When shopping, do you ever come across or try on an item that you suspect may look cheap but can’t quite put your finger on why? Well, today I’m here to help

you not only decode why an item may look less than worthy of its price tag but also avoid accidentally purchasing such pieces only to later regret it. Seeing as I’ve been a recreational or professional shopper pretty much all my life, I’ve come to learn certain tricks to figuring out which items to skip and what to look for in a budget buy.

Some are more obvious such as cheap-looking hardware or zippers, but others, such as oddly placed seams and unfinished hems, can take a bit of practice to spot. To see my full list, read about all seven of the characteristics to look out for, and do a little editor-approved shopping along the way, just keep scrolling.