An interesting look at used clothing & the global economy

Old Clothes Go Global

Not Buying It

Are you tired of how everyone is so obsessed with buying stuff all the time?  Yeah, me too.  Maybe it has to do with the time I've spent volunteering that makes me wonder, What do I actually need?  When I buy something, how long will it take for me to want more?  How many people out there actually do need a new pair of shoes because they are barefoot, and how many pairs of forgotten shoes do I have stuffed in my closet?

And then I think about the people who made the stuff.  Are they happy?  Do they have enough to eat?  Guilt.

I recently read an article in "Wired" magazine about the work compounds in China where the people live in little dorms and do repetitive work on assembly lines for 10 hours a day.  The cover screams...

Powerful imagery.  Yet, isn't it good to give people jobs?  Doesn't it benefit their lives?  I really don't know a lot about this, but I've been thinking about it a lot since I'm taking a class this semester on economic globalization.  New America Media has an article about how Forever 21 pays the garment workers a pittance.

Really, this is not my area of expertise.  I don't really know what to think about it, and I'm definitely not condemning globalization and mass-production as if it's some black-and-white subject.  I'm mostly just thinking out loud...  I'd like to hear what you have to say on this issue.

Thrift Store Find: Feraud Pencil Skirt

I'm piecing together the history of a lonely cream pencil skirt I found at Salvation Army a couple of weeks ago...

My Chicano studies class was dismissed early, and on the trolley ride home I decided to take a detour.  I had always wanted to visit the thrift stores hidden in Point Loma--today was perfect because I was itching to get out of the house.  I got off the bus at an unfamiliar station, and made my way to the Salvation Army entrance, feeling unsure of myself.  I thought of all the beautiful vintage stuff for sale on Etsy--would I be lucky enough to spot a gem?
I looked through my usual sections--dresses, blouses, skirts--for any unusual prints or bright colors [love].  But what I found was soft cream wool.  The moment I felt that fabric, I knew it was a quality garment I was touching.  This is one reason why I love vintage--every piece has a history, a story to tell. In this case, I didn't have to just imagine its history.
I looked up Louis Feraud on Google and found that he was a couture designer who had begun creating pieces in France in the 1950's. He met Brigitte Bardot and designed some of the costumes for her movies. He presented his couture collections in Paris, alongside Balenciaga and Lanvin.
I feel honored to have one of his pieces in my vintage collection! I don't know what year the skirt is from, but it says Made in West Germany, which indicates that it was made before the destruction of the Berlin Wall. The skirt is made of a lightweight wool and is fully lined with cream satin. There is a small 3.5" slit in the left side at the bottom. It zips and buttons in the back, and it's in beautiful condition.
Waist: 26"
Hips: 35"
Length: 26"
Width at Bottom: 38"
Zipper Length: 8"
You can buy it in my Etsy shop .

Boredom

I have been suuuuper bored since the start of summer break.  I'm sure part of it has to do with no job/ no purpose -type of feelings.  Feeling guilty for not contributing to the household financially.  Not  having many friends.  Staying inside all day...  Leading to complete lack of motivation and energy.  I began to think, Why am I even getting out of bed?  Why am I getting dressed?  What is the point?  I was bored with life and beginning to get depressed.

But today--no more!!  I realized that I had to go out seeking adventure; it would not come knocking on my door.  So I got dressed in a non-boring outfit and went to the non-boring Pacific Beach.  They have great thrift stores, and I also donated some of my old stuff. 

I wore: a very faded blue tie-dyed undershirt underneath a tight mustard t-shirt that I cut slashes across the front of, a long black flowy cotton skirt past my knees, a purple and black tiger print silky scarf around my neck, my blue hipster nerd glasses, and dark green Vans without laces.  Reddish metalic Urban Decay eyeliner all around my eyes.  Oddly, I'm kind of into the heroin chic/ I partied last night and barely slept makeup look. 

I felt way better today than I have in a long time.  Who knows what tomorrow will bring?