How to tell if a garment will last before you buy it

Buying clothes is easy.
Buying clothes that last, not so much.

We buy more and more, but garments last less. And therein lies the problem.

Because the most sustainable garment is not the one with the most labels,
it's the one that stays in your wardrobe the longest.

The good news:
you can know if a garment will last before buying it.

Durability begins before you even get home

Buying quality clothing is not just a matter of price.

There are expensive garments that deteriorate quickly,
and more affordable ones that last for years.

The difference is knowing what to look for.

1. Examine the fabric composition

Start with the label.

Natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, or wool are usually more durable and breathable than pure synthetics.

There are also blends that work very well:
for example, cotton with a small percentage of elastane can provide comfort without compromising durability. For instance, at Minimalism Brand, we add a small percentage of elastane to our organic cotton socks so they adapt to your foot.

A red flag?
A high percentage of low-quality polyester.

Over time, it tends to:

lose its shape
pill
retain odors

2. Check the fabric weight (GSM)

Grammage matters, even if you don't always see it indicated.

A denser fabric usually lasts longer.

Do a simple test:
hold the garment up to the light.

If you see too much transparency in a garment that shouldn't be transparent,
it probably isn't designed to last. T-shirts with a grammage below 150-160 grams can be transparent in light colors, such as white t-shirts.

3. Observe the seams

Seams are one of the weakest points of any garment.

Look for this:

Double or reinforced seams in stress areas (armpits, crotch...)
Uniform and firm stitches
Clean finishes, with no loose threads

A good fabric with poor seams won't last.

For example, at Minimalism Brand, our t-shirts have double stitching on the neck, which ensures it won't fold and will have a longer lifespan (up to more than 6 years according to our analyses).

4. Check how it recovers its shape

If you have the garment physically, try stretching it slightly and then release it.

A quality fabric:

returns to its original shape
maintains its structure

If it remains deformed, it will only get worse with use.

If you are shopping online, pay attention to how the garments drape in the product photos.

5. Review the finishes

Details say much more than they seem.

Buttons sewn on well (in an X shape)
Clean hems
Durable zippers (like YKK)

When a brand takes care of these things, it usually takes care of everything else. For example, all our backpacks, toiletry bags, and laptop sleeves feature heat-sealed YKK zippers, the best on the market.

6. Smell the garment

It might seem strange, but it works.

If you are in front of the physical garment and it has a strong chemical smell, it could indicate aggressive treatments that will disappear with washing… along with part of the fabric's quality.

Well-made garments usually have a neutral smell. For example, at Minimalism Brand, we use natural dyes, and you will never perceive those chemical odors.

If you are buying online, check reviews for any feedback of this kind that might raise alarms. At Minimalism Brand, we strongly believe in giving a voice to our customers, and for products like our t-shirts, we have already accumulated over 530 positive reviews, in which customers share everything: if the sizing was good, if the chosen size was too small, if they "never had a t-shirt with a better feel," if the product arrived quickly... everything.

7. Look beyond the garment

Durability also depends on how and where it is manufactured.

Brands that work with careful processes and a certain level of transparency usually offer more consistent products.

Certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX can be a good sign.

At Minimalism Brand, durability is our company's top priority, let me tell you:

A real example: when durability isn't just theory

All this sounds good in theory.

But the difference lies in applying it.

At Minimalism Brand, we have been working with this approach since 2019 with our white organic cotton t-shirts.

100% organic cotton (OCS 100 certified)
180 grams of fabric weight: balance between resistance and comfort
Relaxed fit and crew neck designed for daily use
Manufactured in workshops in northern Portugal, with careful processes

Every decision, material, grammage, and manufacturing process is designed for the same thing:
for the garment to last.

Since its launch in 2019, more than 41,700 units have been sold.

And if there's one thing we've learned during this time, it's that durability isn't communicated.
It's demonstrated through use. And as we mentioned above, with validated data telling us that our t-shirts last more than 6 years with regular use, meaning daily use.