WHY I DON'T BUY CLOTHES

I stopped buying clothes in 2019 with a small exception of knitwear (wool jumpers). And after five years of intense research of the industry, it will most likely remain this way. I am a very picky customer and most brands simply do not pass my test. When I design & make clothes myself, I have full control over the entire process. Whenever I try to look at ready-to-wear, I feel like I've wasted my time.

Here's the checklist that I use for EVERY potential item of clothing.

Do I like it?

Sounds obvious but it's not. I used to be a person who would buy something because it was almost good, or the price was good, or the material was nice. This all is important and will get a mention below. But the first question must be this: do I like it? Do I LOVE it? If anything about it is "mmm I'm not sure" - it's a "no".

What is the fabric composition?

If the garment has passed the first test, the next thing I do right away - check the label. What is the composition? "Lace", "Chiffon", "Faux leather" etc. - are NOT composition. And if I see a brand presenting it as such - I'm out. Composition is the fibre content, not the fabric type. And I am looking for natural fibres only. Specifically organic cotton, linen, hemp and wool (or cashmere). No elastane, no poly-blends.

Is it my colour?

I have trained myself to only look at garments that are my colour to begin with (you won't see me grabbing a neon orange dress - I know it's not me). I do work with season theory and have a specific colour palette for myself. But it could be a wrong shade of green, for example. I like it, fabric is great, but when I bring it to my face it doesn't work. If it's the wrong shade - it's a "no". The easiest way to check it is to open your phone's front camera and stand facing the window. See how your face changes when you bring this or that colour to it.

Does it fit my measurements AND my body type?

For way too many years I used to think I had a "weird body shape". Turns out, I failed to understand that my natural pear body shape is not supposed to fit into garments designed primarily for rectangular body shapes (the vast majority of ready-to-wear cater for rectangular shapes). I am different sizes in top and bottom because I have a pear shape. And while it is almost impossible to find something that fits, it is so simple to make it fit me.

Is the overall fabric/quality/design worth the price?

As a designer, I am still very open to purchase ready garments. I am willing to pay the price for the quality. But more often than not, it is simply not there. Poor stitching or super simple design are usually not worth the price they are asking for it.

Where is it made?

Ideally, I would love the company to be very transparent about the making of the garments. Where is the clothing made, by whom, in what conditions. Super low price is usually not only poor quality but also poor treatment of people who make the clothes. If I have a chance. I will be doing minimal research to find out about the manufacturing conditions.

See, I am a very picky customer and it is less stressful and much quicker for me to just design & make my clothes. The way I want it, in the fabric I want it, no compromises.

If you want to learn how to design your clothes too, sign up to our clothes making courses. They work for all size and all body types ;)