It’s Fashion Revolution week, a week to honor and remember the victims of the fast fashion factory collapse in Bangladesh April 24, 2013 by asking ourselves and our favorite brands: “Who made my clothes?”
Now, I have a pretty good idea of where, how and by what kind of employee my (recently bought) clothes were made. I know this because I read tags like a maniac and spend the money necessary to only add small batch, made in USA fashion and Fair Trade styles to my closet. Not exactly news to anyone perhaps.
What might come as news to some, is that 80% of the world’s garment workers are women. This means that the majority of people who died or were injured in the factory collapse were women. Underpaid, overworked women, without benefits or sufficient needs to take care of their families. See, fast fashion is indeed a women’s issue.
Yes, because of that 80% statistic, but also because women in general tend to shop a lot more than men do. H&M, Zara, Gap, Banana, Macy’s, Michael Kors, Coach, Fossil and all stores like them, appeal mostly to women. The majority of fashion bloggers are women too. “Style of the week here we come!”
Many privileged women in the west go on marches, speak up for equality and some wear pussy hats. And that’s great, since, frankly, women still don’t have what men have. But what the privileged woman often forget is that her clothes were made by a woman across the ocean who can never take the time off to worry about knitting a pussy hat.
Marching for equality in an Old Navy top anyone?
Women’s rights are human rights, yes. It shouldn’t be a trendy (all of a sudden!) issue because massive amounts of (privileged) dimwits voted for an orange man (who says women have the “potential” to do great things according to his daughter) but a world issue, no matter who is president. What women do here, will always affect a woman there.
Thus, if you consider yourself a feminist, you cannot wear fast fashion.
When you shop fair, on the other hand, you are taking a stand and making an impact, demanding fair treatment of all the sisters (and brothers!) you’ll never know.
Take the pledge and ask “who made this garment?” next time you’re shopping. Only buy if and when you like the answer.
Couldn’t agree more and something I’m ashamed to say I haven’t acted in soon enough. I haven’t bought any clothes at all this year because, wuute simply I don’t need them. When I do, I’ve already researched more ethically and environmentally considerate brands. Fast fashion affects people and the planet negatively and change needs to happen now. Great article.
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Thank you! I love hearing more and more people are stepping away from fast fashion! Go you! :)
(I have a few very feminist friends who still dive into H&M regularly, I wrote this for them ;) )
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I know I’ve said this before, but I think about your blog every time I’m out shopping. I’ve been pretty good lately, sticking mostly second hand, and borrowing from friends when I need a party dress. Thanks for being the little voice in my head!
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I am so thrilled to hear that!! I love that you find my blog (out of the gazillion there are) and that it inspires you. I am not buying anything for myself at the moment! Need to lose that baby weight ;)
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I have definitely taken a step away from fast fashion in the last 5 years. The effects on the environment are horrific too. I hope that a shift in culture will have a positive effect on the industry overall.
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Hi Hannah, yes the environmental aspect of fast fashion is extreme. I can’t believe businesses are allowed to act the way they do. Slow, sustainable and second hand fashion all the way for me! Glad to hear yet another woman (you!) has taken a step away from it too :)
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I absolutely hate clothes shopping in the high street so it has been quite easy for me to avoid fast fashion. Give me a second-hand/charity shop any day! #GoingGreen
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