My son just had his birthday a week ago, and all he wanted was a white sweatshirt. Without much thought, I ordered one off Amazon, typing in "White Hoodie for Boys" and clicking on the first option that popped up.
Why did I do that? Honestly, it's because Amazon makes it so easy. But when did I start normalizing buying from obscure brands without considering where they’re made or what they're made of? We’ve been conditioned to prioritize reviews over the brand, manufacturing location, and materials.
As a consumer, I realize I need to make better buying decisions. So, I’ve come up with three questions to ask myself before purchasing clothing:
1. Was it manufactured in America?
2. Is it made of natural materials?
3. Am I supporting a small business?
With these questions in mind, let’s review the white hoodie I bought for my son:
Was it manufactured in America? No, it was made in China by a Chinese company.
Is it made of natural materials? No, it’s 65% polyester.
Am I supporting a small business? No, I'm supporting Amazon and the Chinese company, MAGCOMSEN.
So, how can I do better? It all comes down to taking the time. Let’s try this again. I searched Google for "American-made men’s hoodie," and here’s what I found:
Was it manufactured in America? Yes. All Goodwear clothing is made right here in the US of A.
Is it made of natural materials? Yes, it’s 100% cotton.
Am I supporting a small business? Yes, Goodwear is a small business founded in 1983. You can read their story here.
Although I regret not buying the Goodwear sweatshirt initially, I’m excited to have discovered an amazing American-made brand to add to my list. On my son's next birthday, I will be choosing American made.
If you’re in the market for a sweatshirt, check them out—you won’t be disappointed.
Link to an amazing American Made brand here: Goodwear
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