In the middle of Times Square, nine glowing white letters seem to be the symbol of hope to all college fashionistas whose souls wouldn’t even get them a heel off a Jimmy Choo: “Forever 21” they pronounce boldly. Four floors of inexpensive, trendy fashions just waiting to be plucked off the shelves… or unburied from a pile on the floor. Whatever.
Okay, so contrary to what it may sound like, I don’t hate Forever 21. In fact, I have quite a few pieces I love to bits from there. Forever 21 is great for fast fashions that will keep you trendy now, but will probably need to be replaced in a couple of wears, unless, of course, you know what you’re looking for. So, because only the devil would deprive the fashion-hungry college student from her ramen of clothing stores, I’ve done some digging to figure out just what is and isn’t worth buying from F21.
If you ever go shopping with me, you’ll notice that I’m constantly checking the sewn-in tags of everything I pick. I’m looking for two things: the fabric composition of the clothing article, and how to wash it. The second one is easy: if you wash your clothes the way they are meant to be, they’ll last longer. The first is more complicated, but I’ll give you the basics.
Most clothing from Forever 21 is made of polyester or synthetic blends like rayon, nylon, and viscose. Synthetic materials get a bad rap because of the chemicals used to make them, and because they are notorious for trapping heat and sweat. On the other hand, they are usually more durable, and polyester usually keeps its shape.
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, wool, and silk are generally known for being higher quality because they’re breathable, absorbent, and generally last longer. Unfortunately, cheap cotton also has a tendency to pill and wrinkle. I usually scour the store for anything with a high percentage of cotton, and sometimes I cave for polyester.
You can also tell a lot about a piece of clothing just by looking at it. Avoid very sheer pieces if they are not meant to be. Thin fabrics will fall apart quickly and tear. There’s also that one particular fabric that screams cheap and should have you running in the other direction… you know the one I mean: thin and heathered. It looks like a solid colored tee with different colored lines running across, and it’s very see-though.
Checking the construction of your garments is important too. Tug at the seams a little bit to make sure they’re not unraveling. Look for skirts that have linings, and if you’re picking out a bodycon skirt or dress, a thicker or textured material will help hide and accentuate the right parts. Furthermore, just stay away from shoes and sweaters. I’ve learned nothing beats a good quality sweater and the ones at Forever 21 are usually hot, scratchy, and lumpy. And the shoes? Just be good to your feet and say no.
On a more positive note, I’ve heard many people say the Love21 brand has better materials and nicer quality, and I’ve also heard good things about Forever 21 denim. Really, it just pays to be choosy. Instead of dropping $100 on 10 things, buy a few fun pieces you might wear now, and save $50 for an investment piece somewhere else.
