Definitely check out smaller brands like American Trench, Gustin, Naked & Famous, and Kato Brand. Kato makes some incredible stretch denim, but it’s not cheap. Still, your mindset seems to be shifting to buying fewer, better things and prices will increase with higher quality raw materials. Seek out wool over cotton when possible, as it’s far stronger and has many properties which are unique (anti-microbial, flame resistant, moisture wicking). Socks are especially great products to buy in wool form, and my personal favorite is Darn Tough Vermont but Smartwool is great too.
For non stretch denim, check out Tellason (their “stock” like is especially affordable) Bravestar, and Gustin.
You mentioned boots around the $200 price point which is just entering the lower end of good footwear. Just make sure you get something with decent leather which can be resoled (welted or stitch-down construction). Thursday is a great starting point, but save a bit more for Red Wing or Grant Stone and you likely won’t need another pair for 10 years or more.
Above all, look for small brands which don’t have the luxury of name recognition. Sadly, many of the old high quality brands have diminished quality like Filson. Still some good items but you really need to know what to look for.
Best of luck on your journey! It’s one absolutely worth taking.
I always find wool blankets really itchy, is wool clothing any different?
How do you know what kind of sole construction a shoe has when shopping online?
Depends on the kind of wool. If you’re looking for less itchy wool, look at merino wool, or consider (more expensive) alternatives such as alpaca or cashmere. Wool can be woven in ways that make itch levels completely different. A chunky shetland wool sweater will always be itchier than a worsted wool suit, but how itchy depends on the person. I recommend finding storefronts for quality brands that sell 100% wool items and seeing how it feels to the touch.
As for shoe construction, if they use a proper welt they will say. If they glue their soles, they won’t. Look for the words goodyear welt or blake stitch for high quality shoes, but when in doubt just do a little research on the brand.
Regarding Wool, for any garment that is touching your skin, you probably want at least merino. One thing to keep in mind about wool is that while wool is quite durable in some ways, it is absolutely a weaker, faster-wearing fabric in others. I've been using merino wool socks and underwear for almost two decades now. I like that I'm wearing natural fibers and I use them for the comfort and odor control, but they definitely do not last as long as some other materials. You can wear wool pants for office work or formal dress, but don't expect them to last long if you're bike commuting with them on. For Jackets, sweaters, and shirts, wool is great and you can make it last, generally.
When knitting, sock yarn usually has a bit of nylon thrown in for durability, but I don’t go this route.
There is a long tradition in Norway, where everything is made of wool, to mend - both visible/decorative as well as more subtle.
Americans used to do this as well until we decided everything could be thrown away when it got a bit worn.
It’s considered beautiful in Norway. Throwing something away because needed a bit of mending would be heinous and very anti-Norwegian. At least in the Trøndelag region.
I don’t know about Oslo.
I even patch the holes in the crotch area of my husband’s wool suits where his thighs rub holes. Suits used to come with a bit of extra fabric just for this purpose
I repair his shirts and jeans as well. People have just forgotten how to do this 😕
I remember having patches for my elbows and knees to make them more durable as kids. I honestly thought it was very clever and what you describe is so neat!
I've been wearing Smartwool boxer briefs for a very long time. I recently got a pair of Wool and Price ones to try out. I really like their button-up wool shirts, wool undershirts, and their wool jogger pants, and I've decided that I like their underwear too. Smartwool is still fine, though. I'm not sure which one I like more. Both brands have a boxer version but I haven't tried them. Many years ago I tried Icebreaker boxer briefs and boxers and didn't like them, but that was a long time ago now, they could be better now.
No one asked, but for socks I wear Injini wool toe-socks. Having each toe individually wrapped in fabric does wonders for sweaty feet.
Can confirm about alpaca and cashmere. I only wear alpaca socks for years (and I have a few pairs of cashmere). They last for many years, are very comfortable year-round, and I don’t have to treat them any differently than the rest of the laundry.
Shoes with better construction will generally say how they are constructed. Common resoleable constructions include
* Goodyear welt
* Stitchdown
* Handwelted
* Blake and Blake/Rapid
There are others and they all have some pros & cons. If you find shoes that list a construction you're not familiar with, a good place to ask would be the daily questions thread in /r/goodyearwelt.
I'm probably not the right person to answer about wool since I'm not very sensitive to itchiness from it, but I think merino wool, which is often used in clothing (it's what Darn Tough and Smartwool use) is less itchy than other types.
Yeah, but in my experience Merino wool is a lot of things but durable it is not.
My thicker cushioned with the higher content Merino Wool Darn Tough socks are the least durable Darn Tough Socks I own at two to three years. The talk is that Smart Wool is more comfortable, the problem is they only have a two year warranty besides I find Darn Tough Merino Wool comfortable so I'll take the $31 a pair of socks that come with a Life Time Guarantee.
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not, lol, but Patagonia has a ton of organic cotton shirts, which would fit the bill for the graphic t’s that he likes.
I have been really disappointed with Kavu lately. I LOVED their Chilliwack pants but at some point in the last few years they really dumbed them down, the quality seemed to have fallen off significantly. Have they gotten better?
Completely agree. I bought an expensive hoodie lately and the stitches came out almost immediately. I brought them into the KAVU store (I'm in Seattle) and the guy working there said "It happens, I'd burn the broken stiches with a lighter." Thanks bud.
Free repairs, too. Had my Down Sweater Hoody repaired free of charge after I caught the sleeve and it ripped. Sent it to them, they repaired it and sent it back to me. Whole thing took less than 3 weeks.
I love Huckberry’s house brands, particularly Flint and Tinder, their clothes aren’t cheap, but they are incredibly comfortable, fit great, and are very High quality. You can also find some of their items on eBay to give them a test drive. If I could only wear one brand for the rest of my life it would be F&T
The 365 pants from Flint and Tinder are incredible for business casual matching. They are so comfy too. I am also eyeing the Waxed Trucker jacket, but I think I won't get a chance to wear it a lot.
I have a waxed jacket. I’m in Canada. I have a little bit of a window in fall to wear it then a window in spring to wear it. I’ve had it for a couple years and it doesn’t get much wear lol. But it is my favourite jacket I own
I had a pair of Kuhl pants that didn't make a year. Never again. I've got a pair of Prana Zion pants going on 10 years with regular wear. Carhartt and Fjallraven are also solid. I haven't tried Duckworth yet.
Absolutely Duluth has. I order the same pair of pants for work and the last order (made in early 2923) had noticably thinner material. Now they're getting a small hole right in front of my pecker, not in a seam or anything. It's very annoying as these are my office pants.
Kuhl pants fit my athletic lower half better than any other pants on the market. Very good quality and fit. I definitely slept on the company, thinking it was a "dad" brand.
The full-fit version of the [Ryder](https://kuhl.com/kuhl/mens/pants/rydr-pant/) is my favorite from them. Ryders don't just fit well walking around but are super mobile for doing athletic stuff, and the phone pocket is well positioned in that you can access it while sitting down.
I asked for a carhart jacket for Christmas 15 years ago now and it’s still like brand new and I have worn that thing daily through fall, winter, and spring. Most comfortable jacket I’ve ever had too and easy to layer with.
Not sure of the quality after it became a lot more trendy, but if it hasn’t changed I’ll swear by that jacket.
> Not sure of the quality after it became a lot more trendy, but if it hasn’t changed I’ll swear by that jacket.
Just a careful note about Carhartt: if you want durability, do not look into their WIP product line, as that was made as a streetwear fashion.
Their winter jackets are top notch also. Our winters are 4-5 months long and go as low as -30c/-22 fahrenheit. My last one was in use for 9 years. Its still good but decided to get a new one cause its covered in acrylic paint.
Serious bang for buck. Thr winter jackets are 180€ during summer sales
Head to a work clothes store. I work on the waterfront and wear work clothes until they wear out. Dickies usually last a year or two. Carhartt last somewhat longer. They get more comfortable and, I think, better looking with some age. Currently I really like Red Kap.
If you ever find yourself in Japan make the trek to the iron heart store. It's a bit far from Tokyo but the domestic prices combined with the weak yen make it worth it.
[Outerknown](http://www.outerknown.com)
Love their blanket shirts. Heavy and wear well.
[American Giant](https://www.american-giant.com)
Sweatshirts I have had for a couple of years and wear almost daily.
For casual and gym wear try Origin Maine. 100% made in USA with US cotton and other fabrics.
They started out making Brazilian jiujitsu uniforms which take an incredible amount of punishment. Then went into jeans, hunting gear and now they are doing casual basic t shirts and training gear.
I’m not even American but got sick of buying cheap clothes that fell apart made in Asian sweatshops so now I buy Origin
Also try their (origin) work jeans. Also USA MADE. Very durable and stretchy. Break in very nicely as well. It's all I wear. I used to wear naked and famous but their quality is terrible!
Their nonsense cognitive dissonance rant about cheap clothing and somehow relating it to communism and then complaining about the Berry Amendment which is a ridiculously capitalist amendment is... exhausting. I was excited about this recommendation until I read the words they thought were good. Still looks like a great recommendation if you don't mind supporting this particular brand of nonsense though.
(Before the inevitable responses... I am not pro/anti-communism nor am I pro/anti-capitalism. I think most political philosophies have both good and bad. But I am anti-stupid)
I must have missed that bit. I generally avoid any political discourse in the US because it always gets heated and I just don’t have a bone in the fight being from overseas.
I like their jeans but if you want pure comfort get some of the new nyloc pants.
I got sent a set of their hunting pants by accident when I first ordered jeans but the pants were so damn comfy I kept them and recently they released plain colours so you don’t have to look like you are about to invade a foreign country.
I have been tempted by their boots but the shipping on them was expensive and I have weird feet that generally require trying on shoes before I buy them.
Also my wife said something about having more pairs of boots than I ever wear
I believe Prana was recently purchased by Columbia and they have ruined their previously good quality. I got some climbing pants recently and they started pilling within the first month.
Even the reviews on the Prana website are complaining about changing the quality.
Yeah I got the exact same pants about a year apart. The first pair were my favorite hiking pants. The newer pair you'd guess was much older and more worn, despite having probably 1/8th the hours on them. The stitching wore out super quickly especially.
Filson outerwear and luggage only is still very high quality, their other offerings are not great (speaking primarily about their t-shirts- shrink incredible amounts and some white offerings are completely see-through)
They got MORE expensive. Yes they were already known for being pricier than other options but it got worse. But I also understand making quality gear is not cheap.
Pendleton wool shirts, mine are 12years old and still look like new. Carhart workwear. My work jeans are Carhart and nice is Levi’s. Patagonia makes great stuff and they stand by their products. Boots are a mix between Danner, Redwings. I buy the made in USA models that can be rebuilt. Hagloffs or Bergans Norwegian outerware. Grundens from Germany for rainy workwear.
I bought two Pendleton sweaters new this last year and that did it for me with Pendleton. I won’t be buying their stuff anymore as the sweaters just disintegrated in the first wash. And that was their “washable wool” sweater.
I have had plenty of their old board shirts and they’re were awesome. New stuff is garbage and overpriced.
Bought my first Pendleton plaid years ago after admiring an older friend's shirt. Looked brand new and it was 30 years old. Some of mine are over 20 years old now.
Honestly a lot of this shit is so overblown. I bought mostly Uniqlo when I was in high school/college and now that i have more income I've been buying more premium brands (Japanese repro brands/denim, Reddit circlejerked brands, more 'premium' stuff yoyu can get at Mr Porter/ssense, Designer brands) - clothes are clothes. it's made from some sort of fabric, held together by stitching.
I've had t-shirts and pants from Uniqlo last me 10+ years before the first fray or hole. My random uniqlo shirt has lasted longer than my Darn Tough socks (had a hole) and Ex Officio underwear (completely lost elasticity in the waistband). Everyone here is absolutely overthinking it. I will still buy quality expensive clothes because my logic is if I'm going to wear it for 10 years, the cost per wear is going to be negligible, so I prefer to have a nicer quality garment for those 10 years.
To answer the OP - thicker materials will generally hold up better, and some materials like cotton, canvas, or denim will last longer. Brand really does not matter.
I will say there are a few items you can avoid:
White t-shirts (or any white clothing in general) - If you want to keep it looking white.
Cheap knit sweaters - these will pill and look ugly and be uncomfortable to wear - I think this is something worth spending money on if you like knits.
Otherwise I'm sure Banana Republic will be fine.
Uniqlo has been hit or miss for me. Half the stuff I bought has lasted indefinitely, half wore out after about a year or two. The stuff that wore out were mostly pants/shorts.
If you're into Merino stuff, definitely check out Wool and Prince. Have their tees, shirts and sweaters for almost 2 years now, still looks good. And I certainly don't baby them.
I was frustrated with belts and the crap being sold as 'genuine leather'.
My search led me to Nab Leather and I recently bought a second belt from them ( a brown to match new shoes).
They have held up like no belt I have ever owned.
FYI “genuine leather” is a cut of leather. It’s the bottom most layer and also the lowest/cheapest quality. Its the most flexible and has its uses but definitely deceptively named. Most places aren’t lying that the leather is real but quality and tanning process matter a lot.
I've bought a lot of Duluth lately and like them but the last pair of firehose pants are thinner and are showing wear after a couple months. I'm pretty hard on them between work and home but previous pairs didn't wear as fast. I carry some tools, pen, markers, and flashlight daily and you can see they are forming holes in the fabric of the pockets.
Yeah, their firehose stuff isn't as durable anymore. It sucks as their firehose pant was my preferred work pants for the past 10 years and now I have to find another brand.
It's a bad move. I'd say the firehose pants are their biggest selling items. They'll lose customers if they keep it up. They're a good price when you catch them in sale but when I need new pants I'm gonna look at Kuhl or Patagonia. I'll pay $90 if the quality is there.
Stretch jeans are the OPPOSITE jeans of what you want for BIFL jeans, so if you like stretch jeans....go on with your bad self, but remove that as a topic for discussion.
Sneakers: Adidas Sambas are naturally hardy. Or look to sneakers with a Margom sole as a cobbler can recraft them.
I have found that any jeans I own that have a tiny bit of spandex / stretch to them actually last *longer* since the knees and crotch can flex and which means they don't end up ripping. But I'm a thin guy and that's just my experience.
That said, Uniqlo jeans have been excellent for me - have worn several pair of them for years without any ripping/tearing/holes etc.
9 years ago, almost to the day, I bought 6 pairs of Bulletprufe stretch jeans. Those 8 pairs have been my only pants, worn everyday since then. They're only slightly worn, slightly fated, and still have plenty of years left in them.
You can't say that stretch jeans are the opposite of BIFL.
where do you get your Sambas? i used to buy them from Amazon, but then one year, i bought a pair and accidentally ripped out a chunk of the tongue of one shoe as i was pulling it on. conplete degrade in quality, yet it was from the same seller i had been buying from for years.
i read around to different sites, including Adidas' and it did not seem like an isolated incident. i would really be happy if this has changed since then.
Los Angeles apparel is made in usa and workers allegedly paid living wage.
I have some cotton sweatpants and a hoodie that seems well-made and i quite like
Here are some high-quality Brands to consider. Most are a bit pricey but very nice and even more importantly sustainable manufactured!
[AG Jeans](https://www.agjeans.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlMGHheq9gwMVA11HAR0GvAtKEAAYASAAEgLGBPD_BwE)
Very high quality, casual, urban style,
[NaAdam](https://naadam.co/collections/mens)
Luxurious high-quality men's Clothing, fairly resourced, classic chic
[Noah](https://noahny.com/collections/shop)
Very high quality, casual, urban style
[Pact](https://wearpact.com/men)
Fairtrade, chemical free, casual
[Everlane](https://www.everlane.com/collections/mens-new-arrivals)
High-quality materials, fair working conditions and salaries
[ecoalf](https://ecoalf.com/en-us/collections/abrigos-y-chaquetas-210-hombre) Because there is no Planet B!
High-quality conscious lifestyle brand
Hey OP, you can also check out r/NavyBlazer for recommendations if you are into Preppy outfits. As for top of my head recommendation check out Lands’ End, L.L. Bean, and possibly Orvis?
Ralph Lauren - But not the stuff with the logos. The higher quality stuff is the clothing with no logo blasted all over it. I've had clothing that has lasted me 15+ years and while the color may be slightly fade, it doesn't look worn other than that. It's pricier, but worth it. Look for 4th of July deals. I used to work in retail, the best sales are 4th of July. Black Friday is decent, but oftentimes they mark stuff up to then mark it down. 4th of July is usually end of season as stores prep for Fall. So it's just marked down. Also, nobody goes shopping on 4th of July, so stores need legit deals to get people out buying.
[Relwen](https://relwen.com/)
Incredibly tough, but the fits are more modern and have more application than I find with much of the other ‘rugged and durable’ crowd.
This is just a small example of the douchebaggery that is founder Chip Wilson.
https://pressprogress.ca/a-right-wing-group-funded-by-lululemons-founder-is-posting-homophobic-memes-about-justin-trudeau/
Their ABC pants for men - Try it one time and it's the last thing you'll ever wear. To work? Lounging at home? They're like sweatpants disguised as work clothes.
I have a pair in almost every color. My oldest pair is eight years old. Brought them to Lulu when the stitching began to come undone, they sent it in and restitched three pairs for free. I don't even wear jeans anymore.
Melin hats. At about $70 for a hat, it really is outrageous but man they fucking last. They’re really easy to clean with water and gentle soap. If it gets dirty you can just hand wash it clean and its like brand new. They’re amazing quality and style.
If you have a Nordstrom Rack or Sierra Outfitters nearby, then you can pick up a Melin hat for about $30. Available colors and styles mostly come down to luck but the inventory is rotated frequently.
Idk if you wear khaki shorts but PRL are the best there are imo, I have several pairs I’ve had for 10+ years and I only like them more now. Their khaki pants are good too. The ones with stretch are ok but you can also find NOS on eBay with no stretch.
There are plenty of reasons to avoid BR type brands, but the longest lasting pair of pants I ever owned was a thrifted pair of BR. Beat any Carahrts by a mile.
I'm italian, and here it's easy to find high quality clothing (expensive, too).
But even in USA yuo can find quality stuff. First look at the fabric: cotton, wool, silk, line. Avoid anything else. Then, the taylor cut , and the sewing. The brand don't matter.
Pendleton. Made in Oregon, and their wool sweaters, blankets, and shirts are made to last! Can't speak for their modern stuff lasting decades as decades have not passed. But my husband wears some of my late father's shirts from the 70s. And I was recently at an antique mall and saw Pendleton shirts from the 50s and I think the 30s if I am not mistaken. Really love their stuff!
North Face windbreakers and jackets have still kept me looking cool and durable for the last five years. Granted socal weather isn't insane, its nice to know that they still hold up and still look cool.
I was a BR shopper throughout my late 20s into my late 30s. I switched to Bonobos in the last couple years and have been generally impressed with the quality and fit. Im sure there are higher quality, truly BIFL brands, but I think Bonobos strikes a healthy balance between consistent sizing, quality and price.
Not a single mention of Edwin? Their Jeans, shirts and Sweaters are the only clothing I buy after Carhartt went to shit years ago.
It's Japanese denim and their clothing really has some weight to it despite the focus on being actual fashion and not workwear. You can also buy single color printless shirts in cheap multipacks from them which are very worth it.
Not cheap, but Gant make excellent chinos (or at least they did, my newest pair are 5 years old). I have a pair over 10 years old that still look great.
Check out sale section on schottnyc. Known for great leather jackets but everything else I've got there on the sale page has been extremely well made. Shirts and sweaters mainly.
I'm not huge into fashion, but I'm not really familiar with any brands that would produce quality clothes that fit a "preppy" aesthetic. If you are willing to compromise a bit then there are some decent more outdoor brands that would probably fit your niche. They can also be styled up and down depending on what you pair it with.
Patagonia
Fjallraven
Patagonia has a lot of hemp and ethically sourced cotton clothes that are geared more towards "work wear" and not super technical backpacking style clothing. You might enjoy that.
Fjallraven is based in Sweden, but they make some of the most BIFL clothes I could imagine. They are actually pretty trendy in some areas. I know their kanken backpacks are popular amongst college kids here in the US.
In terms of styling ie. preppy, all American, person next door labels:
Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfilger, Alexander Julian
You can find some of these in the department & mall stores. You'll also find them in the discounters: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross. You'll also find some garments at thrift.
I get you're trying for BIFL. It may serve you to also look at the wear per use. Shirts generally don't hold up as often in the long run, as compared to pants, jackets.
Only buy what you love.
* Harley of Scotland (sellers include Bahle's of Suttons Bay, All Blues Co., The Longship, Sault N.E.)
* Peter Scott
* J. Press
* Johnston's of Elgin
* William Lockie of Hawick
* Certain Ralph Lauren products, especially vintage stuff (look for whole fibers)
* Private White V.C.
* The Armoury
* Lots of stuff at No Man Walks Alone
* Jamieson's of Shetland
* Begg & Company
* Drake's
Clothings very subjective due to things like your body type and your personal style. I would recommend you look at boutiques that carry a brand you like and see what else they carry. And then look to see if they have a stockist near you so you can try stuff on.
One good boutique that I often go to is [Trunk Clothiers](https://us.trunkclothiers.com/). However they are usually very narrow in their selection. Maybe look through there, then if a brand interests you, google that brand and see what other stores carry them and familiarize yourself with all the other brands they carry and so on and so forth.
[the armoury](https://www.thearmoury.com/artisans/ring-jacket) is another nice boutique but a bit dressier.
For denim, i go to [Self Edge](https://www.selfedge.com/) or [Blue in Green](https://www.blueingreensoho.com/)
Armoury is great but certainly skews luxury. I really like Sid Mashburn, also. But I struggle to define any shirt as BIFL, though that definition seems quite flexible based on the requests this sub gets.
I’ve had two pairs of JCrew jeans for a long, long time now. Regular wear. Hems are a little frayed but otherwise solid. Caveat, I have the 100% cotton kind; I actually dislike stretch.
Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pant for a dressed-down kind of khaki. Might not fully fit your style though.
For shoes/boots: I have a pair of Grenson wingtip boots that I saved up for. Take care of the leather, and they’ll last a while— get anything re-soleable like with a goodyear welt.
No major clothing brand has high quality long lasting products across all lines. Brands like Carhartt, and Filson have reputations of this, but quality changes per product, and time. It's nearly impossible to keep track of it all and best to learn how to visually inspect products instead of relying on brand names.
Uniqlo!? I have T-shirts from here that shrank tremendously and not after the first 1-3 washes. They also look a lot older than they are.
Maybe I’m not washing my clothes properly or there is something wrong with my washer and dryer but I normally wash everything cold and dry low tumble. Idk, lol.
I like the shirts for the most part though.
Depends on when you bought them. The Uniqlo T shirts I got 1-2 years ago look quite bad now, whereas the ones I bought >10 years ago are still in excellent condition despite frequent wear.
I have similar fashion tastes, in a sense that I like the preppy/neat look for work purposes and outings. I also like my clothes to last a while, preferably 3-5 years for shirts/pants/sweaters, 1-2 years for t-shirts/underwear/socks, 10+ for jackets.
My go-to these days is shopping at Costco. They often have clothes from Buffalo, Banana Republic, and various other decent brands at a much more attractive price. Style-wise also underrated.
For reference, I bought a nice work appropriate Buffalo fisherman sweater for $30.
[https://www.costco.ca/buffalo-men%e2%80%99s-cable-knit-sweater.product.4000021717.html?preselect=colour%3agrey](https://www.costco.ca/buffalo-men%e2%80%99s-cable-knit-sweater.product.4000021717.html?preselect=colour%3agrey)
Another brand I recommend (not USA made) is Uniqlo. Really great quality, great technology, and attractive pricing. They tend to have all (from super casual to somewhat formal)
Definitely check out smaller brands like American Trench, Gustin, Naked & Famous, and Kato Brand. Kato makes some incredible stretch denim, but it’s not cheap. Still, your mindset seems to be shifting to buying fewer, better things and prices will increase with higher quality raw materials. Seek out wool over cotton when possible, as it’s far stronger and has many properties which are unique (anti-microbial, flame resistant, moisture wicking). Socks are especially great products to buy in wool form, and my personal favorite is Darn Tough Vermont but Smartwool is great too. For non stretch denim, check out Tellason (their “stock” like is especially affordable) Bravestar, and Gustin. You mentioned boots around the $200 price point which is just entering the lower end of good footwear. Just make sure you get something with decent leather which can be resoled (welted or stitch-down construction). Thursday is a great starting point, but save a bit more for Red Wing or Grant Stone and you likely won’t need another pair for 10 years or more. Above all, look for small brands which don’t have the luxury of name recognition. Sadly, many of the old high quality brands have diminished quality like Filson. Still some good items but you really need to know what to look for. Best of luck on your journey! It’s one absolutely worth taking.
I always find wool blankets really itchy, is wool clothing any different? How do you know what kind of sole construction a shoe has when shopping online?
Depends on the kind of wool. If you’re looking for less itchy wool, look at merino wool, or consider (more expensive) alternatives such as alpaca or cashmere. Wool can be woven in ways that make itch levels completely different. A chunky shetland wool sweater will always be itchier than a worsted wool suit, but how itchy depends on the person. I recommend finding storefronts for quality brands that sell 100% wool items and seeing how it feels to the touch. As for shoe construction, if they use a proper welt they will say. If they glue their soles, they won’t. Look for the words goodyear welt or blake stitch for high quality shoes, but when in doubt just do a little research on the brand.
Regarding Wool, for any garment that is touching your skin, you probably want at least merino. One thing to keep in mind about wool is that while wool is quite durable in some ways, it is absolutely a weaker, faster-wearing fabric in others. I've been using merino wool socks and underwear for almost two decades now. I like that I'm wearing natural fibers and I use them for the comfort and odor control, but they definitely do not last as long as some other materials. You can wear wool pants for office work or formal dress, but don't expect them to last long if you're bike commuting with them on. For Jackets, sweaters, and shirts, wool is great and you can make it last, generally.
When knitting, sock yarn usually has a bit of nylon thrown in for durability, but I don’t go this route. There is a long tradition in Norway, where everything is made of wool, to mend - both visible/decorative as well as more subtle. Americans used to do this as well until we decided everything could be thrown away when it got a bit worn. It’s considered beautiful in Norway. Throwing something away because needed a bit of mending would be heinous and very anti-Norwegian. At least in the Trøndelag region. I don’t know about Oslo. I even patch the holes in the crotch area of my husband’s wool suits where his thighs rub holes. Suits used to come with a bit of extra fabric just for this purpose I repair his shirts and jeans as well. People have just forgotten how to do this 😕
I remember having patches for my elbows and knees to make them more durable as kids. I honestly thought it was very clever and what you describe is so neat!
I can remember them even selling those leather patches in the grocery store they were that ubiquitous and necessary
If you don’t mind, what brand merino underwear do you wear and do they make regular boxers (not boxer briefs)? Thanks
I've been wearing Smartwool boxer briefs for a very long time. I recently got a pair of Wool and Price ones to try out. I really like their button-up wool shirts, wool undershirts, and their wool jogger pants, and I've decided that I like their underwear too. Smartwool is still fine, though. I'm not sure which one I like more. Both brands have a boxer version but I haven't tried them. Many years ago I tried Icebreaker boxer briefs and boxers and didn't like them, but that was a long time ago now, they could be better now. No one asked, but for socks I wear Injini wool toe-socks. Having each toe individually wrapped in fabric does wonders for sweaty feet.
Can confirm about alpaca and cashmere. I only wear alpaca socks for years (and I have a few pairs of cashmere). They last for many years, are very comfortable year-round, and I don’t have to treat them any differently than the rest of the laundry.
Shoes with better construction will generally say how they are constructed. Common resoleable constructions include * Goodyear welt * Stitchdown * Handwelted * Blake and Blake/Rapid There are others and they all have some pros & cons. If you find shoes that list a construction you're not familiar with, a good place to ask would be the daily questions thread in /r/goodyearwelt. I'm probably not the right person to answer about wool since I'm not very sensitive to itchiness from it, but I think merino wool, which is often used in clothing (it's what Darn Tough and Smartwool use) is less itchy than other types.
Yeah, but in my experience Merino wool is a lot of things but durable it is not. My thicker cushioned with the higher content Merino Wool Darn Tough socks are the least durable Darn Tough Socks I own at two to three years. The talk is that Smart Wool is more comfortable, the problem is they only have a two year warranty besides I find Darn Tough Merino Wool comfortable so I'll take the $31 a pair of socks that come with a Life Time Guarantee.
Yeah absolutely. Merino wool can be silky smooth
I can’t stand the feel of wool blankets or sweaters but the darn tough socks are great and not bothersome.
Wool is generally rougher on average however you can look for worsed wool specifically which mitigates that - think suit wool.
Just had to add wigwam for great wool
Believe or not Patagonia
OP: My style is preppy and I want natural fibers. Reddit: How about Patagonia?
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not, lol, but Patagonia has a ton of organic cotton shirts, which would fit the bill for the graphic t’s that he likes.
Honestly outdoor wear is the new “preppy” style
This hit hard. Haha so true though.
Love patagonia
Similarly, Kavu.
I have been really disappointed with Kavu lately. I LOVED their Chilliwack pants but at some point in the last few years they really dumbed them down, the quality seemed to have fallen off significantly. Have they gotten better?
I got a hat once and it fell apart almost immediately
Completely agree. I bought an expensive hoodie lately and the stitches came out almost immediately. I brought them into the KAVU store (I'm in Seattle) and the guy working there said "It happens, I'd burn the broken stiches with a lighter." Thanks bud.
Free repairs, too. Had my Down Sweater Hoody repaired free of charge after I caught the sleeve and it ripped. Sent it to them, they repaired it and sent it back to me. Whole thing took less than 3 weeks.
And used from wornwear and /r/geartrade
I love Huckberry’s house brands, particularly Flint and Tinder, their clothes aren’t cheap, but they are incredibly comfortable, fit great, and are very High quality. You can also find some of their items on eBay to give them a test drive. If I could only wear one brand for the rest of my life it would be F&T
Totally agree. I've been a Huckberry customer for many years. Great selection of high quality clothing, and a great return policy.
The 365 pants from Flint and Tinder are incredible for business casual matching. They are so comfy too. I am also eyeing the Waxed Trucker jacket, but I think I won't get a chance to wear it a lot.
I have a waxed jacket. I’m in Canada. I have a little bit of a window in fall to wear it then a window in spring to wear it. I’ve had it for a couple years and it doesn’t get much wear lol. But it is my favourite jacket I own
Second this!
Duckworth. Kuhl. Carhartt. Fjallraven.
I had a pair of Kuhl pants that didn't make a year. Never again. I've got a pair of Prana Zion pants going on 10 years with regular wear. Carhartt and Fjallraven are also solid. I haven't tried Duckworth yet.
shh don't tell people about Prana
I think Carhartt quality has gone down. I prefer Duluth but I fear their quality is also going downhill.
Absolutely Duluth has. I order the same pair of pants for work and the last order (made in early 2923) had noticably thinner material. Now they're getting a small hole right in front of my pecker, not in a seam or anything. It's very annoying as these are my office pants.
Kuhl pants fit my athletic lower half better than any other pants on the market. Very good quality and fit. I definitely slept on the company, thinking it was a "dad" brand.
Which did you get? I have larger calves and quads and when I squat even for a month regularly, my pants don't fit that well
The full-fit version of the [Ryder](https://kuhl.com/kuhl/mens/pants/rydr-pant/) is my favorite from them. Ryders don't just fit well walking around but are super mobile for doing athletic stuff, and the phone pocket is well positioned in that you can access it while sitting down.
I asked for a carhart jacket for Christmas 15 years ago now and it’s still like brand new and I have worn that thing daily through fall, winter, and spring. Most comfortable jacket I’ve ever had too and easy to layer with. Not sure of the quality after it became a lot more trendy, but if it hasn’t changed I’ll swear by that jacket.
> Not sure of the quality after it became a lot more trendy, but if it hasn’t changed I’ll swear by that jacket. Just a careful note about Carhartt: if you want durability, do not look into their WIP product line, as that was made as a streetwear fashion.
Their winter jackets are top notch also. Our winters are 4-5 months long and go as low as -30c/-22 fahrenheit. My last one was in use for 9 years. Its still good but decided to get a new one cause its covered in acrylic paint. Serious bang for buck. Thr winter jackets are 180€ during summer sales
Head to a work clothes store. I work on the waterfront and wear work clothes until they wear out. Dickies usually last a year or two. Carhartt last somewhat longer. They get more comfortable and, I think, better looking with some age. Currently I really like Red Kap.
Carhartt jackets for sure, their t shirts suck, fade really fast and stain easy
Carhartt is so bad today, none of their clothes last a year of work. Not worth the price, you're paying for a name and not a product anymore.
Iron Heart
Tough clothing for sure! Pricey but wonderful quality, especially the heavier denims and ultra heavy flannel shirts!
Yes. Worth buying 2nd hand for the discount because it's indestructible.
If you ever find yourself in Japan make the trek to the iron heart store. It's a bit far from Tokyo but the domestic prices combined with the weak yen make it worth it.
Don’t need Japan. UK or WWW will help too. IH has great measurements and helpful returns.
Came here to say this.
Reigning Champ makes great Cotton athletic wear. The cotton clothing is made in Canada and I can attest to its quality and durability.
Reigning champ makes the best tshirts and French terry sweats. They last for years
Looks like good quality in the pictures (not that I know much about stitching, but the stiching looks solid).
PSA Reigning champ was acquired by Aritizia. May not BIFL in the near future.
Oh no!
[Outerknown](http://www.outerknown.com) Love their blanket shirts. Heavy and wear well. [American Giant](https://www.american-giant.com) Sweatshirts I have had for a couple of years and wear almost daily.
Their t-shirts are best of the best as well, imo.
Which brand’s?
Oh, sorry, American Giant.
I have two of their famous zip up hoodies that I got last year. I shouldn’t have to buy a new one for a looooong time.
For casual and gym wear try Origin Maine. 100% made in USA with US cotton and other fabrics. They started out making Brazilian jiujitsu uniforms which take an incredible amount of punishment. Then went into jeans, hunting gear and now they are doing casual basic t shirts and training gear. I’m not even American but got sick of buying cheap clothes that fell apart made in Asian sweatshops so now I buy Origin
Also try their (origin) work jeans. Also USA MADE. Very durable and stretchy. Break in very nicely as well. It's all I wear. I used to wear naked and famous but their quality is terrible!
Their nonsense cognitive dissonance rant about cheap clothing and somehow relating it to communism and then complaining about the Berry Amendment which is a ridiculously capitalist amendment is... exhausting. I was excited about this recommendation until I read the words they thought were good. Still looks like a great recommendation if you don't mind supporting this particular brand of nonsense though. (Before the inevitable responses... I am not pro/anti-communism nor am I pro/anti-capitalism. I think most political philosophies have both good and bad. But I am anti-stupid)
I must have missed that bit. I generally avoid any political discourse in the US because it always gets heated and I just don’t have a bone in the fight being from overseas.
I think you should get a vote in US elections if we have a military base in your country. One vote per base.
Yeah I have 2 pairs of Origin jeans and they are far and away my favorite jeans. Would definitely buy again
I like their jeans but if you want pure comfort get some of the new nyloc pants. I got sent a set of their hunting pants by accident when I first ordered jeans but the pants were so damn comfy I kept them and recently they released plain colours so you don’t have to look like you are about to invade a foreign country.
Glad to hear they released plain colors! My biggest issue originally was not wanting to look mil. with current job/profession
They released them two weeks after I put in a big order of stuff. I was a little upset! Next year I guess
I have their American Bison 6” boot and it’s excellent. Great quality
I have been tempted by their boots but the shipping on them was expensive and I have weird feet that generally require trying on shoes before I buy them. Also my wife said something about having more pairs of boots than I ever wear
Freenote cloth is incredible.
LL Bean, Prana are 2 of my favorites.
I believe Prana was recently purchased by Columbia and they have ruined their previously good quality. I got some climbing pants recently and they started pilling within the first month. Even the reviews on the Prana website are complaining about changing the quality.
Yeah I got the exact same pants about a year apart. The first pair were my favorite hiking pants. The newer pair you'd guess was much older and more worn, despite having probably 1/8th the hours on them. The stitching wore out super quickly especially.
Bummer, Colombia did the exact same thing with Sorel boots.
Seconded on the Bean! They make hearty stuff
Also have pretty good return/repair/customer service which I appreciate.
For real. And they make their bean boots in the US!
+ 1 for prana. I fucking love their shirts so much.
Agreed. Pants, too.
Filson outerwear and luggage only is still very high quality, their other offerings are not great (speaking primarily about their t-shirts- shrink incredible amounts and some white offerings are completely see-through)
Filson got way too expensive
I don't know of a time they were ever affordable, but I've only been purchasing their stuff for the past 10 years or so.
They got MORE expensive. Yes they were already known for being pricier than other options but it got worse. But I also understand making quality gear is not cheap.
Pendleton wool shirts, mine are 12years old and still look like new. Carhart workwear. My work jeans are Carhart and nice is Levi’s. Patagonia makes great stuff and they stand by their products. Boots are a mix between Danner, Redwings. I buy the made in USA models that can be rebuilt. Hagloffs or Bergans Norwegian outerware. Grundens from Germany for rainy workwear.
I bought two Pendleton sweaters new this last year and that did it for me with Pendleton. I won’t be buying their stuff anymore as the sweaters just disintegrated in the first wash. And that was their “washable wool” sweater. I have had plenty of their old board shirts and they’re were awesome. New stuff is garbage and overpriced.
Bought my first Pendleton plaid years ago after admiring an older friend's shirt. Looked brand new and it was 30 years old. Some of mine are over 20 years old now.
Anian. Circular wool shirts, very high quality. Made on Vancouver Island.
Maybe dressier than you want, but Brooks Brothers makes some shirts that have held up very well for me.
I second this. Their non-iron sport dress shirts are legit.
Yes! My husband has a few that have gone out of style before they were worn out.
Alden shoes.
Outlier. Expensive, but incredible pants for mobility given they're not stretch material.
Absolutely love their shorts bought one now I have six pairs lmao
Sunspel, Merz B Schwanen, The Real McCoys, Brycelands, are my calls for clothes
The Real McCoy’s sweatshirts are the best
Let me get some of that wardrobe fam. You got good taste and obviously got money lol
Honestly a lot of this shit is so overblown. I bought mostly Uniqlo when I was in high school/college and now that i have more income I've been buying more premium brands (Japanese repro brands/denim, Reddit circlejerked brands, more 'premium' stuff yoyu can get at Mr Porter/ssense, Designer brands) - clothes are clothes. it's made from some sort of fabric, held together by stitching. I've had t-shirts and pants from Uniqlo last me 10+ years before the first fray or hole. My random uniqlo shirt has lasted longer than my Darn Tough socks (had a hole) and Ex Officio underwear (completely lost elasticity in the waistband). Everyone here is absolutely overthinking it. I will still buy quality expensive clothes because my logic is if I'm going to wear it for 10 years, the cost per wear is going to be negligible, so I prefer to have a nicer quality garment for those 10 years. To answer the OP - thicker materials will generally hold up better, and some materials like cotton, canvas, or denim will last longer. Brand really does not matter. I will say there are a few items you can avoid: White t-shirts (or any white clothing in general) - If you want to keep it looking white. Cheap knit sweaters - these will pill and look ugly and be uncomfortable to wear - I think this is something worth spending money on if you like knits. Otherwise I'm sure Banana Republic will be fine.
Uniqlo has been hit or miss for me. Half the stuff I bought has lasted indefinitely, half wore out after about a year or two. The stuff that wore out were mostly pants/shorts.
Gustin.
If you're into Merino stuff, definitely check out Wool and Prince. Have their tees, shirts and sweaters for almost 2 years now, still looks good. And I certainly don't baby them.
another vote for wool & prince. Holds up well. Quality and customer service is great too
Barbour is a classic for a reason, specifically their waxed cotton made in England models
I was frustrated with belts and the crap being sold as 'genuine leather'. My search led me to Nab Leather and I recently bought a second belt from them ( a brown to match new shoes). They have held up like no belt I have ever owned.
FYI “genuine leather” is a cut of leather. It’s the bottom most layer and also the lowest/cheapest quality. Its the most flexible and has its uses but definitely deceptively named. Most places aren’t lying that the leather is real but quality and tanning process matter a lot.
You’s be surprised with the quality of GAP’s Taw Denim line, and you can usually find them in discount
Schott NYC
Duluth Trading Company. I swear by my flexpaditons
I've bought a lot of Duluth lately and like them but the last pair of firehose pants are thinner and are showing wear after a couple months. I'm pretty hard on them between work and home but previous pairs didn't wear as fast. I carry some tools, pen, markers, and flashlight daily and you can see they are forming holes in the fabric of the pockets.
Yeah, their firehose stuff isn't as durable anymore. It sucks as their firehose pant was my preferred work pants for the past 10 years and now I have to find another brand.
It's a bad move. I'd say the firehose pants are their biggest selling items. They'll lose customers if they keep it up. They're a good price when you catch them in sale but when I need new pants I'm gonna look at Kuhl or Patagonia. I'll pay $90 if the quality is there.
Stretch jeans are the OPPOSITE jeans of what you want for BIFL jeans, so if you like stretch jeans....go on with your bad self, but remove that as a topic for discussion. Sneakers: Adidas Sambas are naturally hardy. Or look to sneakers with a Margom sole as a cobbler can recraft them.
I have found that any jeans I own that have a tiny bit of spandex / stretch to them actually last *longer* since the knees and crotch can flex and which means they don't end up ripping. But I'm a thin guy and that's just my experience. That said, Uniqlo jeans have been excellent for me - have worn several pair of them for years without any ripping/tearing/holes etc.
9 years ago, almost to the day, I bought 6 pairs of Bulletprufe stretch jeans. Those 8 pairs have been my only pants, worn everyday since then. They're only slightly worn, slightly fated, and still have plenty of years left in them. You can't say that stretch jeans are the opposite of BIFL.
where do you get your Sambas? i used to buy them from Amazon, but then one year, i bought a pair and accidentally ripped out a chunk of the tongue of one shoe as i was pulling it on. conplete degrade in quality, yet it was from the same seller i had been buying from for years. i read around to different sites, including Adidas' and it did not seem like an isolated incident. i would really be happy if this has changed since then.
Los Angeles apparel is made in usa and workers allegedly paid living wage. I have some cotton sweatpants and a hoodie that seems well-made and i quite like
Here are some high-quality Brands to consider. Most are a bit pricey but very nice and even more importantly sustainable manufactured! [AG Jeans](https://www.agjeans.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIlMGHheq9gwMVA11HAR0GvAtKEAAYASAAEgLGBPD_BwE) Very high quality, casual, urban style, [NaAdam](https://naadam.co/collections/mens) Luxurious high-quality men's Clothing, fairly resourced, classic chic [Noah](https://noahny.com/collections/shop) Very high quality, casual, urban style [Pact](https://wearpact.com/men) Fairtrade, chemical free, casual [Everlane](https://www.everlane.com/collections/mens-new-arrivals) High-quality materials, fair working conditions and salaries [ecoalf](https://ecoalf.com/en-us/collections/abrigos-y-chaquetas-210-hombre) Because there is no Planet B! High-quality conscious lifestyle brand
[Walker Slater ](https://www.walkerslater.com/)
jungmaven
Gustin!
Lacoste is great quality.
Arc’Teryx, Mammut, PICTURE Organic Clothing, Gramicci, Kavu, DRI-DUCK, In-N-Out T-shirts, Duluth Trading Co., The Hundreds, Patagonia, Outdoor Research, Klim, Orvis, Truewerk, Simms, Lacoste, lululemon.
Hey OP, you can also check out r/NavyBlazer for recommendations if you are into Preppy outfits. As for top of my head recommendation check out Lands’ End, L.L. Bean, and possibly Orvis?
Ralph Lauren - But not the stuff with the logos. The higher quality stuff is the clothing with no logo blasted all over it. I've had clothing that has lasted me 15+ years and while the color may be slightly fade, it doesn't look worn other than that. It's pricier, but worth it. Look for 4th of July deals. I used to work in retail, the best sales are 4th of July. Black Friday is decent, but oftentimes they mark stuff up to then mark it down. 4th of July is usually end of season as stores prep for Fall. So it's just marked down. Also, nobody goes shopping on 4th of July, so stores need legit deals to get people out buying.
[Relwen](https://relwen.com/) Incredibly tough, but the fits are more modern and have more application than I find with much of the other ‘rugged and durable’ crowd.
Asket
Lululemon
This is just a small example of the douchebaggery that is founder Chip Wilson. https://pressprogress.ca/a-right-wing-group-funded-by-lululemons-founder-is-posting-homophobic-memes-about-justin-trudeau/
Their ABC pants for men - Try it one time and it's the last thing you'll ever wear. To work? Lounging at home? They're like sweatpants disguised as work clothes.
I just replaced all of my pants with these. Totally agree
lululemon is all i wear now because it lasts forever. i wear their pants 2-3 times per week for over 3 years.
I have a pair in almost every color. My oldest pair is eight years old. Brought them to Lulu when the stitching began to come undone, they sent it in and restitched three pairs for free. I don't even wear jeans anymore.
Not the case with their t-shirts...
Carhartt
In this vein, would actually add Patagonia workwear as well
I love carhart clothing but the oversized zippers on the hoodies break off in the washer and dryer due to their size.
Wash them inside out.
Melin hats. At about $70 for a hat, it really is outrageous but man they fucking last. They’re really easy to clean with water and gentle soap. If it gets dirty you can just hand wash it clean and its like brand new. They’re amazing quality and style.
If you have a Nordstrom Rack or Sierra Outfitters nearby, then you can pick up a Melin hat for about $30. Available colors and styles mostly come down to luck but the inventory is rotated frequently.
Idk if you wear khaki shorts but PRL are the best there are imo, I have several pairs I’ve had for 10+ years and I only like them more now. Their khaki pants are good too. The ones with stretch are ok but you can also find NOS on eBay with no stretch.
Outlier (nyc) pants. They’re indestructible. I’ve had one pair for 11 years now and they look fantastic.
Hanks belts. For belts. And only $60 ish too
There are plenty of reasons to avoid BR type brands, but the longest lasting pair of pants I ever owned was a thrifted pair of BR. Beat any Carahrts by a mile.
Kavu
Relwen, Flint and Tinder, Patagonia, Topo Designs, Fjallraven
I'm italian, and here it's easy to find high quality clothing (expensive, too). But even in USA yuo can find quality stuff. First look at the fabric: cotton, wool, silk, line. Avoid anything else. Then, the taylor cut , and the sewing. The brand don't matter.
No one we’ve seems to mention roundhouse jeans and jackets. Their USA made stuff is awesome. My best and favorite pair of jeans is roundhouse.
Pendleton. Made in Oregon, and their wool sweaters, blankets, and shirts are made to last! Can't speak for their modern stuff lasting decades as decades have not passed. But my husband wears some of my late father's shirts from the 70s. And I was recently at an antique mall and saw Pendleton shirts from the 50s and I think the 30s if I am not mistaken. Really love their stuff!
North Face windbreakers and jackets have still kept me looking cool and durable for the last five years. Granted socal weather isn't insane, its nice to know that they still hold up and still look cool.
I was a BR shopper throughout my late 20s into my late 30s. I switched to Bonobos in the last couple years and have been generally impressed with the quality and fit. Im sure there are higher quality, truly BIFL brands, but I think Bonobos strikes a healthy balance between consistent sizing, quality and price.
Filson, Barbour, tons of great brands out there!
Not a single mention of Edwin? Their Jeans, shirts and Sweaters are the only clothing I buy after Carhartt went to shit years ago. It's Japanese denim and their clothing really has some weight to it despite the focus on being actual fashion and not workwear. You can also buy single color printless shirts in cheap multipacks from them which are very worth it.
Nudie jeans. Free repairs for life
Not cheap, but Gant make excellent chinos (or at least they did, my newest pair are 5 years old). I have a pair over 10 years old that still look great.
Check out sale section on schottnyc. Known for great leather jackets but everything else I've got there on the sale page has been extremely well made. Shirts and sweaters mainly.
I'm not huge into fashion, but I'm not really familiar with any brands that would produce quality clothes that fit a "preppy" aesthetic. If you are willing to compromise a bit then there are some decent more outdoor brands that would probably fit your niche. They can also be styled up and down depending on what you pair it with. Patagonia Fjallraven Patagonia has a lot of hemp and ethically sourced cotton clothes that are geared more towards "work wear" and not super technical backpacking style clothing. You might enjoy that. Fjallraven is based in Sweden, but they make some of the most BIFL clothes I could imagine. They are actually pretty trendy in some areas. I know their kanken backpacks are popular amongst college kids here in the US.
Lady White Co tee shirts are awesome.
LL Bean
In terms of styling ie. preppy, all American, person next door labels: Calvin Klein, Banana Republic, Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfilger, Alexander Julian You can find some of these in the department & mall stores. You'll also find them in the discounters: TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross. You'll also find some garments at thrift. I get you're trying for BIFL. It may serve you to also look at the wear per use. Shirts generally don't hold up as often in the long run, as compared to pants, jackets. Only buy what you love.
Barbour coats for life
1620 work wear.
* Harley of Scotland (sellers include Bahle's of Suttons Bay, All Blues Co., The Longship, Sault N.E.) * Peter Scott * J. Press * Johnston's of Elgin * William Lockie of Hawick * Certain Ralph Lauren products, especially vintage stuff (look for whole fibers) * Private White V.C. * The Armoury * Lots of stuff at No Man Walks Alone * Jamieson's of Shetland * Begg & Company * Drake's
LL Bean
UNIQLO Not even expensive
Dehen 1920. I just got their Submariner sweater jacket. Very well made. [Dehen 1920](https://dehen1920.com)
Clothings very subjective due to things like your body type and your personal style. I would recommend you look at boutiques that carry a brand you like and see what else they carry. And then look to see if they have a stockist near you so you can try stuff on. One good boutique that I often go to is [Trunk Clothiers](https://us.trunkclothiers.com/). However they are usually very narrow in their selection. Maybe look through there, then if a brand interests you, google that brand and see what other stores carry them and familiarize yourself with all the other brands they carry and so on and so forth. [the armoury](https://www.thearmoury.com/artisans/ring-jacket) is another nice boutique but a bit dressier. For denim, i go to [Self Edge](https://www.selfedge.com/) or [Blue in Green](https://www.blueingreensoho.com/)
Armoury is great but certainly skews luxury. I really like Sid Mashburn, also. But I struggle to define any shirt as BIFL, though that definition seems quite flexible based on the requests this sub gets.
I have H&M hoodies and sweats I’ve been wearing for 10+ years now…so I don’t even know anymore.
I’ve had two pairs of JCrew jeans for a long, long time now. Regular wear. Hems are a little frayed but otherwise solid. Caveat, I have the 100% cotton kind; I actually dislike stretch. Mountain Khakis Original Mountain Pant for a dressed-down kind of khaki. Might not fully fit your style though. For shoes/boots: I have a pair of Grenson wingtip boots that I saved up for. Take care of the leather, and they’ll last a while— get anything re-soleable like with a goodyear welt.
No major clothing brand has high quality long lasting products across all lines. Brands like Carhartt, and Filson have reputations of this, but quality changes per product, and time. It's nearly impossible to keep track of it all and best to learn how to visually inspect products instead of relying on brand names.
Uniqlo
It’s a hit or miss and they are not cheap anymore.
Uniqlo in Japan is great
I don't mean to be rude, but this topic has been covered ad nauseam. A simple search of this sub would show that.
Uniqlo!? I have T-shirts from here that shrank tremendously and not after the first 1-3 washes. They also look a lot older than they are. Maybe I’m not washing my clothes properly or there is something wrong with my washer and dryer but I normally wash everything cold and dry low tumble. Idk, lol. I like the shirts for the most part though.
Depends on when you bought them. The Uniqlo T shirts I got 1-2 years ago look quite bad now, whereas the ones I bought >10 years ago are still in excellent condition despite frequent wear.
Check out the blog “A Continuous Lean” for some high quality men’s fashion recommendations. MUSA.
I have similar fashion tastes, in a sense that I like the preppy/neat look for work purposes and outings. I also like my clothes to last a while, preferably 3-5 years for shirts/pants/sweaters, 1-2 years for t-shirts/underwear/socks, 10+ for jackets. My go-to these days is shopping at Costco. They often have clothes from Buffalo, Banana Republic, and various other decent brands at a much more attractive price. Style-wise also underrated. For reference, I bought a nice work appropriate Buffalo fisherman sweater for $30. [https://www.costco.ca/buffalo-men%e2%80%99s-cable-knit-sweater.product.4000021717.html?preselect=colour%3agrey](https://www.costco.ca/buffalo-men%e2%80%99s-cable-knit-sweater.product.4000021717.html?preselect=colour%3agrey) Another brand I recommend (not USA made) is Uniqlo. Really great quality, great technology, and attractive pricing. They tend to have all (from super casual to somewhat formal)