The method
How we score
Every piece here is scored out of 10, averaged across four things we can actually check.
- Sizing confidence
- How likely you are to get the size right first time. Detailed measurements, a real size range and free returns push this up. S/M/L with no numbers pushes it down.
- Fabric and construction
- What the piece is made of and made like, read from its composition, weight, lining and finish. Natural fibres where they matter. Blends where the blend has a reason.
- Value for price
- What the specification describes, against what it costs, compared with similar pieces. A more expensive item can score higher than a cheaper one.
- Versatility
- How many outfits, seasons and occasions it plausibly serves. Fewer things, chosen well — this is the criterion that means it.
How we do it
We score from published specifications: fabric composition, garment measurements, construction details, care requirements and price comparison. We don’t claim to have worn everything here — nobody could, and we would rather tell you our method than pretend otherwise. Where we have handled a piece ourselves, it’s marked, and the notes on it go further.
What the number means
Nothing below 6.0 appears on this site. The score isn’t a verdict on whether something is worth buying — everything here cleared that bar. It tells you how strong a pick it is among things already worth your money. Nines are rare and meant to stay that way.
We earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what you pay, and it never decides what we recommend — including the score.