Individual values held + practiced make us better individuals, but I believe that at some point more is required. Last year's American presidential election + its subsequential fallout have reasserted our American fascination with individuality...and the lack of understanding of the importance (+ benefits for us all) of the greater good.
When it comes to fair fashion + my own closet, I can make individual decisions. I can vote with my dollars. As a group we can choose fair + together our votes will send a stronger message. Yes...AND...
At some point I feel that it is only fair to do a little explaining. This input may not sway the direction of a company, but isn't it only fair to give them a little insight as to how they can change my vote? Because ultimately, isn't it in the interest of the greater good that this company provides the farmers + garment workers that grow + assemble their product the best lives possible? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that all of their customers are offered the most ethical product possible? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that polyester isn't endlessly filling every landfill + ocean for the foreseeable future? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that this company uses all of its knowledge and influence to pave the way for other companies to offer the same to the people in their supply chains, their customers, and the environment? Um...yes...so:
Hello! My family has loved wearing a number of your pieces over the years. We were thrilled to find your affordable, cotton, fair-trade, patterned leggings + tees at Whole Foods a few years ago. Since then I have made it a priority to source clothing that values garment workers (fair-trade), farmers (organic cotton), and the environment (natural fibers that will decompose). I've kept my eye on Threads 4 Thought and had loved to recommend it as an affordable source of ethical clothing, but recently I've become confused. There is still mention of fair-trade certification on your "inside" page + a couple of fair-trade certified factories are listed, but I could find no garments that are certified or in that "collection". Recycled poly seems to be part of every garment. Recycled or not, poly feels soft in the store, but pills with the first wash, increases sweating + will not decompose. My daughter recently bought a Threads 4 Thought tee that fell apart in two washes, although she still has those original, intact, cotton pieces and wears them often. We vote with our dollars, but I also wanted to let you know why I am torn about recommending Threads 4 Thought + probably won't be buying any more from here on out. I admire that you are a thoughtful company + feel that you can be an exemplary leader in the sustainable fashion industry! Hope you return to your roots, because as it is the current product just feels a bit too close to poor quality fast fashion. I know that it is difficult to scale a sustainable company, but we are rooting for values + a high quality product! Thanks for listening.
Sincerely, xxx
www.fairdare.org
I offer this note, not as an indictment against a company...not at all..and definitely not as a perfect specimen (I'm not even sure that I made my points clearly). I offer it as inspiration to write...let companies whose style we love...whose ethos is almost there...who could earn our dollars/votes with just a couple more changes...let them know! Let them know we are rooting for them. It can't hurt...and it just might help! I offer it as hope...for all of us!
Love,
Jane
When it comes to fair fashion + my own closet, I can make individual decisions. I can vote with my dollars. As a group we can choose fair + together our votes will send a stronger message. Yes...AND...
At some point I feel that it is only fair to do a little explaining. This input may not sway the direction of a company, but isn't it only fair to give them a little insight as to how they can change my vote? Because ultimately, isn't it in the interest of the greater good that this company provides the farmers + garment workers that grow + assemble their product the best lives possible? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that all of their customers are offered the most ethical product possible? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that polyester isn't endlessly filling every landfill + ocean for the foreseeable future? Isn't it in the interest of the greater good that this company uses all of its knowledge and influence to pave the way for other companies to offer the same to the people in their supply chains, their customers, and the environment? Um...yes...so:
Hello! My family has loved wearing a number of your pieces over the years. We were thrilled to find your affordable, cotton, fair-trade, patterned leggings + tees at Whole Foods a few years ago. Since then I have made it a priority to source clothing that values garment workers (fair-trade), farmers (organic cotton), and the environment (natural fibers that will decompose). I've kept my eye on Threads 4 Thought and had loved to recommend it as an affordable source of ethical clothing, but recently I've become confused. There is still mention of fair-trade certification on your "inside" page + a couple of fair-trade certified factories are listed, but I could find no garments that are certified or in that "collection". Recycled poly seems to be part of every garment. Recycled or not, poly feels soft in the store, but pills with the first wash, increases sweating + will not decompose. My daughter recently bought a Threads 4 Thought tee that fell apart in two washes, although she still has those original, intact, cotton pieces and wears them often. We vote with our dollars, but I also wanted to let you know why I am torn about recommending Threads 4 Thought + probably won't be buying any more from here on out. I admire that you are a thoughtful company + feel that you can be an exemplary leader in the sustainable fashion industry! Hope you return to your roots, because as it is the current product just feels a bit too close to poor quality fast fashion. I know that it is difficult to scale a sustainable company, but we are rooting for values + a high quality product! Thanks for listening.
Sincerely, xxx
www.fairdare.org
I offer this note, not as an indictment against a company...not at all..and definitely not as a perfect specimen (I'm not even sure that I made my points clearly). I offer it as inspiration to write...let companies whose style we love...whose ethos is almost there...who could earn our dollars/votes with just a couple more changes...let them know! Let them know we are rooting for them. It can't hurt...and it just might help! I offer it as hope...for all of us!
Love,
Jane
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