Fashion, sustainability and ethics

[Laly]

thanks for the link Laly.
the clothes look really nice, I like them

With pleasure. I'm glad you like them.

[Mr.G]

Interesting! Thanks for sharing the information about this company that provides good products.

Regarding polyester, the best is to use recycled polyester. I don't know about Wiggy's, but the outdoor company Patagonia uses recycled polyester

Ah, good point about recycled polyester fiber. Wiggy's sources it's insulation material from a US company called Climashield. I took a look at Climashield's website and they do indeed have a recycled polyester fiber insulation, and it is continuous filament, which as I described before increases the durability of the insulation measurably. But I'm not sure if Wiggy's uses the recycled Climashield.

Regarding Patagonia company. As far as I know they use cut staple insulation fiber. So, while I think the recycled insulation is good, it is cut staple fiber, which loses it's loft (and warmth retaining capacity) rather quickly after repeated compression cycles or washing. So, outdoor people tend to wear out these products very quickly, which then leads to more waste. Basically, the durability of the products is reduced for the sake of making the products (jackets, sleeping bags, etc) as lightweight as possible, and as cheap as possible to make. All materials are likely sourced from China, chemicals and all

Why don't more companies use Climashield? Because you would have to buy it in the US and ship it to your manufacturing plant in China or wherever. Very expensive. And the Chinese don't make a good continuous filament insulation, almost everything I've seen made in China is cut staple insulation.

I'd really like to see textile manufacturing return to the US. As I understand it we have much stricter laws about chemicals in clothing. One thing I know, when I buy a product made in Asia, it has a very distinctive and recognizable, "new" smell. When I have had the chance (rarely) to buy clothing made in the US, NO ODOR.

[Laly]

Ah, good point about recycled polyester fiber. Wiggy's sources it's insulation material from a US company called Climashield. I took a look at Climashield's website and they do indeed have a recycled polyester fiber insulation, and it is continuous filament, which as I described before increases the durability of the insulation measurably. But I'm not sure if Wiggy's uses the recycled Climashield.

Regarding Patagonia company. As far as I know they use cut staple insulation fiber. So, while I think the recycled insulation is good, it is cut staple fiber, which loses it's loft (and warmth retaining capacity) rather quickly after repeated compression cycles or washing. So, outdoor people tend to wear out these products very quickly, which then leads to more waste. Basically, the durability of the products is reduced for the sake of making the products (jackets, sleeping bags, etc) as lightweight as possible, and as cheap as possible to make. All materials are likely sourced from China, chemicals and all

Why don't more companies use Climashield? Because you would have to buy it in the US and ship it to your manufacturing plant in China or wherever. Very expensive. And the Chinese don't make a good continuous filament insulation, almost everything I've seen made in China is cut staple insulation.

I'd really like to see textile manufacturing return to the US. As I understand it we have much stricter laws about chemicals in clothing. One thing I know, when I buy a product made in Asia, it has a very distinctive and recognizable, "new" smell. When I have had the chance (rarely) to buy clothing made in the US, NO ODOR.

Very interesting my dear! Thank you for your detailed explanations.

I don't know if it's the same company, but on the site wiggys.se (Sweden), I see this:

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Yes, I always check the label to know where it was made and the composition of the fabrics. I try not to buy anything made with synthetic fibers. I prefer as well clothing made in Portugal or somewhere else in Europe but to be completely honest being made in Turkey, China, Egypt, etc, won’t stop me from getting if it is from a brand that is reputed for having well made products with natural fibers. Suitsupply for example manufactures their clothing in China but uses only natural fibers from some of the most prestigious Italian wool mills like Vitale Barberis Canonico.

[Laly]

Yes, I always check the label to know where it was made and the composition of the fabrics. I try not to buy anything made with synthetic fibers. I prefer as well clothing made in Portugal or somewhere else in Europe but to be completely honest being made in Turkey, China, Egypt, etc, won’t stop me from getting if it is from a brand that is reputed for having well made products with natural fibers. Suitsupply for example manufactures their clothing in China but uses only natural fibers from some of the most prestigious Italian wool mills like Vitale Barberis Canonico.

Interesting, thanks for your input! I have noticed, by the way, that many sustainable and ethical European fashion brands make their clothes in Portugal. There's a real savoir-faire there. Are there some nice Portuguese fashion brands for men and women that you could name? I would actually love to have clothes with azulejos patterns, but I can't find that.

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Interesting, thanks for your input! I have noticed, by the way, that many sustainable and ethical European fashion brands make their clothes in Portugal. There's a real savoir-faire there. Are there some nice Portuguese fashion brands for men and women that you could name? I would actually love to have clothes with azulejos patterns, but I can't find that.

Portuguese region "Norte" is the top employer in textiles and fashion among all EU regions, so everything that you can imagine is being produced here from fast fashion to the luxury segment. I am not super familiar with sustainable women clothing brands but here are a few:

Swimwear: https://consciousthelabel.com

Baby clothing: https://naturapura.com

Leather shoes: https://marianoshoes.com

Vegan shoes: https://www.nae-vegan.com/pt/

Knitwear: https://www.armazemdasmalhas.com/pro...ategory/women/

Dresses and other clothing: https://www.siennainspo.com

General clothing: https://naz.pt

General clothing: https://perff.com/en-pt

General clothing: https://byoubb.com

Jewelry: https://ritapratescaetano.com

Socks: https://pedemeia.pt

Sleepwear\Homewear: https://www.maxileafstore.com/pt/

[Laly]

Portuguese region "Norte" is the top employer in textiles and fashion among all EU regions, so everything that you can imagine is being produced here from fast fashion to the luxury segment. I am not super familiar with sustainable women clothing brands but here are a few:

Swimwear: https://consciousthelabel.com

Baby clothing: https://naturapura.com

Leather shoes: https://marianoshoes.com

Vegan shoes: https://www.nae-vegan.com/pt/

Knitwear: https://www.armazemdasmalhas.com/pro...ategory/women/

Dresses and other clothing: https://www.siennainspo.com

General clothing: https://naz.pt

General clothing: https://perff.com/en-pt

General clothing: https://byoubb.com

Jewelry: https://ritapratescaetano.com

Socks: https://pedemeia.pt

Sleepwear\Homewear: https://www.maxileafstore.com/pt/

Thank you so much for your list! I've checked the brands and there are some very nice items! But is there any Portuguese brand selling clothes with traditional Portuguese patterns, like shawls and clothes with azulejos patterns?

[Brás Garcia de Mascarenhas]

Thank you so much for your list! I've checked the brands and there are some very nice items! But is there any Portuguese brand selling clothes with traditional Portuguese patterns, like shawls and clothes with azulejos patterns?

You mean traditional folk costumes?

https://martaprozil.pt

https://www.lojadofolclore.pt

Edit: Neve mind, I get what you want but I don't know any, sorry.

[Laly]

You mean traditional folk costumes?

https://martaprozil.pt

https://www.lojadofolclore.pt

Edit: Neve mind, I get what you want but I don't know any, sorry.

Thanks for the links!

There is a Dolce&Gabbana collection from some years ago, which I'm in love with. Unfortunately, the items are not available anymore.

[Mr.G]

Very interesting my dear! Thank you for your detailed explanations.

I don't know if it's the same company, but on the site wiggys.se (Sweden), I see this:

Whoa, interesting, never heard of them -- same name, but a different company. The Wiggy's I am writing about is based in Colorado, USA.