I hope that having found out about the ethical performance of the shops and brands listed on ‘High Street’ I will be able to make better choices about where I buy my clothes from. I want to support the companies, by buying their clothes, that have good records on protecting and safeguarding their employees rights.
I do wonder though if I should be buying from the less ethical shops too. If consumers gave up buying from these shops then the workers would lose their jobs; surely the workers that make the clothes must need the income as they are willing to work for a company that does not treat them fairly. It seems to me that those workers need to keep their jobs, but I need to put pressure on their employers, the high street brands, to look after them. I think I will be writing quite a few letters!
I’d welcome other suggestions so please leave a comment.
I like the fact you are trying to chart a way through this minefield. I have for some years been buying fruit and veg from a farm shop and meat from a local abbatior, leaving the shopping I have to do at the supermarket as ethically as possible. I know this is food not clothes, but I will try and apply a similar principle now. I but fair trade when I can, usually from high street, but I can’t let my kids go around without underwear because I can’t find any fair trade stuff! Do you know of any good fair trade maternity wear suppliers?
Thanks for the comment, its great to hear that someone else is being picky about where they buy from. The best way to encourage retailers with ethical principles is to buy from them.
Next have come out top so far of high street retailers with an ethical conscience so you could try them for both maternity wear and children’s underwear. I hope Boden will give a positive response to my letter and they too do underwear for children, but it’s quite pricey.
Hope that helps.