Quality matters: reviewing the connections between perceived quality and clothing use time

Abstract

PurposeExtending the active lifetimes of garments by producing better quality is a widely discussed strategy for reducing environmental impacts of the garment industry. While quality is an important aspect of clothing, the concept of quality is ambiguous, and, moreover, consumers may perceive quality in individual ways. Therefore, it is important to deepen the general understanding regarding the quality of clothing.Design/methodology/approachThis paper presents an integrated literature review of the recent discussion of perceived quality of clothing and of the links between quality and clothing lifetimes; 47 selected articles and other literature obtained primarily through fashion/clothing/apparel journals were included in this review.FindingsThe main ideas from the articles are thematized into the following sections: the process of assessment, levels involved in assessment, multidimensional cues of assessment, and quality and clothing use times. The paper highlights that perceiving quality is a process guided by both expectations and experience, and assembles the various aspects into a conceptual map that depicts the connections between the conceptual levels involved in assessing quality. It also illustrates connections between quality and clothing use times.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper focused on perceived quality on a conceptual level. Further studies could examine and establish deeper links between quality, sustainability and garment lifespans.Originality/valueThe study draws together studies on perceived quality, presenting the foundational literature and key concepts of quality of clothing. It summarizes them in a conceptual map that may help visualize various aspects affecting the assessment of quality and deepen the general understanding of the quality of garments.

Quality Attributes: Consumers’ Evaluation of Tailored Clothing in Ghana

“…In facing the challenge of this global change, many businesses have invested substantial resources in adopting and implementing quality strategies. As Aakko and Niinimäki (2021) put it, the development and utilization of effective mechanisms for quality are critical to a successful manufacturing business everywhere.…”

“…Stylidis et al (2020) underscore that the industry needs a toolbox of valuation systems to profit from the theoretical appreciation of quality. In general, the same vocabularies and characterizations related to quality are also applied in the garment setting (Aakko and Niinimäki, 2021). According to Aakko and Niinimäki (2021), material features can be perceived as the objective quality of garments and assessed with a diversity of approaches, including tests for breaking strength, tear strength, abrasion resistance, colour-fastness, effects of laundering (e.g., colour and dimensional change), seam strength and pilling (Castelo and Cabral, 2018;Coelho, 2016).…”

That's What I like: A Study of Consumer Behavior on Purchase Intention Towards Pepsi

“…Perceived quality is the customers' perception of product values based on the product's characteristics, such as its packaging, durability, and function, especially in comparison to other competitors in the market (Dilip et al, 2021). As stated by Aakko and Niinimäki (2021), customer perceptions of product quality are also influenced by their personal experience and expectations. Thus, PepsiCo needs to understand how its customers perceive the quality of Pepsi.…”

That's What I like: A Study of Consumer Behavior on Purchase Intention Towards Pepsi

“…Perceived quality is the customers' perception of the value of a product based on its characteristics, such as its packaging, durability, and function, especially in comparison to other competitors in the market (Dilip et al, 2021). Aakko and Niinimäki (2021) mention that customer perceptions of product quality are also influenced by their personal experience and expectations. Thus it is important for PepsiCo to understand how their customers perceive the quality of Pepsi.…”