Have you ever bought these Costco clothes?
Costco is one of the most beloved retailers in the country, and since you can buy in bulk, they are known for getting a bang for your buck. For millions of members, a trip to Costco is more than just shopping; it’s a treasure-hunting experience. You go in for a rotisserie chicken and paper towels, and you might just stumble upon a kayak or a diamond ring. This element of surprise extends to their clothing section, which can be tempting for deal-seeking shoppers.
Yet, Costco clothes are not among the items that have passed the test of time. Even some of the brand’s biggest fans would say they are a waste of money! It can be a jarring experience when a retailer you trust for almost everything else seems to miss the mark so completely in one category. This disappointment is especially acute because the initial prices seem so appealing, promising the same value we’ve come to expect from the food and home goods aisles.
While we are used to the idea that Costco has amazing prices and that you can get amazing deals there, they are not immune to overpricing items. More accurately, they offer items that seem like a good value on the surface but fail to deliver in the long run. The true cost of a clothing item isn’t just its price tag; it’s the “cost per wear.” An inexpensive T-shirt that warps after three washes is ultimately more expensive than a slightly pricier one that lasts for years.
This is especially true when it comes from a retailer that is known for its food, grocery items, and bulk buying. Costco’s business model is built on sourcing massive quantities of goods and moving them quickly. This works exceptionally well for standardized products, but fashion and apparel require a different kind of expertise—one focused on design, fit, material science, and trend forecasting.
The reality is that Costco is not a fashion retailer, so its expertise cannot match that of others who specialize in fashion items and even online retailers of clothes. Specialty apparel stores have dedicated teams for design and quality control, and they understand the nuances of creating garments that fit well and hold up to repeated wear. Costco’s buyers, while skilled, are generalists trying to fill floor space with appealing products, and apparel often falls short of their usual high standards.
This way, you will find yourself paying way more than you should for similar items that you can find somewhere else. You might see a three-pack of shirts for what seems like a steal, but if they need to be replaced in six months, you haven’t actually saved any money compared to buying a single, higher-quality shirt from a dedicated clothing brand that will look great for several years. Your closet ends up cluttered with subpar items you don’t enjoy wearing.
The sad part is that even some of their clothing deals can end up being a waste since they are not of great quality and you won’t get much use out of them. A winter coat that doesn’t keep you warm, activewear that becomes see-through when you squat, or jeans that fit poorly are not bargains at any price. They are, in essence, clothing-shaped objects that fail at their primary function, leading to buyer’s remorse.
This is why we have looked at what Costco clothing offers and the reviews associated with them. In order for you to be able to shop with no worry, we have brought you some of the items you should definitely skip next time you are at the warehouse! We’ve sorted through the tempting deals to identify the common pitfalls that many well-intentioned shoppers fall into.
Believe us, your money is better spent on other items!
What is your experience with buying clothes from Costco? Let us know in the comments below!
Activewear sets
If you have gotten into the habit of working out, you know just how expensive good activewear can get. Brands that specialize in performance gear often charge a premium for their technical fabrics and ergonomic designs, making the prospect of finding a bargain at Costco incredibly appealing.
This is especially true if you are working out more than twice or thrice a week since you will need a lot of sets to not feel like you are working out in gross workout clothes! Keeping up with the laundry for a frequent fitness routine is a challenge, and having a deep rotation of clean, ready-to-go outfits can be a powerful motivator to not skip a session. The low price of a Costco set seems like a perfect solution to this problem.
However, while Costco does have a lot of affordable sets for what is considered a bargain, you will not be getting the best quality for that price. The materials often lack the technical properties of true performance wear. They may not have effective moisture-wicking capabilities, leaving you feeling damp and uncomfortable during your workout. Furthermore, they often lack the necessary compression and four-way stretch found in higher-quality gear.
A lot of the activewear that Costco has in stock is not of good quality. This leaves you with items that are either too thin (and you will showcase more than you want in them) or they are prone to tearing in the middle of a more intense workout. Many shoppers have reported leggings that fail the “squat test,” becoming completely sheer when stretched, or seams that split during a yoga class or weightlifting session. This is not only embarrassing but can also be a safety concern.
It is not the case with all the pieces, but it is enough for it to happen once for many to swear off Costco clothes! The unreliability is the key issue. You might find one set that holds up okay, only for the next one to fall apart after a couple of uses. This inconsistency makes it a gamble every time you buy.
Instead, you are better off spending a little more and getting workout clothes from a better-known brand that is known for its durability and performance. Investing in apparel with features like flatlock seams to prevent chafing, breathable panels, and durable, opaque fabric will enhance your comfort and confidence, ultimately making your workouts more effective and enjoyable.
Yet, be careful, as there are some thin materials there too, so shop mindfully! Always check reviews and, if possible, feel the fabric yourself before committing to a purchase, even from a well-known brand.
Winter coats
Speaking of Costco’s’ durability, the next item you are better off skipping is the winter coat. As the cold weather approaches, the aisles of Costco often fill up with racks of puffy, appealing-looking jackets at prices that seem too good to be true. And often, they are.
We will say that they do have attractive prices and a pretty wide variety of winter coats, but when you draw the line and observe the most important perks of winter coats, you will see that the great price is not worth it. A coat’s primary job is to provide warmth and protection from the elements, and this is precisely where these budget options falter. Their attractive appearance can be deceiving.
They are simply not durable enough. And while you may think that you are only getting them for one winter, know that the insulation on them is not considered to be the best. Common points of failure include cheap zippers that snag and break, outer shells made from fabric that easily rips or pills, and insulation that clumps up and creates cold spots after just one wash. A great price means nothing if the coat doesn’t even make it through a single season intact.
If you only expect to have a mild winter, then you may be okay but do not expect these items to last you through a harsh winter. A Costco coat might suffice for a quick dash from the car to the grocery store in 40-degree weather, but it will likely leave you shivering during a prolonged walk in freezing temperatures or a blustery snowstorm. They often lack crucial features like wind-proofing, water resistance, and high-quality insulation (like high-fill-power down or advanced synthetic alternatives) that are standard in coats from reputable outerwear brands.
Sometimes it is better to pay a bit more for a higher-quality coat that is going to withstand both the test of time and the test of weather! A well-made coat from a specialized brand is an investment in your comfort and health during the coldest months of the year. It will serve you reliably for many seasons to come.
Not to mention, continuing to buy winter coats every winter is going to leave you spending more than if you got a high-quality, more expensive coat that will last you more than three winters! This cycle of buying and replacing is not only more expensive in the long term but also more wasteful. It’s a classic case of being “penny wise and pound foolish.”
Designer jeans
You may be surprised if you have not wondered about the Costco clothes aisles recently, that they do sometimes carry well-known brands and even what could be considered designer jeans! Seeing a familiar, premium label like Levi’s, Calvin Klein, or even 7 For All Mankind can feel like you’ve hit the jackpot. The discount seems immense compared to what you’d pay at a department store.
The catch with these products is that they usually come in a limited selection that only carries a couple of sizes and styles, so the first issue is being able to find something you like in your size. You’ll often find a mountain of jeans, but only in one or two outdated cuts and a very narrow range of sizes and inseams. The frustration of finally finding your size only to realize it’s in a “mom jean” style from a decade ago is a common Costco experience.
What’s more, you may be tempted to get a brand name for what seems like a great price, but stop and consider whether or not you are getting the real deal. In many cases, these are not the same products you’d find in a high-end retail store. Instead, they are often “diffusion” or “made-for-outlet” lines, specifically manufactured for discount channels like Costco.
These collab pieces that end up at discounted prices for brand names are not made with the same attention to detail and craftsmanship as the designer’s main line. To meet the low price point Costco demands, manufacturers cut corners. They use lower-grade denim that feels stiff and doesn’t break in well, cheaper hardware, simpler stitching, and less sophisticated washing and finishing processes. The brand name is there, but the quality associated with it is not.
As such, you may end up with subpar quality and a mediocre fit, and the price suddenly becomes no longer as appealing. The fit is often the biggest giveaway; these jeans are typically made with a more generic, less flattering cut to appeal to the widest possible audience. You might experience gaping at the waistband, a saggy seat, or a straight-leg cut that’s more boxy than stylish. What good is a designer label on jeans that don’t make you look or feel good?
When you shop for jeans, you need to decide if you are willing to pay for a brand name that is not going to fit you that well or if you want to pay a bit more for a specialty pair of jeans. A good pair of jeans should be a wardrobe staple that lasts for years and fits you perfectly.
While more expensive, those made at a denim store are going to offer higher quality and more durability for a wider range of products. At a dedicated retailer, you’ll find a vast selection of rises, inseams, washes, and fabric blends, along with staff who can help you find the perfect fit for your body type.
Multipacks of basic T-shirts
These multipacks end up fooling a lot of people since they come at a competitive price. On paper, getting four, five, or even six Kirkland Signature T-shirts for around $20 seems like an unbeatable value proposition for stocking up on wardrobe essentials. However, this is one of the most common value traps in the clothing aisle.
The issue with Costco t-shirts is that they are known to lose both color and shape faster, and this will leave you with a poorly constructed shirt that will not have a long lifespan. After only a few washes, you’ll likely notice significant fading, a collar that has stretched out into a wavy “bacon neck,” and side seams that have twisted so the shirt no longer hangs straight. The fabric itself often pills and becomes thin, quickly relegating it to rag status. And even if you delegate them to sleeping shirts, how many of them do you actually need?
Many of these issues stem from the use of lower-quality cotton and rushed construction methods. To keep costs down, these shirts often use cheaper carded cotton instead of the softer, more durable combed or ringspun cotton found in higher-quality tees. The stitching is often basic and not reinforced at stress points like the shoulders, leading to premature wear and tear.
A good move is to try to find some long-lasting basics that are of high quality; that way, you will end up saving more since you will not have to buy them as often and they will last you a long time. A well-made T-shirt from a reputable basics brand might cost $15-$25, but it will maintain its shape, color, and softness for years, not months. The cost-per-wear will be significantly lower, and you’ll have a reliable staple you can confidently wear out of the house.
There are many options out there, both in-store and online, but we recommend that you pass on the Costco ones. Your closet and your wallet will be better off in the long run if you invest in quality over sheer quantity.
A good way to get good-quality T-shirts for a great price is to look online for multipacks. This set has served us great since you only pay around $20 for a 5-pack! That’s a great deal if you ask us!
Off-brand sports shoes
The last item on our list is their athletic shoes. The warehouse store carries an impressive number of off-brand athletic shoes that are budget-friendly and affordable for most of us. Placed near the activewear, they present a compelling vision: a complete, head-to-toe workout outfit for a fraction of the price you’d pay elsewhere. It’s a powerful temptation for the casual gym-goer or someone just starting a fitness journey.
They are generally intended to be worn on occasional workouts, but they carry the same issues as the athletic sets we have mentioned earlier: they are not durable, and the performance of these clothing items is lacking. The cushioning foam in these shoes tends to compress quickly, losing its shock absorption after just a few weeks of use. The outsoles wear down prematurely, and the upper materials can crack or tear at flex points.
They are useful, but when it comes to working out in them, you will not be getting the sports shoe performance you want, especially if you know how a well-known brand of athletic shoes performs. Specialized athletic shoes are engineered equipment. Running shoes have specific foam compounds for energy return, stability shoes have guide rails to prevent overpronation, and cross-training shoes have features for lateral support. The shoes at Costco are typically generic “sneakers” that lack any of this specialized technology.
These Costco shoes can end up wasting your money, especially if you know you need good support and you have some athletic needs. A lot of the reviews talk about being uncomfortable to work out in and that they are not useful for preventing injuries. This is the most critical point. Using improper footwear for athletic activities is a direct path to injuries like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, Achilles tendinitis, and knee pain. The money you save on the shoes could easily be spent on physical therapy down the line.
While they might be perfectly acceptable for walking the dog, doing yard work, or running quick errands, they are not suitable for any form of sustained or high-impact exercise. Your feet are your foundation, and protecting them with properly designed, activity-specific footwear is one of the most important investments you can make in your health and fitness.
While these are not your go-to products for Costco, other shop fans swear by them. If you are curious about Costco but do not know where to start when it comes to buying things, make sure you check out the fan favorites here!
