What she's wearing: Rock 'n roll, baby!

This city definitely needs more moms in rocker outfits and super heroes T-shirts.

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Virtually every outfit you have posted lately has been almost entirely composed of cheap, sweatshop made, low quality mass market clothing.
Is this intentional?
Is this what you recommend when you consult?
I know, its impossible to avoid "made in china" entirely, but I wonder, do you consider the ethical implications of clothes?
I know that I make an effort to buy made in america clothes for basics- Carhartt Jeans, American Apparel T's, and so on.
And I also try, whenever I possibly can afford it, to buy local designer's work. I love knowing who made my clothes, and feel its worth paying more for fewer quality items. I try to have at least one piece custom made every year or so, and I still wear custom pieces from 20 and 30 years ago.

You also seem, with very few exceptions, to buy generic rather than designer. Nowadays, with places like Loehmanns, you dont have to be a millionaire to buy designer duds. While many low end designer lines are pretty boring, real designer clothes are usually better looking, better made, and, best of all, you dont see yourself on every corner.

And what about vintage? I know many of my favorite items were bought at vintage and used clothing stores, allowing me to buy above my pay grade, and to make a unique look that you just cant get at the mall.

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Thanks for the comment. I hear you and see the pattern myself.

I was just thinking that I really miss a lot of my fall clothes which have a much better range in quality.

My biggest recommendations to clients is that they need to shop for their reality. If they don't, then money spent on clothes is money down the drain. That goes for my reality as well.

Personally, I tend to spend a lot less on clothes in the summer months because of the "price-per-wear" factor. There are just so few days in the Northwest that warrant summer clothing. I also seem to be harder on clothes in the summer and am in a never ending battle with stains and snags. My reality is that I am in constant contact with messy kids and activities and that I just don't want to spend a lot on items that may not make it through the summer.

I also find that what works best for most folks' reality, is to spend their wardrobe budgets wisely. This includes spending more on the classic pieces and less on the trendy pieces. That said, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find well constructed classic pieces. When I have a client struggling to find a great black skirt or a good jacket, I often recommend they have them made so that they get their money's worth on a quality garment.

I used to always try to buy designer items because they were constructed better. In fact, Loehmann's Back Room was one of my favorites. A couple of my favorite designer pieces I have had for 15+ years and bought at a consignment store, Ragamoffyn's in Kirkland. However, I have to say, I have been really disappointed with the quality of designer duds these days. The quality of a lot of labels has consistently gone down hill as these companies are bought by major conglomerates and most likely use the same sweatshops as the low quality mass market clothing. These designer labels aren't a charity, if they want my money, they have to earn it by bringing back responsible production and quality construction.

The organic and domestically produced items can be fabulous if they are great fitting. I have tried American Apparel multiple times for myself, but their clothes just don't fit me well. I often recommend them to clients who have the appropriate shape. I'm glad you have found some brands that work for you.

I love vintage/recycled clothes. Vintage done right really does look unique and chic. A good local shop is the Last Waltz boutique in the Central Area. This shop has locally designed and produced apparel as well as a rack of well vetted vintage items. I found a kicky plaid blazer there last fall that is impeccably constructed and remarkably fits great (vintage rarely fits me)-- for $16. I wore the heck out of it all winter and will for years to come.

Lastly, when I first get into a client's closet, I highly encourage them to "shop their closets." If they already own it and it suits them well, let's figure out how to get it into circulation. Not buying new clothes is really the greenest shopping of all.

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If you think designer brands offer better quality materials or designs than mass market clothing, you've been suckered by advertising. Mass produced clothes use the same manufacturing processes, and in many cases the exact same materials produced at the exact same factories, as the more expensive labels. And, of course, everyone in the industry copies everyone else's designs.

That said, why would you intentionally deprive poor 3rd world workers of their income by buying American? Do you have something against foreigners? Or poor people?

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Some misconceptions here. Sean's comment about designer labels offering the same quality as mass-marketed clothing: uh, no. For one thing European labels in general use fabric only available in Europe and is unmatched in quality, drape, and durability. Because of that labeled clothing, if not overly trendy, can outlast mass-marketed clothes by years. That said, the labeled clothing made from superior fabric could just as easily be stitched together in China much like its less expensive mass-marketed counterpart.

And because I know how to sew I also recognize and appreciate the invaluable contribution of cut. Designer clothing is called just that simply because it is designed: someone actually put some thought into the pattern, construction, and final outcome of a garment. The same can't be said of clothing from such mass producers as American Apparel, H&M, and their ilk.

I personally only wear almost exclusively designer labels. And that's my decision. While I seldom go for anything flashy, people have always known and commented that my clothes are just somehow "better." And that's because I make educated, well-thought-out decisions when I buy clothes; it also helps that I have a first-rate tailor behind me (the gravest mistake American consumers usually make when buying clothing is not getting a proper fit).

Last, and this has bothered me since I first came across this article, the plastic Payless monstrosities depicted are definitely not flip-flops. A flip-flop is basically a flat footbed with two strips of material attached that wedge between the big and secondary toes. In the author's photo I see a number of straps going around the entire foot, which puts her footwear firmly in the domain of the more generic "sandal."

What we need is some basic fashion education here.

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Thanks for the comment.

I agree that there are some European companies that have worked hard to maintain above-average construction and materials (Hermes is a great example). Unfortunately, the price-point can be out of reach for most folks.

Glad to see someone else is in agreement about the importance of proper fit. This goes for designer or mass-market clothing and everything in between. It can all be tailored to fit well.

As far as the "flip-flop" debate: a flip-flop is a type of sandal that as you correctly pointed out, is typically rubber soled beach wear. In this instance, I referred to these as flip-flops because of the thong strap and the flapping sound they make when walking.

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