Bring apparel production back to the U.S.A.

Recently, there have been a number of victories in the realm of "inshoring" (bringing manufacturing back to the United States). GE and Apple are bringing some production back to the U.S.A. Lenovo began a new production line in North Carolina this year. Walmart has pledged to increase the number of American-made products on its shelves. Great changes are happening!

When it comes to clothing, a disturbing 97% or more is made outside of the U.S.A. We need to turn this around! Americans have become dangerously addicted to cheap clothing. By importing more of our clothing, we have also become separated from how our clothing is produced.

The tragedy in Bangladesh has shed light on the damaging effect our clothes shopping habits have on others working under deplorable conditions. Since these clothes are not produced in our country, we do not witness this firsthand. Additionally, many nations do not have sufficient environmental regulations. Even though we support a cleaner, healthier environment, we still buy cheap clothing without realizing the impact its production has had on the environment. Not only are we are harming others, but we are also harming ourselves. The environment acts globally. Environmental damage affects the world.

As consumers, we can work to make more educated choices about shopping. We can make an effort to research the clothing we buy. We can also make an effort to buy more American-made clothing. With the internet, this is easy. In fact Norton's U.S.A. has easy to find sections for our selections of American-made Women's, Men's and Kids' clothing.

According to an NBC News article, the clothing industry faces hurdles in returning. Many of the components used to craft garments are no longer made in the U.S.A. Talent is also an issue as the clothing industry in the U.S.A. has found it more difficult to find seamstresses. However, as we begin to buy more American-made clothing, the demand will be there providing the incentive to grow the American apparel business.

In a CBS News interview, Bob Bland who heads Manufacture New York (an initiative to bring back the apparel industry) stated of the Bangladesh tragedy: "Those people who died were making clothes for us here in America. And that's important because we owe it to them not to let this happen again. I would like to see Americans take a look at when they are buying that $5 T-shirt, they need to think about that and know that there is a cost. Fashion should never kill."

We can change this. There are so many wonderful designers making clothing right here in the U.S.A. You will definitely be inspired after taking a look at some of the wonderful creations at Norton's U.S.A. (including the dress above.)

Some reading on manufacturing in the U.S.A. and on the clothing industry:
CBS News Apparel advocate: Bring clothing manufacturing back to the US
NBC News Clothing excluded from US manufacturing resurgence
The Washington Post Is US manufacturing making a comeback-or is it just hype
Time How Walmart plans to bring back 'Made in America'
USA Today Shoppers face hurdles finding ethical clothing

Why we need to know where our clothes come from

With a difficult economy here in the U.S., we find ourselves having to tighten our belts. Sometimes, we lose site of being a knowledgeable consumer when we are lured with cheap prices. However, cheap does not necessarily equate with the best choice.

Last week, there was a devastating factory collapse in Bangladesh. Often, we are very removed from the process of how our clothes are made. However, many of us saw the media reports last week about this terrible accident. We should use this time to learn.

As in Bangladesh, some of these factories are put up quickly with few building regulations. The workers do not work under the same safety standards as we have in this country. The buildings are not subject to the safe inspections that their counterparts in the U.S.  The workers work for many hours for low wages in poor conditions. Last week, sadly, many lost their lives in the factory collapse.

As consumers, we need to think more about what we are buying. Looking at that label is very important. When buying American, you are supporting companies following much safer labor standards. Plus, American factories are also subject to stronger environmental regulations and regular inspections. By purchasing American, you know more about how your clothing was made.

When shopping, we must not turn a blind eye to how things are made. Sadly, hundreds of people died last week. We must make a statement with our dollars and buy American.

For more on the collapse and some of the factory conditions these poor workers face, see CNN's article: Bangladesh factory collapse: Who really pays for our cheap clothes?