Tell A Story - Saying NO to Fast Fashion

A couple of weeks ago I wrote a post about being a "Fashion Minimalist". It has taken me a long time to get to this place, and I still struggle with my previous habits. But everyday I don't go shopping online, or on a spending spree at a thrift store, I feel way better about myself and my place in this world.

Well, last week, I got the "thrifting feeling" and made a stop at a local Value Village. I have learned to pay attention to these feelings in my gizzard (so-to-speak), because I usually find some sweet stuff when I do. I went during my lunch hour, which means I only have about 20 minutes to browse, try on items, and pay in order to get back to the office on time. This was definitely a successful visit, as I tried on 9 sleeveless shirts, purchased the three you see in the photo above and a snazzy belt to replace one I grew out of, and spent around $30.

But that's not the important part of my story today. I went in to the store knowing I was just going to focus on sleeveless tops, so that's where I headed. I found a row, and started to watch for the little tag on the rack that shows where the Mediums are kept. I had walked all the way down the sleeveless top row and there was no medium tag! What?! So I grabbed the closest top and checked the tag. Large. I grabbed a few more from down the row. All larges. Hmm.

So I pulled my blinders off, and looked around me. And noticed that there were FOUR ROWS of sleeveless tops. Four fucking rows. Just of sleeveless tops. There were another couple of rows for "tank tops". I couldn't believe it. I know that this particular store rotates seasonal items in and out of their shelves (bye bye winter coats, hello sleeveless tops), but I was still flabbergasted at the sheer amount of clothing I was seeing.

And to top it all off, when I came in the back way through the alley, I noticed three enormous crates full of garbage clothes. I'm talking 8'x5'x3' boxes full of clothes. Just sitting out in the alley. So for all the clothes for sale inside the store, they are still throwing stuff out because it is unsaleable.

Which leads me to my...

Feminist Thought of the Day
I believe that fast fashion is a feminist issue. The people that make our $2 t-shirts are predominantly women. They work long hours to support spouses, children, parents, often under terrible conditions. And they don't earn a living wage, and they don't have health benefits, and they face unimaginable injury and unsafe conditions, and they can't unionize. And for what? A fucking $2 t-shirt?!

I definitely believe that the rise in fast fashion is exacerbated by readily accessible thrift stores and other organizations that accept clothing donations. It is easy for us to get rid of barely used clothing, and we feel even less guilty about it because we rationalize that it is going to a good cause or something. And then we run out and fill our fucking closets again.

I am now even more mindful about what I buy, and from where.

Sorry not sorry this got a little preachy today. I'm gonna go ahead and garden now.

Happy Sunday!
xo

Feminist Thought of the Day

If I could send a message to "Clothing Store Websites" everywhere, it would include the following:

1. Why aren't your models ever smiling? Do your clothes make them miserable? Because I try to cultivate an attitude of positive awesomeness and they are really bringing me down and I don't need that kind of negative clothes-energy in my life.

2. I know you think you are doing shoppers a favour when you post the height of the model and the size she is wearing, but really you are only helping the small fraction of shoppers visiting your site who are the exact same height and shape and size as your model. If you sell that same shirt or dress or skirt in literally any other size you should be obligated to SHOW IT on a real body! A size zero looks different than a size 12, trust me. I want to sort of be able to at least stand a chance of guessing what your product will look like on my not-5'9"-not-size-zero body. I realize that you could never begin to provide this view for every unique body type and size of person. I just want you to try and at least acknowledge the fact that women come in other shapes and sizes.

You do know that women come in other shapes and sizes, right?!

That is all.

This post falls into the "Body Positive" vein of feminism, in which all people everywhere deserve representation in fashion, deserve clothes that fit their bodies and look good on them and make them feel like eleventy billion bucks. Trans men & women, POC, disabled men & women, fat men & women, all the men, all the women. I realize that my commentary doesn't even begin to scratch the surface with all the things that the fashion industry needs to change, both in how they present their clothes and how they represent women. But this is just ONE thought of the day...

Feminist Thought of the Day

I have reached my limit on "Mansplaining" today.

Have you ever noticed that some Mansplaining is similar sounding to when politicians give a non-answer to a question? It's like they didn't even hear the question, they just answer the way they want to answer, the way they think you need. And they do it in forty emails, hammering home their non-answer with more and more patronizing responses that just start to piggyback on each other. Making you look like a doofus for repeating the question.

Example #1:
Lady Question: Will X still have access to Y after the switch?
Man Answer: Well, you see it's about cost savings....

Example #2:
Lady Question: Will X still be open Y files after the switch?
Man Answer: They can still open Q files!

The best is when they start their non-answer with, "I don't think you understand....."

.......sigh........

Thanks for nothing Mansplainers. I'll just figure it out myself.

xo

Feminist Thought of the Day

I am sick and tired of men not believing women when we say we are strong. I overheard this (almost) EXACT CONVERSATION at work the other day.

Man: "These boxes are really heavy, I will need help moving them."
Woman: "I can help. I am strong."
Man: "I don't know. They are really heavy."
Woman: "Trust me! I am strong! I work out!"
Man: "Actually, I think I will ask Other Man."
Woman: (Smiles) "Okay!"

Not to mention that this Woman works out everydamnday.
Not to mention that she is in the best physical shape of her life.
Not to mention that she is 30 years younger than this Man...


Dear Men.

You need to believe in women when they tell you something about themselves, their experiences, their abilities, their frustrations. You need to listen to us, and trust that we know our own shit, that we are experts on ourselves.

When I say "Men", I do mean ALL Men. #yesallmen. Because even if you aren't actually guilty of the above, you need to speak up when you hear other men participating in this bullshit. Because they don't listen to us, but they will listen to you. So speak up for us. But don't expect a cookie.

And if we try and fail, whatever. Men fail too. At least give us the chance to try.

xo