Clothing with a Conscience
I recently got to watch HBO’s special “From Rags To Riches To Rags”. Did you know that in the 1970′s about 95% of ALL THE CLOTHES sold in the USA were MADE in the USA!! Do you remember that commercial on TV with the ladies singing “Look for the union label…” .What happened to the union label?
With every one saying eat organic, eat local, wear organic, fare trade, no child labor… how about we step up and support OUR country, even the businesses in our little town, Montauk. We sure need some support from somewhere. I am trying to buy clothes made in the USA. Usually these garments are made by small businesses. STRUGGLING businesses.(This is why I write about fashion instead of being a starving fashion designer with my own label. I could not support a family.)These little companies need our support and what more fun can you have supporting than shopping while supporting?
I have noticed that blue jeans are the easiest garment to find that is made in the USA. Granted the fabric may be imported and usually is from Japan. But still the jeans are made in the USA giving jobs in the USA. There are plenty of shops in Montauk and East Hampton that sell garments made in the USA (or even just made in countries that have fair trade that help women make a living-my other favorite cause).I know that these things may cost more but there is a reason for that. Doing business is expensive. People in this country want fare wages. So think about it the next time you shop for the cheapest thing you can find. You are supporting un-fair labor in some other nation. Just a thought for this pre Memorial Day week.
Shop Aware. Shop with Care.
Great places to find Made in USA and Fair Trade:
Montauk Daizies – Michael Stars T-Shirts proudly Made in the USA
Sunset Surf Shack – all your surf needs proudly Made in the USA
Share With – fair trade made by women in war torn countries
