Go for quality clothing that lasts long. A few tips on how to develop an eye for quality can be found below. (Sources: Trashfashion.nl, Caftans&Malbec -- do check out these websites for some visual extras.)

A first quality check:

• Check both the shape of a garment and the way it looks on the hanger.
• Look at the fit of the piece. High-quality clothing has a better fit than lower-quality clothes.
• Check the fabric for flaws and try its feel.
• Check the seams, hems and buttonholes. The seams should be straight, with no loose threads (don’t forget to check the collars). The hems shouldn’t curl. As for the buttonholes, keep in mind: the more reinforced, the better.

If you want to take it to the next level:

• Read the fabric tag. Some tips:
  • Acryl is often added to other fibers to lower the price of the item, but it has a big (negative) impact on the quality of the fabric.
  • Polyester and polyamide ensure a good washing quality, but are synthetic and therefore more suitable as a supporting fiber, i.e. in a blend in which the fiber only represents a limited percentage of all the fibers used.
  • Mixed fabrics are quite common, yet this should not affect the quality if at least 50% is natural fibers (e.g. bio cotton, wool, silk or linen).
  • 100% natural fibers (e.g. 100% wool) stand for high quality, but ask for extra care. Check with the store staff on how to wash, dry, hang, ... the item.
     
• Take a look at the linings.
  • Not every garment needs a lining, but for those that do need it, linings are crucial to retaining their shape and prolonging their life. Especially ‘classical’ clothing needs a lining, e.g. blazers, suit skirts and suits.