After the overwhelming positive response to yesterday’s post,
Where I asked my readers if I should abstain from purchasing cheap “Fast Fashion” clothing created in sweatshops,
I’ve decided to go forward and do it!
Sometimes I feel like everything being fed to us in this world is a sinister conspiracy…clothing, magazines, processed foods and foods treated with antibiotics…the list goes on…
And I’m already trying to conquer the body shaming industry, so adding something else to my list of evils, like child labor-made clothing, almost feels annoying!
(I know I know. Using the word annoying makes me sound extremely shallow. But I think this word best describes how the general population feels about facing the facts of where our clothes really come from.)
I like being able to spend $150 on an entirely new Spring wardrobe!
I like being able to buy a bathing suit at Forever 21, a half hour before I leave for the beach!
I like being able to buy knockoff sandals in 3 different colors and not ever feel obligated to wear them because they’re so cheap!
I LIKE NOT HAVING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT I’M BUYING!
Photo : Bangladesh sweatshop building collapse, where over 1,000 garment workers, mostly women, were killed making clothes for Benetton, Primark, Matalan, Mango and other major brands.
But….I just don’t have anymore excuses.
Starting today I will not be purchasing clothing from the following stores:
- American Apparel
- Abercombie & Fitch
- LL Bean
- Hanes
- Burberry
- Nike
- Adidas
- Wal-Mart
- Kohls
- Primark
- H&M – including their Conscious collection
- Joe Fresh
- Mango
- Forever 21
- Benetton
- Sears
- Victoria’s Secret
- J.Crew
- GAP
- Zara
– source
For the next 365 days I am following the below 2 rules:
- Clothing already purchased and in my closet is OK TO WEAR.
- I will still be posting outfits on the blog with clothes I already own (with a disclaimer).
- Vintage and 2nd hand clothing is OK TO PURCHASE from reputable stores like Goodwill, Salvation Army, Etsy, and local vintage shops.
Remember…by limiting myself on my purchasing options, I am limiting myself on the income I can generate through my blog.
That’s how fashion blogs work!
I wear something, I link to it below, you click on it, you buy it, I make a percentage!
e-Commerce baby!
But, something has to change.
Fashion has grown too big, too powerful, and too cheap.
I hope this inspires you to take a closer look at your tags, and rethink your wardrobe as a whole.
Do you have any sweatshop brands to add to my list?
Or suggestions for stores I can shop at?
Any help is appreciated. This is very new territory for me.
I’m excited.
And also a little intimidated.
Cheers to new adventures!
LATER DUDES,
XX-HOTPANTS
Since overcoming Bulimia and Binge Eating Disorder, Dana Suchow has become an expert in the field of body image and eating disorder prevention. Offering a nonclinical and holistic approach, Dana will teach you how to put your child on a path towards body love, empowerment and self-acceptance.
Vintage!! Etsy and eBay are great for that! Also Reformation is a awesome company! Love that you ar doing this and I wish you much luck! Check out my vintage store on etsy 10 Years To Life Vintage!
Hi Dana! I love your commitment, and it is inspiring me to think about making a change as well. What source did you use to discover which companies use sweatshops? I’d love to follow suit but also expand to eliminate other stores that employ child laborers and don’t pay fair wages with horrible conditions.
Thank you so much for your “Fast Fashion” post! I try to make myself very aware of issues such as these when it comes to our food but I had never thought about it from a clothing standpoint! As a member of the middle class I find it extra difficult to use my buying power to tell manufactures that I don’t want to buy clothes made in sweat shops (or food raised with pesticides and antibiotics)!! But as with many issues it seems to me many of the CEOs of these companies are the ones who decided to out source, costing us not only the American jobs but also the regulations and standards necessary for proper human rights. It is very frustrating because I feel so small and that these issues are so overwhelming, how can we possibly make things change?! But then I see things like this, things that remind me that there are people out there who do care and who are aware and it gives me hope. Slowly but surely, we can be the change. Thank you best of luck with the next year of “Slow Fashion” :]
You don’t know how frustrating it is working AT one of those companies, Dana. It’s bad enough they don’t serve me and so many other women (I’m referring to the plus size ladies), this “fast fashion” crap is really disconcerting. It’s like profit has more value than a human life, so sad :(
I’m also trying to do a fast fashion diet right now & I’ve started a Pinterest board of places I come across. ;)
https://www.pinterest.com/nikilips/sweatshop-free/