The 30-Second Quality Check You Should Do in Every Fitting Room

We have all been there. You buy a cute top, wear it twice, and suddenly the hem is unraveling, or the side seam has a hole in it.

Since the rise of fast fashion in the late 90s, the overall quality of clothing has dropped. Brands are cutting corners—using fewer stitches, cheaper thread, and rushing production—to keep prices low.

But here is the empowering part: You can spot these shortcuts before you pay.

You don’t need a degree in fashion design. You just need to know where to look. According to garment construction experts, a true quality check happens inside the clothes, not outside.

Next time you are in a fitting room, take 30 seconds to run a garment through this Quality Markers Breakdown.

Marker 1: The “Inside-Out” Flip (Seam Finish)

The outside of a shirt always looks nice; that’s marketing. The inside tells the truth about durability.

The Check: Turn the garment inside out and look at the seams.

Red Flag: Do you see raw, frayed edges of fabric? Are there loose threads hanging everywhere? This means the brand skipped the “finishing” stage. These seams will likely itch your skin and unravel in the wash.

Green Flag: You want to see “finished edges.”

• Good: A clean zigzag stitch (Serged) that locks the edge.
• Best: “French Seams” or “Flat-Felled Seams.” This is where the raw edge is completely folded over and sewn down (common in high-quality elevated basics). It looks just as neat on the inside as it does on the outside.

Marker 2: The “Pull Test” (Stitch Integrity)

Fast fashion brands often save money by using a low “SPI” (Stitches Per Inch). Fewer stitches mean less thread and less time, but it results in a weak seam that bursts easily.

The Check: Gently pull the fabric on either side of a side seam.

Red Flag: If you pull and you can see a “ladder” of threads or a gap opening up between the pieces of fabric, put it back. That seam is weak and will likely tear when you sit down or move.

Green Flag: The seam should hold tight. You shouldn’t see daylight through the stitches. A high stitch count (tight, tiny stitches) is the hallmark of longevity.

Marker 3: The “Forearm” Test (Fabric Hand)

Your palms are actually not the best place to test softness because the skin there is tough.

The Check: To truly test the “hand” (the feel) of the fabric, rub it against a sensitive area, like the inside of your forearm or the side of your neck.

Red Flag: If it feels scratchy, stiff, or “plasticky” against your neck, it will be uncomfortable in the humidity.

Green Flag: It should feel cool and smooth. Also, try the “Thumb Test”: Stretch the fabric over your thumb. If it snaps back into shape immediately, it’s good. If it stays stretched out, it will look baggy by lunchtime.

Marker 4: The Hardware Check (Zippers & Buttons)

Nothing ruins a morning faster than a zipper that gets stuck or a button that pops off.

The Check:

• Buttons: Check the buttonhole. Is it neatly stitched, or are there threads hanging into the slit? A messy buttonhole is a sign of rushed production.
• Zippers: Zip it up and down three times. It should glide.

Red Flag: Flimsy plastic zippers that feel light or snag on the fabric.

Green Flag: Metal zippers or high-quality molded plastic that lie flat against the body. If the zipper is exposed, it should look intentional, not like an afterthought.

The Takeaway

Don’t be fooled by a “Made in Italy” tag or a high price point. As the industry changes, quality varies wildly even within expensive brands.

Trust your hands and your eyes. By doing these four simple checks—flipping, pulling, rubbing, and zipping—you ensure that your hard-earned money goes toward clothes that actually last.

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