Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File for Bankruptcy

Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by dcchambers on Monday September 30, 2019 @08:10AM (#21114400)

Here's a couple I like that aren't over-the-top expensive or bespoke:

  - LL Bean
  - Patagonia
  - Everlane
  - Lands End

My general rule of thumb: Try to stick to natural fabrics (cotton, wool, linen) for most things. Synthetics can be good but most are really cheap.

If you're willing to pay a little more, there are some small shops still making stuff in America that you can feel good buying and will last a lot longer than your typical fast-fashion goods.

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by shantly on Monday September 30, 2019 @11:02AM (#21116074)

Once you get your sizing dialed in on a few "nice" brands (thrift stores are great for trying several brands, just go in knowing which ones you're looking for) you can wait for sales & seconds (shoes) & used (thrift stores, ebay) & overstock and such. Most are rip-offs at full price but are priced about right (still much higher than fast-fashion, but not insane) at 30-40% off, which isn't that hard to find, and are great deals under that. Now that I know my sizing in a few reasonably consistent much-better-than-fast-fashion brands I just wait for their sales, order a few pieces a year online, and the clothes show up. It's great.

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by BlameKaneda on Monday September 30, 2019 @09:09AM (#21114936)

I was looking for an excellent fleece to fit my needs, but I didn't want to spend big $$. I wasn't having any luck, so on a whim I splurged (a bit) and bought a fleece from one of the names listed above.

- I bought it from an outlet store so despite its high price it was still discounted

- It's incredibly well-made

- The "cut" of it is great, as in it fits my form really well

- Its pockets are deep

- It's warm

Zero regrets. It's absolutely one of my favorite clothing items and hopefully something I'll maintain for a long time.

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by dcchambers on Monday September 30, 2019 @09:30AM (#21115113)

Fleece is one of my exceptions-to-the-rule re: polyester. That said, there's a big difference between investing in a nice, well-made fleece jacket that you know will last many years, and one that is likely to get destroyed pretty quickly. I'm happy to spend 2x as much on the jacket if it will last 2-3x as long.

Especially because, as you mentioned, more expensive jackets are sure to have better features (bigger pockets, better cut/shape, and a higher-quality fabric).

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by shantly on Monday September 30, 2019 @11:04AM (#21116103)

> - The "cut" of it is great, as in it fits my form really well

I find it odd how much better off-the-rack fit tends to be on more expensive clothes (for men, anyway). You'd think that'd be one thing the cheaper brands could easily duplicate, and that the main differences would be fabric quality & construction, but no.

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by dragonwriter on Monday September 30, 2019 @12:31PM (#21117109)

> I find it odd how much better off-the-rack fit tends to be on more expensive clothes (for men, anyway). You'd think that'd be one thing the cheaper brands could easily duplicate

Cheaper bands target a wider range of body types per SKU, which naturally produces worse fit on average.

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by petard on Monday September 30, 2019 @09:03AM (#21114879)

Everlane touts themselves sustainable and ethical but there's a lot of greenwashing in their marketing. See also https://www.eco-stylist.com/we-tested-everlane-and-they-fail...

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by dcchambers on Monday September 30, 2019 @09:31AM (#21115127)

Thanks for the information!

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Re:Forever 21, Which Helped Popularize Fast Fashion, to File... by amyjess on Monday September 30, 2019 @12:29PM (#21117088)

> My general rule of thumb: Try to stick to natural fabrics (cotton, wool, linen) for most things. Synthetics can be good but most are really cheap.

For me, buying cheap stuff that has to be replaced often is the price I'm willing to pay for fabrics that feel comfortable and don't irritate my skin.

I absolutely cannot tolerate the feeling of cotton on my skin, and if I have a choice, everything I wear would be made out of rayon and spandex.

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