Top: Zara
Skirt: self-made (with help, I mean, obviously.)
Booties: Aldo
Earrings: Target
Time for another FFB post. This month we're talking ethics, which is appropriate because, strangely enough, I've been thinking a lot about this topic in the past few weeks. And I've been thinking about it in terms of my clothing in particular.
B and I try to live simply. It's not that we're always good at it, but we try. We don't do flowers in our house except for the kinds that we plant because the flower industry makes me feel sick and icky. We don't do diamonds. We try to buy locally as much as possible and we make an effort to not buy stuff we don't need (I struggle more in this area than B). As someone with my particular educational and personal background who is currently working and living in rural Central America, it's hard to not be more aware of where things are made, especially clothes.
I've already talked about the americanas and I don't think I've really gotten through the ethics of those just yet. But let's talk new clothes for a minute, shall we? Like, maybe we should talk about my Zara shirt and the fact that Zara's been using child and slave labor to make its clothes in Brazil.
I'm not naive enough to think that they're the only retailer pulling such stunts. I don't do American Apparel, Forever 21, or Walmart because I don't agree with their business practices (similar to Zara's). I'm not the MOST educated on this, but I try to use what I know to help me make better shopping decisions.
I don't care so much if things are produced in the States, because I know that there's a need for jobs abroad, but I do care about a certain level of justice when it comes to working conditions. And I realize I can't always know what these conditions are like. I'm tempted to stick to the thrift stores, though those bring another set of questions (US American consumption, for one) but I think making clothes can be another way to fight the man. Maybe?
We'll see how my sewing class goes....
Primeramente quiero decirte que te ves hermosa. Espero en Dios que tu y Ben esten bien, y dejame decirte que lo que escribiste me ha impactado mucho. Gracias. Yo se que te va ir muy bien en tus clases de costura. ya quiero ver mas de tus nuevas creaciones. Que Dios me los bendiga mucho.
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your skirt! I'm so proud. : ) Also thanks for the reminder to take the time to care about where the things I buy are coming from and who might be suffering because of it. It's easy for me to get caught up in materialism and I think that quote needs to be in my house somewhere to remind me of what's really important. <3
ReplyDeleteOf course when you make your clothes, you still have to be aware of how your fabric came to be. And really, it sucks that you can't shop anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd really, I do try. I dont shop at walmart, try to avoid f21, try to buy second hand as much as possible, make what i can... but really i'm just as much a part of the problem as everyone else and i dont even know how to stop.
The skirt looks great though!
It's really hard to reconcile my budget with my ethics... so this was an interesting, thoughtful read for me.
ReplyDeleteI love your skirt (good job!) and pairing that delightful shade of green with navy looks fresh and fun.
Ps. I love the new header! Don't think I've mentioned that yet.
so glad you are vocal about thinking about these issues! i feel like so much of fashion blogging is just about blind consumption of goods, you know? have you seen that indiana over at adored austin is trying to be much more green and fair-trade with the clothes she's buying? a start, i hope!
ReplyDeleteI love these images - so beautiful and the green really pops. You're a great example of a blogger who is helping to show healthy examples of beauty.
ReplyDeleteLove this outfit on you! Great blouse and lovely skirt. Together - even better!
ReplyDeleteum what?? YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I have these same struggles. When it comes to food? Forget it! There are few (affordable) ethical options. And I know that the fabrics aren't totally ethical or environmentally friendly.
ReplyDeleteSo, still a part of the system, but I'm trying to at least be educated about it. Knowledge is power (cue light bulb here).
¡Gracias Gloria! Mi pastora me quiere enseñar a hacer pantalones - me da miedo porque esta falda me costó bastante. Jejeje
ReplyDeleteI love you! Miss you millions, Too Tall!
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm at the really poor end of the spectrum right now ($20 a month disposable income) which is why thrifting is my main "ethical" source. Not that it's perfect, but it's making me very aware.
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks! I'm pretty proud of the skirt.
The header was a birthday gift. :)
I don't generally read Adored Austin - I might be the only one... but that's great to know. I'll check it out. Yeah, I'm trying to make my ethics and budget work together so we'll see...
ReplyDeleteThanks so much!
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty smitten with the combination. :)
ReplyDeleteI know! I got a lot of help from my sewing instructor - she's the most patient person ever to deal with my questions. "Okay, so, I start one cm away from the edge right? Right? Like right here? Is this okay?" Oh my goodness, I was THAT student.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a lot of other commenters covered what I was thinking when I came here (especially Lyddiegal), but just being conscious is a good start. I know I'm not able to make as many ethical or green choices now as I would like due to finances and location, but I'm hoping that I'll be able to do better when I'm more stable. It's also great that you're blogging about it, just to get other people thinking. Good luck with the sewing!
ReplyDeleteHey Frances! Great post! I'm so glad to hear that there is a small blogger support system starting in regards to ethical shopping. I've gone a year without shopping at any fast fashion retailers and while it has majorily sucked at times, it really makes you assess what you really NEED versus WANT! And I know thrifting isn't the perfect answer but I at least prefer wearing something recycle than buying in to new cheap merchandise. Anyway, now that I am actually earning a paycheck I'm excited to put my money where my mouth is and support ethically made, eco-friendly, local design!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the flower, being a proud Colombiana it never crossed my mind to think the conditions those flowers were being produced in! I will be watching the film soon and choosing only farmer's market bouquets from now on!
Have a fantastic week!
Liz
Hey Frances! Great post! I'm so glad to hear that there is a small blogger support system starting in regards to ethical shopping. I've gone a year without shopping at any fast fashion retailers and while it has majorily sucked at times, it really makes you assess what you really NEED versus WANT! And I know thrifting isn't the perfect answer but I at least prefer wearing something recycle than buying in to new cheap merchandise. Anyway, now that I am actually earning a paycheck I'm excited to put my money where my mouth is and support ethically made, eco-friendly, local design!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the flower, being a proud Colombiana it never crossed my mind to think the conditions those flowers were being produced in! I will be watching the film soon and choosing only farmer's market bouquets from now on!
Have a fantastic week!
Liz