Responsible Clothing?

General Discussion
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Apologies, this is probably the wrong forum and kind of completely off topic to the site, but you guys usually have good opinions, so looking for that.

I’m wondering, where do you guys buy your clothes? To support your values I mean…

Recently I’ve been looking at the ridiculousness of professional surfing, and wondering why am I supporting this by buying surf clothing of companies like Billabong and Quiksilver? These guys pay a few surfers millions of dollars and spend tons more money on wasteful contests that create hype around surfing. Leading to overpriced clothes and more crowded lineups. The clothing is made overseas, and I would rather support my unemployed neighbors. 

I hear sometimes that the major surf companies support surfing, but do they really? I couldn’t think of many ways. The only thing I can think of that they do for me are wetsuits and boardshorts. But how much money from my t-shirt purchase goes into research and design for wetsuits? I’m betting none. The best wetsuits seem to be coming from excel lately and they didn’t need t-shirt profits to make the best innovations. Boardshorts, I like some of the new materials they are coming out with from a comfort perspective, but my last pair of trunks, Rip Curl Mirage, broke in a month. How much of what I spent went towards making a better product? Seems that a small fraction went into making the product overseas and the rest went to profit, advertising, or professional surfing, none of which is in my interest.

So what’s some responsible clothing? I want to support thnigs that support me. Sustainaible, environmentally friendly materials. Support the economy of the country I’m in. Support innovation. Would like a significant percentage of the profits to go towards something that might help my surfing time such as better technology, clean water or beach access, exc.  

So where do I buy my clothes to support things I value? Or am I mislead here? Are the major surf companies doing lots of good? I could be completely off base…

I think a lot of people buy the major companies because it’s what’s in surf shops, and we want to support the local shop, which definitely has value to me, as a place to try on surfing gear or look at boards before buying, as well as community. But we don’t have to buy these companies clothes to support the shop…

I want to support and represent things that do good by me… such as swaylocks t-shirt, I’ve gotten tons of good information from here. Or maybe Surfrider. Just as long as they are made in ways that I believe in.

I’m guessing a lot of you guys don’t buy the surf industry clothing anyway.

 

Searched and this was the closest thread to the subject:

http://www2.swaylocks.com/forums/what-surfbeachocean-related-non-profit-do-you-have-given-money-to

 

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You don't mention where you are but as far as USA for boardshorts etc.;

All of Birdwell's and some of Katin's are still made here. Balsa Bill's look really nice too. 

I like Filson for non surf stuff. Most of their stuff is US made. It ain't cheap but it will outlast you. 

 

 

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My wife buys 99% of my clothes.  I have no idea where the clothes come from and don’t care either so long as I don’t have to go shopping.  She does a great job.   There is nothing I hate worse than going shopping.  I’d rather drink terpentine and piss on a brush fire than go clothes shopping.

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Responsible 

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Ditto what mako said. Pretty easy, too.  I’ve been wearing the same stuff for over 50 years.  Jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes.  Except when I go to work.  Then I try to look professional.  She buys that, too.  Honestly, isn’t that stuff for tourist? Mike

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i love these , i have 5 pairs

http://www.katinsurf.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=775

start to finish made by one person in sunset beach

canvis for lounging , nylon for surfing .

 

plain white shirts come in a 6 pack from costco.

 

 

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Interesting thread, interesting first post.

I don't like clothes shopping either.  But I don't think I want to go the turpentine / brush fire route, LOL.  My wife buys my clothes from the Evil Corporation.  I tell her "I refuse to shop there or support that business" - she says "OK, wait here in the parking lot, I'll be back in a bit".

Its an imperfect world, we do the best we can to live by our values, but everything is a compromise.

Lately work has been really really bad here - I've been buying my clothes at yardsales.  My wife laughs at me, but later, after its been washed, she's like "Where did you get those cool sweats from?"  I tell her I got them at a yardsale, they used to belong to a Japanese nuclear meltdown victim.

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“I’ve been wearing the same stuff for over 50 years.  Jeans, t-shirts, and tennis shoes”

 

Ditto only sub in flip-flops: tennis shoes are a bit too formal…

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I'm always lazy and hotcoat or lay down a gloss coat without my "stand up by themself" pants(from layers of resin hardening them to rock form). later I'll go to the grocery store, work, school or some other public place and realize that the hardened resin makes it look like I pissed myself or lactated on my shirt and people will look at me weird.

 shopping is a pain, I try to get away with it as long as I can until my mom tells me I look like a bum, then I am forced to go...my advice: don't buy clothes, instead buy surfboards....and fins. I take this into account with wetsuits too, and will freeze my butt of all winter in order to avoid buying a suit...cheapskate,...maybe...but I think it's a good idea :)

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Ya , Ive been wearing the same clothes for 50 years too. T shirt , Jeans, old leather work shoes ,or sleepa ! yup , same ones, Never ever wash them ( in 50 years)!!! No body ever stops by the shop !! Wonder why.? My wife calls me a pig every time I see her ! Don't see her much  I,sleep out in the dog house with the dog ! Life is great !!!!!!

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hahaha

my job gives me work clothes so I glass in those but the guys at work give me hell about the stains on my pants. "yah, sure, ‘resin’ " =)

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regarding the original question:

there are options out there. My cousing screens shirts for a living and he hooks me up with some made in the US t shirts. Another thing is, I keep my clothes for a long time. I wore a pair of Dickies pants yesterday that I’ve had for 10 years. Those are my favorite pants.

And, like was previously mentioned, my wife shops for my clothes. I don’t really care and it makes her happy. I’m just glad I don’t have to go shopping. That’s a win win.

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If you want something from a company that tries to treat their employees well and have a small impact on the environment, then get Patagonia. They also have an “iron clad guarantee” so you can return an item if you’re not satisfied with it. Their stuff is built to last. They’re having a 50% off sale right now, too. No, I don’t work for them, but I just read Let My People Go Surfing not too long ago, and I’m trying to support them. 

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Patagonia is now being made in Vietnam, Wrangler made in Vietnam, niki made in Vietnam,Levis made in Vietnam ,most of the major clothing manufacturing companies are in Vietnam now . But thats OK with me cause I am married to a Vietnamese so all my brother in laws,sinster in laws , nephues, nieces., are working for Joint Venture companies. Vietnam is a booming economy , My relatives are all doing very well. Buy your clothes at Macys, Sears, Walmart, K mart  Look at the labels. Vietnam, Vietnam. Yes the US companies have sold you down the drain and Vietnam thanks you for that !!!!!! PS Ford just opened a manufacturing plant there. Just kiss the good old USA goodby !!!!1

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Well, if I have to dress like a grown-up, I have stuff I bought with the wife’s approval.  God knows where it was made except the shoes…I’m sure they made some third world families a little money so I feel good about that (So if the shoes come from Italy, they just became third world, right?).

I hit the Flea Market for one aloha shirt a year (second hand so that counts for something, right?). Plaskett Creek once a year for T’s (everyone says they’re going for a good cause, right?).  I’ve seen the good cause Ray and Mark drink and it makes them pretty happy.  So I feel good about that.

On the way up to Plaskett, I stop in a World Famous surf shop and buy some hoodies and t’s made in the good ol USA (that’s what it says on the label, right?).  My friend gets some of the money from those so I feel good about that.  I still have two Paul Jensen long sleave t’s I wear religiously in the winter.  I’ve had them for almost 10 years.  Paul should be happy so I feel good about that.

So I feel that I am responsible for my Clothing since I guess I could always say no and just wear a towel.  And if you’ve seen me, a towel is just not enough, right?

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I like wearing t-shirts of my own design printed by a friend on Australian organic cotton t-shirts.

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      Howzit Wood_Ogre, I am wearing a pair of levis that i have had since HIgh School when we were fighting in Viet Nam so I know they weren't made there then but I did buy a pair of Wranglers last year since I only had that 1 pair of levis that fit me. I went from a size 33 to a size 30-31 from the diabetes and Cancer and I think I wore long pants less than 10 times the whole 40+ years I was in Hawaii and that was one of the best parts about living there. I have so many tees from judging surf contests that I probably still have at least 25 that are still in the plastic bags. I do have quite a few Patagonia winter shirts since my step niece has worked for them for years and is the person who decides what goes on the retail market so guess what I get for my birthdays and Xmas plus we go to the factory when I am at their house and I get 50% discount on anything they have. I heard something about them using another country but I haven't really talked to her about it,but I will next time we get together because I have n idea that they are still making some things here. I think I have about 10 tees coming from the last Pine Trees Long board contest since they told me they just needed the sizes I want and I sent the info last week. I will probably be the only guy riding a Harley wearing surf tees..Aloha,Kokua

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I'm a real Ba Humbug guy when it comes to Christmas and birthdays. My brain says "you don't buy me anything...I don't buy you anything". It's too simple...we'll just have a few brews later...after all this family crap passes by........

But Oh No...EveryBody feels the need to buy me a gift...and I wear "surf brand" Tee shirts all year long...Gifts.....

Yeah.......why would I buy Name Brand "Walking Shorts" for $50 when I can get them for $14 elseware.....I don't wear board shorts. I'm a spring suit man........and....Rooster is old...me too....

 

Stingray

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When I was a kid, my mom used to make our shorts.  Now its big business that makes decisions where the bottom line is profit.  So who cares if cooligonia is being made in Vietnam, because that’s where labor is cheapest now. Hell, the flost placebozo’s have been made there for a few years now, so you can get your boards from there too.  Its image that matters- right!  Get your name out there, look cool, one- upmanship, that’s always had a major part in surfing, even around here.  Don’t ask too many questions, and please don’t make a fuss. just wear the stuff, and when gets dirty, get some more.  Your most important role is that of a tool, and don’t be a sharp tool, or you’ll hurt somebody.

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Diamond Gusset jeans are about $45 a pair but are made in USA and are

just unbelievably well made.  They also make a Kevlar lined jean for motorcycle riding.

Carhartt t-shirts are made in Mexico but are super heavy duty and last forever.

Cabella’s is a great place to buy stuff.