Have you ever tried to make your own clothes? It's very difficult to make clothes, whether using a machine or not, it takes skill. It’s a talent. People who can do it deserve my money. I want to know they have been well paid and that the land that grew the cotton for my clothes isn’t poisoned with chemicals. Cotton is one of the planets most sprayed crops, accounting for over half of all pesticide use world wide.
So how do I afford the honourable alternative? I get them bought for me!
Expensive, Fairtrade, Organic Clothes as Presents
I want organic, fair trade clothes but I’m not rich. I can’t afford to buy clothes whenever I see a new style that I like. I gaze admiringly at the lovely expensive clothes in the People Tree catalogues and on websites and I want them! But I can’t afford them until there is a sale or I have saved up to treat myself. But ...
I do have a birthday every year, and my family always wants to buy a present at Yule. So when my birthday comes round or Yule approaches I tell my family want I’d like. Sometimes I even fill in the order form for them. It’s not an instant solution, my clothes don’t look up to the minute, and I’m not always the coolest or sexiest, but I don’t think those things mean very much compared to the lives of women around the world.
The time delay has its benefits. I appreciate my clothes and only choose things which won't be out of fashion next year. My wardrobe stays small and manageable. And by the time I order I’m sure about what I need and what I only wanted for a moment.
Second Hand Style – the Charity Shops
I started a new job recently and needed smart office clothes, I worried about it and looked on websites – but there were no sales on fairtrade clothes and I couldn’t afford £50 for beautiful trousers. So I headed to the high street trying to justify what I was about to do as a one-off. But I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t avoid the knowledge that the clothes I was looking at had been made by people who deserved better. People who would have better if I cared enough to save up for my clothes rather than buying them on a whim. But I still needed office clothes…
So I left the high street and sought out the charity shops. Lo and behold, they were full of black trousers, smart office type skirts and tops. I bought everything I needed for less than £50 and all the money went to help a good charity too!
If you need something the gods of the charity shops will help you. Just trust them and rummage!
