Summer Fashion Without the Sweatshops
Summer is the time to stay cool and look good, but you can make a difference with the clothes you buy. Here is a shopping guide with some tips on the stores you can trust to be Free of Sweatshop labor goods and use Fair Trade.
These stores are exemplary models in what the industry calls “Transparency” on the retail front, showing who made the goods, where they were made and that workers got a living wage for it.
A good resource to start with on the web is: http://www.sweatshopwatch.org
One of the first clothing suppliers to guarantee their goods were produced with acceptable union labor conditions. They offer a database of retail locations in the U.S. Canada, Europe and Australia that sell some of their products. Perhaps they are best known for their converse-style No Sweat sneaker. Check out the New Threads section for flashy flip-flops, logo and plain T-shirts and breath-easy summer lounge pants. Also the price is right for really good basic wear in the Clearance Section.
Aside from the controversy of provocative advertising and some other bad press, America Apparel fights fire with fire against in the image conscious fashion stratosphere. The Los Angeles, union based, retailer is one of the largest suppliers of goods made in the U.S. with living wages. Use their store locator and pay a visit for the full on American Apparel experience or browse and buy their selections on line.
www.cleanclothesconnection.org
The Clean Clothes Campaign groups are tireless advocates of international human rights. Their Website has a searchable database of about 20 U.S. retailers that provide “Clean” (Sweatshop-Free) clothes, apparel made with Organically grown fabrics and Fair Trade clothes. Many of the retailers have stores in Maine, Massachusetts and California.
An online site formed in 1992 with the purpose of promoting union made clothing, such as T-shirts and caps for political campaigns, government agencies and organizations. Dress a local team, club or organization with the guarantee of production and accessibility relegated to specific factories that partake in the distribution of Unionwear materials.You can find hats, shirts, bumper stickers, bags and an assortment of products for embroidery and bulk buys for use in political campaigns and other gatherings.
This website is an avenue simultaneously providing men and women’s clothing of all sorts, while advocating against sweatshop made clothing and materials. It’s selections range from men and women’s underwear, undershirts, tees, casuals and more. Also summer dresses, blouses and skirts for women and sport and formal shirts for men. Women especially should browse the site under the Wikid Angel Closeouts for summer tank tops, skirts and dresses. Started in 1996 with roots to seven union organizations.
JWJ is one stop networking, research, campaigning, and shopping essentials for the activist in you. Browse the main site for the latest news, but also check out the shop for T-shirts and scoop one up for those summer days you want to make a statement.
For a web-mall extravaganza also visit Global Exchange’s Fair Trade Store for the amazon.com of Fair Trade Goods and also Co-op America’s indispensable Green Pages resource.
