Tag Archives: Where Am I Wearing?

The Pro’s & Con’s of TOMS Shoes (and another option)

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I got a pair of TOMS shoes in the mail last week (thanks Mom).  They’re super comfortable, and I got them in this snazzy gold herringbone pattern: The Pros & Cons of TOMS Shoes (and another option)

I know there are issues with give-away philanthropy, so I did a little digging to see how sustainable TOMS Shoes really are.  Putting aside TOMS founder Blake Mycoskie‘s accidental speech to the anti-gay Christian group Focus on the Family in June, there are several fundamental problems with the way TOMS gives back.

Giveaways Don’t Solve the Problem

As Kelsey Timmerman, author of Where Am I Wearing, reminds us, this is a classic case of giving someone a fish vs. teaching him/her how to fish. Giving children shoes is all very well and good, but does nothing to address the root causes of the poverty that makes them shoeless in the first place.  In fact, Continue reading →

Made in Nicaragua

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As I write this, sitting on the beach in Nicaragua, it is easy to ignore everything but the crashing waves and pink sunset clouds.  But just miles away in the capital city of Managua, there is rampant poverty, unemployment, illness and any manner of problems typical of the third world.  Many of this country’s troubles stem from colonialism, political turmoil and natural disasters – most notably the earthquake that destroyed Managua in 1972 .  Because my subject is sustainable fashion, however, I decided to look into the ways the global garment industry has affected Nicaraguans.

Made in NicaraguaMy first [electronic] visit was to the now-defunct cotton fields. Cotton only came to Nicaragua in the 1950s with Continue reading →

Fashion Suggestions for the GOP Candidates

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Average percentage of the retail cost of a suit made in the developing world that goes to the garment worker:  0.5- 4%

Odds that any of the GOP Candidates on stage right now are wearing ethically-sourced suits: 0
(though I’d happily be proved wrong)

Here are some better options:

Hemp Suit from Rawganique

Fashion Suggestions for the GOP Candidates

How sweet would this hair look on Mitt Romney?   (another hemp suit)

Fashion Suggestions for the GOP CandidatesThis suit was made with 30 recycled plastic bottles! Continue reading →

Know What’s In Your Knickers

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While researching eco-friendly lingerie (post coming soon) I came across this rather shocking video and website by a UK group Morethanprettyknickers.

The group describes their aim as changing the textile industry for the better.  This is exactly the kind of thing I can get on board with.  They don’t want us to go commando Continue reading →

Where are YOU wearing?

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Pseudo-review of Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman

Where Am I Wearing? is the story of the author’s travels to all of the countries that made his favorite clothes to meet the people that made them.  He visits Honduras (t-shirt), Bangladesh (“Jingle These” boxers), Cambodia (jeans), China (flip flops) and finally the US (shorts).  Contrary to what you might expect from the story of such a journey, the book is not preachy.  It’s not depressing or pessimistic.  If I had to describe it in one word I’d say it’s inquisitive.  Timmerman expertly captures Continue reading →