Sunday 9 August 2015

The True Cost

For a while now, I've been wanting to watch the documentary film, 'The True Cost' by director Andrew Morgan, which documents the real cost of the production of cheap clothing.  I first heard about the film through People Tree's website and YouTube channel, but I missed the first round of showings in May, whereby there was just one in London.

The other day I received a promotional email from People Tree, an ethical clothing company, which also informed me that there would be a showing of the film in my local area this month, along with a live debate.  This sounded so interesting, but typically it is being shown when I'm out of the country on holiday.

As a consequence, I decided to take a look on Netflix, as I'd read of a blogger in the US having watched it on there recently. Sure enough this documentary is now available to watch on Netflix and I would recommend anyone who can to watch this programme.  It is shocking, thought provoking, moving, incredibly interesting and inspiring all in one 90 minute programme.

We definitely need more documentaries of this kind, to keep us informed of the reality of the methods used by the huge fashion companies out there, to produce their cheap clothing and the effects they are ultimately having on the lives of individuals, communities and the natural world.


Here's the official trailer from YouTube.  Everyone needs to be able to see this film and I'm sure it will be rolled out eventually for free, but I completely understand the measured roll out in an attempt to raise money and create more interest in the film itself.  If you can get it, whether that means by paying to see it locally or otherwise, or via Netflix, I would definitely recommend it.

Whilst on the subject of ethical clothing, I have recently been trying to source some of the clothes I do buy, as ethically as I can.  I do have the odd lapse and go back to the high street, especially for LB's clothes, as she is much more fashion conscious, but after watching this film I will be making much more effort in this regard.  I  have purchased a few items over the last 3 months, from ethical companies, mostly items that I will be wearing this winter and I will show them in another post.

I have been pleasantly surprised at what choice is now available, but prices do tend to be higher than a lot of regular high street clothing, so I am being careful to take my time and choose items very carefully.

This approach does at least have the effect of slowing me down in terms of clothing consumption and makes me really think about what I actually need, rather than just want. Having watched this film I am even more convinced that giving my money to ethical companies is definitely the way forward for me from now on.

Some sites I've found so far that are good places to buy ethical clothing include People Tree, Braintree Clothing, Nancy Dee, Komodo, Toms, Beaumont Organics, to name just a few.  I'll post more about my efforts towards starting to buy more ethical clothing next month.

7 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing the trailer and your post, in our western world we look away from the east, and how their world is so very different, not only with manufacturing clothing, as a child I always thought the world would become as one and every one would have a good life. We make a point not to purchase clothes unless we need them, weekend shopping is now our sport, the need to buy stuff just because we see it, we all have too much stuff. Nothing is used until it is broken any more, as our parents did. it's all about making money. The real sad part is unless a major incident happens, we never hear, our world choose to ignore their plight.

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    1. It's very true what you say and this film very definitely brings this home to me. I don't really want to wear clothes made with the blood and tears of exploited workers in far flung parts of the world. Thankfully there are companies out there who can offer us a choice and enable us to treat garment workers as human beings and not just cheap labour.

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  2. I will watch the documentary on Netflix.... I do hope we get it on the Canadian version.

    God bless.

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  3. Thank you for raising this deplorable situation. We all need to be aware & active to stop this exploitation x

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  4. I really struggle with clothing. I have bought from ethical places but often the styles are totally wrong for me and everything is so long!

    Clothing is certainly an area where I am not as ethical as maybe I would like, but there you go.

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    1. I agree, some of the styles from the ethical companies are not really my style either, but I'm trying to pick out odd items that suit here and there, with moderate success.

      I think, however, that not buying too much and buying second hand is almost as ethical as anything else.

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    2. I agree, some of the styles from the ethical companies are not really my style either, but I'm trying to pick out odd items that suit here and there, with moderate success.

      I think, however, that not buying too much and buying second hand is almost as ethical as anything else.

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