How I Shop for Clothes as a Fashion Designer

[@mauriciolasch]

I’ve worked in a factory that made baby clothes and accessories and after that I never wore anything without washing first too 😂

[@rawsunnata829]

I wash new clothes too

[@LaurenWilmore]

What happened there that caused you to make that decision? 🫣

[@S0M3THING]

Ooo tell us more

[@RosalieKapitulik]

Omg, the number of moms who don’t wash new clothes before putting them on their kids 😭

[@aminatadiallo8197]

I am guilty of not washing new clothes before wearing em, unless they are thrifted...😬

[@butchniqabi]

When I worked at H&M there was a woman visiting from France who bought like over 400 dollars worth of clothing and said that when she traveled she just bought all new clothes and didn't bother trying to clean anything because it was too much hassle. It just seemed so massively wasteful to me! She said she threw her dirty clothes away too! It shocked me so bad that I had to take my break immediately after ringing her up.

[@zoehongteaches]

UGH. GROSS. Just wasteful but also unhygienic. Gross.

[@solesticia]

Ewwww especially in fast fashion, the clothes are taken everywhere through so many hands. I am French too and don't condone that behaviour lol

[@niceclaup1]

And you can recycle clothes at H&M, too-- she could have just taken them back there. 😞

[@purplepotato8849]

Lord in HEAVEN DISPOSABLE CLOTHES? The carbon footprint from this one person must be tremendous. I'm still wearing my high school t-shirts and I'm in my 30s.

[@chelsea5226]

That is a really cool thing about H&M. Especially for clothes too gross for thrift store!

[@MomsBedtimeStory]

I'm happy you're celebrating your husband's full recovery I share your joy 🙌🏻😊

[@zoehongteaches]

Thank you!!

[@MBAinternetmktg]

I have many clothes which have a tag "dry clean only", and they hand wash just fine. After washing, I roll the garment up in a towel & leave for 1/2 hour, then hang on a garment rack. Usually the semi-dry garment can be put in the dryer on Low for 5 minutes to fluff.

[@k.s.h.2455]

Same discovery here, some of my "dry clean" suits are "delicate cycles" fine in the washing machine as well.

[@darlagts]

My mother used to make all my clothes until I was a young adult. I started buying clothes when I was around 25. She taught me, at a very young age, that I should never wear anything, either made at home or bought, without washing it first. I'm 65 and still wash every single piece of clothing I buy before using it, and if I buy something while traveling and can't wash it, I keep it separated from the other clothes. I should add I suffer from allergies that can affect my skin, so this is a very important even if it seems extreme.

[@CompactJitters]

I'm with you on washing clothing first, lol. I do not even wear socks without washing them first.

[@lissettehurtadoschoel7573]

I’ve been sewing for over 25 years and choose quality and fit over design or trends. Staying fit saves a lot of money. Yo-yo dieting drains your wallet, clogs your closet and sucks up resources and produces a lot of landfill waste. Being fit and healthy….too many benefits. I would love to commend you on not haggling a vintage or antique dealer. I can’t stand the lowballing offers. If I can’t afford it, I’ll earn more money. It’s so rude, cringey and gives bad manners. I would love to see a video on clothes preservation. I stumbled on very limited videos on clothes textiles preservation. Placing things in plastic is the ULTIMATE immortal sin. It’s very acidic and will decompose it faster. Acid free is best. Keep up the wonderful conversation on all things fashion! 🙌🍒🌟

[@mysteriousu5528]

I use packing paper to individually wrap clothes that I don't use regularly.

[@alexanderpons9246]

Funny thing Zoe Hong I've gotten many dirty looks from women when I suggest in a friendly matter to walk in the shoes to make sure they are tolerable! In the late 80's there were some stores that will carry interpretations of Fashion Brands at an affordable price and the quality then was good. But in current times with Fast Fashion with the amount of stuff and at the speed it comes out it's ridiculous. Thank you for all the great content you create!

[@SeverineScott]

As far as investing to take good care of your clothes, I bought 2 years ago the book "How to love your laundry" by Patric Richardson and it's been ever so useful. And he gives a lots of tips on how to not need dry cleaning. Since then my laundry has been much more efficient and sustainable than before. I agree with you Zoe that taking good care of your clothes is a big part of sustainability. I bought this book to know everything about washing knits (knitting is my main hobby) and this book has definitely been a game-changer. It's great your husband is in good health and that you're having a family reunion in Japan. My key interest in Japan is.... knits! In movies, the kind of knitwear design of pullovers for men in Japan/South Korea is so very different than what we get in Europe. I keep taking pictures of TV screens! Also I never came across any trustworthy history of how the knitting technique came to Japan. Nowadays, Japan is very big in the world of handknitting. Enjoy your stay and thank you for your wonderful videos!

[@shantishanti2295]

Dear Zoe, Thank you for making me laugh on my Sunday morning!🤣

[@zoehongteaches]

You're welcome!

[@maibritton2882]

i was lucky enough to have a mother that sewed. She taught me about fabric and the cost of clothing vs. the cut of the fabric. I am grateful. I also had beautiful acrylic sweaters that I would wash and dry flat and take to the dry cleaners every 3 months to brighten the colors.

[@solesticia]

Well I worked in clothes shops. I wash everything before wearing it. I shop second hand a lot nowadays anyways. So washing is a must. For new never worn clothes too. The clothes go through so many hands at the factory then also in the shop (workers, people trying on etc)

[@elly6285]

Videos about good clothing finds or quality second-hand/vintage stores in Japan, please!

[@JY-zq5jk]

Yes, please make videos of your trip.

[@crystalneel748]

Love this topic!❤ I am totally a natural fiber textile snob!🙋🏼‍♀️ Not only because I live in a swampy humid sweat-box climate but I also love the natural fiber earthy aesthetic! But I do have to compromise somewhat…well because of my champagne taste vs my beer budget! Thrifting is a good way to scavenge for natural fibers (sometimes still nwt) on a tight budget. I am quite possibly a thriftaholic!🙊 🙌🏼So glad your husband is recovered! Ps. ‘Rosary Apparel’ on KZbin did a nice fashion related vlog series on her time in Japan.

[@zoehongteaches]

Thanks, I'll check them out!

[@Ellsped10]

Happy about your husband's recovery! I really like to see couture fabrics. I'd like to see what kind of fabrics (designs) are used and are there stores that sell them even if it's deadstock? 😍😍

[@JL-ok7li]

was going shopping today...this video couldn't come at a better time!

[@lotter690]

Best tip for not washing your delicates to often: wodka. Have a stain? Spray wodka on or drink it in the laundry room, or do both, it will make you feel better while the stains disappear. Jokes aside, spraying wodka really helps to remove stains and odours, even that smell that fabric gets when it has been in a damp environment too long.

[@zoehongteaches]

True! I've heard many theatre costume departments do the vodka spray + air dry thing.

[@isaiahluat6553]

queen u r becoming one of my fav fashion creators, love ur vids and personality :333

[@eonarts]

Once I started knitting I learned about fiber content and discovered I had some weird reaction to acrylic- my hands would bleed. Now when I’m shopping I look at fiber content. And I look at how seams are finished. When I go to H&M I carefully inspect. They actually have better sweaters in amongst the acrylic ones! I bought a denim shirt/jacket thing with amazing finished seams, great fiber content and I know this puppy will last! This, some would say obsession, of fiber and seams means buying online is limited. I do buy my athletic wear online and at Ross but then I don’t really care what I look like. I’ve taken to designing and sewing some of my clothes because of POCKETS (I only wear Levi’s men’s jeans because all women’s jeans don’t have proper pockets. When I finish my current jacket I’ll make my first pair of jeans and they will have real pockets! I’m so glad I discovered your channel!

[@JY-zq5jk]

I agree with you. Excited you’re going to Japan.

[@basimarazak4954]

Thank you so much for this video. If I have said this before, please forgive my redundancy: I love your energy and all the info you give in your videos. You made me laugh, so thank you 🙏

[@TheMocao]

You made me think of the time, back in the mid 90s, when my mother was gifted some designer tank tops for Christmas. The gift came from one of her tenants who worked in the garment factory in downtown La. My mother was so upset that she had been paying $50 per tank top - her tenant knew that these were her favorite brand - knowing her tenant was getting “piece work ” wages.

[@kindalegendary-mh4wk]

lol i love seeing the hat again! its sooo fantastic!!!

[@Yasmeentea]

Not me watching your fabric video couple days ago because I wanted to be a better shopper. I’m so happy you ended up on home page with this video 🥰🥰🥰

[@christiebecerril8113]

Lots of good info as always, also yikes about that roommate! Any clothes I bring home go straight in the wash always

[@annayrbryanna]

Thank you for sharing so many gems!

[@sereneduffsheliftsbro263]

Girl i just found you and i am watching back 8 years of your videos and you are so incredible, all of your videos are so helpful to DATE! I am creating a fitness line and at the stage where I'm needing to understand (and communicate) different fabrics for gym fabrics blends, those blend weaves (i did see your knit basics video - amazing) stitching, etc that needs to be considered when designing a tech pack to get across to suppliers. I am at a loss and am hoping you could do one video for athletic wear please 🙏❤

[@MRSDAVID1]

JAPAN !! Shop the local shops, if you're going to Kanazawa, shop there, cute local shop with beautiful quality. Uniqlo is fast fashiony.

[@MRSDAVID1]

And you should definitely shop for fabric there, they have this long street filled with fabric stores called nippori fabric town in tokyo. Filled with beautiful natural fabric. Amazing prints as well !!

[@tammelas3438]

I became strict about washing my clothes after having a conversation with someone who worked at a port of entry. They told me about the amount of chemicals, pesticides, and such, that were sprayed on all of the boxes coming in from other countries. I never thought about checking the fit at the store level. I try it on and look, and if I like it and it feels good, I get it. However, when I’m putting together an outfit for the day, I definitely stand in the mirror in poses that I might just be standing in at any given point in time at work, at the grocery, talking to my neighbor. You know, sort of bad posture, hands on weird hip poses etc.

[@kimrains1492]

I love you and your videos! Definitely learning things AND getting reflection and Laughs for what i already know/believe/have experienced!!! Great Videos. I am your Fan And student And subscriber! Thank You🎉❣️

[@Kiki-qq7mr]

For a few years I have been thinking about going to Bunka fashion school in shibuya, I would love to go to Japan to get a personal impression.

[@KasiaMask]

Thank you for another great video 😊 I was wondering if you could do a video about brands you would recommend buying from? And perhaps ones which you wouldn’t (due to them using unfair labour/unsustainable practices [including luxury brands] etc) I know that one cannot be 100% certain about these things but it would be interesting learn about some potential good options (and bad ones)

[@zoehongteaches]

No, I can't, it would be a full time job to keep track of the changes in factories, which factories a brand uses for what types of clothes, etc etc etc. It's more important to learn to assess quality without leaning on the brand name. I recommend following Andrea Cheong on social media, she does a ton of content on recognizing quality. As for factory use, there's no way to tell, but if something seems too cheap to be ethical...

[@Ulfscher]

The dry cleaning labels… I have white cotton shirts that are dry clean only, some that are handwash - they all go in the washing machine, shirt program. So far, so good. Silk and cashmere scarves, wool trousers, cashmere sweaters? Washing machine, handwash program with a wool and/or silk detergent. The only things I might have cleaned are things like coats and jackets if they have interlinings I'm iffy about. Things can go wrong, so I'm taking a calculated risk. I haven't ruined anything in decades though… 😉

[@SachikoMiwako888]

Hello, hello! Thank you for this informative & entertaining content...We truly appreciate the laughter you've brought us. Wishing you continued success & more power, madame... 👌🏽🙇🏽‍♀️

[@DramaticDylan]

Do you have any recommendations on stores that work with mostly natural fibers and/or have sustainable business practices? Everything I search is sponsored or ads so it’s hard to objectively shop.

[@kindalegendary-mh4wk]

would love to see a video of you going to antique markets or flea markets in japan!

[@niceclaup1]

THANK YOU for this video and for backing me up on the underwear issue!! 😅 COULD YOU PLEASE do a video on how to distiguish high quality from low quality fabric? Lately, it seems like brands know we are looking for natural fibers, even stitching, deep pockets, etc. and provide those, but really skimp on the FABRIC. Super shady!!!!! For instance, I have a pair of (Gap) linen pants that is PILLING after being worn and washed about 5 times!! I have some 100% cotton shirts that started warping and fading in a really weird way the FIRST time I washed them (I drip dried)! How can we avoid this kind of thing?

[@RochelleHasTooManyHobbies]

Yeah, that's so difficult to know!!! I even want to try making my own now that I have a surger, but then I go into the fabric store and it's like.... okay, how do I tell what's priced up because it's quality and what's priced up because of price gouging? I know that they know I can't tell the difference.

[@niceclaup1]

@@RochelleHasTooManyHobbies Same!!

[@michalinkazofia]

I was watching that to see if I have the same points and yes I have. I have a point about washing clothes before use. If someone buys and dont wash because after wash it is crooked and doesnt look nice - it is because all those chemicals. And is the way to check how it will be looking after wash - see any second hand platforms to see this model after wash. We dont live in a vacuum, there will be similar stuff hanging and selling somewhere. In Europe we have vinted app.

[@maryknst251]

Can you do a video on Japanese fabric stores or something similar?

[@user-wm1oo4os7e]

The care instructions bit is so real. I’m very very lucky to have a dad who wants to buy me expensive clothes sometimes, but it seems like EVERYTHING says either hand wash or dry clean on the label… and I just can’t do it. On a related note, I have a confounding question- I have a dress that’s part black denim and part white material. The label says hand wash, but even with hand washing I’m worried about the black dye darkening the white part over time. And I won’t be able to bleach the white part because it’s attached to the black! Any advice on how to deal with this?????

[@samanthawise8745]

Exactly- I can’t look at polyester or plastic clothes without sweating.

[@Sunshineandlemon]

I come from time when clothes were stitched tailors and washed before wear. As I grew older, it changed and now, if i wash first it’s crispness or newness is lost so i try to wear as much as I can before it smells dirty and goes to eash

[@elizabethbabar5174]

Your roommate wearing your underwear had me rolling 😂😂😂 also the art supply shopping in Japan is 🙌🏼

[@passion_in_progress]

Is that a crown on the bookshelf behind you? Bc I'm going to have to see it on your head at some point in a future video please, thank you.

[@zoehongteaches]

I will! I've worn it once in a video, need to wear it more often.

[@TheMeghaniscool21]

Dead stock fabric shops in Japan would be cool

[@JillianSiobhanMal]

😳The underwear incident sounds like a terrifying gaslighting episode. It seems like a lot of people do not wash their items before wearing. Yeah those natural fibers are so coveted. CBS just did a short clip on dead stock. We are officially standing on a mountain of unwanted poly garments! 😆I did not think about sitting outside of a wedding dress. Great idea because crotch depth is a struggle for some companies.

[@CB-in4dd]

Love the hat on you!

[@hazeldavis3176]

For engagement- My rules. I'm tall so I never buy trousers that are 'close' and have them extended because it ruins pocket placement on me. If they don't break in the right area, then I don't buy them. Totally agree on natural fibers, but even those are getting rough lately :( Cashmere is a great example. A lot of modern cashmere has short fibers and doesn't last as long as cashmere from ten years ago. HUGE congrats to your husband on his recovery! May you have a lifetime of happiness

[@bmiller551]

Im so curious about her thoughts on Uniqlo - everyone is all about that store right now.

[@stacirizner4461]

I was skeptical of wool underwear until I tried it. I’ll never wear anything else.

[@bycarolinakobayashi]

Ooh that sounds interesting! I have a question, is it itchy? And is it made with wool knit fabric?

[@stacirizner4461]

@@bycarolinakobayashi not itchy at all. Made of Wool blend Jersey 88% Merino Wool, 12% Nylon.

[@Mad_fashion]

Hola soy tu fan hace años, podría sugerir la idea de que por ejemplo podrías hacer un video sobre las telas de Japón o tiendas que vendan materiales de costura, tal vez encuentres sorpresas que en otros países no haya dichas telas o materiales ya que busco en KZbin y la verdad no encuentro dicha información 😅😂😂. Bueno saludos desde Perú 🇵🇪 y gracias por tus videos haces unos videos muy buenos e interesantes me encanta 😊

[@e.m.argiro319]

Miss Zoe, How would you categorize a garment that was made and has no seam allowance? I ran into this with a blouse I bought and the size I bought was not the fit I expected. How may I enlarge it?

[@zoehongteaches]

Was it knit as a tube? You'd have to cut it and add a panel of a fabric that will work with the rest of the deisgn.

[@rahf.official]

Hi, hope you’re well. Just wanted to know where your link is for the one on one sessions and do you do them for outside your country [im in South Africa]

[@zoehongteaches]

Yes

[@isKatKat]

I really appreciate the tips and your thinking behind them 👌 It’s the kind of things you really wish you learnt from a grown-up in your life, but some of it is just not something you know unless you’ve really looked at clothing and the industry. So thank you for sharing 🫶

[@Melodyinthe6]

I wash everything before I wash it with the exception of shoes, leather, suede, and outerwear. Your roommate wearing your underwear!?!?! Aw, HELL NO!

[@ritikaverma023]

2:36. Ditto Zoe. Ditto. Same reason

[@zoehongteaches]

hahahaahah~ real life

[@samanthawise8745]

That hat ❤

[@TealCheetah]

The hat returns!

[@incantations446]

There is a book called Laundry Love. It tells you how to wash everything including all the stuff that says dry clean only. I have followed his book and I am not looking back

[@cactussyrup5384]

Girl, ur so funny. Im 23 years old and I feel like im listening to a funny older sister who knows a lot about fashion. Hope your roommate is doing okay now 😂

[@miracheraa5745]

Enjoy your trip 😊

[@zoehongteaches]

Thank you!

[@rawsunnata829]

I wear only 100% natural fiber materials clothing

[@EzreinlightwithinMyguidi-ct4lk]

Plz plz plzzzz can you do a vlog in japan all abt kimonos plz plzzzz

[@reysolo3672]

Natural fibers , 2- Test the FIT 3. check care instructions

[@HippieHollowWhroe]

talk to me!! 👏👏👏 thank ya gorgeous 💕💕

[@yukikodevine6736]

What would you like to buy in this upcoming trip to Japan? Clothes, fabric, anything related to fashion? I'm curious to know what's in your mind.

[@zoehongteaches]

I'm kind of at the cusp of plus size for Japanese sizes so I have to be more careful about clothes, even though I love Japanese style. Shoes, accessories more. Art supplies, for sure. And design books. I've been to Nippori for fabrics before, but I don't have any projects to buy for right now.

[@christinemyshka118]

Please show a visit to a art supply store if you get to one. Thank you.

[@DeliaSlucutt]

Interesting!

[@thrashfan911]

Subscribing ! I’m new to your channel

[@charmedprince]

Is this Margaret Cho screaming at me so early in the morning? 😴🥱😵

[@nomandlovu2731]

I had a good laugh! 😂😂😂😂😂

[@polyesterbebe]

agree with you

[@CoachKarter215]

lol I’m suing fruit of the loom if I see a bump blister or boil everrrrrr .. ong I never thought to wash underwear out the multi pack damnnnnnn … side note I wish I would come home and find my roommate sitting wearing my underwear oh hell nah

[@zoehongteaches]

hahahahahahaha~

[@RoseGold...]

In my opinion, wearing anything polyester or non-natural fibers is equivalent to wearing garments without washing them first. I have learned to sew my own garments and I use only natural fibers. Flax linen and cotton rib knit are my favs. That roommate thing was just foul🤢.

[@Curiopus]

🤩

[@Mahshid.m.z.m]

😊

[@debless9]

Washing new underwear is just common sense. Are there seriously people who don't know this?

[@milenad.k.2238]

Engagement comment

[@gobyfish1399]

I had a roommate who was obsessed with clean underwear, she would bleach them between wearing, until the lace ones disintegrated, the black ones turned light grey, one pair actually dissolved completely into the water and became invisible. She said "I'm a very dirty girl". I told her she didn't have leprosy.

[@mugglescakesniffer3943]

Why should I shop for fast fashion that is cheaply made. I am going to buy male industrial clothing that is made to last. Male clothing in general is made to last longer than female clothes. I go to the women's section and feel the jeans and it is terrible.

[@katxfish]

Don't bother with that12 floor Uniqlo Ginza store. It's 12 floors because each floor is a U shaped room that is centered around the escalators. 😂

[@zoehongteaches]

Yeah, I view it as a brief tourist stop, not a shopping expedition. I'm staying in Ginza so it's right there. haha Looking forward to checking out Dover Street Market and the tabi store.

[@basicbaroque]

I worked in a fitting room. I have seen horrors. Inspect those clothes and wash them immediately.

[@zoehongteaches]

Oh yes, I forgot to mention that but this is so important.

[@DanielClark-s3p]

894 Alvera Underpass

[@alotofmore]

YAS 😂

[@str0wb3rry9irl]

I use to unload trucks a two different stores. Y’all should be washing EVERYTHING before you use it. That stuff is filthy.

[@RochelleHasTooManyHobbies]

That roommate story is NASTY, I would have had a fucking MELTDOWN. Like, that's my UNDERWARE you lunatic!!! You shouldn't borrow my clothes in general without asking, but my UNDERWARE??? WHY??? I had a roommate back in college who also hated dojng laundry. She never borrowed my underwear, but once confessed to me that she'd wear her underwear for a week straight. I tried my best not to react, but on the inside I was like....😬🤮

[@zoehongteaches]

I just threw up in my mouth a little. A WEEK???

[@lovelasnow]

If you’ll be nearby, I would love if you could do some shorts at Shibuya109

[@annex6]

When I became "awake", I looked in my closet and saw I had nothing but Sunday school button downs - short sleeve(all they needed was a pocket protector) and jeans. I looked like Napolean Dynamite. They were donated to Salvation Army that week. That hat needs a chrome unicorn hood ornament leaping off the front.

[@wildgooseberrytea]

Rawdogging underwear 😂😂😂

[@rachelkarcher2565]

Yikes, that wouldn’t be the beginning of the end it would have been the end of the end.

[@coreartalex6708]

Boroooooooo 😂

[@Daiseehead]

Thank you 🙏 for the information Zoe! I wash everything before I wear it too ❤

[@hinas_for_life]

Another great video　but I must add that you should never wash anything pleated unless it is a man made fiber as the pleats might loose their edge with wool or silk as I have regretted doing to my mothers skirt.

[@Sashaiordanov]

Karma