Most production of clothing manufacturing is off shore.
China, Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Cambodia are all producing Fast Fashion
cheaply. The wages paid to garment workers in foreign countries is very low.
Actually China is raising their wage structure and many customers are moving to
cheaper countries for their manufacturing.
So much of Fast Fashion is really almost disposable fashion.
Made to last one seasonal trend or just a few wearings. The fabric is thin, the
craftsmanship is shoddy, and the fit is hit or miss. Many factories off shore
have to produce so many pieces so quickly that quality control is almost
nonexistent. By the time you want to get rid of the garment it is not even
worthy for the Charity shop.
Stores like Forever21, H&M, and Zara copy fashion
designers looks and cheaply make copies. Designers are making styles for
Kohl’s, and Target. So what’s the big deal? In the US, our consumerism to have
the latest trend at a cheap price has just about bankrupt the US fashion
industry, almost made a skill and trade obsolete and has even negatively impacted
Thrift and Charity stores.
So what does this all
mean to you? When you are shopping ask yourself a few questions:
What is the fabric?
Can I see through it?
If I pull at the
seams will they come apart?
Where is the garment
made?
Is this a style that fits
well?
Is this a one-season
wonder?
Could more money be
spent for a better-made item that will last longer?
Could a similar garment
made in the USA be bought?
In my company, www.haralee.com,
I knew when we started we would have our production done in the USA. I heard
too many horror stories about off shore manufacturers loosing inventory to
sizing mistakes, or switching to inferior fabric. Even big designers like Karen
Kane have moved much of their production back to the States because of quality
control issues.
Then of course there is the issue of sweatshops and low-low
wages. I could not run a company where my product was produced under those
conditions. The manufacturing company I use pays their employees a living wage
with benefits. They call me if there is a question on a design style or if they
notice a flaw in the fabric. My production costs are easily 10 times more than
they would be off shore but we are a company with values. I want my customers
to feel good about their purchase and to use their buying power to promote clothing
made in the USA!
Are you having a
difficult time finding quality made clothes, or clothes made in the USA?
14 comments:
Hi Haralee! I completely agree that so much of the "fast fashion" we can buy today is completely unsustainable. Far better to spend more money buying a quality item than junk. And silly me...as long as we've been blogging friends I never got that you had your own line of clothing. Now I will have to check that out. ~Kathy
This is a passion of mine as well. Loved the post.
I cannot buy cheap clothes anymore - it's such a waste of money and the fabrics are inevitably uncomfortable on my skin. Great info.
I cannot buy cheap clothes anymore - it's such a waste of money and the fabrics are inevitably uncomfortable on my skin. Great info.
You are right on mark Kathy by saying much fashion is unsustainable. It falls apart and cannot be refashioned and thrift and charity shops don't really want it either if it looks shabby! Check out my sleepwear!
Thanks Andee, appreciate your comments!
I know what you mean Sharon, so often fabrics feel awful! Thanks for commenting.
My husband works for a big named shoe company where all of their stuff comes from Cambodia and it is really sad these companies use these poor people to get these cheap prices and then charge an arm and a leg for them in the stores. I wish there were more opportunities to work for a company like yours. I wish more would follow your lead and not put profits above people!
Rena, you got right to the heart of the issue, profits before people and it is a shame! Thanks so much.
I just recently had this conversation with both of my boys. I wanted them to understand the difference between frugal and cheap. If a product is inexpensive but doesn't last, you're be foolish not frugal.
And more and more I'm voting with my dollar. I won't buy barilla pasta and have never had Chic-Fil-A. Do I hurt those companies? No. Do I feel like I'm doing the right thing? Yes. And you are too!
Thanks Karen. I think buying power is a one person at a time movement and all of us make a difference hopefully for the better good!
Such an important topic, but one that gets shoved under the rug because of America's consumer culture. We all make a choice about where we spend our money! So glad that you manufacture in the USA!
Thanks Lana for your kind comments and understanding the issue and individual power!
Thank you for manufacturing in the USA.
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