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!