You have K-Mart in Australia? Many stores here closed over the past decade, but a few still hang on somehow.
I am also in the poor department (but still go to Starbucks, etc, far too often) and in need of new clothes. To be honest, I look at where things are made, but it doesn't strike my conscience as much as you or others. The bigger issue for me personally is that 99% of what I see in the stores I think is hideous and/or doesn't fit me well. The only place I know of with decent working conditions is American Apparel, but much of their stuff again falls under the hideous label.
Now that you've got me thinking about it, I remembered an article someone posted a month or so ago that might be helpful to you. I'll look for it later today.
Research isn't too hard! And the good thing is, when you do it with once, you can generally stick with those brands.
So, underwear, I go here: http://www.pantstopoverty.com/ Jeans, I go here: http://www.nudiejeans.com/ This is another good one: http://www.etiko.com.au/ (I'm planning to get sneakers from them when my old ones eventually die). There are a few shops in Sydney that sell eco clothes too, like the Trading Circle in Summer Hill and Braintree Hemp in Newtown. And as you've mentioned, charity shops are pretty good too. The clothes might not be made in good factories, but at least you aren't creating direct demand for new and cheap clothes.
ALL MY THOUGHTS!!!etimodnarMay 31 2013, 03:12:42 UTC
Oh man... I try not to think about this too much because the guilt is crippling. CRIPPLING!! Like, I need a bra that fits and is comfortable. But if I veto all unethical bras, I'd be left with 1 that costs a billion dollars. FURTHERMORE the people working in Bangladesh factories NEED work. They need the clothing industry to provide economy. If they drive their prices up, business will go to another 3rd world country with appalling work conditions and pay. So what do I do!?!? CRIPPLING
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Re: ALL MY THOUGHTS!!!etimodnarJune 3 2013, 09:03:08 UTC
Oh, it's not your fault!! :)
It's just SO HARD navigating the water of being an ethical consumer that there are some things (like bras, undies, socks, whatever) that I'm like "no! This far and no further!"
I was trying to be sympathetic to your dilemma while also sharing how I deal with it :)
Comments 5
I am also in the poor department (but still go to Starbucks, etc, far too often) and in need of new clothes. To be honest, I look at where things are made, but it doesn't strike my conscience as much as you or others. The bigger issue for me personally is that 99% of what I see in the stores I think is hideous and/or doesn't fit me well. The only place I know of with decent working conditions is American Apparel, but much of their stuff again falls under the hideous label.
Now that you've got me thinking about it, I remembered an article someone posted a month or so ago that might be helpful to you. I'll look for it later today.
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So, underwear, I go here: http://www.pantstopoverty.com/
Jeans, I go here: http://www.nudiejeans.com/
This is another good one: http://www.etiko.com.au/ (I'm planning to get sneakers from them when my old ones eventually die). There are a few shops in Sydney that sell eco clothes too, like the Trading Circle in Summer Hill and Braintree Hemp in Newtown. And as you've mentioned, charity shops are pretty good too. The clothes might not be made in good factories, but at least you aren't creating direct demand for new and cheap clothes.
Reply
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Reply
It's just SO HARD navigating the water of being an ethical consumer that there are some things (like bras, undies, socks, whatever) that I'm like "no! This far and no further!"
I was trying to be sympathetic to your dilemma while also sharing how I deal with it :)
Reply
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