spring blues and politics
I wore blue yesterday, but I wasn’t feeling blue. I had a fun day hanging out with friends downtown and drinking blue bottle coffee. I’ve been wearing my vintage letterman sweater a lot lately. It fits perfect and keeps me cozy warm in the San Francisco wind.
50s letterman sweater: thrifted, had since high school
deer printed shorts: H&M
flower tights: Urban Outfitters
silver oxfords: F21
80s blue bow blouse: Wasteland (remixed here and here)
vintage Etienne Aigner purse: ebay
(photo by Joshua Cobos, taken with a disposable camera)
I feel a little bad for buying some new things at H&M recently. For one because I’m broke and can’t afford it, but mainly because of global labor rights politics. I became more aware of the issue after watching the following video. Please, please watch this.
After watching that video, it made me not want to buy any new clothing that was made outside the USA. Unfortunately I’m poor and needed underwear. I hate that that is my excuse, as I think a lot of people just pull the defeatist card when it comes to issues like this. They think, “Well, it’s going to happen regardless.” If I know injustice is happening I can’t just say oh well. I don’t shop at Target anymore because of the money the company spent on the Yes on 8 campaign. I think you can make a difference by where you choose to give your dollar. So I’m hoping to be better at that. At least for the most part, I feel good that I buy vintage and American-made clothes.
One of my friends said, “Where do you draw the line? Appliances, packaging… it’s all made out of the country.” And yeah, that’s true. But again, if I know I can do one thing to help the problem, I’ll do that. I will try my darnedest. Because I know for the rest of my life I’ll remember the image of that charred hand reaching through a gated window in that sweatshop in Bangladesh. I will never forget it, and I’ll think of it every time I read the label of an item made in Bangladesh, Madagascar, the Philippines….
Does this issue affect you? Do you take action? Are there stores you stay away from? I’d love to hear what you all think of this.
April 13th, 2011 at 5:42 pm
I only shop at the thrift store and vintage stores occasionally; I feel good about that. I just adore your 50s letterman sweater & how awesome that you found it so long ago at the thrift store.
April 13th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Thank you Crystal Lee. Yes! I’m so glad I kept that sweater! There’s definitely a lot of vintage I had back in high school that I wish I kept.
April 13th, 2011 at 6:09 pm
You are too perfect! I recently discovered your blog, and I love every single one of your post.
April 13th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Thank you Erika. I’m glad you found it!
April 13th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
I did not know that about Target! How frustrating that it seems no matter what shopping choices I seem to make, some how they come out wrong.
Have you ever seen the BBC series ‘Blood, Sweat and t-shirts’? This was really my own wake-up call to being a more informed and basically a more ethical consumer. I was never much of a shopper anyway, but now I am vigilant about checking labels and buying second hand as much as possible! I really wish that fabric by the yard had to be labeled as well. It would make sewing feel like a better option, but as it stands, I think I’m only cutting out the sweat shop part of the production process
April 13th, 2011 at 10:09 pm
I love this outfit so much… especially those shoes!
you look fantastic, as always : )
April 14th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Thanks for the comment Barbara, I haven’t seen that series, but I’ll check it out. That’s a really good point about how fabric should be labeled. I’m just glad to hear there are others out there trying to be informed and ethical. I heard about a book called “The Better World Shopping Guide” which I’m hoping to check out soon. I heard it’s good. But yeah, you are making a difference in the production process!
Thank you Rebecca!
April 14th, 2011 at 9:32 pm
Beautifully put, Mary. This issue affects us all, whether we want to think about it or not.
I never buy a thing without checking to see where it is made. There are some items (especially small appliances) that just are not made in the US any longer, but I’ll search around to find the lesser of two evils. An item assembled in Mexico at least consumes less energy than one made in Asia, and then shipped half a world away.
Also, I’ve found USA made items in surprising places, such as Fred’s, a discount store, that carries really good and inexpensive made in the USA shipping envelopes. You can find lots of other made in the USA items, but you have to look carefully.
I think a lot of people would be shocked to see how some American stores spend money on political “causes” that have nothing at all to do with the clothing industry. The guy that owns Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie is a good example of that.
April 15th, 2011 at 2:07 am
Nice, Lizzie! Those are some great tips!! That is so true when thinking about an item made in Mexico consuming less energy. I’m glad to hear there are everyday items still being made in the US! I’m going to try and be more proactive about reading labels on items beside clothing.
I need to research the guy who owns Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie. Tell me more….
On top of the not made in the USA issue, I’ve also been staying away from Forever 21 since they put bible verses on their bags. It just makes me assume they spend money on political causes I’m against.
April 15th, 2011 at 11:12 am
The owner’s name is Richard Hayne. A quick google will show that he has supported anti-gay politicians and causes, including Prop 8 in California.
April 15th, 2011 at 11:28 pm
Mary! This video was shocking and heartbreaking. It’s hard to comprehend how stuff like this still occurs in the modern world.
It’s difficult as a student on a very low budget to avoid shopping at these fast fashion type retailers, but watching this will definitely make me think twice. I know I can’t avoid going to these stores all together, but I will definitely be checking my labels!
On a less serious note: YOU LOOK SO GOOD! I heart everything about this look! Delicious.
April 16th, 2011 at 1:41 am
Thank you Lydia!!! I know, I’m totally in the same boat. I mean I pretty much posted this because I was feeling guilty for buying stuff at H&M. I was looking up USA made underwear and the prices are so high. I just can’t afford it right now!
April 20th, 2011 at 8:31 am
I really reeeeally love this outfit! I just bought a bunch of vintage high waisted shorts and I had no ideas on how to wear them. This will definitely serve as inspiration. And I adore that cardigan!
April 20th, 2011 at 8:36 am
Also, I went on this little crusade where I don’t buy any “new” clothing (as in from a store which is not a thrift store) or I make whatever I need. It definitely changed my outlook about stuff. (Underwear though, definitely buy new). I feel better knowing that the thrift stores I shop at benefit my local community (elderly/meals on wheels/children’s programs) rather than going to big name businesses.
April 22nd, 2011 at 6:30 pm
You look freakin’ cute. I love this outfit!
xoxo
Em
April 13th, 2012 at 1:52 pm
[...] I wear day-to-day have been well worn, and even my high heels have seen better days. Ever since this post I’ve been more vigilant of buying American made. Also, our country is at war and yet no one [...]