--- In , Magus Immortalis <magus.immortalis@... wrote:
I won't be shopping or walking into Joe Fresh anymore (the factories that made clothing for these stores collasped in India.)Â
Or Abercrombie and Fitch because the CEO is a douchebag and the comments he made that hit the Internet recently upset me and many others. I have also read that excess of clothing they made and cannot sell, they do not donate or sell cheaper to other poorer countries because "it would hurt their image." So they burn it all.
Some tips for those who shop in secondhand/vintage/charity shops:
 it's best to ask the salespeople in the shops when their stock comes in and when it's all on the floor, and then go then. Preferably not on weekends when it's packed, picked over or the place is a mess. Or if you have to, best to go first thing in the morning when they open so you don't have to deal with the crowds. People tend to trickle in after lunchtime. All at once, lol.
UNLESS the merchandise still has the original price tags on and looks unworn and has no stains, best not to buy undergarments, shoes, and swimwear secondhand. Baggy underwear that sags in the butt defeats the purpose, especially if the elastic band is sticking out or fraying. Bras that don't have stiff, firm underwire will not support the breasts. And secondhand swimwear isn't hygenic. (Unless it's only the top.) Shoes that are old don't have support or their padding and soles have worn down and will hurt your feet.
Some tips for keeping your clothes newer (if using washer and dryer):
For ladies, wash your bras by hand with a gentle castile liquid soap and hang dry. Or if you prefer the washer, a washer-friendly mesh bag that zips up can hold your bras and fancier underpants. And put the washer on delicate spin. Don't forget the biodegradable, earth-friendly, not tested on animals washing detergent! ^.^ Even mainstream stores and supermarkets carry these greener options now.Â
Unless you get bloodied often in your clothes, roll around in mud or are out in the field a lot, these should do the job for most people.
I find that washing the clothes you wear most often (jeans, shirts, sweaters for me) I turn them inside out and wash them in cold water in the washer, then hang them to air dry. It makes them look newer longer, especially if they are not super high-quality.
This may sound gross to some, but as long as I haven't been sweating profusely and the armpits of the shirts and sweaters don't reek I don't wash my shirts and hoodies after every time I wear them.Â
I alternate between clothes in the cooler months so it may be a month or two (or more) before I wash the hoodies. I have about a dozen. And wear each one once or twice a week. Shirts I wash more often because they are closer to the skin.
In warmer months I obviously throw them in the hamper after being outside all day. Lighter colours shirts, like in yellow, beige, white, show stains more easily over time. Sweat turns them yellow in some places. Or if you are prone to spilling food and drink on yourself, or are a messy eater and the food goes flying on yourself while chewing (it happens) lighter colours will show it more.
I tried to stay on the topic of taking care of the clothes you have, or are planning on acquring, so you don't go buying tons more. I think we live in a culture of materialism and over-consumption. Particularly here in North America.
It's become the norm to buy a shirt that cost less then the price of admission to a movie. Or cheaper then eating out with friends. People are used to this, and because they buy more because it's cheap, it creates a demand and that demand has to be filled.
It's like a national past-time to go shopping more then once a week to your favorite mall and shops and spend money on clothes you don't need. To fill a spiritual hole in your life. Or filling whatever hole you have in your life with shopping (depression, loneliness, insecurity, self-esteem issues, time with friends or family, etc.)
People do it without being aware of it, but it shows in one's growing credit card debt and having clothes in one's closet with the tags still attached, months or a year or more later.
I have some books on fashion, written by ladies living in Paris or had stayed there, and the lifestyle is very different in thinking, shopping, etc. I have never gone to Europe nor do I know anyone there.
But the point I want to bring out was this: many ladies have a minimalist wardrobe of less then 20 pieces (or around that number.) They mix and match, buy the highest quality they can afford and wear it until it gets old or falls apart. They think nothing of wearing the same dress or pants twice or more in a week at school, work, or when going out. They choose carefully and love and take care of the garments they have. Same with bras and intimates. They choose carefully and stick with classic, timeless pieces instead of super-trendy ones.
This idea of living and thinking is brand-new and almost revolutionary to someone like myself, in Canada, where lots of people at work or school make the effort to wear different items of clothing throughout the week. And have bulging closets that spill over with clothing that are cheap or made in questionable factories in countries outside North America.
A lot of higher quality designer fashion houses, when you are paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for their garments and bags, their workers in their factories are often in Europe or North America, and are being paid a fair, reasonable living wage and the factories are not in deplorable conditions like many factories in India, China, Bangladesh, etc. They have good standards and worker rights.
If you are able to buy from these fashion houses, that's great, the jackets, bags, dresses, etc. if well taken care of will last one 5 years or more, and one can pass it on to younger members of the family in the future. Some good handbags will last a lifetime if taken care of.
It's not in my budget, personally, to buy from designer houses. But I thought I'd bring it up.
Thankfully there are more fair-trade and locally made undergarments and clothing, shoes made from recycled materials, and accessories that are free of animal-products like leather.
I agree with supporting local business and producers.
________________________________
From: Serpentfire666 <firebird894@...
To:
Sent: Sunday, May 12, 2013 5:31:25 AM
Subject: The factory disasters in India
Â
I went to the only big store in town to get some jumpers and stuff for winter, I havn't had time to make any myself. I walked out with nothing, why? Every item of clothing for sale in there (Kmart) made in China or Bangladesh. I picked up a top nevermind the shitty quality I had a nasty vibe come over me and had to wonder, is the person who made this still alive? Or burried in some rubble.
What have we come to? Seriously I will go with fewer clothes and make my own or buy second hand, or more expensive to avoid supporting this racket any further.
Gentiles are being conditioned to accept cheap nasty junk made by suffering people. The people making this stuff probably couldn't even afford to buy it.
Take a stand, don't buy this shit, complain to the stores, make a scene and demand better quality, made in your own country. Support local buisness and producers.
If we keep buying it they will keep producing crap.
Hail Satan
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