Cheap Clothing, Expensive Handbags

[Manelieht]

On the other end of the spectrum, one is buying into the idea that they'll make a savings. It's not untrue, but it's not strictly true either. When I talk of throwaway culture, I don't mean to disparage people who shop at fast fashion brands because of the more accessible price point. I mean that excess is almost inevitable. It really screwed with me when I was younger, finding so many things at such lower price points. I bought so many clothes and shoes without ever wearing them. It's actually one of my biggest regrets to this day. I don't earn much at all and the epiphany about how much fast fashion influences my spending was life-changing.

Oh yeah, I don't deny fast fashion screws up many. It really is turning into a disease. One only needs to look at shoppers at Primark where you can grab HUGE shopping bags and load them with 3 Euro items. The store is so crowded and people are killing each other over items...not a good vibe.

And sadly most young people don't value their stuff..I hope times will change.

We are dealing with two extremes. The very cheap and the very overpriced.

It would be nice to find a happy medium between the two, to buy local, lesser known brands at a reasonable price point (for both consumer and producer) but accessibility, as always, is a big problem. Smaller companies don't always have the resources to be able to compete against larger retailers and get their goods to market. In this respect, fast fashion brands are no different from luxury designer brands in the intensity of their marketing and branding. Consumers tend to believe that because there is a visibility to the brand, that a level of quality exists in comparison to an unknown, locally made fashion label.

True. Labels really try to sell the "quality" too, but much of it is clever advertising and packaging.
I do love to buy handmade from Etsy, Dawanda and other marketplaces like it. I also buy at local craft or Medieval Fairs and I have sold my items as well, online and at fairs
Especially jewelry is something I often buy on Etsy...Artisan, handmade, custom...far better quality than anything Marc Jacobs I own. Genuine gold filled or silver jewelry, not gold plated brass 🙊

Companies have a priority to their shareholders first, consumer second. Therefore, they will often try to find ways of cutting corners until it blows up in their face in the media. This won't change anytime soon. I'm glad H&M and a number of other companies are going in the right direction. But H&M is certainly not the end of the story. There are hundreds of companies that are not following a more sustainable and ethical line of production.

Manelieht, you're part of a rarer breed of consumer. You have gained an enlightened philosophy towards clothing and you have insider knowledge on how clothes are made. Thus, you are in an empowered position. Most people don't know or care, nor do they want to know or care. This, to me, is an imbalance of power between consumer and producer.

I would hope more companies would change their ways in the future. In the meantime it is certainly good to know which brands have improved and which ones to avoid.

I don't want to place the burden on the consumer to make the ethical choice. If they're comfortable with it, then that's where they're at. I'm probably doing any number of things that are within the grey areas of ethics. But perhaps, it would also be in the consumer's best interest to be able to make informed decisions about the products they consume. It's not a medical procedure or anything as drastic or life-altering but it's certainly important. If people are in the position to be able to take a deeper look around, there are things that could be improved upon in which ultimately, only the informed consumer can effect change.

That would be good, I feel many don't have the slightest clue however. And the ones that do feel there isn't much of a choice...which in a way is a bit true as most companies have a bit of dirt on them or hide some details. All try to get to our money.
Consumerism rules the world one way or another. We can hardly go back to owning 3 hand sewn dresses and living on a farm (sounds peaceful though

 

[soramillay]

I learnt about ethical consumption from a large public clothing swap I attended in my city, where you bring in bags of clothes you never wear and get coupons for anything you want from the event. It was fantastic, it was fun, I got "new" clothes and I also learnt a lot about my wasteful consumption and how much pollution the garment industry produces. From then on, I have gradually become more mindful about my clothing choices.

I think that is the way fashion consumers need to have their eyes opened... through inward reflection and not by guilting. Had someone harangued me about the ills of the fast fashion industry, I would have plugged my fingers in my ears and gone "la, la, la". Young people (and maybe older people too) don't like being made to feel guilty.

But people can rally around an attractive movement. Look at Marie Kondo. Or at that Blackfish documentary that singlehandledy took down Sea World's Orca program. Someone should do the same thing about the fast fashion industry. I know I stopped buying Joe Fresh after that Bangladeshi factory collapse.

 

[ladysarah]

I learnt about ethical consumption from a large public clothing swap I attended in my city, where you bring in bags of clothes you never wear and get coupons for anything you want from the event. It was fantastic, it was fun, I got "new" clothes and I also learnt a lot about my wasteful consumption and how much pollution the garment industry produces. From then on, I have gradually become more mindful about my clothing choices.

I think that is the way fashion consumers need to have their eyes opened... through inward reflection and not by guilting. Had someone harangued me about the ills of the fast fashion industry, I would have plugged my fingers in my ears and gone "la, la, la". Young people (and maybe older people too) don't like being made to feel guilty.

But people can rally around an attractive movement. Look at Marie Kondo. Or at that Blackfish documentary that singlehandledy took down Sea World's Orca program. Someone should do the same thing about the fast fashion industry. I know I stopped buying Joe Fresh after that Bangladeshi factory collapse.

Plenty of older people frequent PRIMARK and buy sweat shop made clothes, so it has nothing to do with age. And most consumers of sweat shop clothing and fast fashion find plenty of self justification and will do anything to avoid thinking about how the clothes are made. One argument is that clothes are so expensive and it's not possible to afford buying ethical. I tend to think we cannot afford NOT to buy ethical - the consequences will come to haunt us. Buying a Chanel bag, (or similar) by saving money because I bought 'cheap' sweat shop clothes, it's wrong at so many levels, it's not surprising that people prefer to gloss it over and not think about it.

 

[CoachCruiser]

This is a great thread. (Why didn't I find it sooner?) I'm known for having a few good pieces from Talbots, and the rest is from Old Navy and my bag collection is - well, I'm fortunate. I can relate to many thoughts posted here. Unfortunately, many of my favorite bag designers are turning to 3rd world countries for tiny-wage workers, and that DOES upset me.

 

[Mariapia]

This is a great thread. (Why didn't I find it sooner?) I'm known for having a few good pieces from Talbots, and the rest is from Old Navy and my bag collection is - well, I'm fortunate. I can relate to many thoughts posted here. Unfortunately, many of my favorite bag designers are turning to 3rd world countries for tiny-wage workers, and that DOES upset me.

It upsets me too, CoachCruiser! [emoji30][emoji30]

 

[misskris03]

Plenty of older people frequent PRIMARK and buy sweat shop made clothes, so it has nothing to do with age. And most consumers of sweat shop clothing and fast fashion find plenty of self justification and will do anything to avoid thinking about how the clothes are made. One argument is that clothes are so expensive and it's not possible to afford buying ethical. I tend to think we cannot afford NOT to buy ethical - the consequences will come to haunt us. Buying a Chanel bag, (or similar) by saving money because I bought 'cheap' sweat shop clothes, it's wrong at so many levels, it's not surprising that people prefer to gloss it over and not think about it.

I often recommend thrift shopping to people as a great way to find good quality, affordable clothes and help the environment. If people ask where I got something & it's second hand, I even offer to go with them in case they find the idea of going alone overwhelming. Interestingly, almost no one seems to make it to the thrift shop, even people who don't have a ton of money to throw around. I don't know why they're not interested.

 

[CoachCruiser]

Mariapia - thank you for understanding. It's upsetting to me - and worse still, upsetting that the quality isn't bad, so I accept it.

 

[soramillay]

I often recommend thrift shopping to people as a great way to find good quality, affordable clothes and help the environment. If people ask where I got something & it's second hand, I even offer to go with them in case they find the idea of going alone overwhelming. Interestingly, almost no one seems to make it to the thrift shop, even people who don't have a ton of money to throw around. I don't know why they're not interested.

I love thrift shops but I do understand why it's overwhelming for others. It is a very time consuming process to go through the racks. You have to be patient and very sharp eyed to discover good finds. The environment is usually utilitarian without the pleasant stimulation of retail therapy (good lighting, artful displays, music, fragrance). It is also competitive where I live because there are shoppers that lurk waiting for the new clothes to be brought out and jump on them. I have had better luck with the children's sections. Bought almost 2/3 of my baby clothing like new at the thrift store and then a lot of fall and winter wear for older ages.

These days I don't go thrifting too often because it encourages the "Primark shopper" in me, I buy too much and very little of what I buy is what exactly what I want. I'd buy something because it's branded or because it's 100% silk and never wear it. Maybe when I master mindful consumption.

 

[misskris03]

I love thrift shops but I do understand why it's overwhelming for others. It is a very time consuming process to go through the racks. You have to be patient and very sharp eyed to discover good finds. The environment is usually utilitarian without the pleasant stimulation of retail therapy (good lighting, artful displays, music, fragrance). It is also competitive where I live because there are shoppers that lurk waiting for the new clothes to be brought out and jump on them.

Yes, these are all excellent points

These days I don't go thrifting too often because it encourages the "Primark shopper" in me, I buy too much and very little of what I buy is what exactly what I want. I'd buy something because it's branded or because it's 100% silk and never wear it. .

I'm guilty of that, too. I've gotten better, but I still struggle with the urge to buy anything that's "a good deal" even if I don't need it

 

[Manelieht]

.... Buying a Chanel bag, (or similar) by saving money because I bought 'cheap' sweat shop clothes, it's wrong at so many levels, it's not surprising that people prefer to gloss it over and not think about it.

If you look closely, you can find something every single one of us is doing that is wrong on so many levels, bad for the environment, wrong ethically.
What cosmetic brands do you use for example? They are likely bad for the environment, tested on animals, bad for our bodys, they create waste...they aren't necessary to survive.
Maybe you did not know about this just like Primark shoppers are oblivious in many ways, but you are informed now.

You could keep going...instead of buying Chanel clothing, wouldn't it be better to recycle, make your own, buy thrift store clothing? What about materials? Hemp and bamboo only maybe? Oh and we should not dye our clothing as the dye is toxic.
Giving your money to an already filthy rich designer label is also questionable. Why not buy from local artisans or organisations that donate money for every piece of clothing sold..

Point is, it is pointless to point fingers. We can do that all day. Society is much more to blame than the people that try to manage in this society.

I learnt about ethical consumption from a large public clothing swap I attended in my city, where you bring in bags of clothes you never wear and get coupons for anything you want from the event. It was fantastic, it was fun, I got "new" clothes and I also learnt a lot about my wasteful consumption and how much pollution the garment industry produces. From then on, I have gradually become more mindful about my clothing choices.

I think that is the way fashion consumers need to have their eyes opened... through inward reflection and not by guilting. Had someone harangued me about the ills of the fast fashion industry, I would have plugged my fingers in my ears and gone "la, la, la". Young people (and maybe older people too) don't like being made to feel guilty.

But people can rally around an attractive movement. Look at Marie Kondo. Or at that Blackfish documentary that singlehandledy took down Sea World's Orca program. Someone should do the same thing about the fast fashion industry. I know I stopped buying Joe Fresh after that Bangladeshi factory collapse.

That is a very interesting strategy! And I agree, probably a much better way to get people to think.
Shaming people won't work...and whoever is free of sin gets to throw the first stone?
To educate is really all we can do and protest to achieve inprovement.

I love thrift shops but I do understand why it's overwhelming for others. It is a very time consuming process to go through the racks. You have to be patient and very sharp eyed to discover good finds. The environment is usually utilitarian without the pleasant stimulation of retail therapy (good lighting, artful displays, music, fragrance). It is also competitive where I live because there are shoppers that lurk waiting for the new clothes to be brought out and jump on them. I have had better luck with the children's sections. Bought almost 2/3 of my baby clothing like new at the thrift store and then a lot of fall and winter wear for older ages.

These days I don't go thrifting too often because it encourages the "Primark shopper" in me, I buy too much and very little of what I buy is what exactly what I want. I'd buy something because it's branded or because it's 100% silk and never wear it. Maybe when I master mindful consumption.

All very good points. I can see how someone could follow the same buying pattern at a thrift store

 

[alansgail]

I think when we try to control what others "should" do, at least in our mind, that we're going down a fruitless path.
I say live and let live and control what you can.....don't worry about the rest because you have no control over it anyway. If these things are important to you then go ahead and live your truth. But to fret over others who don't share your view is an exercise in futility.

 

[Happy Luppy]

i only splurge on high quality coats and shoes. but for day 2 day wear, i prefer something that is both comfy and cheap, i am a big fan of UNIQLO since they fit my needs and size.

 

[katja_246]

Been lurking here and thought I share my thoughts as well.
First of all you ladies make excellent points about how we should care more where stuff is made if we can fork over big money for expensive brand name bags!

For me, I love quality bags, I tried buying some nice Zara bags, but I never used them so I am now sticking to designer, even if they are more expensive I think it is wasteful to buy things you don't use.

I also like to invest in well made shoes and outerwear, if I can. But this is where the problem lies for me and I am sure many others. I can simply not afford to buy all my clothing from brands like Chanel or others who still produce in Europe.

I know I should buy less and therefore be able to afford more high quality pieces, but sometimes I just like a dress etc from Asos or Zara. I try to make sure not to buy poly fabrics though.
I think the biggest hurdle to my mindful consumption tends to be social media and friends (they always get new things at places like H&M, Brandy Melville, etc and you kind of feel left out and wanting) and sometimes I just want something new and can't afford regular priced McQueen, etc.

Some of you mentioned buying at little local boutiques, which I would love to, but to be honest most of them where I live cater more to women who are 40+, so that is not really for me.

How do you buy more mindful? Any tips?
Thank you for letting me share!

 

[ladysarah]

If you look closely, you can find something every single one of us is doing that is wrong on so many levels, bad for the environment, wrong ethically.
What cosmetic brands do you use for example? They are likely bad for the environment, tested on animals, bad for our bodys, they create waste...they aren't necessary to survive.
Maybe you did not know about this just like Primark shoppers are oblivious in many ways, but you are informed now.


All very good points. I can see how someone could follow the same buying pattern at a thrift store

not at all - there are plenty of cosmetics which are no longer tested on animals. In fact the EU has pretty much outlawed the practice. Lots of info in this beauty blog here: http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/does-by-terry-test-on-animals/ the point is everyone needs to think more about cause and effect. Sure - no one is perfect but everyone can try to improve things, the practice of 'saving' by exploiting others and buying sweat shop produced clothes in order to pay for expensive designer bags is somewhat askewed...

 

[mkpurselover]

not at all - there are plenty of cosmetics which are no longer tested on animals. In fact the EU has pretty much outlawed the practice. Lots of info in this beauty blog here: http://www.crueltyfreekitty.com/does-by-terry-test-on-animals/ the point is everyone needs to think more about cause and effect. Sure - no one is perfect but everyone can try to improve things, the practice of 'saving' by exploiting others and buying sweat shop produced clothes in order to pay for expensive designer bags is somewhat askewed...

Thanks Lady Sarah for the Cruelty Free Kitty link, I go there all the time to check on products, she just did a perfume update. Unfortunately here in the US almost all of the drugstore and dept store brands sell in China, so you do have to be informed on who's not! The good news is that almost all organic cosmetic companies don't test/sell to China, and don't have all the chemicals of regular brands. And they are no more expensive than Dept stores.

A super inexpensive cruelty free brand e.l.f. is in most drugstores and has a good variety of products