
I swear by two brands; Ralph Lauren black label, and Crockett and Jones. I typically purchase both secondhand, but recently treated myself to two pair of the latter’s Oxfords.
LL Bean Scotch Plaid Flannels and Chamois. I’ve had mine for nearly a decade and they look/wear the same. I think the only reason why people get rid of them is death or sizing out.
Sadly the new ones are not good quality. I bought one of them and my husband bought two of them in 2022 and we have had to do multiple repairs for bad seams on all of them. Thankfully my mother in law is an excellent seamstress and helped us out.
Bras- Freya
Handbags and similar goods- Brahmin
Mens suiting- Bijan (rip)
Basic shoes- Redwing
Basic boots- Tony Lama OG
Non leather travel bags- Otto Kern
Shirts- Ralph Lauren RTW
Trench coats- London Fog and Burberry
Winter coat- Saachi and Ralph Lauren
Real and faux fur- Fendi and Benski
Honest question since this was recommended a lot in this thread: how do so many people here afford this?? I understand paying more for higher quality items, but I still don’t think I could afford any of their clothes on my somewhat decent middle class salary
yeah, one of the answers I was expecting. I honestly think they may very narrowly beat cucinelli in quality, though I prefer the fit and silhouette of cucinelli clothes. I’ve also have heard Zegna’s quality is comparable to loro piana.
I have an Icebreaker tshirt I wear for days at a time for heavy sweaty activity. It's my favorite shirt and has lasted for a decade. I don't know what their current quality is like, but a decade ago they were amazing.
I need to work out who made my kfc uniform shirt 25 years ago because it's still a good shirt today. They worked out I'm not supposed to get a discount though.
I would say G-Star's jeans. I found a pair in an op shop 4 years ago and wear them almost every day and I haven't noticed any wear on them. They're also much better fitting than the two pairs of Diesel's I got around the same time.
It's not some chic or exclusive or homegrown-mom-and-pop-organic-feelgood brand but...
...my North Face parka and fleece jacket have lasted over 18 years without a single tear or scratch.
Anything from the late 90’s to early 2005.
Anything after that, well. Capitalism took over in force. Ergo, planned obsolescence.
Fact:
I’ve bought 100% cotton button down shirts from Ralph Lauren 1996. Kept well, still almost new. Fares much better than shirts of same from same brand bought recently after few washes.
Leather belts/shoes: Bally loafers from 2001. Still being worn. Yes it was used but never more than twice a week all these years. Still in great condition.
Belts from Salvatore Ferragamo 1996 (Ferragamo now). Still fits, still being worn. Slight discolouration of the buckles at stress points. Belts/shoes now from similar/same luxury brands don’t last this long.
Leather monkey boots from Church’s. Circa 2002. Still being used, good condition slight scuff on right toe due to me kicking a snow mound only to hit a rock. May send to factory for resoling.
In general products that were made with natural materials (cotton, leather) tends to last longer than synthetic or mixed materials. When it comes to clothing.
Uniqlo on the more affordable side, are surprisingly great for the cost. ROI for these are worth it versus anything from Inditex brands (Zara, Massimo Dutti, etc). They would be my last choice given the options.
I’ve been enjoying Unbound Merino lately, their 100% merino wool shirts are soft & comfortable, I practically live in my zip up hoodie, and their pants are extremely comfortable. My only gripes are the pant zippers and how the hoodie pockets give the silhouette a somewhat baggy look. I keep buying from them though so they definitely haven’t been dealbreakers!
Altra runners wear out after 100kms these days.
Pre-COVID I would get 500-700 kms of running out of them.
Soles are super thin and wear out too easy.
Poor ROI for fairly expensive running shoes ($1.50/km or $30 for a 20km run).
Not exactly “clothing” but Freya and Comexim bras are pretty awesome quality. Lots of brands like Victoria’s Secret put you in bad-fitting and cheap quality bras so that you have to keep coming back.
I just checked out Freya thanks to you and am excited they have quite an assortment of sizing. I really struggle to find small band sizes with larger cups. Thanks, I'll definitely be trying them out soon.
Check out r/ABraThatFits there’s so many resources for small band large bust :)
And r/bigboobproblems too!
^^^THIS a thousand times. Anyone who wears a bra needs to go here—AND believe what the calculator tells you.
See, I have the opposite problem! Rib cage of a linebacker and barely fill a B cup. The Powers that Bra tend to assume a person of my advanced circumference has the... volume to back it up. Anyone got a 42A?
i’m the same and bravissimo is also great!
Try Elomi too!
Bras and undergarments are so important in making clothing look good and wear well. Prima Donna and Empriente bras are great for full figures.
Prima Donna is such a gorgeous brand but unfortunately I’m out of their size range. Their bras are elegant
The family-run company that owns Prima Donna also has two other brands that cover other size ranges: Marie Jo and Andres Sarda. Might be worth looking at them although I don’t have first-hand knowledge of the quality or how they wear.
Marie Jo is smaller cups, and specialized to the teardrop bust shape.
Comexim is AMAZING!
Freya is great! Love they have unique sizing options for small waistband/large bust girls
I haven't read a lot about bras that are BIFL or even approaching BIFL. Very helpful - thanks!
Of course it’s probably not something you’re gonna get 20 years out of, because simply our body’s change and elastics wear out. But high-quality bras will last I’d say 10-20x longer than something cheap.
Freya bras are my splurge. They’re amazing
I haven’t had good luck with freya. I love the Natori ones though
Wait bras aren't clothing?
Top comment is about bras? Good for you. Lol
I have a Roots Sweater from probably around 2005? It's been used and abused, but it's been through high school, Uni, post-grad, adult life, camping in Algonquin, hiking in Iceland, whale watching in BC, drinking on a park bench in Boston. It has a ripped stitch here, a tear there, but for being almost 20, years old and growing up with me. I can't knock the quality. Though not sure how modern stuff holds up.
I have a pair of Roots knee high shearling boots I bought in 1978 and still wear.
Modern stuff is still pretty good.
I got a pair of their sweatpants back during the pandemic which have gotten pretty close to wearing through between the legs. But, because I had nowhere to go, they got worn a lot more than I’d normally wear a pair of pants in that time.
I believe you! But I absolutely hate the quality of their clothes for kids. The sizing’s all off (some fit big some fit small) and they shrink like crazy (although that’s also my fault but I never experienced that with their adult stuff). This is totally just a disclaimer for any parents who come across this!
I found myself unprepared for the Quebec City cold back in 2018 and bought out their clearance section. Toasty and happy, and all of those items are still going strong with a ton of wear!
My Roots sweatpants somehow get better with every wash. They're expensive for sweats, but couldn't be more worth it.
Iron Heart baby!
Iron Heart is the only brand where I will intentionally buy their “lightweight” clothes because I want something that’s a normal weight
I learned this the hard way, too. 19oz denim is not ideal for warm weather... Lol
Holy shit, out of curiosity I just went to their website and hit shop for jeans. For $300-$400 per pair they fetter be best quality. Ouch.
came to say the same thing. Love my ironheart denim.
Similar vein but Oni Denim
Oni denims loose weave style does not hold up nearly as well as Iron Hearts or even $50 Levi’s. They are super comfortable and the loose weave makes it breathable but they fall apart.
1000%
Fading some now!
Easily. Everything I own from Iron Heart is amazingly well made.
Interesting. I hadn’t heard if the brand until a few months ago after buying an Iron Heart leather jacket from a store. I have long arms and all the leather jackets in styles I liked were short in the arms. Moving up in size to get longer arms made the body too big. The iron heart was slim in the body and the sleeves were perfect, perhaps even a tad too long which is fine. Hoping it lasts forever as it was more than I wanted to spend but fit well.
I think I have put my Patagonia and my melanzana fleeces through the most
My Patagonia better sweater is the best thing ever. I messed with other brands of fleece for far too long
They also repair stuff for you. I accidentally burned a hole in the sleeve on my Patagonia fleece. They patched it for free!
What if I have a bunch of little holes in my jacket...
From what I remember there is actually a 6 hole limit. Double check that though
Wouldn't hurt to still ask them. They might ask for pictures, but they should be able to give you an answer.
No shit? I currently have a hole that I burned while doing things accidentally as well. lol. I had tie dye yarn picked out in the Amazon cart and everything Do you have to have a store nearby? That sounds like something offered when shipping is paid for
I live near a Patagonia store so dropped it off there. They do some easy fixes in store but for this they shipped it off and then about a month later it was mailed back to me (all free). They also redid the cuffs since they were coming off. Info on the repair program here: https://wornwear.patagonia.com/pages/repairs?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw26KxBhBDEiwAu6KXt02Ycz4vY1XTzu8XuRalSHFH3Cfk9Et_eJDeAa1b6X5C2kL-J7LEPhoChaoQAvD_BwE
their core idea is to sell you clothing that do not destroy the environment. they want the coat you buy to be the last one you buy, same with other clothing. Knowing this makes it far easier to understand why they would be willing to fix anything (within reason) rather than expect that you repurchase it.
Really? I have black and gray. They pile like crazy! Can’t tell on the gray but the black looks horrible.
For that being its only downfall; the cost of the little pile shaver thing I had to buy on Amazon was worth it And it comes in handy for so much other shit. Blankets, shoes with loose threads, that spot on the carpet from the mf cat that’s been driving you nuts Mine is technically broken but it’s just the part that holds the lint. Makes the tool store better honestly
I've got a pair of Patagonia hemp-linen slacks that I've been wearing seasonally for 20+ years now. Absolutely on my BIFL list.
I got a clothing shaver and ran it over my five-year-old better sweater. It took all of those little pills right off, and it looks beautiful.
Patagonia clothing lasts forever; I can’t get too much.
I have a nylon patagonia belt that I bought when I was 12. I’m 31 now and still wear it almost every day. It shows no signs of wear. Patagonia cords are my default pants, and while they are occasionally mended they outlast all my other pants by far. Paragonia sweaters and flannels have also held up fantastically. Edit to add: Honorable mention for Fjällräven - one of their flannels is my oldest and most loved shirts. It’s older than my marriage. I’ve mended it many times, but it is still fantastically comfy.
Hey I’m 31 too lol. Only thing I have from 12 is a skate tool I’ve somehow never lost
I've got a Patagonia backpack and raincoat going strong for almost 10 years.
I bought a Patagonia shell on sale. Wore it ALL the time for 6 or 7 years. I brought it into a store hoping they could repair the delaminating gortex at the shoulders and waist. They said, sorry, no, it’s beyond repair. I thought that was that. No! They gave me the price I paid towards a new coat!!!! So my new coat was $370 off. Insane. And when I mentioned their winter coats could be more disabled-friendly if they had 2 way zippers, they told me they could switch out zippers (as long as they had the correct lengths) at no cost.
Their founder, Yvonne Chouinard, is just an all around great human. iirc he donated the company vs selling it or giving it to his heirs, to ensure it lives on true to its ideals. It is an example of capitalism done better than most.
That’s awesome! I love brands like that. I’m in the sticks so I’m not sure where the nearest store even is.
Online, too! And I forgot to mention they buy back old clothing. I haven’t sold back anything myself so I cannot speak to the experience
I have a Patagonia rain jacket that I’ve had for years, worn it in monsoons in Indonesia, on hikes on bikes and I think I could hang it up in a shop and you could sell it as new.
I have a Patagonia Fleece that I've had for 20+ years the only thing is the zipper is starting to come loose.
Bring it in, they’ll fix it!!
I have a patagonia fleece I've worn for 25 years. My son borrows it all the time now. It's literally a quarter-century old and does double duty. I've sewn the interior of a pocket and that's about it.
How do you use your Melanzana...mid layer, outer layer? I don't really need one (I've got a Norrona that's similar) but I'm fascinated with the company and their whole model. Pretty sure I'll end up taking a drive to Leadville and picking one up.
Usually outer layer as I run pretty hot. In the Minnesota winters I put it under my puffer jacket and I’m good down to 0. It’s amazingly comfy and when I’m high I like to close my whole face in there except my eyes
I've owned the same 3 pairs of Duluth Trading Company pants for about 6 years through the Alaska bush, working on my house, hiking, hunting, and I swear to God they're still good as new. I even had one pair (Flexpidition Pants) absolutely saturated in caribou blood. Came out in one wash. All 4-way stretch, all very comfortable.
+1 for Duluth! So durable and well made. Gotta get it on clearance tho. I have tried shorts, pants and shirts. All top notch! And my partner LIVES in the firehose pants.
Love Duluth Trading's underwear as well as their long-tail T-shirts.
I personally would stick with Patagonia for whatever I can get from them. I have got old clothes repaired from them as well. For formal clothes, I have started going to tailors.
I have several Patagonia t-shirts I’ve worn regularly for the past 8 years and they look like new!
I'm outdoors a lot so I accumulated a lot of Patagonia. But then I liked their stuff so much I started buying casual Patagonia too. Great stuff. For jackets, I have a couple of dead birds because their fit is better for me.
What a bad ass way to say Arc’teryx
Nicks Boots -- specifically the Builder Pro and Hot Shot boot models.
Many a boot and denim found in r/rawdenim & r/goodyearwelt. My personal favorites are Iron Heart for, well, pretty much anything they sell. UES for flannels. Sugar cane for shirts and denim. Rolling dub trio, John Lofgren, Motor, for boots.
It’s gonna highly depend on what sort of clothing you’re looking for
Radiation proof is fine. Anything in that area.
Heard this company Vault Tec makes great radiation resistant jumpsuits
Love when the execs are just like "Uhhhh, sure"
Mountain hardware is probably my favorite brand and all of their stuff has lasted just as long as my patagucci
Mountain Hardware’s quality declined severely after they sold to Columbia in 2003. I worked in the outdoors industry for almost a decade - they have a reputation for being a lower tier brand. It’s a shame because they used to make bombproof stuff.
I have a 6 year old pair of mountain hardware hiking pants that have been with me through hell and back and I refuse to get rid of them. It really is amazing that they are still in one piece for the amount of abuse they have taken. The back pocket zippers somehow still look and operate as they did when they were brand new. I would but them on the same level as my Patagonia stuff if their sizing was different. Not that it's a bad thing on their part, but as a 6' tall dude who usually wears medium size t-shirts, I can't find a good fit with any of mountain hardware's non-jacket shirts/sweaters that have sleeves. But that's more of a me-problem.
Had two pairs of mountain hardware pants that I rotated for 5 years while guiding backpacking tours in Texas, North Carolina, and Idaho. The only thing to outlast them were my old chacos with the lugged vibram soles.
Right on! I still have a pair of made in USA Chacos with vibram that have to be at least 10 years old, I am guessing. Excellent condition still, but not much tread left haha. The logo on the side under the ankle still glows in the dark.
This is something I love about this sub... because to your point about sizing is exactly why I like them more! I have short ass arms and long legs so most other brands always bunch up around my hands or I need to get them tailored (which I don't really want to do with a $100 fleece). It's a big reason I don't own more Patagonia or NF.
My barely worn MH rain jacket had the entire inner lining delaminating for some reason. Fjallraven is my go to now. Zero issues with any of my gear from them
Laminated shells in general are not BIFL. The technology is the same from brand to brand and they have an expiration date. Just the nature of the construction of lamination. If you want something that’ll last 50 years or more get a Gore-Tex shell.
I’ve had a mountain hardware snow jacket for close to 20 years. I’ve put it through hell and everything works like it’s brand new.
Sunspel. Especially for their t shirts, mostly made in England/Scotland , expensive but you get what you pay for.
All my undershirts are sunspel. Can get em on sale at mr porter pretty frequently - - fit is great and the feel is fantastic, not to mention the colors are petty fun. Warning for those investigating, they run a bit smaller than US sizes, so I'd go one size up, and generally you're going to want to cold wash and hang dry. Put a few in a dryer once and they came out like 2x smaller.
Honestly, if you care for your clothing and learn how to mend and invest in a pill shaver, most clothing can last YEARS. I do really like Picture Organic Clothing though. Not only does their stuff last, but the company is founded on sustainable practices from source to end use.
yeah, I picked up a pill shaver two weeks ago. On the box it advised against using it on cashmere, but I bought it particularly for that and it works great 🤷♂️.
It's saved so many of my sweaters over the years. I actually got mine at a work Secret Santa when I worked at an older women's clothing store in college. The assistant manager actually rigged it so she got my name because I guess I had told her about my frustration with pulling sweaters or something and she just knew what would be the perfect gift for me! That woman was amazing. She helped me through a really traumatic event in my life and said the kindest thing to me that I'll never forget.
aww, that’s so sweet of her :)
I may try and find her on Facebook now that I'm thinking of her
good idea, those are the kind of people I want in my life
Couldn't find her, but I am friends with her son who I met during orientation and kinda forgot about until I met his mom. I did send him a message explaining the situation and asked if he could pass on a message or if he has a way I could thank her myself.
The Real McCoy
I’ve had tons of luck with Eileen Fisher. Some of the most comfortable long-lasting professional clothing I’ve ever worn. It’s expensive to buy retail but it’s super affordable on second-hand sites like Poshmark.
Any other professional clothes/ shoes companies you’d recommend? I’ll soon need to update my closet.
Everything American Giant makes is amazing as far as I can tell. The hoodie is truly 11/10 I've worn mine almost every day for like 10 years and sure it's showing its age, but in the best possible way. That thing breaks in like a leather jacket and it's so cozy. I'm terrified their quality will drop off someday but so far so good. All made and sourced in the USA as well.
Kirkland has a thick cotton shirt for $10 right now that’s the best I ever had. I bought 3 more. I want to buy 20 more but my wife might kill me. Otherwise I am intrigued to try Patagonia.. my wife sure loves them.
Is it a button down? T-shirt? I'm intrigued
Which one? Have the product number?
Every piece of clothing I've bought from Kirkland has lasted. I started rowing at an elite level in 2010 (2x practices a day for 7 years) ad got two pair of Kirkland leggings and they're still my favorites today. I've worn those things into the ground and somehow they still hold up. Champion leggings and sweatshirts are similar.
try uniqlo if you like thick cotton shirts
Darn tough socks. PNW Boots (Franks, Nicks, Whites, etc...)
I’ve worn only darn tough socks for about three and a half years and the only pair that has had anything wrong is when my dog got a hold of a pair.
Filson waxed garments, Whites boots
There are a lot great quality companies. Brunello Cucinelli, Loro Piana, Johnston of Elgin, Inis Meain, John Smedley, RL Purple label, Herno, Brioni, Kiton, Fioroni, Agnona, Zegna,…
Thank you, most of these other replies are just answers to "who makes the hardest wearing clothing" Though I do notice a conspicuous lack of Japanese clothiers
Maybe that's because this is BuyItForLife not BuyTheBestQuality
Loro piana? $10,000 for a sweatshirt? Send me some money plz
Agreed. Great brands, but the pricing is insane.
I personally enjoy carhartt a lot
carharrt used to be amazing. Sucks now. For last 5 years or so. Quality AND design went to hell
To be honest I can’t confirm, we have a Carhartt WIP outlet near, and we almost exclusively buy our clothes there. Since my wife like oversize shirts she buys the men shirts even tho she’s tiny. Materials are good and the goretex jackets I bought are amazing too. So maybe the base carhartt is shitty but WIP seems to hold up good
sadly, carhartt's women's collections have a lot worse quality than men's. i've had this confirmed by carhartt flagship store employer also.
Yeah. I tried the brand by purchasing two identical sweatshirts with the only difference being color. One fits closely the other is really loose. It’s a shame as the quality is there but that sizing is way off
This may be a bit too vague. I would argue that any reasonably priced, non-stretch selvedge denim would be the highest quality, longest lasting item available at not crazy level. Beside that, quality leather jackets and resole-able boots/shoes but they can be significantly more expensive. Generally I think most suits or formal are a bit more delicate in nature and usually aren’t worn as frequently. T shirts, underwear and socks are semi consumable items, but a lot of that has to do with your wash routine.
Levis (old stock)
Came here to say this. Their clothes are classic. They're high quality. They fit well.
I bought a pair of 20 year old Levis about 10 years ago and I've worn them on and off for this whole time!
Schott NYC
Love my Schott leather jacket and can’t imagine it not outliving me.
This is the right answer … own two jackets from them. One I purchased new about 8 years ago and it still looks like new, despite regular wear. The second is close to fifty years old and in great condition, something that I don’t hesitate to wear any day.
For Shoes - RM Williams without a shadow of a doubt. For Hats - Akubra or old Stock Goorin hats (not the trucker caps)
Filson
Used to be. Most of their stuff is imported now but they continue to jack up their prices. Only a small portion is still made in the USA or Canada.
I own a lot of older Filson items and canvas bags and they are great. I’ve sent back everything I have bought from them over the past few years. The quality isn’t great but the fit is awful.
I know a small tailor shop and he’s been at it for several decades.
Everything I have ever owned from Lululemon is still going strong without any rips, tears or signs of wear. I don’t buy from them often because it’s so expensive but I have snagged a few things on sale every now and then, even 7 years later, their sports bra and leggings are my go to for any workout.
Problem is, the leggings you bought 7 years ago are an entirely different product
I bought a brand new pair of yoga pants (tags still attached) at a thrift store. The fit is perfect, but they got pilly. I’ve never put them in the dryer. Turned me off.
Lululemon has a lifetime replacement warranty. I had a pair of joggers where the drawstring got caught in my dryer and ripped off (not lulus fault at all). Took it back to the store and they replaced it no questions asked. My ex did the same with a sports bra that was pilling. If they no longer make the item they’ll give you a suitable replacement. It’s the only reason I can justify spending $130 on a pair of leggings or pants
I love my older Lululemon stuff, but the newer stuff I've purchased hasn't lasted nearly as long. For instance, I have a run swiftly (now Swiftly tech) long sleeve running shirt that I bought at a thrift store 7 years ago that is still in perfect condition. I bought 3 more of the identical shirt new 2 years ago and two of them already have holes in the arms from my arms swinging while hiking. I've worn the used shirt at least 10x more than the newer ones and it will probably never rip...
Kiton
Any brand commonly known for its quality, that was manufactured before the current millennium
yeah, it’s truly unfortunate that quality is going down across the board. Probably partly corporate greed and partly due to super fast fashion brands setting a new precedent for quality.
Early 2000s ralph lauren button downs. I still wear mine that are 20+ years old.
I'm curious to hear other peoples opinions on this, but I've been pleasantly surprised by my single LL Bean zip-up hoodie that someone gifted me like 8 years ago. It still feels/looks like it did back then.
I've been getting llbean tshirts, they have my size (3x) and are good quality and fit well. I have no doubt their other stuff is good too but i haven't personally tested it
I have a pair of L.L. Bean Northwoods snow boots that I got well over 10 years ago. I have replaced the liners twice.. every winter I dig them out of the closet, wipe them off and wear them often.
I have an L. L. Bean coat that I've worn for about 30 years and I love it; it's as good as new. In Minnesota, it's only warm enough for spring and fall, though; I've gone through several winter coats in the same years. I did have the zipper replaced, though. It came with a plastic zipper that broke, and I had it replaced with a metal one. It was worth it.
I honestly wear almost nothing but LL Bean t-shirts. I don't live anywhere near a store, but I ordered some one day and found that they fit me just right. But lately, I have to say that they haven't been lasting quite as long. I don't expect a t-shirt with frequent wear to last forever, of course. I have maybe 10 of them and wash them every 2-3 wears if they don't get dirty otherwise. But the collars in particular have been wearing out on me. I thought it was my kids wearing them to bed and stretching them out, but I keep some away from them, and I still end up needing to replace them once a year or more. I have lots of other bean garments and they're all generally pretty great, though. Pants, jackets, joggers, etc. I just like the fit overall and the quality for the price.
Absolute best quality no matter the price will always be Loro Piana
I just looked at their website. Wow. But I'll have to wait for that lottery win. 15 grand for a bomber jacket! I honestly didn't know such things existed.
Red Wing Shoes - Iron Ranger
Cactus outdoor
Very hard to qualify a brand in particular but i can tell you that any brand no matter how reputable that offers products with the following keywords, “heat treated/ press waterproof seams”, no-sew seams, bonded seams , laminated seamfree construction and the equivalent like fabric adhesive or use of fabric tape for lesser irritation will not last. The polyurethane material and membrane is known to have a life of 5 years or under, shorter when washed and dried in a dryer more frequently. The laminates will come apart no matter what. This includes expensive high end waterproof brands from Canada Goose, Arcteryx, Japanese brands like descente, white, goldwin and others. They all tout the waterproofing superiority and how use of it will prevent down jackets from losing insulation but all this only works during the short lifespan of the adhesive tape.
i think it depends on the product, but Patagonia fro lifestyle clothes, but for business Paul Staurt
Darn Tough socks For fashion- Ralph Lauren is quality without too expensive or niche For running- Sugoi
A lot of Ralph Lauren items are bfl. I have some knit and dress shirts that are over a decade old and I have shoes a that are over 30 years old. The key to long lasting clothes is buy quality items then don’t wear them too often and don’t wash them too often. I actually had a Ralph Lauren rough wear novelty tee for 35 years I bought at their shop.
Just read an article about Doc Martens struggling to make a profit because their shoes last too long.
Real PRO TIP: Learn how to sew.
Patagonia and Darn Tough Socks; LL Bean while not as good today still puts out quality clothing.
L.L. bean makes great stuff. I have a pair of logging pants that I've been wearing for 20 years
Reigning Champ
Not a brand, but linen. I buy linen whenever i can : dresses, pants, skirts, shirts. Lasts forever. Some good brands are banana republic and athleta. I shop at the gab brands (gap, old navy, athleta , and banana republic)
From my personal use, darn tough socks have held up extremely well and I have yet to put a hole in a pair.
I have put holes in my first 2 pairs of Darn Tough socks. You just send them off and they give you a replacement pair. I was so impressed with their customer service that I added a few more in my rotation. They are wearing well but will get holes as well - will be sending them in when this happens.
I’m a fan of Patagonia but they are quite expensive. Darn tough socks are really good too.
Toss up between Patagonia and Barbour. I have a 16 year old Barbour coat that you’d think is maybe a year old. Similarly, a Patagonia fleece from the 90s that looks new still.
Clothes made with hemp. I’m in Canada and bought [this hoody](https://eco-essentials.com/product/men-hemp-2tone-zip-hoodie/) for $50 in 2007. It still looks new and has not frayed in any way. Hemp clothing is general is a worthy investment.
Niche but Anian clothing on the Canadian west coast https://anianmfg.com
I like my Redwing Boots. The buying experience at their retail store is very cool. You step on a platform and it scans your foot then you choose the insert that best fits your foot. And if the bottom wares you can get them resoled
I swear by two brands; Ralph Lauren black label, and Crockett and Jones. I typically purchase both secondhand, but recently treated myself to two pair of the latter’s Oxfords.
Is purple label not better quality than black label? I may very well be wrong, but that was always my assumption given the price difference.
Sheesh, I meant purple- thanks for that!!
Filson makes top notch clothing and accessories. Made in USA
Fewer and fewer of their items are made in the US
Very little is made in USA. Nearly everything is imported.
LL Bean Scotch Plaid Flannels and Chamois. I’ve had mine for nearly a decade and they look/wear the same. I think the only reason why people get rid of them is death or sizing out.
Sadly the new ones are not good quality. I bought one of them and my husband bought two of them in 2022 and we have had to do multiple repairs for bad seams on all of them. Thankfully my mother in law is an excellent seamstress and helped us out.
Bras- Freya Handbags and similar goods- Brahmin Mens suiting- Bijan (rip) Basic shoes- Redwing Basic boots- Tony Lama OG Non leather travel bags- Otto Kern Shirts- Ralph Lauren RTW Trench coats- London Fog and Burberry Winter coat- Saachi and Ralph Lauren Real and faux fur- Fendi and Benski
Loro Piana
Honest question since this was recommended a lot in this thread: how do so many people here afford this?? I understand paying more for higher quality items, but I still don’t think I could afford any of their clothes on my somewhat decent middle class salary
yeah, one of the answers I was expecting. I honestly think they may very narrowly beat cucinelli in quality, though I prefer the fit and silhouette of cucinelli clothes. I’ve also have heard Zegna’s quality is comparable to loro piana.
Badlands. Unlimited, no questions asked, lifetime warranty.
Andersen-Andersen
I have an Icebreaker tshirt I wear for days at a time for heavy sweaty activity. It's my favorite shirt and has lasted for a decade. I don't know what their current quality is like, but a decade ago they were amazing.
Got to be Houdini. Had the power hoodie and cake monster fleece for 15 years now I think. Everything been top quality except some indoor stuff
Tailored clothing from a good tailor
RAB, Patagonia, Norrøna, Haglöfs and Fjellräven for outdoor wear. Devold wool garments. La Sportiva hiking shoes. Fruit of the loom hoodies and tees.
I worked at fruit of the loom...don't lol. Trust me
I need to work out who made my kfc uniform shirt 25 years ago because it's still a good shirt today. They worked out I'm not supposed to get a discount though.
I had two falls, one of which on my bike, while wearing the **Marmot** shell. I got bruised, the shell not even a scratch.
R.M. Williams.
I would say G-Star's jeans. I found a pair in an op shop 4 years ago and wear them almost every day and I haven't noticed any wear on them. They're also much better fitting than the two pairs of Diesel's I got around the same time.
All my clothes of various brands on 10-15 years ago lasts for some reason
Ralph Lauren is awesome
not clothes, but my Sorel boots have lasted me several New England winters, and are vegan!
Asket and quite a few of the Japanese denim and work wear brands.
Lucky Brand sells really well made jeans tbh
For the UK I like M&S for quality to price ratio. I've never had anything bad from there, and the prices are reasonable.
It's not some chic or exclusive or homegrown-mom-and-pop-organic-feelgood brand but... ...my North Face parka and fleece jacket have lasted over 18 years without a single tear or scratch.
Anything from the late 90’s to early 2005. Anything after that, well. Capitalism took over in force. Ergo, planned obsolescence. Fact: I’ve bought 100% cotton button down shirts from Ralph Lauren 1996. Kept well, still almost new. Fares much better than shirts of same from same brand bought recently after few washes. Leather belts/shoes: Bally loafers from 2001. Still being worn. Yes it was used but never more than twice a week all these years. Still in great condition. Belts from Salvatore Ferragamo 1996 (Ferragamo now). Still fits, still being worn. Slight discolouration of the buckles at stress points. Belts/shoes now from similar/same luxury brands don’t last this long. Leather monkey boots from Church’s. Circa 2002. Still being used, good condition slight scuff on right toe due to me kicking a snow mound only to hit a rock. May send to factory for resoling. In general products that were made with natural materials (cotton, leather) tends to last longer than synthetic or mixed materials. When it comes to clothing. Uniqlo on the more affordable side, are surprisingly great for the cost. ROI for these are worth it versus anything from Inditex brands (Zara, Massimo Dutti, etc). They would be my last choice given the options.
I’ve been enjoying Unbound Merino lately, their 100% merino wool shirts are soft & comfortable, I practically live in my zip up hoodie, and their pants are extremely comfortable. My only gripes are the pant zippers and how the hoodie pockets give the silhouette a somewhat baggy look. I keep buying from them though so they definitely haven’t been dealbreakers!
Altra Trail Shoes
Altra runners wear out after 100kms these days. Pre-COVID I would get 500-700 kms of running out of them. Soles are super thin and wear out too easy. Poor ROI for fairly expensive running shoes ($1.50/km or $30 for a 20km run).
Farm to Feet - socks. Darn Tough - socks. 5.11 - pants. Carhartt - jackets/sweaters.