Comments on: Cheap Clothes Support Cheap Lives

By: LastCallSF

LastCallSF — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 18:52:00 +0000

There is documentary coming out called “American-Made Movie” that features an interview the CEO of New Balance, of American made footwear fame. http://theamericanmademovie.com/about/

By: LastCallSF

LastCallSF — Mon, 23 Sep 2013 16:56:00 +0000

There was a store, for a while, next to my house on Mission st. that priced all their shoes at 11 bux. That was their big selling point, “All shoes 11 bux!” I went in once to check it out and could almost taste the slavery. It was gross, and terribly sad. I never went back.

By: Liz Rood

Liz Rood — Sun, 22 Sep 2013 18:41:00 +0000

I have been reading labels to find out where my clothes are made for years. I also often buy used clothing because much of it predates manufacturing shifts to East Asian factories. That said, I have been to a couple of factories in China (knives not clothes) and though it was not somewhere I would want to work, It was neither prison nor slave labor.

Right on, Babe, for bringing this up. Know where your clothes are made, and even better, find out under what conditions they are made.

But $500 for an off-the-rack dress from Dita? Heck for that price you could have something made to order that fits you perfectly.

By: RBR

RBR — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 01:52:00 +0000

I agree with you Babe, and judging by the emphasis that companies such as Brooks Brothers are placing on their USA-made lines of clothing, other people are signing on to the idea too.
In January of 2011 I decided that I had enough of high priced items with poor QC, made in sketchy places. I replaced all of my shoes with brands such as Allen Edmonds, Grenson, Joseph Cheaney & Sons. I sourced belts made in the USA through Allen Edmonds, and I even found a belt and wallet maker in Florida, Pete Kinnamon. He and I spend a solid hour talking by phone about his products.
There are socks, shirts, pants, coats, jackets, belts, etc. that are competitively priced and of high quality.
There are a number of jeans manufacturers in LA, North Carolina, and even San Francisco.

By: Babe Scanlon

Babe Scanlon — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 00:05:00 +0000

I was talking in particular about the Dita Von Teese range. I expected the high price to be a reflection of a choice to have it made in a country that pays livable wages. There are plenty of US made dresses for less. But when you factor in fabric and labor a custom made dress can come to that cost. Obviously many people can’t afford that but a lot can and I’m advocating for saving up and buying 1 ethically made dress as opposed to 3 shittily made dresses.

Those with the ability to choose should choose well.

By: MrEricSir

MrEricSir — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 22:11:00 +0000

A couple years ago I decided to only buy American-made shoes and haven’t looked back.

What’s funny to me is that most people see no value in buying American-made products for things like clothes and shoes, so they tend to be about the same price as anything else.

By: Scott

Scott — Thu, 19 Sep 2013 19:46:00 +0000

I like how this article shows concern for the working conditions of people overseas, but doesn’t acknowledge that many people here simply don’t have the money to spend $500 on a dress.