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The term "throw away fashion" definitely describes the finds at this store accurately since I usually don't keep anything I buy there, aside from maybe accessories, for more than a year. As a former NW gal, I now live in the Midwest were H&M's are a plenty and over the past 3 years of shopping there, I can honestly say that my closet is filled with more Forever 21 items than H&M. The clothes are great for up to the minute fashion, but be prepared to count down the minutes until you throw them out.

As a former midwest gal who now resides in the NW I love H&M. It is true that alot of the fashion is very "up to the minute" and therefore goes out of style quickly, you can also find some more basic pieces which might last longer. The question was to the quality of construction anyway and to that I can say that everything I've bought from there lasted or lasts well over time. It's definitely a good alternative to say Urban outfitters who give you poor quality for high prices.

I have purchased clothes from New York and San Francisco H&M stores and have found the quality of the items I purchased there to be comparable in quality to clothes purchased at mid-range stores like Macy's and Banana Republic. Plus there is a wide array of cotton clothes available at H&M.

Sure Banana Republic clothes are made of finer fabrics but in my opinion the construction and longevity is poor compared to H&M. Why would I want a cashmere blend that begins to pill the first time I wear it? And we all know the quality of what is carried at Macy's these days has gone down but the prices have not.

I'd also comment that H&M fasions are so far ahead of stores like Forever 21 and other teeny-bopper stores that in a more conservatively dressed town like Seattle, you can wear H&M clothes the first year to be on the cutting edge, the next year to be on trend, and the third year they'll be your mainstream basics.

I've only had good results with quality, as nothing has ever actually worn out on me. Most of their clothes I've purchased are very fashion-forward, so they've seen the light of day no more than 5 times. But I've been wearing some of the 'basics' purchased there for years. In fact, I wore a simple black sweater this weekend that I bought almost 3 years ago. Items are always comfortable, they fit well, and most importantly, I can pretend for a minute that my salary is thousands more than it is.

I only wore my H&M clothes -- purchased at one of the chain's New York locations -- for about a season and a half, but they held up well, and I wore them quite often. H&M basically equipped me for life in Brooklyn and Manhattan, providing me with the better part of a spring and summer wardrobe for much less than I was expecting to pay. I mainly bought button-down shirts there (to wear with jeans), though I think I also came away with a cream sport coat and a gray sweater. I think H&M's true virtue is allowing people to look good for a moderate amount of money. The clothes are designer knock-offs, but they're very convincing, and there isn't a stigma (at least there shouldn't be in Seattle!) when you're "found out" and the clothes' H&M-ness is revealed.

--Neal Schindler
NWsource staff

yup - I echo the earlier comments. I purchased a couple of pairs of pants about 4 years ago and still wear them. However, I don't wear them often and I tread lightly in all my clothes.

More than construction, I think the issue is the material they use. The colors seemed to fade quicker and the fit stretched out sooner than other brands. But nothing beyond wearability.

I'll definitely shop there when they open.

While in NYC a couple of years ago I purchased a smart A-line skirt and a sexy, yet completely wearable Asian-inspired satin bustier from H&M. They both looked reasonably well made for the price, but I still expected a short life span. To my pleasant surprise they have held up remarkably well. In fact the skirt washes like a dream and has become one of my favorite pieces.

This is not to say that H&M doesn't sell some shoddier merchandise, but overall I thought the quality was good.

I'm really looking forward to finally seeing one here in Seattle.

H&M clothing quality is mediocre. I have purchased many men's clothing from their numerous Boston and New York City locations. The styles and fashions are up to date with many of the trends walking down the runways in Europe and New York, but the average lifespan for say; a shirt would be around 5 months.

I have discovered H&M in Italy as a student way back in 2004! I still have all the clothes I bought back then and the styles are still modern and wearable

I was so bum that there's no store available in the NW!
Not too long ago, H&M had opened a store in Vancouver. I made it there on the second day of grand opening! I was so disappointed with the quality and the lack of style with the clothes! It was even worse than Target! It was clearly a wasted of my time! I'm not so sure how the new H&M will be like since everything I found at the H&M store in Vancouver were made in China with Walmart quality. I doubt that the quality will be great with the opening of the new store at U Village. We'll see.

I have shopped at both H&M and Forever 21 in NYC and they are good for ocassional wear. Sure if you plan on wearing them everyday and wash them as often, I doubt they will hold up! But for what they are purported to be - wear on a weeknd to a party or while shopping for more clothes(!) while the cut and color are still trendy, they work well. Good bang for the bucks! So yes, I am excited they are coming to town! :-)

H&M quality is much better than other low cost stores such as Forever 21, Wet Seal etc... I have had clothes from Chicago and NY stores for several years and they have held up great. Especially my tank tops which were all less than 10 dollars. They were great material and have held up well. I have shirt from banana republic that have worn out much faster.

definitely no Zara (only available in vancouveR)

I've purchased items from the H&M stores in San Francisco and Irvine, Calif. I can vouch that I am very pleased with all of my purchases. I bought a linen skirt in San Francisco that I have had for three years and a top from the Irvine store over a year ago that I still wear. This isn't counting my most recent suitcase full that I came back from Southern California with recently. Any clothes, if you wear and wash them enough, will wear out. I've had the same thing happen with Seven for all Mankind jeans. I would say the quality is MUCH higher than things I've purchased at Forever 21, which falls apart after one or two washes.

I had a chance to visit H&M in Edinburgh, where I have a daughter in school, and was overwhelmed with the selection, and the quality seemed hit or miss ~ some I'd trust, some, not; some trendy, some more traditional with a twist. My daughter and her fashion student flatmate (from Paris via Boston) love that place, and shop there more than anywhere else, and as you know, Europe and the UK are about a year ahead of us fashion wise, so they are in good shape. This is something I've noticed for years anyway, and having lived in Europe for about seven years, where I was a big Esprit fan... believe it or not, we still have a few of those pieces, which my two daughters still wear! I'm more of an Eddie Bauer/Gap fan here, for the quality, sale prices, and customer service, and interestingly, noticed the Gap over in the UK had none of the items currently available in North America (I live in BC), but the styles I saw in winter are seeping through into the spring line here.

There is an H&M in Seattle already? Where? Thanks a bunch for this question/post!

Great baby/kids clothes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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