Why we’ve become brand snobs
OK, we’re not snobs per se, but the last few years have brought a shift in our thinking when it comes to the brands we select for consignment at Labels. Our level of curation has gotten more specific, with the intention of improving our sustainable place in the world as a small secondhand clothing shop.
Shifting to circular fashion
There is so much STUFF out there. Like, SO much that it’s now challenging as ever to keep up with all the brands and non-brands that appear on the daily. Even the mediums in which folks can acquire those brands are vast and continually changing. Clothing production has increased tremendously in recent years. We see it more and more at Labels. As obsessive secondhand shoppers ourselves, we see firsthand the life cycle of fast fashions: purchased online → barely or never worn due to fit/quality/style issues → donated to the nearest thrift store.
Does any of this sound familiar? This is not a blame and shame game by any means. We’ve all partaken in the linear fashion industry. A few of my favorite places to shop in my youth were H&M, Forever 21 and Marshalls. But hear us out: The prices of those items are low for a reason. Reasons with many negative consequences that maybe we can’t see or hear on the daily, but they’re there. There MUST be another way of shopping for clothes that are made ethically and sustainably while staying true to yourself, your style, and your budget.
Therefore, in tandem with some of the values that were brought to the surface for many of us during the beginning year(s?) of Covid (systemic racism, intersectionality of our actions or inaction and impact on communities of color, capitalism, and sustainability), we’ve begun to put more thought into curating our wide selection of pre-loved clothing, shoes and accessories at Labels.
Clothing that lasts
When evaluating garments and shoes for consignment, a sampling of questions we ask ourselves are:
· How is it made?
· What is it made out of?
· Is it hardy? Will it last washes and busy lifestyles?
· Is it a style that will make us excited for five months, or (at least) five years?
It starts with resale value
Contrary to first impression, new online resale platforms have not necessarily encouraged fast fashion to slow down. In fact, by having more vast modes of reselling the overproduction of these items, it only encourages more linear production models from brands. And then there are the burnings.
In becoming more selective at Labels, we hope it will discourage folks from buying fast fashion and low-quality clothing in the first place. If there’s less demand for fast fashions, that in turn leads to less wasteful production, less unfair treatment of workers, and less careless disposal with massive environmental consequences.
Our choices affect our community
As a small family business, it can be hard for us to remember that we CAN and DO make a big impact. To us, community is everything. It’s part of what makes every small business so special. At Labels, we are proud to have provided a gathering space for neighbors, friends and family members to meet, connect, and shop for over 30 years. We look out for one another. We find joy in being in relationship with customers, vendors, and nearby businesses. We provide a local presence that is palpable, as opposed to the lack of human interaction and connection one experiences when ordering product online. Brick and mortars are becoming few and far between, given many challenges including but definitely not limited to existing in this technology-obsessed, device-centric, capitalist world.
Mindful shopping
You’ve heard of mindfulness by now. Ever heard of mindful shopping? We hope it can come in handy when deciding what to purchase. When shopping, these questions might be helpful to ask:
· Why is it priced high/low/moderately?
· Were workers paid livable wages in safe conditions?
· Is it made of natural or sustainable materials?
· How does it feel on my skin? My body?
· Is it fussy to clean?
· What will this add to my wardrobe? Is it versatile enough?
· Is this the best possible style and fit for me? Do I LOVE what I see?
· What is the likelihood I’ll need to return this item after ordering it?
· Will I love it for the next few weeks, or the next few years?
Slow fashion is that buzz phrase that won’t go away, and for good reason. We will always advocate for buying used first (whether consignment, vintage, thrift, there are plenty of options here in Seattle, and beyond!). When one must buy new (because, you know, underwear), these questions might be helpful to ask:
· Does the brand support women, BIPOC, LGBTQ communities?
· Does the brand have authentic values, not just good marketing for greenwashing?
· Have I done my research, or am I just clicking on ads or the first search result?
· Am I supporting local businesses first, and small online shops second?
The shift is slow and ever-changing
A list of brands we love at Labels lives on our website. Not all of these brands fit the sustainable bill. However, in our decades of experience in the secondhand clothing business, we’ve noticed that some of these brands still make quality garments that last AND are still affordable and accessible to a wide range of folks.
The switch to 100% slow fashion is, frankly, slow! We will continue to offer a variety of brands in the hopes that the coming years bring mindful shopping and more affordable, wearable, sustainable fashions.
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