[Best Of] Answers to Frequently Asked Questions from the FFA archives.md

Best of February (will be organized after roundup thread)

• denim fabric construction: /u/germinal explains warp and weft and why denim is darker on the outside
• weight fluctuation logistics: "How do you manage your wardrobe to allow for weight change?"
• "What's the middle ground between fast fashion and designer fashion? including great comments on:
  • Why J. Crew has struck such a chord with its position as a middle-market retailer that does casual and professional well
  • Polyester is not the devil; it has numerous useful applications
  • On buying clothing manufactured overseas and the political/economic ramifications

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Fashion advice

Practical

• colour coordination: dressing while colorblind, with heuristics for colourmatching + how to learn to match colours, as well as alternative ways to create interest without colour.
• wearing heels: a guide on learning to walk in heels by /u/thethirdsilence
• shopping online: useful tips on shopping online and shipping back stuff from /u/julzzrocks

Philosophical

• developing personal style: (via /r/malefashionadvice) a process for discovering your style and how it intersects with your life

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On buying quality

General threads

• recommendations on quality products at reasonable prices + a discussion on what "quality" means
• brands and quality:
  • "How do I determine the difference between quality clothing and something that just has a name slapped on it?"
  • What high-end brands make the best-quality shoes?

Construction quality

• tips on inspecting garments
  • a Broadway tailor explains how to identify quality clothing
  • tips on checking construction quality of a garment

Material quality

• leather: (via /r/buyitforlife) how to judge quality of higher-end leather boots
• knitwear: differences between higher quality and lower quality yarns and knitwear
• cashmere: an explanation of metrics used to analyze cashmere quality
• down: analyzing purpose, quality, and how to care for a down coat

Tailoring

• "What can be fixed by tailoring, and what areas should fit right off the rack?"

References

• sewing & material quality evaluation:
  • scans of a guide to sewing natural fiber fabrics
  • additional scans on fabric and sewing techniques for quality clothing

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Curating a wardrobe

• Suggestions for buy-it-for-life basics?
  • "It's a myth that classics are classics forever", and what really makes an item "classic"
• The French Wardrobe philosophy
  • first thread: an explanation of the "rules", why this philosophy is useful, and tips on strategically buying pieces
  • second thread: recap of previous thread, the satisfaction of buying quality, and a discussion of S/S pieces

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Product recommendations

• Best blouses
• Best basic tees
• Buying quality pantyhose

Product guidelines

• women's suiting: colour, fit, and material guidelines + buying tips

Product terminology

• slim fits in pants: the difference between skinny/cigarette/straight fits
• warm tights: the difference between fleece-lined and wool tights

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The fashion industry

• Fashion Thoughts on Brands I and II
• /u/therosenrot discusses how things become trends in the context of sneaker wedges

Commercial

• plus sizing: why plus-sized clothing is often tent-like and poorly fitted
• beyond labeled size: why fit tolerance, not raw size, is important in finding well-fitted garments

Fashion and frugality

• (via /r/malefashionadvice) "How can you guys afford to dress well?" The answers: own less clothing, shop sales and thrift.
  • "This is the thinking process you need to cultivate": buy less clothing of higher quality.
• in answer to: "Are quality and affordability mutually exclusive?"

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Quick fashion tips

• how to roll your sleeves

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WAYWTs that break typical "rules"

• sneakers, sweats, athletic number tee, parka, beanie, and the best fit ever