Where would you prefer your clothes/shoes/accessories to be made, and why?

[bigbris1]

Originally Posted by Master Squirrel

I'm from America and take pills so I can pee Red, White and Blue.
I pee red, white and blue but it all depends on how much Scotch I've had that day which color you'll get

 

[apropos]

Originally Posted by CashmereLover

Since we're all Africans?

I'll see your

and raise you this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recent_..._modern_humans

 

[ramuman]

I'd prefer they be made in my sweatshop.

 

[JammieDodger]

Originally Posted by Seymour

American Apparel claims all their stuff is made in the US. Specifically, in California.

You're right as well.

I thought there was one which manufactured in China but paid US minimum wage and supplied workers with bicycles etc.

Nevermind, AA seems ethical enough for me.

 

[CashmereLover]

Originally Posted by apropos

I'll see your

and raise you this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recent_..._modern_humans

TouchÃ

, but still I fail to feel culturally closely related to cultures non-similar to my own.

 

[Pantisocrat]

USA, simply because they are cheaper and for equivalent quality to the Brits, Italians, and French. Come on, do you really want to pay Papworth's shipping? And not to mention US vintage goods, which at one point were the best in the world.

Shirts-Hamilton
Suits-Oxxford
Bags-Ghurka
Pens-Chilton
Shoes-Alden
Ties-Olch (too many to list)
Watch-RGM
Hats-Cavanagh
Bicycle and accessories-Calfee/ Vanilla
Cufflinks-Swank
Knives-Case
Canes/walking sticks-Rosencrans
.
.
.
.
.List goes on

I think US quality is still very high, esp. in the area of men's accessories.

 

[TimH]

Nice to hear some good words for the English made product, if I can't produce a leather product that lasts until it becomes like an old friend, I am far from happy.

 

[HHD]

Generally the UK or France.

 

[CashmereLover]

Originally Posted by HHD

Generally the UK or France.

I think "Made in France" is pretty rare, unfortunately. Don't see it very often. I love France so I'd also love to have something made by a Frenchman.

 

[luftvier]

Originally Posted by JammieDodger

You're right as well.

I thought there was one which manufactured in China but paid US minimum wage and supplied workers with bicycles etc.

Nevermind, AA seems ethical enough for me.


Whatever shoe company that donates a pair for every sold says they do this.

They manufacture in the third world at "fair labor" prices, then sell the ugly canvas shoes to guilty white wealthy liberals for $200/pr. Brilliant. I wish I had come up with that scam.

 

[onix]

Originally Posted by CashmereLover

I think "Made in France" is pretty rare, unfortunately. Don't see it very often. I love France so I'd also love to have something made by a Frenchman.
Rare? I have an MTM suit by Pierre Cardin, a pair of Loding shoes, boat load of Hermes ties and accessories. I had before some pieces from YSL. They're all made in France. Some John Lobb shoes are made in France too (since they're owned by Hermes)

 

[archetypal_yuppie]

Originally Posted by CashmereLover

I think "Made in France" is pretty rare, unfortunately. Don't see it very often. I love France so I'd also love to have something made by a Frenchman.

Thats cause their gov't pays them not to work, and charges them $$$ when they do work.

They also think they're such hot **** with their wines/cheeses. Arg, the french

I prefer english made followed by italian. we should all be careful to remember the RLPL cashmere incident as well. where something is assembled might be less important than where the cloth was manufactured.

 

[HHD]

Originally Posted by CashmereLover

I think "Made in France" is pretty rare, unfortunately. Don't see it very often. I love France so I'd also love to have something made by a Frenchman.
There are a few. For example, Corthay, Charvet and Cifonelli at the high end, JM Weston, Paraboot and quite a lot of Agnès b in the middle range. There are plenty of producers of fine accessories. There was an article on the subject of French-made clothing in le Figaro before Christmas. In an interview for the feature, Agnès b said that she's found increasing numbers of British and Japanese shoppers are demanding the Made in France stuff, which accounts for around 1/3 of her production and 2/3s of her revenues. It is possible to produce in France, but it is true that employment laws and high payroll taxes do not make it easy. On a more anecdotal level, the practices of sewing on the label and designating the item "Made in XXXXX" and/or employing vast numbers of migrant workers in sweatshop conditions while giving the impression that your products are manufactured by traditional artisans are not so widespread in France.

 

[CashmereLover]

Of course there are examples, like the ones you mention, I just feel that it's much easier to find clothes/shoes/accessories made in e.g. Italy.

What would you consider to be the main reason for a slight lack of French made clothes - taxes & employment laws, or is it more of a cultural matter? For some reason I believe France is more about e.g. fragrance.

 

[Lowndes]

Originally Posted by luftvier

Whatever shoe company that donates a pair for every sold says they do this.

They manufacture in the third world at "fair labor" prices, then sell the ugly canvas shoes to guilty white wealthy liberals for $200/pr. Brilliant. I wish I had come up with that scam.

Are you thinking of TOMS? I bought a pair of their shoes for my sister in law for Christmas and they are actually pretty cheap. Definitely not $200. More like $50 or so.