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ethical fashion downfall

anne

Veteran

I haven't been here much what with preparing to move and not having a home computer but have just managed to log on with my phone and thought I'd update you on my ethical fashion progress, or in fact lack of it.
my resolution was to buy only ethical fashion as much as possible.

sadly I am not doing well. I basically bought nothing at all for the first five months of the year. that was okay because I was saving up for the Australian winter. so two weeks ago I headed to a shopping centre in a pricey city area where I knew there were shops that were on the ethical fashion Australia website. I went to metallicus planning on getting layering tops in polyamide. to my surprise they were made in China, and therefore not cover under website. same goes for knits and shirts from cue, which is what I wanted to get. it all seemed to be getting too hard. I ended up buying 4 garments that day, none of them fitting my original criteria. plan B all the way here, sadly.

Shopping

20 replies

Latest reply was from anne

bj1111

Veteran

doing the right thing can be so complicated, anne. kudos for trying.

plan B is good. what did you get?

Anonymous

What a bummer about those stores! I hope you don't feel too defeated. On the bright side, show us your stuff! Is it cold enough to wear it yet?

unfrumped

Veteran

I've about come to the conclusion that an ethical approach is to wear my clothes fully as possible and try not to overbuy in terms of volume, duplication and impulse buys. The more i really like what i do buy, the more satisfied i am with less volume. It is hard to unravel all of the connections and international issues in the industry.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Anne, I know you must be disappointed, but please know that knits, in particular, are almost exclusively made in China. I was reading an article yesterday about several Canadian manufacturers who do almost all their work here in Canada (different price points) but each one admitted that for knits, the manufacture is in China.

anne

Veteran

bj I got a white shirt, a white thin knit top, a black cardi and a red coat. just replacement claim. Claire it is definitely cold enough. I am not sure if I can upload photos on this new phone. I am discouraged about it Claire, I do wish it was easier. unframed I do at least follow the principles you mention,

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

The good intentions were there, Anne :). I say that counts for a lot.

annaj

Veteran

How disappointing! I was watching with interest to see how you went, as I'd love to know what is available here in Australia. If the availability isn't there, it makes it a little more difficult!

kkards

Veteran

Anne, I must admit, that I try to buy as much as I can from country's were I believe the goods are manufactured in a ethical manner. But, I also come back to some of the recent interviews that i heard with workers from Bangladesh,about the impact of these apparel jobs on this very very poor nation and I am reminded that there are many many facets of ethical behavior. Often what seems so black and white, is a muddle of gray

chewyspaghetti

Veteran

I guess you could just stick to your op shop finds- at least you are nor supporting the industry in those countries, even if they were made there.

Caro in Oz

Veteran

It's so hard; kudos for trying I agree with kkards about there being many sides to this question.

Deborah

Veteran

Anne, I really admire your efforts. I tend to sit where Unfrumped does in doing my bit. I hope if I can at least eliminate what I conider to be waste (by over buying) that is something. I also still thrift at times and recycling appeals to my sense of ethics also. It is such a complicated issue. Would love to see you new goodies

anne

Veteran

I can't seem to reply at any length

anne

Veteran

have typed and lost 2 replies

Thistle

Veteran

Well, I give youa huge kudos for trying. It is such a tangled mess, and I truly feel manufacturers go out of their way to keep it a mess so that we have a much more difficult time shopping ethically.

And, as KKards pointed out, there is so many layers that is just not all black and white.

So, good for you for at least trying!

anne

Veteran

hand is aching with unaccustomed texting so will try again tomorrow! thanks to all

rachylou

Veteran

It's very difficult. Everything is tangled. I just try to support the good where I find it, like the local upcycle fashion ladies in my 'hood. I'm going on the theory (hope) that having them make a go of it, get a foothold, is the most promising avenue. As opposed to trying to pull the rug from under the bad. If you get some momentum, maybe things will swing the other way.

Gaylene

Veteran

I'm not sure there is a clear-cut answer to the question of what is, and what isn't, ethical when it comes to mass market fashion. The more I try to educate myself, the more complicated it becomes to sort out how I ought to respond. If I choose to boycott companies who buy from these sweatshops, am I actually helping, or hurting, the women who work there? A woman who earns an income generally has more power than one who is dependent on her family or her husband. This power can give her more say about her own life and more clout in family matters, like keeping children in school instead of sending them out into the workplace. As kkards' says, shades of murky grey instead of black and white.

Ultimately, my thoughts are much like Rachylou's and umfrumped's. Instead of trying to figure out who is "bad", so I can boycott them, I think it's more feasible for me to support businesses whose actions I believe are on the right track. I also think it's important I wear my clothes instead of engaging in a constant closet purging and churning just to be "stylish". And, finally, I need to accept responsibility that, just because I live in a society that encourages excessive buying, I don't need to indulge every time I'm bored with my closet just because I'm fortunate enough to have the extra income to spend.

anne

Veteran

so much wisdom here. this certainly is a murky area. I too want to encourage firms doing the right thing.

anne

Veteran

also wanted to emphasise
that I am not against buying goods manufactured overseas per se. The problem is that it is much harder to check how they treat their workers.

anne

Veteran

Kris welcome back btw! I think you are on to a good principle with thrifting. In practice though I find it difficult for two reasons, the first being that I don't like to shop for very long or often and the second that I tend to go in with very specific requirements in mind. Also I currently live in a regional town with pretty poor pickings at the options. however I am soon moving to a large city where the quality may be better so it is worth my keeping it in mind thanks.