A Plea for Compassionate Shopping

One of my biggest motivations for shopping secondhand is the prevalence of the sweatshop industry today.  Here, human rights advocate Charles Kernaghan tells about we raised the standards for work safety and fair wages for U.S. citizens and how we can extend those rights to citizens of developing countries.

This breaks my heart, obviously. I don't think that many people could watch that video without crying, but what good are our tears if they don't motivate us to change our habits? There's a reason that corporate mega-stores like Walmart and Target are able to discount their items so much - the cost doesn't go away. It is taken out of the wages and working conditions of people in developing countries.

So shop secondhand! Next time you need a new dress, decorations for a party, wine glasses, a lamp, or a birthday gift, stop by a couple thrift stores before you go to the mall.

For example, say I want to wear a somber but fabulous outfit today in mourning for the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire:

Vintage Socialite patent-leather kitten-heels: Savers, $8.00
Leather belt: Idaho Youth Ranch, $1.00
J. Crew drawstring tee: Idaho Youth Ranch, $3.75
Not giving my money to companies who use child-labor: Priceless :)