Comments on: The One Dollar Question http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/ be stylish • be lovely • be coveted Wed, 10 Mar 2010 22:33:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Marte http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-13662 Marte Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:43:42 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-13662 I think Escapist has the washing machine thing right! I never understood why Americans complain about getting holes in their clothes during washing. Never happened to me. When my clothes get "old", it can usually be fixed. Either the stretch in my sweaters wear out, and then I just sew them in at the waist. Or, the colour gets muddy - but that rarely happens if you wash separate colours. Then there's the white underwear going grey, but they can be coloured, especially if they are of a natural material. I think Escapist has the washing machine thing right! I never understood why Americans complain about getting holes in their clothes during washing. Never happened to me.

When my clothes get “old”, it can usually be fixed. Either the stretch in my sweaters wear out, and then I just sew them in at the waist. Or, the colour gets muddy – but that rarely happens if you wash separate colours. Then there’s the white underwear going grey, but they can be coloured, especially if they are of a natural material.

]]> By: This is not a post about Eco Fashion | THE COVETED http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-13634 This is not a post about Eco Fashion | THE COVETED Wed, 22 Apr 2009 15:28:28 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-13634 [...] While the download pattern concept isn’t the most ideal solution, the step is really important in terms of rethinking where our clothes come from and the energy it takes for them to get from idea to the clothing mounds in Africa. [...] [...] While the download pattern concept isn’t the most ideal solution, the step is really important in terms of rethinking where our clothes come from and the energy it takes for them to get from idea to the clothing mounds in Africa. [...]

]]> By: the escapist http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10345 the escapist Tue, 09 Dec 2008 13:55:12 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10345 I avoid anything with acrylics, as it is rare that such items stand the test of time (or even a week of use. Instead, I look for sturdy cotton, silk, viscose, and wool. Whether it comes from H&M, Zara or more upmarket high street stores doesn't really matter. Decent materials, good cuts and fits and proper seams make for long lasting clothes. Your washing machine also makes a difference. US machines are faster, but a lot tougher on your clothing than the European makes. I avoid anything with acrylics, as it is rare that such items stand the test of time (or even a week of use. Instead, I look for sturdy cotton, silk, viscose, and wool. Whether it comes from H&M, Zara or more upmarket high street stores doesn’t really matter. Decent materials, good cuts and fits and proper seams make for long lasting clothes. Your washing machine also makes a difference. US machines are faster, but a lot tougher on your clothing than the European makes.

]]> By: Mia http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10316 Mia Mon, 08 Dec 2008 17:45:23 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10316 The only really good thing about the recession is that people start thinking about the crazyness of buying clothes that doesn´t last longer than the first washing. The only really good thing about the recession is that people start thinking about the crazyness of buying clothes that doesn´t last longer than the first washing.

]]> By: Prêt à Porter P http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10290 Prêt à Porter P Sun, 07 Dec 2008 18:36:15 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10290 no matter where i shop i try to make sure im buying quality. i have things that are from f21 that have really stood the test of time. i dont have an h&m where i live, but when i was in new york last yr (time flies by the way!!) i was in h&m i wasnt impressed. sometimes i feel like im missing out with the designer collaborations (i was there the day AFTER cavalli dropped) but im not about to camp out overnight for anything or fight over clothes! no matter where i shop i try to make sure im buying quality. i have things that are from f21 that have really stood the test of time.

i dont have an h&m where i live, but when i was in new york last yr (time flies by the way!!) i was in h&m i wasnt impressed. sometimes i feel like im missing out with the designer collaborations (i was there the day AFTER cavalli dropped) but im not about to camp out overnight for anything or fight over clothes!

]]> By: Fair shopping fairy http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10263 Fair shopping fairy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 20:29:05 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10263 @Lara: wow, that was elaborate ;-) Now I'll definitely buy the book. Thanks a lot. @Lara: wow, that was elaborate ;-) Now I’ll definitely buy the book. Thanks a lot.

]]> By: Kezia http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10262 Kezia Fri, 05 Dec 2008 19:28:59 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10262 i've pretty much given up on F21 -- i hate going in their (it's seizure inducing) and the stuff falls apart. however, i'm also a bit of a diva about picking thru used clothes. i like well-edited vintage, but not the buy-by-the-pound variety. sorry, just dont' have the patience or the eye. naturally, the more well-edited shops are usually pretty pricey. :-( i’ve pretty much given up on F21 — i hate going in their (it’s seizure inducing) and the stuff falls apart. however, i’m also a bit of a diva about picking thru used clothes. i like well-edited vintage, but not the buy-by-the-pound variety. sorry, just dont’ have the patience or the eye. naturally, the more well-edited shops are usually pretty pricey. :-(

]]> By: Songy http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10245 Songy Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:42:52 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10245 that 1 dollar hat is super. Wish I had a patience to make a hat like that. I have a skirt, a winter jacket (both three years old) and a black tailored jacket from zara which I paid heaps for and they are holding up nicely. I guess it depends what it is... I didn't know that you were kind of in the same boat as I'm. I did spend over $200AUD this week. That was a total exception though. I had to talk my guy into just taking that money out of our xmas gift fund. It's damn hard reading/talking/seeing so much fashion and not being able to go out and splurge. It helps when I just go around taking photos. That way I'm busy taking photos instead of buying. that 1 dollar hat is super. Wish I had a patience to make a hat like that.

I have a skirt, a winter jacket (both three years old) and a black tailored jacket from zara which I paid heaps for and they are holding up nicely. I guess it depends what it is…

I didn’t know that you were kind of in the same boat as I’m. I did spend over $200AUD this week. That was a total exception though. I had to talk my guy into just taking that money out of our xmas gift fund.

It’s damn hard reading/talking/seeing so much fashion and not being able to go out and splurge.

It helps when I just go around taking photos. That way I’m busy taking photos instead of buying.

]]> By: Lara http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10241 Lara Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:08:07 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10241 @Fair shopping fairy: I'm basing my opinion on the book I previously mentioned which elaborated on the purest of free markets which (at the time of publication) was the "matumba" market of used clothing. Used clothing in certain areas of Africa have allowed entrepreneurs to start thier own businesses and has allowed people to have access to stylish clothing (which they are very selective about) that increases pride. There are many different countries in Africa with many forms of governments and laws that don't allow free trade so the matumba is just sold on the black market since the people want it so badly. In the book, there was also mention of a man who had been selling used clothing for so long that he had saved enough money to buy and refurbish an old textile factory where he planned to create jobs for his community making new clothing. This is not a matter of exploitation- it's a matter of free markets at work, healthy competition, small business owners, pride, and giving impoverished people a chance to do something when their industrial and agricultural systems are so far behind everyone else that there is no way they can fairly compete. Charities are overrun with so much clothing they don't know what to do with it. This overflow is bought by the pound by privately owned family businesses here in the U.S. These companies employ people to expertly sort through the mountains of clothing (the highly prized vintage clothing is sold to boutiques and vintage stores) and there is a use for everything else. It is the ultimate form of recycling. The African clients develop a real relationship with the American sorting companies and there are pressed bale opening parties in Africa where other start-up sellers get first dibs on the freshly revealed items. It is an enjoyable social aspect of their culture now. I could go on and on about the vagaries of African economies (and other regions in extreme poverty). Instead, I will reccommend reading "The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy" as well as "Markets and States in Tropical Africa" by Bates and "The Bottom Billion" by Collier. There are so many side to every story. @Fair shopping fairy: I’m basing my opinion on the book I previously mentioned which elaborated on the purest of free markets which (at the time of publication) was the “matumba” market of used clothing. Used clothing in certain areas of Africa have allowed entrepreneurs to start thier own businesses and has allowed people to have access to stylish clothing (which they are very selective about) that increases pride. There are many different countries in Africa with many forms of governments and laws that don’t allow free trade so the matumba is just sold on the black market since the people want it so badly. In the book, there was also mention of a man who had been selling used clothing for so long that he had saved enough money to buy and refurbish an old textile factory where he planned to create jobs for his community making new clothing.

This is not a matter of exploitation- it’s a matter of free markets at work, healthy competition, small business owners, pride, and giving impoverished people a chance to do something when their industrial and agricultural systems are so far behind everyone else that there is no way they can fairly compete.

Charities are overrun with so much clothing they don’t know what to do with it. This overflow is bought by the pound by privately owned family businesses here in the U.S. These companies employ people to expertly sort through the mountains of clothing (the highly prized vintage clothing is sold to boutiques and vintage stores) and there is a use for everything else. It is the ultimate form of recycling. The African clients develop a real relationship with the American sorting companies and there are pressed bale opening parties in Africa where other start-up sellers get first dibs on the freshly revealed items. It is an enjoyable social aspect of their culture now.

I could go on and on about the vagaries of African economies (and other regions in extreme poverty). Instead, I will reccommend reading “The Travels of a T-shirt in the Global Economy” as well as “Markets and States in Tropical Africa” by Bates and “The Bottom Billion” by Collier.

There are so many side to every story.

]]> By: Fair shopping fairy http://the-coveted.com/blog/2008/12/03/the-one-dollar-question/comment-page-1/#comment-10239 Fair shopping fairy Thu, 04 Dec 2008 22:43:41 +0000 http://the-coveted.com/blog/?p=3815#comment-10239 @Lara: I wonder why you say that the charity clothes/Africa issue is not a bad thing. According to the Times "Second-hand clothing exports can damage the local garment trade — from 1985 to 1992, 51 out of 72 Zambian clothing firms closed, partly due to foreign competition." Maybe you can elaborate on your point of view. @Lara: I wonder why you say that the charity clothes/Africa issue is not a bad thing. According to the Times “Second-hand clothing exports can damage the local garment trade — from 1985 to 1992, 51 out of 72 Zambian clothing firms closed, partly due to foreign competition.” Maybe you can elaborate on your point of view.

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