For the photo shoot I just did for the hair salon I'm working with (see my avatar), a nearby high-end boutique supplied the clothes. A couple of the dresses needed to be dry cleaned and one has a seam that pulled and needs repair. The owner was miffed that no one came to her and apologized profusely and offered to pay for it (even though we didn't even know).
The main problem was that there was no clear definition of who was responsible for the clothes (she was actually there for most of the shoot). We'll make sure that doesn't happen again. However, she is used to working with desperate photographers who beg her for the opportunity to use her clothes in order to get portfolio shots (and a local magazine who did the same in order to do an editorial layout) - and are willing to agree to be fully responsible for them (and gush all over her for the privilege). Not only do I not work that way, but in this case I didn't have anything to do with the clothes - or even know she was providing them until I showed up the day of the shoot. (The salon owner set that up.)
So she not only expects to get the photography for free (or at most for token expenses), but also have someone else be completely responsible for the clothes - including normal wear and tear.
And there are plenty of photographers out there who will do just that. (But not me.)