Shop union-made apparel for the holiday season this year!
For the KC Current fan: American Roots (www.americanrootswear.com) is 100% American-sourced clothing, sewed by union workers in Maine. They have a special collection for women’s soccer fans, with shirts celebrating NWSL players’ collective bargaining agreement, and KC Current members Lo’eau Labonta, Ad Franch, and Debinha.
For the worker who cares about style: Red Wing Shoe Co, based out of Minnesota, creates high-quality union-made safety footwear, leather shoes, and protective workwear. With store locations in Overland Park and the Northland, you can shop in person for a last-minute gift.
For the vintage lover: Online sites like eBay are filled with great vintage items – if you know how to look for them. Try adding ILGWU to a search term for any clothing item. The International Ladies Garment Workers Union existed from 1900-1995, so any clothing with an ILGWU tag is legitimate vintage AND was made by union workers.
For your quirky daughter: Fashion Brand Company (fashionbrandcompany.com) is 50% art project, 50% clothing company with some truly unique items. Their manufacturing team receives 25 days of leave every year, 6 months of paid maternity leave, health insurance, and pensions.
For the person who likes to dress up: Kenneth Gordon (www.mensapparel.com) sells men’s dress shirts and socks made by workers unionized in Workers United Local 2647. Brooks Brothers and Joseph Abboud also sell union-made men’s suits. If you know someone who needs to dress up often, you can’t go wrong with a full union-made outfit!
For the person who refuses to get an Apple watch: You can’t go wrong with a classic Timex watch, manufactured by workers unionized through IAM (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers). There are a variety of stsyles that will suit anyone’s taste. If you are looking to splurge, Shinola watches are union-made in Detroit.
Candace Ladd is a social worker fighting for tenant and worker rights at Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom. In her free time, she likes to go to estate sales and read. You can find more of her writing on fashion, books, and politics at: candaceladd.substack.com
