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ClarissaDarjeeling t1_jcwl6w9 wrote

I don't deliberately seek out BIFL clothing, but I find that I can get a lot of wear from "regular" brands. A decent % of my wardrobe dates back 10+ years. Even my cheapo ($15) TJ Maxx jeans are good for at least 5 years before getting all saggy/frumpy. Is it still "fast fashion" at that point? *shrugs*

But to summarize my experience...

GOOD:

-Blundstone boots (it hasn't been 10 years, but I've worn the same pair most days for the last 5-ish years and they're holding up great)

-Brooks Brothers shirts (I'm wearing the same collared shirts that I bought for interviews right out of college)

-WHBM dresses (a LBD from 2010 is still my go-to cocktail dress)

-Smartwool socks and mittens

And pretty good luck from J Crew, Boden, LL Bean so far, including an LL Bean athletic shirt that I've often worn climbing since 2015/2016.

With darn tough, I appreciate their thicker hiking socks, but I can wear toe holes in the thin ones pretty quickly.

Also kind of random, my aunt bought me a Tommy Hilfiger shirt in middle school. I haven't grown much since age 12, and I STILL wear that plain, long-sleeved T all the time (mostly as a PJ shirt, but it's crazy to think how many washes that's been through).

NOT GOOD:

-Sperry boots (mine were cracked and leaking in less than a year)

-Everlane (all the tops I've gotten have been incredibly thin material, and the sweaters developed holes after just a few wears)

-Kotn was another brand I wanted to like, but their sizing was tiny to start with...and then shrank horribly in the wash

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F-21 t1_jcx3ueq wrote

Heard Blundstones aren't what they used to be. Redback boots are still made in Australia and supposedly much better quality.

However, I love my Jim Greens! The Stockman is in the same style but is actually also resoleable.

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ClarissaDarjeeling t1_jcyqkbs wrote

Mine are from 2017-ish, and I wear them pretty much all fall, winter, and spring (unless it's a particularly snowy or mushy winter day, in which case I have toasty lined LL Bean duck boots).

They still look almost new, but even if they started to crack at this point, I would consider that a reasonable lifespan for the price point.

I'll keep those other brands in mind, too!

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BuckarooBanzaiPHD t1_jd31mfm wrote

I had some Blundstones that I got in 2008, when they first offshored production to China. Last month both just completely separated from the soles. Corresponded with Blundstone a bit with the pics and customer rep said fill out a warranty claim. They approved it and sent me a brand new pair! I found a place in Oregon that resoles Blunnies and will send off since I love my old ones. But great customer service.

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F-21 t1_jd6i329 wrote

That's awesome, but probably depends on where you're located - I doubt they offer anything remotely like that here in Europe.

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fazalmajid t1_jcxsoqv wrote

Brooks Brothers was given as a present by the Luxottica monopoly's owner to his idiot son, who ran it into the ground (what happened to giving your spoiled offspring a Ferrari?). Quality has gone down dramatically.

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ClarissaDarjeeling t1_jcyplgw wrote

That's too bad. The shirts I have are from 2009-ish. I bought another last year, but of course it's too early to call that BIFL...

It's a common theme whenever this question pops up, though. You can't call something BIFL unless it's been at least several years ... and by then, ownership and manufacturing standards may have changed!

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fazalmajid t1_jcyz8aq wrote

Yes, but there is the Lindy Effect, that the longer something has been running, the higher its chances of survival, which is why old companies proudly flaunt "Established YYYY".

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outdoormama t1_jcy5nwf wrote

I ALWAYS get holes in my smartwool socks. Stopped buying them. Now I own Darn Tough and they almost last too long. I have about 20 pairs now because I like when they come out with new designs and keep buying them. These socks won’t die and now I can barely close my sock drawer.

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ClarissaDarjeeling t1_jcyoywb wrote

That's funny - I wonder if it's all hit or miss depending on the specific pair or which batch you end up with?

I started with a thinner pair of Darn Tough socks (maybe it was the "lightweight" or "lifestyle" kind?) and developed holes in the big toes within a few months. To their credit, they stick by the lifetime warranty and replaced them.

Since then I only buy thicker Darn Toughs with a bit of padding (hiking style socks) ... those are both more comfortable and have proven more durable.

With Smartwool, I've only owned 2 pairs of their socks and a pair of convertible glove/mittens, but those are still going strong.

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banana_toilet t1_jcyz9ry wrote

FWIW, my sister’s foot was run over by a Jeep Cherokee while wearing Sperry duck boots. The people at the ER were shocked when she only had bruising and swelling but no broken bones. (Not that one anticipates being run over on the daily…)

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ClarissaDarjeeling t1_jczaro8 wrote

Hahah noted. I'll keep that in mind if I'm running late and plan on a day of aggressive jay-walking? FR though, I would assume that actual work boots / steel-toed boots are also made to last?

Glad your sister was ok!

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