Fucking Old Navy

[Breast Pump]

Up until this July I had NEVER purchased clothing from Old Navy (or GAP). I had never been interested in either because everyone always wore them (i don't like to run with the herd) and many walked around like advertising whores. Okay, so all this time I've spoken out about not purchasing from either of these companies because it's common sense that these clothes manufacturers are not labor rights friendly... I got stuck with a gift certificate. Since money was already spent I went shopping, looking to buy handbags/ flip flops/ beach mat/ non- clothing articles and I was amazed to find out how cheap their clothes really is. They have very cute clothes and some summer clothes are as cheap as $10.
Suddenly.... I no longer have a conscious. I argue that 95% of the clothes we wear were made in sweatshops and that the clothes I do decide to purchase from OLD NAVY are logo-free (I cut all labels out and cover any logo on handbags). Am I a complete hypocrite? I work part time and cute shirts that only cost $10 is too irresistable for me. I honestly think I've had a change of mind because of the low cost of the clothes, it's convinient for someone who doesn't make much money.

what should i do? am i a horrible person for shopping there? i need some feedback because although i know i'm doing this for a 'legit' reason i still feel like i'm betraying my principles to an extent.

[Brian]

Your a murderer for shopping at Old Navy!

[sypher]

sadly, yes, you are a horrible person for shopping at Old Navy. you said it yourself that 95% of the stuff there are made in sweat shops and you still buy from there? I find that very sad and a blow to the cause. I hope you can find the abillity to turn away from your new vice soon.

[ID2002]

....your choice...but your not being true to your cause. i wouldn't go 10ft near the place myself.

[komsomol]

Sypher you sound like a socialist there, why the hell have you got a Darth Vader avatar? You Imperial nutcase! :)

Seriously though why?

[Shyne]

most of my clothes are from Old Navy.. seriously, you can go there and buy 3 pairs of shorts and 3 shirts for 80 bucks.. who cares where the clothes are made..

but i think i have to mention that i also wear clothes from A&F, Nautica, and several other brand names...

[Xvall]

Do you buy your Sesame Street costumes there too kid?

[Breast Pump]

don't hold back guys... (sarcasm)

95% of the clothes come from sweatshops in GENERAL Who can really know for sure where their clothes were made and by whom and under what conditions?

Maybe instead of coming down on me you can list some alternatives... besides second hand stores becuase those places stink and i get dizzy just trying to get through piles of stinky over priced clothes.

Aren't my reasons for shopping there reasonable? I'm not shopping their because I wanna be cool or because I love sporting their logo. Every clothing article I buy is logo free so I am not endorsing their name in any way. And If I like something I usually wait a couple of weeks until it goes on sale to buy it therefore lowering their profit =/ Seriously... I haven't bought clothes in almost a year and this just happens to be a place that sells good quality clothing for more than reasonable prices. I'm not sure what GAPs prices are like and maybe I'll never find out but am I really a horrible person for making the exception? Lets be a little understanding here =(

I definitely know it's ultimately my choice but I recognize the contradiction in all of this. If I could purchase these clothes in a labor rights friend establishment I would. So why don't you tell me where you buy your clothes from and I'll look into it.

[komsomol]

Consumer>demand>sweatshops

[sypher]

Quote: from MOLOCH on 4:10 pm on July 13, 2002
Sypher you sound like a socialist there, why the hell have you got a Darth Vader avatar? You Imperial nutcase! :)

Seriously though why?


lack of choice. I have been thinking that same thing myself but I haven't been able to find any good one that the site will take. If you got a nice one that is friendly to the site please send it my way :)

[Nickademus]

shyne, i'm shocked that you're a walking logo....oh wait no i'm not.

breast pump. there are alternatives. and some of the 2nd hand shops are really good...you get to be creative and learn to sew. i haven't bought new clothing in ages because i can take old jeans etc and make them into skirts etc. there are plenty of alternatives. some, however, tend to be rather expnensive. i know there is a chain of stores in canada where all the clothes are made in canada. not the style of clothing i like but its proof that there are other consciuos people out there and that athere are alternatives.

[liderDeFARC]

I love you Drake, hilarious, you are really dedicated. GAP is very expensive , well it all depends, but you said part time. I think it was a very good act of yours to not shop in those places, and to see you give in is disappointing. I cant do the same as you, but i think i will start.

[Lefty]

im not gonna lie, i wear the same brands that Shyne does. Actually not, but i might as well. Im assuming that billabong, quiksilver, etc use sweatshop labor as well. But where will the workers from the sweatshops go if they close? Subsistence farming? Its not like life will improve any.

[Brian]

I wear Old Navy really,I hate those bastards at the GAP and A&F.A&F and GAP are fucking scumbags!

[maria11r]

i believe that

gap & old navy & banana republic

are sister stores.. or something like that... so they all use sweatshops....

you were doing so well... plus.. i've been to old navy [one of my friend likes it] and its not that great..... plus.... everyone has the same shirts... you look around.. and everyone is sporting it.... and yes.. old navy does have logos in their shirts... just like gap and br... go to the salvation army... its very organized.. my fav is men's ties for $1...

(Edited by maria11r at 5:57 pm on July 13, 2002)

[liderDeFARC]

So where are these Salvation Army places?

[Breast Pump]

Fine. I get it. I'll start looking elsewhere and I'll try to be somewhat patient at those smelly second hand clothing stores. I do however have to get a few more summer clothes before I turn away from O N. I'm not going to fry this summer in polyester.

Old Navy does have logos on practically every t-shirt but women blouses rarely have them.

[death b4 dishonour]

dont buy old navy clothes for 10$.... you can buy just plain white shirts for less, like i do, most of my shirts are just plain white or plain black.

[Lardlad95]

anyone else notice how breast pump sounded like any infomercial with the cute clothes for ten dollars

[Lefty]

lol i noticed too lardlad

[Breast Pump]

I was explaining my reasons for shopping at Old Navy. 1. because the clothes are feminine and 2. because it's cheap. I was not endorcing Old Navy nor was I encouraging anyone else to shop there.

Thanks for taking a detour.

Oh and about wearing plain t-shirts... I have a job and t-shirts or thrift clothes don't always look professional.

[Lardlad95]

oh i wasnt trying to insult you, sorry. i was just saying thats how it sounded

[andresG]

no more old navy
no more GAP
no more Tommy Hilfiger
Fuck nike
fuck adidas
fuck all brands
i see no difference between one hundred dollar nike shoes or 5 dollar shoes that i can buy in a cheap store at junction blvd.

only plain t shirts for me from now on!
i bought a gray t shirt
green (gotta love that color)
gray
red
so on.....

also shirts

and if you still have shirts with brands on them wear them backwards and cut off the tags
DONT BE A WALKING BILLBOARD!
you are a person not an advertisement sign.

[Conghaileach]

from Breast Pump
Oh and about wearing plain t-shirts... I have a job and t-shirts or thrift clothes don't always look professional.

And Old Navy shirts do?

[Breast Pump]

C: Yes, some do. They have feminine solid color blouses WITHOUT the logo. I was wearing a sleaveless V neck today at a staff meeting and my boss pointed out my blouse as an example of acceptable attire. It cost $10, a lot less than what I used to pay for in my high school days. I see it as an improvement and a work in progress.

[liderDeFARC]

:claps : hilarious Andres, so you think they actually know what Junction blvd. is? So what will you do with all the clothing you used to wear?? I want to see this new andres on Thursday... Oh and does Sandra like the color green by any chance. Oh if i was as drastic as you i might even not talk to Edwin ever again, I mean i would hate his clothing. I definetaly agree with you we are not things (advertisements) we are people, at least some of us. God forbid i see you with a t shirt that has a logo! lol you have made me laugh so hard.

hahahaaaaahhahahhahahahah,buahhhhhhhhhh.
(shit my stomach hurts)

(Edited by liderDeFARC at 6:52 am on July 17, 2002)

[andresG]

mm i just noticed that they dont know what the hell is junction blvd
lol

well it doesnt mean you dont talk to the people that wear this clothing

its all good,

im too sleepy to come up with good points
i dont know why?
its only 10 17pm
anyways the new andres will still have to wear some shirts with logos because he cant throw them away (or his mother will kill him) and what good am i dead?

i sure hope sandra likes green

i'll wear whatever she wants!
lol
speaking of her..
im so drowsy (might be the cold medicine)
gonna go to sleep and have a nice dream..........

[death b4 dishonour]

Quote: from Breast Pump on 7:58 am on July 14, 2002
I was explaining my reasons for shopping at Old Navy. 1. because the clothes are feminine and 2. because it's cheap. I was not endorcing Old Navy nor was I encouraging anyone else to shop there.

Thanks for taking a detour.

Oh and about wearing plain t-shirts... I have a job and t-shirts or thrift clothes don't always look professional.




bah i didnt know you had a job. i just thought you were a useless 15 year old like me. how ignorant of me.

[antieverything]

Well, the vast majority of Americans say that they would be willing to pay a little extra for clothes that were sweat-shop-free. Would they? Hell no!

If you want to learn about consumer responsibility (it goes easy on us!) than go to www.behindthelabel.com

Oh...don't worry, you are allready going to hell for being a godless communist. Buying from Old Navy isn't going to push you over the edge :P

[j]

Ya know, it's a very difficult thing to find clothes that were not made in a sweatshop. I went to the mall last week and looked in the following stores:

Gap
Old Navy
Filenes
Macy's
Abercrombie and Fitch
Sears
American Eagle
Bannana Republic

I could not find a decent shirt that was not made in a foriegn country.

It is very difficult to be an adult and buy professional clothing that is sweat-shop free. I find myself being lured to places like Old Navy because of the prices. I have managed to not buy from them in about 5 or 6 months (since I have stopped supressing my knowledge of sweatshops). But it is VERY difficult and I really don't want to wear shit from the Salvation Army. As an adult you need to fufill some norms of society that you don't when your in college or younger.

Ya know how some coffee places have FAIR TRADE coffee? Can we get clothing shops to do the same??

j

[antieverything]

Even clothes that are "made in USA" can be sweatshop. An assload of US clothing factories are in US territories where indentured servitude is common. The solution? Don't wear clothes! HELL YEAH!!!!

[death b4 dishonour]

"The solution? Don't wear clothes! HELL YEAH!!!!"

Then we will all get skin cancer and what fun that will be :P

[Lefty]

see why i am confused about this?

[stick person]

Shopping second hand is the best! You just have to figure out where to look. Some places are better than others. I have found my best outfits in second hand stores, stuff that gets compliments. Then there are consignment shops, which are like garage sales for rich people who wouldn't want us low lifes bringing down their property values with our presence in their yards.

BTW, I'm new. Hello, everyone.

[truthaddict11]

if you cant find decent thrift stores try only going shopping for clothes very few times a year. i still have the same shirts i wore 2 years ago and they are still good. i have about 4 pairs of pants for work and everyday activity. if something tears i take it to a tailor and they can repair it for me. try using UNITE as well

[marxistdisciple]

Yeah I used to like going to GAP and old Navy until I read No Logo. Of course I dunno if the solution is not shopping at particular stores as almost all of the clothing is made abroad anyway. I would say yes, go to thrift stores and so on, and if you don't want to, avoid buying clothing with branding, as this advertises the store for free, and that is more than they deserve.

I have found some clothes that say 'Assembled in Mexico of US parts' etc. that's the smae sweatshop things isn't it?

Naked people would be much more fun :) Bit cold though.

[Lefty]

why do you all care? Isnt it kinda whats in a persons head as opposed to what s/he is wearing?

[marxistdisciple]

Of course it is, for me at least. That doesn't mean you can't enjoy wearing different types of clothes. I think fashion however does seem to be another excuse segregate people. I personally would like people to be more individual with their clothing choices, more creative. Express yourself guys! :)

[j]

Quote: from Lefty on 8:30 pm on July 21, 2002
why do you all care? Isnt it kinda whats in a persons head as opposed to what s/he is wearing?


Um, care about what? What I wear? Of course I do. It is an important piece of self-expression.

I do care where my clothes are made. It is important to try to not help the corporate giants out and aide sweatshops.

j

[flames of the flag]

hmmm, someone should start their own clothing line then they would Know that the clothes are not sweatshop made and everyone else here would too. plus whenever sweatshops come up in discussion here you can just plug youre company.

anyways sweatshops arent the only issue here, the fisher family of companies (old nvy gap banana republic) practice clearcutting of rainforest so they can make more money. so they extra suck. and second anyways its awfully capitalist of you to sell out ur bliefs like that, breast pump *shakes head*

but i guess its to late now.

-flames

[splendor solis]

I wore old navy and gap n stuff like that for a long time, and the whole sewatshop dela rlly bothered me. So, that influenced me to just sew my own clothes and just go around, find funky fabrics, stuff like that. and if i don't have time i go to second hand stores and the stores nobody's heard of, cuz u can find the greatest things
I got this really beautiful black vintage dress at a second hand shop....i just found out it belonged to the wife of the supreme judge in New York haHA....oh the chances

[Jaha]

heck. shut down the sweatshops! go for the big hit. then, all your clothes will be morally clean!

[KickMcCann]

Not everyone is a rich burgouise here, some of us have to keep a short money budget just to make it by. If the clothing is affordable, then get it. Most clothing comes from sweatshops, and anyway, how many of you moral giants actually make you own clothes, let alone have the time and/or knowledge to do so?
Life is full of sadness and despair, if you can't accept it, then become a hermit or kill yourself. For life to continue living, it must take life. A lion eating an antelope, a shark eating a fish, a bird eating a worm, a human eating a chicken, or a cow eating grass. Yeah, death sucks, but its part of life, accept it.
Wearing clothes, buying them from sweatshops, and people working in sweatshops sucks, but it's just the way it is right now. It won't always be this way, but until there is international justice, are you going to go naked?

[Lefty]

im wearing old navy right now. I seriously doubt old navy is making that much of a profit off of $7 shorts.

[Iepilei]

if you want ritzy buisness attire purchase stuff from designer Kenneth Cole or other members of UNITE!

UNITE! is a union against the usage of sweatshop labour. Everything is manufactured in the USA, and because it's a personal designer they don't stamp names and shiz on them.

[Baltic]

If you don't buy from firms that use sweatshops you actually deprive people in the Far East and other places of enough income to buy the basic living conditions.

If a campaign was launched to introduce wages to bring them into line with more liberal countries then labour would be used there and not these poorer countries.

Believe me you are doing them a favour.

An alternative view.

10 dollars to you is a fortune to these people.

Baltic

[I Bow 4 Che]

My parents being rich capitalist bastards, I do not buy for the price I buy for the origin...sweatshop clothes are not on my shopping list. And the saddest part is, shopping at thriftstores (to make an anti-hot topic statement that $12 for "sleeves" is insanity) most thriftstores actually carry clothing from "Old Navy" and "Gap"...it's like, it's impossible to feel clean of such trend whore places. Oh well, through the innocense or lackthereof I still feel it wrong for you to continue shopping there if you title yourself a true communist/socialist...whatever. *sigh* oh well

btw. your favorite little 12 y.o is just visiting

[cajco]

fuck nike fuck adidas fuck old navy!!!!!!!!!what do you think abt some legendary brands like converse all-star -symbol of punk , dr.martens-symbol of working class ?btw dm are moving it's production to china.that's insane.we cannot let them do it.