About clothing made in Bangladesh

 

 As is my norm, I awoke Monday morning to my local CBC Information Morning show. Lisa Drader Murphy, designer, manufacturer, retailer and proprietor of Turbine in Halifax,  was discussing the garment manufacturing industry in light of the tragedy in Bangladesh.  I listened with interest for this is a subject on which I hold many opinions!

When I was in high school I coveted a sweater set from Marich’s store.  All the in-girls in my class had a sweater set; they were beautiful and soft, made in Nova Scotia from a blend of mohair, and lamb’s wool.   The price was in the thirty dollar range; my father earned about thirty dollars a week (when he had work).  I was already working part time at McCain’s making ninety cents an hour so in theory I could have saved for the sweaters.  However the money I earned was used to supplement our meagre grocery budget, purchase toilet paper and feminine needs and buy the ingredients for school lunches for myself and my siblings.

mine was a "kitten" brand

My then supervisor at McCain’s announced a special project, a three day straight run.  I received permission to be out of school, worked the project and had an extra cheque; forty five hours work equalled one sweater set.  I made the purchase, of course I chose blue!  I wore it, I loved it, and I valued it. 

 

 

 

Shopping local offered a limited selection so my friends and I often went to Maine. One came home with a synthetic twin set, I was appalled.  While I wanted to spend less and have more I sensed that I was on the precipice of a slippery slope!  At sixteen I understood that my sweater set involved the farmer who grew and sheared the lamb’s wool, the imported mohair and the garment manufacturers who worked  where Canadians were paid a fair wage.  I would buy quality Canadian made garments.

Occasionally I would take the low road and on a trip to Presque Isle pick up a cheap garment. It never fit quite right or survived our vigorous wringer washer.  I valued my twin set and washed those sweaters by hand.  As the years progressed I thought less of clothes, it was the 1970’s and if you had a pair of jeans, a long billowy dress or two (I confess I once fashioned a dress from one of my Aunt’s good linen table clothes; without her knowledge) and sandals – you were good to go.

Then I had children, the only choice for their clothing was those displaying our Maple Leaf.  Snow suits were a necessity for children in our fierce New Brunswick winters.  We purchased Brand name suits that retailed for $100 and up, they kept the children dry and the quality was such that you were able to use that same suit for another year or for a younger child.  While Inferior suits were available, they did not darken the door at our house. My friends and I prided ourselves in having the “best” for our children.  We were all on limited budgets but quality Canadian made clothing was as important to us then as organic foods are to today’s mothers.

It was in the 1980’s that I came to the realization that not all “thinking” people shared my philosophy re well-made clothing.  I was at a party when a man complained about the cost of his shirt.  I inquired as to the price and he replied $15.00. When I responded “well, it was not made in Canada”, his retort was “who cares”?  I tried to use my illustration about working one week in the 1960’s to buy the sweaters and now he had worked only one hour to purchase a shirt, and the effect that was having on our garment industry.  It made no impact.  Most of the people at that party were union members, I attempted to rally them round.  My rally fell flat.

One by one; and in the case of Toronto, ten by ten, the garment manufacturers have folded up. While some moved off shore, many simply ceased to exist.  I bore witness to the toll; garments cut smaller and smaller because Asians could not believe North Americans could be so large.  Inferior materials and construction, no more preshrunk garments and zippers!  I went back to sewing and used fabrics milled in the US or from the UK.  Sewing is no longer possible for me, but I am still a clothing snob.  I am retired and live on a low fixed income, even at that using my teen ratio I should be paying about $600/700 for a winter coat.  I would if I could but the realities of cell phones and heating costs have hijacked my budget.

I read about the tragedy in Bangladesh and feel we are to blame. While the big name brands scurry for cover renouncing their ties to the building; meanwhile touting that their marketing campaigns advocate progressive causes.  Do not worry; you are not alone in your guilt.  The millionaire sports who purchase Nikes made in slave conditions, the retailers who have knock offs made for pennies, and me.    Yes I am guilty, for I am part of the North American society who has demanded more and more for less and less.  I will shake out my principles, purge my closets and continue to buy local.  And I just might check out the clothing from Turbine! 

Foot note; one day later as I get dressed I notice my yoga pants, purchased from Giant Tiger, are made in Bangladesh!  Do I hide them; dispose of them, write GT to protest their sourcing?   Probably none of the above, however my next purchase shall be from Penningtons.  Oh no!  I just checked the label in my Pennington’s pants and they were made in Bangladesh as well!

 
Check your  closet; are most of your clothes made off shore?  Cost before quality or quality (ie locally made) first? share your thoughts!

 

Fashion musings from a plus size grandmother

 

I love fashion; I would rather shop than eat.  As a teen I was already plus size, 16 on top/14 bottom.  By eigth grade those poodle swing skirts and twin sets were not cutting it, so I learned how to sew.  Using tradional styles, cut larger, was frustrating.

sack dress - mine was much this shape
 

Then I discovered the sack dress, (Sack dress definition, a loose, unbelted dress that hangs straight from the shoulder to the hemline).  What freedom, no more trying to get bodice to fit onto the  waist and cinching it all with a belt. 

With this as influence, I sewed a striking dress  made of a wine/red dress weight flannel, featuring a plain round neckline' three quarter sleeves and stopping justshort of my knee.  The addition of big belt loops at the hip and a wide black belt; black tights and black Mary Jane’s and I was styling.  My school mates christened it my Beatnik dress.

Valerie with daughters Leisa and Vavielle
 

In this photo I am in my mid twenties and happy with my fashion sense.  At size 16/18 I could seldom buy "off the rack" so sewed my own.

Even though this appears to be a busy pattern closer examination reveals geometrics in white and pink grounded by black. Yes, my main stay has always been black.   This dress was made for a wedding and I purchased a high end poly blend fabric.  The fabric had a lovely drape and no wrinkle.  Tip: if you sew purchase the best quality fabric you can.  This also applies to ready made clothing. Notice I said quality not cost.

The original dress was floor length, this was the 1970s; and I wore it that way a few times.  Then hemmed to the knee and a sleeve transformation and voila, a dress for church. 

 

Fast forward forty  years and I am looking for an outfit that is as representative of my personality and as comfortable as the Beatnik dress.  Time has certainly improved the fabrics we have available, polyester and spandex being point in case. 

 Black is often my colour of choice.  In this photo the top  has a band of rose colour at the neckline as well and several bands below the bust and for ties.  When working for  "LeisaB accessories" a jeweller artist, I wear the merchandise.  Black is the perfect foil for the jewellery.

 

 

One of my first fashion lessons was how to build a wardrobe,  manyof you  own a closet full of clothes but have nothing to wear?

 

The first step is to choose a basic colour; for me it is black; brown or navy also work. Then you purchase or closet shop for the fundaments; pants, cropped pants, a skirt (many of us mature ladies avoid skirts due to our over developed tummies!), dress, shell, sweater, and jacket. 

 Now pick a complimentary colour pink, blue, green, orange, purple and even white. So you are off to the theatre and you want to look sharp and yet be comfy. Pull on those pants ( Mine are black TanJAY petites 92% POLYSTER/8% SPANDEX, SIZE 20 – however they still fit when I am size 24! ), add a dressy polyester black and white top, black sandals or shoes, a light wrap of black coat ( depending on the weather) and we are good to go!

 

Please follow my Fashion Musings.  I will cover under wear, choosing a bathsuit (horrors), taking stock of your assets, best retailers and a host of other topics. You can ask questions or give me ideas. Give me feed back!  Please.

Next to the skin – the Reg Grundys

Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle.

 

Women's undergarments collectively are called lingerie. They also are called intimate clothing and intimates. Not wearing underwear under outer clothing is known in American slang as freeballing for men or freeboobing for women, or as going commando for either sex. Undergarments are clothes worn under other clothes, often next to the skin. They keep outer garments from being soiled by bodily secretions and discharges, shape the body, and provide support for parts of it. Other terms for undergarments are; Underclothes, underclothing and underwearare formal terms. In Australia they are called Reg Grundys (rhyming slang for undies) and Reginalds, and, in the United Kingdom, smalls (from the earlier smallclothes) and (historically) unmentionables. In the United States, women's underwear may be known as delicates due to the recommended washing machine cycle. (Wikipedia)

Now those skinny minis may get away with freeboobing or going commando however if you are a plus size or past you thirties it is a choice I would not recommend.  When asked why they choose not to wear a bra, freeboobing, women reply “I cannot get a bra that fits” or “they hurt, or are uncomfortable”.   Really ladies after your shoes, what is the first thing you take off when you get home?

How I hated this!

In the eighth grade I went from a little pudge to a 36D and I hated it!  My clothes did not fit, the boys kept looking at my chest and the crude ones called me “General Dairies”. To make matters worse the bras my friends wore did not contain my chest and the Playtex white, all cotton, circle bra was my lingerie!  I hated them, they dug in, and the white turned grimy and worse of all the straps wore furrows in my shoulders.




 

note the sectioned cup
 

The years few by, I grew up and so did bra manufactures.  Enter the underwire, support from below, no more raw shoulders.  Trial and error showed that I did best with a seamed cup; I have since learned that I have balloon breasts and that smooth one piece cup does nothing for me. Playtex Women’s Secrets Signature Floral Underwire Bra   was my best fit for over twenty years, then I gained weight and their largest size did not fit.

 

 



My Elomi as a better fit
fully containing brest
 

Attempting to find a suitable bra became my passion, I purchased from the sublime to the absurd.  Some received one wearing and was passed on.  My chief issue was not finding a large enough bra but one that fit in snug between my breasts, and laid flat on my breast bone.  Then I discovered The Girls Bra Shop Inc. for quality bras, expert bra fitting and foundational garments. They are located in: Rothesay, NB and St. John's, NFL -Rothesay 1.888.344.9393/ St. John's 1.877.719.6338.  Here I purchased an Elomi bra – beautiful, expensive and it fit.   I have treated her with care and almost five years later she looks like new.  However my illnesses has progressed, and edema and weight gain have played havoc with fit.

 

 

 

the Intimates comfort bra

Enter Penningtons and their Intimates comfort bra, ahhh…  It holds them up, I can tuck them in, and this bra does not dig in.

Made of 95% nylon and 5% Spandex it has the look and feel of Wick away cotton and definitely breathes. 

Unfortunately, Penningtons do not seem to be currently carrying this bra.  I did find a very similar one at their sister store Addition Elle.

 
Do I get the same frontal look as my Elomi or the Playtex?   No, but I am covered and respectable. I have the Intimate comfort bra in all three sizes and treat them with as much respect as the expensive girls.  Never, ever put a bra in the dryer. Strive to wash your bras by hand; if you must machine wash put each one in a lingerie bag and wash on gentle and cold or warm water.

The best way to purchase a bra is at a reputable specialized or department stores.  Sales staff is trained to measure and fit.  However if the size they measure does not feel comfortable, try a size or a cup size up or down and try a variety of styles.  Purchasing a bra is not for the faint hearted.  At http://brayola.com you can take a photo of yourself in your favorite bra, upload it to them and their experts will analyze your fit.  And yes, you can crop your head!

Panties, knickers, undies and one piece foundations deserve a blog of their own.  Leave me your bra woes and wishes.  An expert once told me that women often change in their bra size every six months; now isn’t that enough to make you go freeboobing!   Please leave your comments and questions.

 

this gal might have a great body, but ...
She needs a better bra!
(and yes I think this has been photoshopped!)