Photo by Wm Jas (Creative Commons)

Not so long ago, travel writer Kelsey Timmerman asked himself, Where am I wearing?

Or in other words: where, exactly, do the clothes we wear every day come from?

The question led him on a trek through the garment factories of Honduras, Cambodia, Bangladesh and China; it also led to a blog, and – soon – a book.

The blog is a great source for tidbits of news and opinion on the garment industry, globalization and responsible consumerism more generally. In the newest feature, Where I’m wearing today: Adventures of an engaged consumer, Kelsey checks out the credentials of the brand he finds himself in that day – in four quick steps.

The results make for an interesting read. They also show you just how easy it can be to learn more about the brands we wear, and to act accordingly.

So go ahead: do a background check on your sweater or your jeans.

Where are you wearing today?

 
 

About The Author

Eva Holland

Eva Holland is a freelance writer, Senior Editor of World Hum and a longtime contributor to the Matador community. She lives in Canada’s Yukon Territory and blogs about Alaska and Yukon travel at Travelers North.

  • Hal

    I heard a great "This American Life" segment on the Cambodian garment industry last winter. It really changed my perspective. I blogged about it here: http://wayworded.blogspot.com/2008/01/buy-cambodi…

  • http://wayworded.blogspot.com/ Hal

    I heard a great “This American Life” segment on the Cambodian garment industry last winter. It really changed my perspective. I blogged about it here: http://wayworded.blogspot.com/2008/01/buy-cambodian.html

  • Julie Schwietert

    Eva-

    I just read that Patagonia's website has an interactive component called Footprint Chronicles that lets consumers trace the route and carbon footprint of their clothes. Haven't tried it out, but thought I'd pass on the word.

    And for those of you who might have missed it, be sure to check out Tim Patterson's article over at WorldHum, "In Patagonia, In Patagonia": http://www.worldhum.com/home/item/in_patagonia_in…

  • http://collazoprojects.com/ Julie Schwietert

    Eva-

    I just read that Patagonia’s website has an interactive component called Footprint Chronicles that lets consumers trace the route and carbon footprint of their clothes. Haven’t tried it out, but thought I’d pass on the word.

    And for those of you who might have missed it, be sure to check out Tim Patterson’s article over at WorldHum, “In Patagonia, In Patagonia”: http://www.worldhum.com/home/item/in_patagonia_in_patagonia_20080416/

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