Meet me at the Crossroads

I am trying to implement a new rule for myself where I don't buy any clothes that are made in third world countries, the implication being that I don't want to support any sweatshops. This isn't to say there aren't sweatshops in the United States, but I do want to be much more conscious of what I am purchasing. I will be relying on buying almost completely used/secondhand. The unfortunate aspect to this is that what I need most is business attire for work, and I don't often stumble across that kind of thing in the thrift store. I am willing to put forth the creative effort into finding the things that I need. I do not want any of my money to go directly to any company that would have its workers barely surviving on pennies a day. That idea is totally abhorrent to me and stands completely at odds with my specific set of ethics. No more expendable clothes for me!

Stores like the one below, Buffalo Exchange and Daisy Exchange provide a good starting point for finding business attire that isn't typically in thrift stores.






Other resources are ebay, my friend's closets, and antique stores (where cute little vintage dresses can be spruced up by pairing with chic heels and a fitted jacket). I am also going to shop at Unsung Designers and other online stores that carry exclusively independent designers (chances being that most of it is handmade and not mass produced).

I don't imagine my quest will be an easy one, but I can no longer be comfortable with my current buying practices. I rarely give thought to what I am purchasing beyond the fact that I like it. I never think about where it came from or what anyone had to go through to make it. I am hoping to make a drastic change in that area.