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Label of Origin
By admins | January 13, 2010
In fashion school, we learned of the various types of customers, and one way we categorized them was by their attention to labels. No, we don’t just mean which designer label they prefer, but rather which label or hang-tag they look at first and regard as most important. Any idea which customer you are?
- For the majority of Americans the most important label is the price tag. Many shoppers use the price tag as the sole deciding factor in purchasing an item (assuming, of course, they like the clothing in question) above all other labeling.
- Then there are those who look at the fabric content and care labels straight away. Many of these customers, often mothers, will not buy clothing that is dry-clean only due to cost and inconvenience. There are also customers in this category who prefer not to wear synthetic products or are environmentally conscious and prefer organic materials.
- Then there is the fashion savvy customer, who looks at the designer/brand label above all else. This customer may prefer a designer name for the prestige and status that goes along with it. Or perhaps because this customer knows the quality and durability associated with a designer is superior or they are loyal to a brand that consistently fits their body type.
While one of these labels may hold greater importance to you then others, many of our fashion conscious readers likely consult all three. Sadly, there is another label on all your garments that the vast majority of consumers never even glance at and that is, the label of origin.
This label, required on all garments, denotes the country of origin. Simply, it is the label that tells you where the item was made. It is long overdo for consumers to start paying attention to where the products they buy are made. It is, quite frankly, a moral issue in most cases. When you are snagging a great “deal” on a top from Target for $9.99 where do you thing that garment was made? And in what conditions? And more importantly, do you care? Unfortunately the answer to that is often a resounding, no. Most products at the local mall or certainly at mass retailers are made in China. The working conditions in these factories are often sub-par, the wages are sub-standard, and the exploitation of women and even children is not uncommon. Since many of our readers and the far greater majority of shoppers are women, the plight of the women who sew your clothes should, at the very least, cross your mind enough for you to make the effort to read the label of origin. Certainly, we cannot all afford to always buy “Made in the USA” but we can try. We can at least make the effort to think before we buy. If consumers start rewarding companies that are made domestically (or perhaps even overseas companies that practice fair trade and enforces child labor laws) we can make a difference.
Recently on a sales trip to the Midwest, one of our writers got into a chat with some buyers about their customers shopping habits. They discussed how this part of the country was particularly proud of anything made in the USA. They bought American made cars, they supported all the local farmers, and um yeah, they all shopped at Walmart. It seems the “Made in America” concept is alive and well, as long as it doesn’t require making the effort to find the products (but with hundreds of domestic brands and designers it’s not that difficult, even at lower price-points) or shell out a few extra bucks to do so. These buyers explained most of their working and middle class customers preferred throw away fast fashion, or even shopped apparel in bulk i.e. Costco and Meijer’s. Perhaps, instead of buying more quantity, these customers would do better to buy less but in better quality, from domestic manufacturers.
Of course, some of these US made items will cost a bit more, but that is for a good reason. Our dear friend, designer, and blogger Wendy Brandes discussed this topic in a recent post on her blog. She explains why she chooses to produce domestically and why it is worth it. Here is her take on the cost, ”U.S. labor is expensive because the U.S. has a high standard of living. People in ANY job — including you, unless you’ve taken a vow of poverty — want wages that allow them to maintain that high standard of living. Luckily for you bargain hunters, other countries don’t have such a high standard of living. People will work for very little. To be blunt and use the bad word: Cheap goods are made by cheap non-U.S. labor.”
Bottom line, we should care where our clothing is made and by whom. The current recession illustrates even more why we, as Americans, should take notice. If we have learned anything from the recent economic collapse, from the failing auto industry’s illumination on the lack of American manufacturing and jobs, from the rampant unemployment due to out-sourcing, to our abhorrent dependence on foreign oil and more, it is that we have gone from a self sufficient country that made things, to an indebted country that is dependent on foreign goods. The very least we can do as consumers is to check the labels of the products we buy and try, to support our own disappearing manufacturing base. We do it when we select wine, we check where our fish come from, we consider it when we buy a car, we notice it in our movies, we are now acutely aware of it when buying children’s toys, we debate it with our elected officials, so why not with our apparel? Of course not everything in your closet will be made domestically, but the simple act of checking the label and being aware before you make a purchase can subtly change the buying process. So we challenge all our readers, as a New Years resolution, don’t buy anything without first checking the label and try, whenever possible, to buy domestically.
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Topics: fashion, shop | 6 Comments » 
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January 13th, 2010 at 2:12 am
Well said! I always try support local NYC based designers. Also i find indie designers and local brand to be more innovative then the bland mall brands. Also, so pleased to hear someone call out people for the lip service support of buying american while shopping at Target.
Personally I’m really tired of hearing the “only rich people afford to shop made in the us.” A cheap Old Navy polo is about $15 and a American Apparel polo (made in California) is $30 that is NOT an outrageous price only the wealthy can afford. Plus how many people buy $65 Ralph Lauren Polos? Those are made overseas! So its actually cheaper to buy the american version in that case! Sorry for the rant, it’s late and this is a pet peeve of mine.
January 13th, 2010 at 11:57 am
ooh what a topic! just found this site and looove it, where have you been hiding?
I admit being a thrifty shopper and looking mostly at the price tag. my closet has loads of stuff made in china and a small amount made here. however i just started shopping etsy last month and you can get all local (even you town) designers and the prices are unbelievable, so etsy is my new obsession over targey ;-)
Thanks for bringing this up, great point.
January 13th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Au contrare, the “made in” label is the first one I look at! After the economy went south, I made an effort to make sure my money is benefiting my country. I will gladly pass up an item I’m lukewarm about if it isn’t made here and pay more for something that is. =D
Great article.
January 14th, 2010 at 1:34 am
Great post, thanks for discussing. As you probably know, I am a HUGE supporter of domestic manufacturing. Hopefully some designers will start moving at least a portion of their production back to the U.S. (preferably NYC!). It’s a little hard to buy strictly Made in the USA right now because there are just so few options!
January 14th, 2010 at 6:32 am
I support domestic manufacturing and hence this article is very interesting. Thanks for sharing it.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
I am so on board with buying domestic anything! Look at how the car companies have suffered from this-but they’re making a comback and so will apparel manufacturers. It’s just that it’s difficult to find that Made in the USA label.