I have found that some trendy clothes actually last a long time and some hardly lasts at all. I think I if I pay more attention I could work out how long lasting shirts feel so I can pick them out when looking for clothes.
When it comes to pants I find the pockets always rip first which is really annoying. I haven't tried to fix them yet but I have been keeping them for when I work out how to put new pockets on.
Look at quality of fabric, fastners, and stitching. No matter if 10th generarion grandma or last years sweatshop worker on a worn out machine, the result is where the value is. Cotton, nylon, hemp, even rayon over polyester, ykk zippers are still the best, look for triple stitching, nice tie offs at ends of hems, yank the seam to see if its too tight and will bind and break...
Better yet, many custom outfits can be specd and ordered online for a modest fee if you are like many who don't seem to fit americian vanity, nor asian sizing.
When it comes to pants I find the pockets always rip first which is really annoying. I haven't tried to fix them yet but I have been keeping them for when I work out how to put new pockets on.