Vegans, here is an odd question. Do you were clothing made in the USA?!
Answers: Or do you wear them that are manufactured from all over the world. I will explain after I see some answers. Then you will understand the logic behind the questions!
I am one of the few that goes out of my way to wear locally and nationally made clothing. I primarily do all my clothes shopping at a locally owned and operated store called Natural elements. This store strives to buy products that are ethically and sustainable in their production.
This translates often into local and national products but not always. If I want hemp and bamboo clothing for example often good options are not close at hand.
In short I often buy nationally made clothing but not every time. I do however make sure it is one or more of the following organic, fair trade and wage, and or local/national.
Veganism is a philosophy not just a diet. It is a philosophy in which via discernment of consumption we can help reduce suffering and even create markets that can bring true joy to this world.
Great question, one in which enters the heart to expose the true motive for being vegan.
I buy most of my clothes at second-hand/thrift stores. I like to buy as much of the things I need this way since it's more "green" and reduces the need for newly manufactured goods. If I buy new I like to buy from companies like American Apparel or other companies that are known to not employ child labor or sweat shops in the making of their goods.
ETA @ Common Sense: Please stop using the term "Flexetarian Vegan" as there is no such thing. If you want to use the term "flexetarian" fine, I think it's rubbish and just another word for omnivore, or perhaps the ultimate "vegan of convenience" (which you seem to loath so much) because you are only "vegan" when it's convenient for you. If it's more convenient for you to eat steak, then that's what you do. IMO, that makes it completely inaccurate to call yourself a vegan of any kind. It confuses people who don't know better, so please stop it.
Blood Diamonds: don't buy them due to poor/evil conditions that African children and adults endure. I tell other poeple to ask for the Kimberley Process certificate before they buy diamonds.
American clothes: I bought clothes made in USA even before I became vegan. I don't shop at Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy, - (all are form the same branding parent company), and many other stores that import majority of items.
Home utenlies (sp) pots and pans: I look for and buy "made in USA"
Cars: well most cars parts are made in various countries, so it is hard to tell exactly where a car is made, but I buy the US Ford brand.
Jewelry: I try to buy from local street markets, just to help the local artist versus from department stores example Macy's, Dillards
I care very much about the humans.
"Caring about animals and humans is not exclusive. You can and should do both".
I try to get a good percentage of my clothes from thrift or from fair trade sources. if there are ethics about clothing, i dont think they are as clear cut as "made in the USA" vs made internationallly. Used clothing is probably the most ethical thing you can do, even if originally it was made in a sweat shop. I will admit that some of my clothing is new and i generally (with the exception of fair trade) dont even bother to check the lable and see what country. I can pretty well guess though.
Yes, or certified fair trade clothing.
Yes I do. I have enough troulbe putting my shoes on the right feet. I don't have time to wory about how my close are made.
I don't live in the USA, so no.
I think it's very presumptuous to assume that people who've taken the decision to minimise their contribution to animal suffering don't know or care about human suffering.
I have never actually met anyone who values animal lives over human lives; on this forum I have seen one or two people say they do, but I believe they were very young and immature.
I'm vegan; I have no time for anyone who values animals over humans. I am a life-long political activist - for human, not animal rights - and while I applaud the fact that you care passionately about people I don't think most vegans need educating on this issue - just take a look at your answers.
Weird, I was just thinking something along these lines yesterday. I ride a bike most days to work and know lots that also and we're always feeling like we're saving gas, which we are but anyhow I'm growing a vegetable garden and started thinking how much gas I save by eating a stawberry from my back yard as opposed to wherever the grocery store comes from. And then everything else, totally buy local!!!! Save way more gas then public transportation in my thought process (which ...who knows)
I'm sure that a higher percentage of vegan people are aware of these issues than the population as a whole.
The majority of my clothing comes from Etsy, American Apparel or second hand stores that support charities.
You do no that the vast majority of animal rights clothing is made from American materials, right?
I agree that you have some nerve assuming that vegan people care more about "animals" than people.
I have asked this question before and you get a mixed bag of results. Most vegans in the western part of the world are known as VOC (vegand of convenience). Meaning they l;ike the cute shiny little badge but will not give up modern conveniences to fit the defination of a true vegan. However, they ar quick to point out flaws of nonvegans quite quickly. I personally am flexitarian vegan and I buy my clothes from second hand or American companies.
I also highly doubt the validity of Kimberly's (vegan vampire) answer. She quickly changes her tune in here a lot. However, she is def. one of the most vicious of vegans in this place.