[OldTimeCoffee]

That's survivorship bias. There was lots of junk made in the 70s-80s, it's just not around any longer because it wore out and was discarded. Average quality isn't any worse than it was 40 years ago; most mass manufactured goods are better made today than before.

You can still buy clothes that will last decades, they're just more expensive than the average person is willing to pay. Especially considering the length of time that something stays fashionable.

ETA: I just looked in my closet because I have a Sears dress shirt from the 70s. It is thin enough I can easily see my hand through it.

[wrycoder]

I still have some Brooks Brothers oxford shirts from the 60s. The fabric is very thick. And no pocket!

When the collars wore out, I'd remove them and sew them in upside down. You just can't kill BB shirts made up to around 1980.