2 March 2010 – Cardi, originally uploaded by academichic.
Sources:
- Cardi – TJMaxx
- Lace top worn backwards – Maurices
- Jeans – Filene’s Basement
- Boots – Dillards
- Bracelets – Big Lots
- Earrings – made by me
Endnotes:
The generous folk over at Maurices recently sent us a few gift cards, one of which we gave away to you a while back, and three which were for us to redeem for something of our choice. Not having a Maurices in Germany, I tucked away my gift card until my trip home, when I was finally able to go to their store and pick something out.
Until recently, I really wasn’t too familiar with Maurices, but I was really pleasantly surprised to walk into their store and find so many things that appealed to me: professional yet stylish blazers and jackets, many beautiful drapey cardigans, fun evening tops, and pretty accessories. Their prices are comparable to those of H&M, Forever 21, or Zara’s, and they carry everything from smalls to cute plus- size clothing. I chose a few tops and jackets to try on eventually narrowed it down to this green lacey top I got and this pink ruffled evening top, that would have also made a fun addition to my wardrobe. I chose the green lacey top because I think I can get more mileage out of it, particularly since it lends itself to being worn backwards (as I did here – with the lace in the front) or the intended way, with the lacey embellishment in the back.
2 March 2010, originally uploaded by academichic.
Lace detail, originally uploaded by academichic.Before deciding to wholeheartedly recommend Maurices to you, I came home and did what any decent scholar would do – I researched the company I was about to endorse…
Especially in light of the recent H&M scandal, I wanted to make sure that I wasn’t supporting a company that engaged in unethical practices. (I now no longer shop at at H&M and I haven’t set foot in a Wal-Mart since seeing The High Cost of Low Prices many years ago).
So this is what I found out: Maurices was founded in the 1930s in Duluth, Minnesota and prides itself on being a small town boutique with fashion forward items at affordable prices. Not only did I not come across any scandalous articles exposing Maurices of dubious practices, I was actually pleased to discover that they are active Relay for Life participants and that they even donate 100% of their net proceeds of certain merchandise to support various cancer initiatives. As a past Relay for Life participant myself, this is definitely something I can get behind.
So if you’re looking for a trendy clothing company that struck me as less overwhelming and chaotic than H&M or F21 and also does not, as far as I am aware, pursue am unethical or ideologically-driven agenda, then this place may be worth checking out.
How much do you consider the practices of the places you frequent as a shopper? How much do you invest in finding out about a place before you become a regular client? I have to admit that I used to not give those questions much thought but as I’ve gotten older and more conscious of the world around me, I find it increasingly difficult to ignore issues of politics or ethics even when making a simple garment choice. S.
(While Maurices sent us the gift cards for our giveaway and for our own use, they are not a paying sponsor of this blog and I was in no way asked or compensated for this review. All of the opinions expressed in this post are my own.)
I really appreciate that you research the ethics of the places you shop at. I closely followed the H&M scandal and don’t shop there any more either. I just wanted to draw your attention to the fact that Forever 21 may also qualify for the list of places to be boycotted. http://www.39thandbroadway.com/hate-21/
I like that you did research about a company that supported you. Really appreciated.
I like that top, worn backwards or forewards too I’m sure. It’ll lloks so nice come summer…
Just wanted to add about the h&m scandal, I don’t know if you know this but make-up companies/drug stores do this too. It’s an unfortunate business decision, there must be a way to keep revenues intact and help those in need….
Thank you for researching Maurice’s! I live in MN, and Maurice’s is a frequent stop of mine. I try to stay away from stores with questionable quality and business practices (and I guess luckily for me neither H&M nor ForeverXXI have locations close by), and Maurice’s is one of my few options for trendier pieces!
I read this also about H&M:
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/01/06/hm-says-it-will-stop-destroying-unworn-clothing/
I appreciate the research into the stores you shop at. I had never heard of Maurice’s but may do a little browsing online now. I also wonder whether you give stores a chance for redemption or just decide to stop shopping somewhere after a scandal?
A dear friend is a dedicated Maurices fan, but I’m yet to check them out myself … will have to do so now!
@RB – thanks for that link! I did see that article a while back and it confirmed to me that I don’t want to shop at F21 anymore.
@LJ – great question! Since there are plenty of budget savvy places out there, once I wrote H&M and F21 off, I didn’t really think about giving them a second chance because they have not been missed. But I’m not saying that one shouldn’t give a business the chance to make good on a mistake.
You will also notice that I continue to wear the items purchased at those stores. I thought about that and made the conscious decision that getting rid of those items on principle doesn’t actually achieve anything and if they’re already part of my wardrobe, then there is no point in creating waste by getting rid of them and replacing them with something else.
I’d love to hear more of your thoughts on this topic – do you boycott any certain businesses and why?
S
The drape of that top is wonderful on you!
Business practices do play somewhat of a role in my purchasing decisions. Walmart is a tricky one for me–I don’t shop there, and I was appalled at Frontline’s coverage of them. I think their practices are symptom of a larger issue. For them not to succeed, America would have to shed its consumer culture, and return to a producing (instead of just consuming) economy.
interesting question! Actually I haven’t really thought much about researching fashion labels yet, so thanks for this little wake-up call.
I do research food and make-up companies though, trying to avoid animal tested products, bad ingredients to make the products cheaper and will usually go for organic/local/fair trade products.
PS: I think you made the right decision with that green top…even though the pink one is really cute as well!
I have boycotted Walmart for a number of years now, as well, and I prefer to support local businesses and those with ethical practices as much as possible. I do wonder, though, what you or I would do if only one job offer came though and it was in a largely rural area where Walmart is the only show in town or in any of the towns within 2 hours of driving, say. It’s something that I haven’t had to deal with yet, but it makes me wonder.
@LHdM – I actually was in this situation a few years ago when T. and I were in the Mississippi Delta for some time. Wal Mart was the only place to shop in town other than a smaller chain grocery store, fast food places, and the gas stations. Although we both resented having to shop there, we had no choice. So I completely understand when people shop there because that’s all there is in their small town, I don’t have as much understanding for it when shoppers choose to go there despite having other options and being aware of their unethical practices.
S
I used to shop at Maurice’s a lot in college; they were one of the few “cute” clothing stores in my small college town (only bad thing about that town…oh, how I miss it!). So I kind of OD’d on it back then and haven’t been back in several years, but I do definitely remember them having great stuff at very reasonable prices :-)
In middle and high school, Maurices was the only clothing shop in town, unless you drove 20-50 minutes to another one… I don’t think I’ve been to one since, but bought a lot of stuff there when I was younger. I have never bought anything at F21, H&M, Zara, Charlotte Russe, Urban Outfitters, etc (I won’t even buy things at the thrift store from them). The only store where I go for new clothes is Target, because they are local and a LOT of my friends work at their headquarters and they do tons of great things for the school I work at. Otherwise, it’s all vintage and thrifted.
GENIUS styling of the shirt, I never would have guessed that was the back of the shirt!
i love the look of this top backwards–it’s so pretty! i had never really heard of maurice’s before but it’s terrific to hear of a company that has some kind of ethics. as difficult as it can be to shop ethically (and by difficult, i mean expensive), purchases are like votes–it’s so important to purchase by your values.
Interesting discussion. SO many stores have questionable practices and have made efforts to change– usually only after their practices become public and they are maybe embarrassed– and part of me feels like I shouldn’t be one to judge and condemn and to allow them to redeem themselves somewhat. But, maybe that is just an excuse to live easy.
I totally agree with Jane W’s comment above. I feel like because of our consumer culture it’s really hard to even find places to shop that have truly TRANSPARENT ethical practices. I have boycotted places in the past and then get kind of stubborn and never think about it again until years later, when I see that practices have changes (for example, McDonalds).
Anyways, I actually make alot of my own clothes (but then I have to wonder, where does the fabric come from?). such a big issue and the questions never end!!
Maurice’s is one of the only stores in the very small WI town where my family’s lake house is, so I’ve appreciated it for a long time. I’ve since seen them pop up all over the place, which kind of lessened the appeal for me for awhile. I think it’s time to give them another try! :)
I’m having a Maurice’s gift card giveaway on my blog right now – and honestly, before the emailed me I don’t think I’d ever heard of them. But your ruffly evening halter top was one of my fave items that I saw on their site!
That top looks better backwards, good call!
I think the shopping question is a tricky one, I too have boycotted Walmart for years, and I’ve increasingly tried to cut back on buying things at Target, Old Navy, etc. as well. Even if a company is one of the “better” ones, the disparity of what the garment workers are earning and what the store is selling it for is outrageous. I’ve been trying to thrift more, and buy nicer clothing on sale instead. Buying new things is inevitable, but buying disposable things is what I’m trying to avoid.
Did anyone see the Charlie Rose Fashion Week episode? (Feb 19th, I think). One of the points of discussion was passing savings on to the consumer, and there were some really interesting insights into how some of the higher end brands are now making most of their clothes in China, but haven’t lowered any of their prices. Totally worth watching. Also, if you love J Crew, their CEO is one of the guests.
Thanks for this article- I think its very important to think about cause and effect of business and personal practices and also to make choices that are not supporting unethical behavior. 5 Stars for Maurices! I am from MN and think its great that a MN based company is getting positive attention. I also am an avid shopper there, as I find the styles to be good, the prices nice, and the jeans a great fit. Keep up the good work Maurices!
Count me as another person who’s not set foot in a WalMart in years, and has no intention of ever changing that. I definitely put effort into finding stores that have good business practices. I look for goods made in countries with better labour standards that are more likely to be enforced than they are in countries with laxer standards. I look for union-made goods, when I can find them.
As for clothing in particular, I too make a lot of my own clothes, but there’s always the issue of where the fabric comes from. It does take out a few steps along the manufacturing chain, though, so while it’s not perfect, it’s something. The majority of my clothes shopping is thrifting, and I have a number of reasons for this, but my not wanting to support companies with practices I disagree with is certainly one of them. The thrift stores I particularly like are small, independent businesses, and I make an effort to support local entrepreneurs.
I just love that top! What a beautiful, comfy outfit.
The detailing at the top keeps it really fun and fresh!
I had actually never heard about the H&M scandal and was kind of surprised that it was a scandal reading about it just now. I’ve worked for several different companies here in Australia who use the same practice. The first company I worked for had it as policy, but nobody seemed to follow it and we would regularly give items away to staff members or charity. Every company I have worked for since then has been quite hardline about items being destroyed. I was actually told by someone in upper management that it was so they could claim it against tax, but when I tried to explain that you can claim charitable donations against tax also they didn’t want to hear it. It makes me wonder if our local media would treat it the same as the H&M scandal.
I LOVE that you are such responsible consumer. My husband and I haven’t shopped at WalMart for YEARS and that whole H&M thing really made me think about where I spend my money. There’s not H&M anywhere near me, so it makes it easier to avoid. Kudos to you, though! This makes me very happy :) I wish more people were like this.
i work at maurices in kingsport tn and we do alot of community practices all of our damaged merch. goes to help females who were beat . We love hearing about our store and check out the new online websight . :) http://www.maurices.com
I just stumbled upon this blog and I must say that I work at maurices. It is the best caring company I have ever worked for. They are very concerned about their staff, their customers and their community. Excited you had such a positive experience in one.
I would just like to add that maurices sends all of its unused and damaged clothing (missing buttons etc…) to the missing persons foundation.
They also host an event every September called Rescues and Runways. Each store hosts a month long supply drive and fashion show event (where the dogs get to walk the runway too!) for their local animal shelter. The company also donates to the ASPCA.
Its a wonderful and charitable company that wholeheartedly believes in giving back. Good choice!
That top looks great on you and I love how you turned it backwards. I’ll have to keep my eye out for tops that I can do the same with.
I’m a huge fan of Maurices. I’m in my 30s and I always can find things that are stylish for me there. The jewelry is incredible. I frequently check out the jewelry rack to find coordinating items that add a finishing touch to an outfit.
Thank you for your thought-provoking post!