The apparel industry is a mainly manual labor industry. It's hand created works. There aren't, with the exception of fabric and pieces of the whole garment, machines working on these products. Who is going to pay the additional cost of labor thru increased pricing? If we were going to pay the extra amount wouldn't these jobs stayed here in the first place? I've been very lucky this year that I can afford to refrain from purchasing fast fashion clothing. It's costly buying Made in the USA or from Fair Trade apparel companies. It's also not convenient. Not only do I have to pay up to 2 or 3 times what the garment would cost me if I ran into a department store here but I have to purchase it online and wait. And wait. I really miss running into Target and buying a shirt. Buying with your conscience is difficult and expensive. Not everyone could afford to do it. Also, even some of those who could afford it would balk at the prices.
When this is over I know that I'll try to be more careful about my purchases. I still want to keep the amount of clothing in the closet down to a minimum. I'll slip back into buying second hand clothing. I'll still avoid the malls and big department stores. When I have time and the money I'll still invest in pieces that are Made in the USA and Fair Trade. I still don't know what is the right answer. When you buy a t-shirt from Target it still gives someone in another country in opportunity to make money. But, they might be working in an unsafe environment. I feel like an exploiter. I'm reminded of the following quote as I ponder these dilemmas:
“The more I learn, the more I realize how much I don't know.” Albert Einstein
