organic cotton

UGH. I just want to scream!!! actually, I did say OMG out loud when I first read this, but refrained from screaming

I loved this the second I saw it. It’s not a knockoff or a replica or anything like that. It is what it is. Since everyone is so tote bag and environmentally friendly these days, this is the perfect solution for those of us who can’t afford a $3,000 bag.

Every time I look at Forever 21′s Printed Purse Tote I get the giggles. I think it’s really chic, affordable and hilarious! When was the last time something like this made you laugh? And don’t fret — no one will know it’s not real!

PRODUCT DETAILS

Forever 21 Printed Purse Tote, $5.80

Totally fun and eco-friendly, this canvas tote features a stylish printed quilted purse detail on the front and back with printed chains on the straps. Closure-less style.

She’s referring of course, to this Forever21 tote bag:

Besides the fact that her logic just doesn’t follow (the perfect environmentally friendly solution for those of us who can’t afford a $3,000 bag? does that make sense?) Can someone PLEASE tell me how this is eco-friendly? It’s not only the writer who “claims” this, it’s Forever21 itself. It is NOT made from hemp or organic cotton or reclaimed materials, it is NOT produced fairly OR ethically, it is NOT made locally…

I suppose the rationale is that it can be used in place of plastic grocery bags, but that in itself does not make a product eco-friendly. I mean, by that logic, the shopping bag you get from J Crew is environmentally friendly if you re-use it. But that’s incorrect; re-using a bag does not make the bag itself environmentally friendly – the most environmentlaly friendly thing to do is not to take a shopping bag from the store in the first place…which I supposed you could do if you had this tote bag with you, but seriously, how many people have you seen use a tote bag in place of a shopping bag at the mall? (I do it, and get strange looks carrying around a stuffed full BAGGU bag instead of branded shopping bags)

Add to this that Forever21 is the last place in the world you should be buying stuff if you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly. In my opinion, being eco-friendly is about shopping consciously, thinking about where what you buy comes from, who makes it, and all the production steps along the way. Forever21 embodies exactly the opposite of this; they knockoff designers (big and small) constantly, and they make inferior product to sell for the cheapest price possible not considering the impact this has. Please. It’s not all about the almighty dollar. You don’t want the companies you buy from to consider profit their end all and be all – so why should buying the cheapest products possible be your goal as a consumer?

(read this article at 39th and Broadway – it’s another great discussion of why you should THINK before you buy)

**and also read this: Factory vs FROCK – where would you rather buy your clothes?

What do you think? What makes a product eco-friendly in your opinion? am I way off-base here?

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