the frugality of luxury

June 2nd, 2009

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Maybe you know this about me, and maybe you don’t, but I almost never buy anything new from a shop. Handmade, yes, and vintage/thrifted, of course, but my personal contribution to saving the world lies in my purchase choices.  Recently my thrifting mojo was tested, I’ve been looking for sandals forever – now, normally when I put a need into the universe, it pops up. Apparently the cosmic hum does not think my toes need air. So I decided to bite the bullet and make a new purchase, and after trying on one million pairs in shops and finding nothing, ordered online – making sure not to buy anything made in China (more on that later.) However!!! I was so happy and surprised when this card came with the shoes — none of this was stated on the site I bought them from!!!

Corso Como women’s shoes are hand-assembled in Brazil in the most elite boutique factories. Every design is manufactured with the finest material available in the marketplace. Corso Como shoes promote the idea of style with a conscience. As an advocate for various environmental and social causes, Corso Como donates a portion of every sale to charity. Further supporting their eco-friendly philosophy, Corso Como shoes uses fully recyclable boxes and tissue.  By supporting Corso Como, you are contributing to the fight for a conscientious global economy.

This is so great! Cute shoes! No badness! Yeah! Look, there is a rhinestone in the sole:

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There really is something to spending extra and buying quality, to paying attention where things are made. For example:  you buy a $10 bra, it fits poorly and falls apart in 6 months. you spend time stressed and uncomfortable because your bra is poor quality, and you have to replace it sooner. You end up spending more money in the long run buying cheap bras, and you have lessened your quality of life in the meantime. You buy a $40 bra, it fits well, you feel confident and positive. It’s made well, so it lasts 2 years before you need to replace it. Clearly this bra is the “better buy” all around. I think I have pokey bras on the mind, don’t ask about that example!!

The issue, of course, is that luxury goods are now about labels and status, and not about craftsmanship and where things are made. I was recently shocked at my place of employment (working with Fair Trade) when a woman remarked that at her old position at a (not Fair Trade) clothing company, they never manufactured in India because it was too expensive. So they used China. Sweatshop labor was too expensive, so slave or indebted labor is the option??? Think about when you buy a pair of $30 jeans. Someone was paid PENNIES (if that?) to make those. Would -you- sew a pair of jeans for pennies? No, you would not. So why would you buy them?

I’m still sticking to my buy-used-or-handmade philosophy, but I’m pleased that companies are paying attention, and providing cute reasonably affordable shoes that are sustainable in a fair global economy.

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