Dear all,

I’m currently researching durability in garments, with a particular focus on extrinsic and emotional cues. During this process, I’ve frequently encountered the term quality, and it has led me to reflect on how the two concepts are interconnected — and potentially evolving.

As I understand it, durability is traditionally considered a component of overall product quality. It refers to a product’s ability to withstand changes over time, both:

• Intrinsically (e.g. wear, tear, and material decay), and
• Extrinsically (e.g. changes in user preferences, fashion trends, or social context).

Furthermore, emotional durability plays a growing role — referring to how long users desire to keep and use a product, which is also influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors.

When we look at Garvin’s classic quality dimensions (1988) — performance, features, reliability, conformance, durability, serviceability, aesthetics, and perceived quality — durability is clearly defined as one element of quality. However, in emerging policy frameworks like the ESPR (Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation), Waste Framework Directive (WFD) and Product Environmental Footprint (PEF), durability is being emphasized more strongly and in broader terms.

This raises a question for me:

Is durability becoming a more central or even redefining element of what we consider “quality” — especially in the context of sustainability and longevity in garment design?

I would greatly appreciate your insights — especially if you believe my understanding of the relationship between quality and durability is accurate, or if there are nuances I may have missed.

Looking forward to your thoughts!