Summer calls! I have been delighted with the recent span of warm weather in NYC, but as the days slowly creep up to 80 degrees and above I need some sandals to keep my feet from the heat. Normally I buy sandals and summer clothes from Target, but now where to shop?
We have power as a collective. However, even if everyone doesn’t quit Amazon or other companies, you have power over your own choices. You can say, enough is enough, I don’t want to shop there anymore, so I’m not going to.
This week, I want you to channel your rage into change. Be spiteful. Say “Fuck you billionaires, I’m not taking it anymore!”
Often, anger is viewed as a negative emotion, especially in women. But, anger can be protective. It’s you and your body saying enough is enough. When you’re finally frustrated enough with how things are, that’s when you can make real change.
So be angry. Be mad. But use that anger. If you’ve hated having to shop at that one place but haven’t had time to find an alternative, use that anger to make time. Say to yourself – I’m not spending another dime here. Every time you don’t shop at Amazon, Walmart, Target, or any other big company you hate, that’s a way to validate your power. You know you’re making the choices that resonate with what you believe in. You’re freaking awesome.
Local, Direct, and Non-Shopping Choices: If you have a local boutique or retailer that has lower cost items, definitely shop there first! Another great option is to go thrifting versus buying new, and you might get something cooler and unique to boot.
Direct: Usually in this category the brands have their own online shopping options. If you find a brand on Target/etc you like, you can search to see if they have their own site or are sold by other retailers.
Free/No Purchase: Host a clothing swap with your friends! I used to do this with my friends every season a few years ago and it was great to get some fun stuff and hang out. Buy Nothing groups also have a ton of clothing options, so check those out too.
Shopping Options: The apparel category is VERY broad, so I took a look at the main players. I also did not get into the manufacturing process and potential labor issues behind these companies as the whole industry is complicit. If you don’t want to shop fast fashion/low cost clothing, check out the other options listed above.
Good guys:
Uniqlo/GU: Owned by Fast Retailing Company, which also owns Theory, PLST, J Brand, Helmut Lang, and Comptoir Des Cotonniers. Fast Retailing is publicly traded in Japan with CEO Tashi Yanai and other insiders owning 42% of the shares. The only controversy I can find is that Yanai recently confirmed in a BBC interview that Uniqlo does not use Xinjiang cotton, which has been alleged to be produced by forced labor from the Muslim Uyghur population. Chinese consumers have now called for a boycott of Uniqlo based on the comments.
Fast Retailing still supports DEI, but these guys have been living it for a long time. Uniqlo started actively recruiting employees with disabilities in 2001 in Japan, they support refugees through their RISE program including hiring them in the United States. Back in 2016 Uniqlo launched a partnership with UNRWA to provide winter clothing to Palestinian refugees and has remained committed to working with the UN Refugee Agency. While I’m always skeptical of how impactful corporate giving programs are, the fact that they are working directly with UN agencies to provide assistance makes me feel good.
TJ Maxx/Marshalls: Check out last week’s article for my full review.
Questionable:
Gap, Inc (Gap, Old Navy, Banana Republic, Athleta): Traded publicly and largest shareholders are institutional investors. Gap, Inc spent $950K in lobbying in 2024 around tariffs, corporate taxes, and CAFTA (Central American Free Trade Agreement). From what I’ve read, it seems that they were lobbying to close the de minimis loophole which Temu and Shein used to ship directly to American consumers and avoid paying larger tariffs. But, that is my guess only.
Gap Inc remains committed to DEI as far as I can tell. In 2021 however, they settled a lawsuit with the Department of Justice for routinely discriminating against non-US citizens. It seems like they had an electronic HR system that they were relying on too heavily for I-9 verification and fixed it as part of the settlement. If they had more diversity in management, maybe they would have reviewed the system’s potential implications for immigrants before implementing.
Cotton On: Founded by Nigel Austin in Australia, the company is privately held and he is the majority owner. I can’t find anything specific to DEI on their corporate website, but they’re also Australian so I’m not sure how much of a focus it is there. They do also have the Cotton On Foundation, which gives support to youth nutrition, eduction, and job opportunities. Again, I’m always skeptical of corporate foundations but overall this seems like a decent company for the category.
ROSS: Publicly traded with largest shareholders as mostly institutional investors. Ross remains committed to DEI despite recent confusion. They spent no money on lobbying in 2024. But – buyer beware, a report released in 2024 found that their handbags, wallets, shoes and belts have had toxic levels of lead for years, including an estimated 25% of leather and faux leather accessories in 2022. I’d stay away for safety, or at least avoid any leather or faux leather goods as lead poisoning is serious, and can stay in your bones for years.
Notttt great:
H&M: Traded publicly, but Stefan Persson and his family own 63% of the shares with 82% of the voting rights so they control the company and are billionaires because of it. His son, Karl-Johan Persson, is the current CEO and executive chairman. In 2019, he complained that criticism of fast fashion had to be measured against ending poverty, creating jobs and economic growth.
From Persson: “The climate issue is incredibly important. It’s a huge threat and we all need to take it seriously – politicians, companies, individuals. At the same time, the elimination of poverty is a goal that’s at least as important.” I doubt their manufacturers are paying high enough wages to get these workers out of poverty, but of course, we all know billionaires have our best interests in mind.
H&M claims it still supports DEI, but recently ended their four-year long partnership with Buy From a Black Woman in March 2025. The founder, Nikki Porcher, described how H&M left her out of key decisions and meetings, cancelled events, and ignored her concerns. Keep in mind, back in 2018 H&M posted a racist image of a black child wearing a sweatshirt with “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle.” I’m not sure they have learned much since.
What I did: I’m going to check out Cotton On and Uniqlo, and I might end up buying some sandals from Old Navy. I’m still trying to avoid spending more money on new clothing, so I’m using this as an excuse to go to my local thrift shop before getting anything new.
Was this helpful for you? Let me know in the comments and what you’d like me to tackle next. Follow me on TikTok for recap videos, and subscribe to see more category deep dives with behavior exercises every Friday. Thanks for reading <3
