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Although silhouette, proportion, and fit are vital in finding the right clothes for your body, these don’t matter if your clothes don’t have one vital characteristic. This number-one trait is staying power, meaning your wardrobe is founded upon long-lasting basics and classics instead of ever-changing trends. Fast fashion (such as H&M) has become increasingly popular. It’s convenient and cheap, but just like fast food, it comes with long-term consequences. Clothing with staying power has superior benefits.

Smart for Your Wallet

It may seem as if fast fashion saves you money, but it doesn’t. It’s only meant to last for one season, so the quality is as cheap as the price. You end up spending more money either keeping up with the latest fads or replacing junk that only lasts a few washes before falling apart. When you buy something of higher quality, it will last you for years. Such pieces may be costlier up front, but they will save you money in the long run.

Smart for Your Style

Basics and classic looks are always fashionable and can be made trendy easily through accessories—and it’s much less expensive to update your accessories every season than your entire wardrobe. Examples of timeless pieces are blazers, jeans, and trench coats. If you do like something trendy, ask yourself the following questions to decide if you should get it.

• Does it work for you?
• Is it versatile?
• Do you need it?
• Will you still like it after the hype is over? If so, will it make you look dated?
• Is it high quality?

Smart for the Earth

If you’re the eco-friendly, fair-trade type, then it’s important to know that fast fashion is usually made abroad in unethical conditions for workers and the environment. Once trends move on, these clothes end up in the trash. Even those donated to charity have a short lifespan before they are tossed, too. Buying items that are made well will help less to end up in landfills and less resources to be wasted. It won’t guarantee the brand is fair trade, though, so do your research if that matters to you.

Next time you go shopping, remember to check the clothing’s staying power to ensure a wardrobe that endures through years of use and varying styles.

Tags: frugal fashion, mens fashion