Clotheshorse with Amanda Lee McCarty

Forget apps, AI, and "miracle" eco fabrics...the solution to the fast fashion and overconsumption crisis is…PEOPLE.  The future is human! And one way people come into play as part of all of this is via their small businesses.  In this episode, Amanda is joined by Malena of The Slow Era, a vintage store and slow fashion community hub in Ames, Iowa. In this episode, we are going to talk aboutHow Malena uses their own values as a decision making tool for their businessWhy writing a business manifesto made this a lot easier (and why we should also be writing our own personal manifestos, too)How they reconcile their own anti-capitalist beliefs with being a small business ownerHow they connect with and educate their customers and community via the businessHow to avoid compromising your values in business (and why/how it will open doors and bring in more customers)And so much more!Also: How Everlane and SHEIN are the perfect cherry on top of this slow fashion values sundae!Find The Slow Era on Instagram."Everlane is Selling out to...SHEIN," Lauren Sherman, Puck."Everlane’s Promise of ‘Radical Transparency’ Unravels," The New York Times."The $39 Million Shoe Company Allbirds Turned Into An AI Stock," Jon Markman, Forbes.Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes.  Alexis and her four babies say "hi!"The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16  New Providence, PA 17560Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teach

This episode is part nine in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will continue to explore how the price we are willing to pay for an item (aka "perceived value") is directly related to branding:We will get to the bottom of those "compare at" prices at off price stores and outlets,An introduction to the term "anchor pricing,"Why thrift stores are making a major branding mistake by pricing up certain items, Why trends are so emotional (and a key part of planning a product assortment),And introducing...THE PYRAMID OF MERCHANDISING!!"TJ Maxx's and Marshalls' comparison prices aren't always what they seem," Jennifer Ortakales Dawkins, Business Insider."TJ Maxx Sued Over 'Compare At' Prices," ABC News."Bargains at Winners not always what they appear," Melissa Mancini, CBC.Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes. Brenda says "hi!" Hutch does not because he is grouchy about a particularly intense brushing he had this morning.The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16  New Providence, PA 17560Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spoke

There are so many ways we can be an active, positive force within our communities. Sometimes it’s just hard to know where to start!  This week you’re going to meet Sara and Matthew, the people behind the hyperlocal small (free) newspaper The York msprint.  They are going to share how and why they decided to start the msprint, along with how you can do something similar in your community.   We will also explain how and why no community is too small for projects that bring people together.Find the archives of the msprint here.Want to start your own local version of the msprint? Sara and Matthew are here to answer your questions:[email protected]@msprint.mediaAlso: check out The Kitsch-enette!Thanks for being one of the elite few who read the show notes.  I hope you have the best day ever!The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16  New Providence, PA 17560Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustain

Yes, there IS more ethical consumption under capitalism, but it all starts with understanding the impact of where and when we spend our money.  In this episode (part two of two), Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green.  We discuss the following:Recommendations for more ethical swaps for cleaning and personal care products,How Amanda and Lisa make more ethical decisions about where to shop and what to buy, Why you are probably buying and using too many cleaning products,And why cleanliness does not equal morality.To get things started, Amanda unpacks some of the biggest food megacorporations and explains the impact of a handful of companies controlling most of the food we eat.Lisa's recommendations (Substack)Open SecretsGoods Unite UsLittle Blue CartBlack Cat Bulk GoodsEpisode 199: Is there REALLY no ethical consumption under capitalism?The new Clotheshorse PO Box: 69 Main Street, Box 16  New Providence, PA 17560Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches,

Yes, there IS more ethical consumption under capitalism, but it all starts with understanding the impact of where and when we spend our money.   In this episode (part one of two), Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp of Retro Housewife Goes Green.  We discuss the following:How and when boycotting is effective,How shifting up our spending habits is really an exercise in “progress not perfection,”The "illusion of choice" in the area of cleaning products, laundry detergent, food, skincare, and more,Some examples of the megacorporations that own a lot of the brands we already buy,How some of these megacorporations are actually MAGAcorporations,And the political impact of the brands we buy.Before we jump into that, Amanda reminds us of the origin of the statement "there's no ethical consumption under capitalism," and why/how it is misused all over social media.Lisa's recommendationsEpisode 199: Is there REALLY no ethical consumption under capitalism?Open SecretsGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additi

This episode is part eight in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will talk about how the price we are willing to pay for an item is directly related to branding:Why "perceived value" is almost more important than mathing the math,How brands manipulate the perceived value via small changes to products, Why even the graphic design of a brand's website will change your expectations around pricing,How you often guess the prices in a store just by looking at the merchandising and fixtures,And why we have to stop expecting small business prices to align with fast fashion/fast everything pricing.Add your address to get a postcard.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/For the next month, use promo code THEPRICEISRIGHT to get 50% off all merch! Amanda and Dustin care for a colony of 12 feral cats and they want to get them all fixed this spring. So help them cover that cost by picking up some hot deals on Clotheshorse merch.If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask i

In part two of two, Amanda explains how and why they worked in fast fashion. This episode picks back up at Amanda's worst job ever, takes a journey through the very opaque supply chain to (hopefully) find out who is making our clothes, and ends up back in Philadelphia (again). And yes, Amanda is trying very hard to not be a people pleaser.Learn more about the sustainability of clothing rental by listening to The Rental-sode.Add your address to get a postcard.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.<strong

In part one of two, Amanda explains how and why they worked in fast fashion.  This episode gets started in Portland, OR in 2002, travels to the Urban Outfitters home office in Philadelphia, PA, then on to Los Angeles (Modcloth and Nasty Gal), and ends back in Portland, OR.  Yes, Amanda is really good at organizing a cross country move.Add your address to get a postcard.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at decodenim.com to receive $20 off your first purchase. They promise not to spam you and send out no more than 3 emails a month, with 2 of them surrounding education or a personal note from the Founder. Find them on Instagram as @deco.denim.Selina Sanders, a social impact brand that specializes in up-cycled clothing, using o

Survival *is* political. This week -- for the first episode of 2026 -- Amanda is joined by Lisa Sharp, aka Retro Housewife Goes Green.  Lisa shares her own experiences becoming activated politically. In this episode, we will discuss the following:What inspired Lisa to leave the Republican party in 2012How Lisa avoided the "trad wife pipeline"How she is inspired by the resistance of women and children in France, Germany, and Poland...and how we can be inspired by history todayHow we can make a difference and show up for our communitiesWhere Lisa finds hope nowAnd more!Find Lisa on Instagram and Threads.Retro Housewife Goes Green (website)Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.Deco Denim is a startup based out of San Francisco, selling clothing and accessories that are sustainable, gender fluid, size inclusive and high quality--made to last for years to come. Deco Denim is trying to change the way you think about buying clothes. Founder Sarah Mattes wants to empower people to ask important questions like, “Where was this made? Was this garment made ethically? Is this fabric made of plastic? Can this garment be upcycled and if not, can it be recycled?” Signup at <a href=

You asked for it, so here it is: a recap of Amanda's first two weeks of her 2025 Japan trip! What Amanda covers in this episode:Tips for finding the best prices on airline tickets. Special shout to Rebecca for being in the ELITE 1% of listeners who read the show notes! 🏆🏆🏆Why you should pack your favorite clothes for every trip, rather than buying new vacation clothesAmanda's strong feelings about travel size toiletriesTips for having the best flightNarita vs. Haneda, wi-fi devices and e-sims, Japan Rail passes, Suica, and YamatoAmanda's experiences in Tokyo, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, and KyotoWhat Amanda bought in JapanAnd so much more!Here's a guide to the places mentioned in this conversation:TokyoHotel Graphy Nezu (Amanda and Dustin always stay here in Tokyo)Museum of Contemporary Art TokyoMandarakeNinja Wi-Fi Rental JapanVisit Japan Web (for your visitor QR code)Japan Rail PassHow to add Suica to Apple Wallet/Android phonesYamatoPunk Doily (Australian hand pies with vegan options)KawaeKayoMatsumotoYayoi KusamaMatsumoto City Museum of ArtMatsumoto CastleToyoko InnKanazawaHyatt House Kanazawa21st Century Museum of Contemporary ArtBarrier (the restaurant that Amanda wanted to visit but was afraid to go alone)Kenroku-en Garden

Hey! It's a little end of year treat: Mr. Dustin Travis White joins Amanda to talk about the two weeks they spent together in Japan, traveling from Nagoya to Fukuoka to Beppu to Tokyo.  They touch on all kinds of things in this episode:How and why one can hear more Christmas music in one month in Japan than they have heard in their entire adult lifeWhat is Kentucky Christmas?Physical media and "extinct" media are still more relevant than ever in Japan: magazines, books, cassettes, cds, and moreSecondhand shopping in JapanFinding vegetarian and gluten free food in JapanHow to be thrifty while 6000 miles away from homeHow not to flood a hotel room in FukuokaWeird dudes at the public foot bathTourist traps are a global experienceYes, you CAN do laundry while you're travelingAnd so much more!Here's a guide to the places mentioned in this conversation:NagoyaHotel Resol NagoyaStiff Slack (incredible record store and venue)Aichi Art TriennaleMatsuzakaya Art Museum (museum in a department store)Lee Jeans (Japan)FukuokaHello Kitty ShinkansenMotorpool RecordsThe Lively Fukuoka (hotel)With The Style Fukuoka (fancy hotel)Sonu Sonu (vegan restaurant with great burgers and taco rice)Evah Macrobiotic Vegan Deli (multiple locations in Fukuoka, including Hakata Station)BOOKOFFBeppuAmanek Yula-Re Beppu (hotel that Amanda has stayed in multiple times)Taco Nargo (Dustin's favorite meal)Showa museum in Yufuin (you can take a city bus from Beppu Station to get there and the ride is epic)Beppu Jigoku ("Hells of Beppu")Tokyo<a href="https://www.lively

This episode is part seven in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, recorded in Kyoto, Japan, we'll unpack how the importance of IRL shopping in Japan impacts the ways brands build emotional connections with customers:How nature creates the ultimate "Call To Action" for food shopping (and how the US has made most food non-seasonal),How Trader Joe's has built an intensely loyal customer base,Examples of the "collab madness" happening in Japan right now,Why many big brands in Japan includes cafes and other experiences in their stores,And how and why western brands are so popular in Japan.ALSO: Listen to Amanda on Embodied by WUNC North Carolina Public Radio!Additional reading:"A Century of Produce: The First-Aisle Department," The Packer."We Need to Talk About Trader Joe’s," Adam Reiner, Taste.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories?

This year, Clotheshorse all star, Maggie Greene (The Halloween Queen) embarked on an epic international, cross-country adventure that she called The Tragic Optimist Tour.  Along the way, she recorded conversations with the people she visited, eventually turning them into a new podcast called ATTN: Confidential.  And of course, she and Amanda had to record a conversation together…but with a twist: For the first half of the session, she interviewed Amanda. For the second part, Amanda interviewed Maggie.  This week’s episode is part 2 of the conversation, where Amanda interviewed Maggie.  You can listen to part 1 here.This conversation follows the format of ATTN: Confidential: self-awareness, curiosity, and advocacy in a safe container. Those three themes are expressed as the Mirror, the Magnifying Glass, and the Megaphone. See if you can spot them as Amanda and Maggie talk about internet friends, cats, Keith Morrison, and so much more.Need another dose of conversation about convenience culture and overconsumption? Check out Andi Zeisler's interview with Amanda for Salon: The true cost of convenience cultureGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and

Live in Portland, OR at Holocene, Amanda is joined by Karen, Cassie, and Frances to talk about how sewing is an important part of a better future. We will also discuss:Maybe instant gratification isn't really that gratifying at all?Where and how sewing became an uncommon skillWhy our lack of knowledge about sewing makes us overconsume (and expect things to be cheap and fast)Ways for teaching more people how to sewHow sewing and making things actually makes us happierThoughts on the ethics of the textile supply chain and how to minimize our textile waste when sewingHow sewing and community are inextricably linked (and very important)And so much more! Also, Amanda's dad helps everyone on and off the stage all night long.Cassie: Altar, @shop_altarFrances: Sincere Studio, @sincerestudiopdxKaren: sorry, you have to email Amanda if you want to be in touch with Karen!MAJOR SPECIAL OMG THANKS TO:Christine and Casey of Care Instruction, Portland's radical (and cool) vintage store and mending/sewing studio.Ruby of Slow Fashion AcademyNeed another dose of conversation about convenience culture and overconsumption? Check out Andi Zeisler's interview with Amanda for Salon: The true cost of convenience cultureGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She h

Live in Seattle, WA at the Here-After, Amanda is joined by Nivi, Kim, and Janelle to talk about optimism, activism, and why doomerism is just so @#$%ing boring. We will also discuss:What it means to be a steward of your clothingWhy it's more than "just clothes"What we sacrifice in favor of convenience cultureHow to lead by example for those around youAnd how to keep the conversation about difficult topics goingNivi: Soapbox Project, @soapboxprojectKim: @heavydutyvintageJanelle: @janelleabbottGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimbl

Sweater season has arrived for many of us, so let's revisit a favorite episode from last 2023!Dani of Picnicwear joins Amanda to explain why (most) new sweaters are low quality, (near) future garbage (instead of future vintage).  It's a complicated tale of synthetic blends, increasing margin targets, and lower prices.  We'll explain how the fast fashion industry has kept prices low and profits high by swapping out yarns, cutting out details, and making copies of copies, while walking through the design process of most big retailers/brands. We will unpack why it's really difficult to find sweaters made of natural fibers.Amanda will explain how natural fibers aren't the "cure" for the impact of overconsumption.We will give you advice about how to choose the right sweater (hint: read those content labels).Dani will give you advice about how to care for your sweaters properly. We were inspired by Amanda Mull's piece for The Atlantic, Your Sweaters Are Garbage. Go read it!ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneAnd preorder your copy of the MEGA-zine, The Clotheshorse Guide to Synthetic Fibers & Fabrics.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patt

This episode is part six in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we'll unpack how social media has been harnessed as a tool to drive trends, spread misinformation, and create influence. Also, Corinna, Cat, Bonnie, Kevin, and Miriam share their own thoughts about brands, loyalty, and consumerism. In this episode: What is an algorithm anyway?Why do Amanda and Dustin have very different social media feeds, despite sharing many common interests?How does social media distort our perception of reality?What do Cracker Barrel, the 2024 election, and Amber Heard have in common?Some upcoming election shoutouts from AmandaAdditional reading:Link between excessive social media use and psychiatric disorders (study)"Cracker Barrel had good reasons to rebrand. But after its new logo misfired, here’s what’s next," Dee-Ann Durbin, AP."Cracker Barrel Is Making A Major Change & Customers Are NOT Happy: 'It's Giving Soulless'," Amanda Mactas, Delish.Why fast food restaurants look the same (video)"Cracker Barrel Outrage Was Almost Certainly Driven by Bots, Researchers Say," AJ Dellinger, Gizmodo."Amber Heard vs the Internet: An Organised Smear Campaign?," BBC."Hot Topic Is Still Hot," Paula Mejia, The New York Times.ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  amanda@clotheshors

This week, we are taking a break from the I'm With The Brand series to talk about mending! Jeanna and Mary are here to talk about their new book, Stitch It, Don’t Ditch It: Simple Hand-sewn Repairs to Help You Love Your Clothes For Longer. In this episode, we will talk about the following:How and why Jeanna and Mary ended up writing a book about mending togetherWhy it has become unusual to repair your clothing (and how we can change that)Why we should make the time to mend our clothes (and p.s. It’s more than just the environmental impact of it all)Why fast fashion clothes deserve repair, tooHow to get started on your mending journeyAlso in this episode: attendees from the Crafternoon in Philadelphia tell us what's keeping them optimistic right now.Repair What You WearSashiko StoryALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.acade

This episode is part five in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will unpack how brands use customer information to create that emotional connection:A nostalgic trip back to the 00s:  the rise and fall of Urban Outfitters’ “coolness", and what it revealed about aspirational vs. actual customers.Why brands claim to be “obsessed with the customer,” yet often misunderstand who’s really shopping with them.The shift from emotional branding to data-driven surveillance marketing and how companies now know us better than we know ourselves.Very special guest Kim Christenson (aka Amanda's cohost of The Department)  joins us to explain how digital marketing, social media, and algorithms shape what we buy.A deep dive into “surveillance pricing” and how brands adjust prices just for you (and no, that's not a good thing).And so much more!!Additional reading:"Hotel booking sites show higher prices to travelers from Bay Area," Keith A. Spencer, SFGate.FTC Surveillance Pricing Study Indicates Wide Range of Personal Data Used to Set Individualized Consumer Prices"On Orbitz, Mac Users Steered to Pricier Hotels," Dana Mattioli, Wall Street Journal."Businesses can use your online data to overcharge you. What can customers do?" Adrian Ma, NPR.ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:

This episode is part four in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism. In this episode, we will explore three more "emotional branding" trends of this century: convenience, nostalgia, and hope. This episode includes the following topics:An explanation of trend forecasting and why most large brands are selling essentially the same stuffWGSN and how "big trend forecasting" might be bad for fashion, workers, and customersThe Ouroboros of hustle culture and convenience marketing, along with all of the products and industries that have thrived in a time when people are working more than everWhy we can't have something that is fast, cheap, and goodHow and why nostalgia gets us to open our walletsWhy hope was a good marketing tool through the 2010sIdentifying the upcoming emotional branding trends.Additional reading:"The Future of Fashion Forecasting," Kate Hart, Not Just A Label."Uber fares are cheap, thanks to venture capital. But is that free riding ending?" Sam Dean, Los Angeles Times."Polly Pockets Are Making a Comeback and They Are Just as Good as You Remember," Kate Reggev, Architectural Digest.Future Consumer 2027: EmotionsJOIN AMANDA FOR THE CLOTHESHORSE BIRTHDAY CRAFTERNOON ON SEPTEMBER 21!!!ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fash

This episode is part three in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism.In this episode we will be unpacking and exploring various examples of "cause marketing:"The flaws in the "buy one, give one" model,How brands engineer fundraiser collections to be profitable,The effectiveness of "round up" at checkout campaigns,Why B Corp certification doesn't mean as much as it once did,The real reason companies do fundraisers for charity and causes,And we will do the math to get to what a 1% giveback really means.Additional reading:"Melania Trump says 'don't care' jacket was a message," BBC."T-shirt makers riff on Melania Trump’s jacket with their own message and donate proceeds to refugee services," Lindsay Ellefson, CNN."The Broken 'Buy-One, Give-On" Model: 3 ways to save TOMS Shoes," Cheryl Davenport, Fast Company."The Impact of TOMS Shoes," Bruce Wydick."Shoeing the Children: The Impact of the TOMS Shoe Donation Program in Rural El Salvador."Dr. Bronner’s Statement on Dropping B Corp Certification"The B Corp Standard is at Risk," Fair World Project."Nespresso: Known for Human Rights Violations, Now B Corp Certified," Fair World Project."How Nespresso's coffee revolution got ground down," Ed Cumming, The Guardian.Rio Tinto Corporate Rap SheetTHANKS TO THIS EPISODE'S SPONSOR: MLE!! Ase code CLOTHESHORSE at www.madebymle.com to get 10% off your order. JOIN AMANDA FOR THE CLOTHESHORSE BIRTHDAY CRAFTERNOON ON SEPTEMBER 21!!!ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattl

This episode is part two in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism.In this episode:We are going to hopefully answer the question “why might someone get so caught up in a brand that they start fighting with strangers about it on social media?”Amanda explains where "off price" stores like TJ Maxx and Nordstrom Rack really get their inventoryWe examine why it's more important than ever to support small businesses (and how we can do that)We will explore the background and influence of Marc Gobés 2000s book Emotional Branding, considered “the bible” of contemporary marketing and brandingWhy is Lululemon kind of like a cult?We will walk through the “10 commandments of emotional branding” and examples of how they have been appliedWe will realize that Supreme isn't as cool as it seemsWe explore why people join brand fan groups on FacebookHow Nooworks made a major fan out of Amanda after seeing how the brand handled a crisisAmanda explains why taste is a classist constructAnd so much more!Additional reading:"Getting Emotional With Marc Gobé," Design Emotion."Why Do People Join Cults? Linguist and 'Cultish' Author Amanda Montell on the 'Invisible Power of Language,'" Dillon Dodson, Parade.Cultish by Amanda Montell"The Cult-Like Following Of Lululemon Is Stronger Than Ever — Despite Controversies," Cory Stieg, Refinery29.Business Insider piece about working for LululemonALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!</stro

This episode is part one in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism.In this episode:We’re going to break down what brand and branding mean, using fizzy water and boxed macaroni and cheese as examplesWe will walk through the history of “brands” and “branding” leading up to this century, where it evolves from a little brand on a jug to full-on marketing teams and brand theoryWhy it's so wild that food brands got obsessed with masked taste tests in the 70s and 80sHow Amanda teaches brand and branding to her small business clients and students (and why that matters for them)And Amanda will shares some brands that aren’t really who you think they are any more (or maybe never were)Additional reading:"Meet the Man Who Made a Fortune Bringing Brands Back to Life," Suzanne Kapner, The Wall Street Journal.Authentic Brands Group brand portfolioLevi Strauss & Co. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group"JCPenney Joins SPARC to Form Catalyst Brands," David Moin, WWD.Catalyst Brands"Shein signs deal with Forever 21 owner as fast-fashion majors look to boost reach," Arriana McLymore, Reuters.Learn more about the San Pedro Apparel Mart in episode 231 of Clotheshorse!ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we

In honor of five years of Clotheshorse, Amanda brings back the very first episode of the show (mandatory listening for any one interested in slow fashion), "Romper Drama and Useless Safety Pins, or It's a Cents Game."Before jumping into that episode, Amanda talks about what has changed over the last five years.  She explains why and how Clotheshorse has given her hope and joy in dark times.  And she also gives a little minisode on tariffs (and why they won't "fix" fast fashion).If you've loved listening to Clotheshorse, give the podcast the ultimate gift by leaving a rating and a review on your favorite streaming platform! And recommend it to a friend.  Maybe share a post on social media!ALSO: get your tickets for Clotheshorse LIVE!10/23  Seattle, WA @ Here-After10/26  Portland, OR @ HoloceneGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming workshops, download PDF sewing patterns, and learn about additional sewing and design services at www.slowfashion.academy.The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot ca

Would you be surprised to hear that your favorite shoe brand is neither family-owned nor as punk as it portrays itself to be?Did you know that wealth inequality and shoes are directly connected? Could your latest shoe purchase be subsidizing lobbying efforts to fight a rise in the minimum wage or reduce taxes for the wealthiest people?Amanda is joined by Ariel, the founder of Cobbled Goods to talk about how shoes, wealth inequality, and politics are entangled.  He will introduce us to his Billionaire Boycott List.  In this episode, we will also cover the following topics:The environmental and ethical impacts of shoe productionCommon greenwashing tropes used by the shoe industryWho really owns a lot of the shoe companies that we might think of "heritage" brands or "countercultural"How you can make better decisions when shopping for a new pair of shoesAnd how where, when, and how often you shop are political decisions!And guess what? Ariel has a reading list for you:Wealth Supremacy: How the Extractive Economy and the Biased Rules of Capitalism Drive Today’s CrisesOne of my favourite books, written by Marjorie Kelly. She really has her finger on the heart of the issue. I’d recommend listeners start by checking out her podcast interviews. I also have to add my first encounter with her work, which rocked my world — The Architecture of Enterprise: Redesigning Ownership for a Great Transition.Foot Work: What Your Shoes Tell You About GlobalisationAn incredible first-person look into shoe production around the world. Tansy Hoskins also has a great newsletter.Imagining a Decentralised Footwear Industry at the Global Fashioning AssemblyI didn’t mention this but I hosted a speculative fiction workshop last fall with Tansy and few other footwear founders where everyone shared their ideas on what the industry would look like in a

In this episode, Amanda explores and explains a few different topics that are “ripped from the headlines,” including some news submitted from listeners:A recap of Amanda's day at the United Nations Fashion and Lifestyle Network Annual MeetingAn update on the Fashion ActHow boycotts are affecting Target (and their nightmare 2025 Pride collection)What Joann has in common with Toys R US, Bed Bath and Beyond, and Nasty GalWhy Torrid is closing a ton of stores (and why this is a problem)And so much more!JOIN AMANDA FOR THE CLOTHESHORSE BIRTHDAY CRAFTERNOON ON JULY 20!Additional Reading:"Dear Fashion CEOs, Stop Undermining Climate Action," Maxine Bédat, Business of Fashion."Target sales fall sharply in 1st quarter and retailer warns they will slip for all of 2025," CBS News."Target Moves Pride Merchandise Aside To Spotlight Father’s Day And July 4th Holidays," Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes."'Cowardcore:' Everyone Is Noticing The Same Thing About Target's Pride Merch," Brittany Wong, HuffPost."Nervous Corporate Sponsors Retreat From New York Pride," Liam Stack, The New York Times."Michaels acquires Joann brand: What it means for store inventories," Lori Comstock, USA Today Network.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support fro

This week you are going to meet Molly and Jane of Content Queen, a two-person Bay Area-based zine publisher. And we are going to talk about all kinds of very hot topics (including literally Hot Topic):Why do Jane and Molly make physical zines rather than virtual/online content in 2025? The answer is important and might get you thinking…How has the kind of “content” we consume (especially the content we READ) changed in the social media era?Two of Content Queen’s zines that are explicitly fashion-related:  Stressful, Awkward, Envied: ‘90s and ‘00s Brands From Those Who Wore the Clothes, Worked the Registers, and Modeled for the Catalogs AND Wendy’s World, “an immersion into the early-’90s downtown New York world of the ultimate cult indie fashion label, Built by Wendy.”Along the way Molly and Jane will tell us what it’s like to vend at a zine fair in 2025 (and why it’s different than it used to be).  And we’ll wrap it all up by making our trend predictions.  Amanda gets things started with explaining why something as simple as reading is a radical act of resistance in 2025 (and why we need to protect books and libraries).Go order and read Molly and Jane's zines so we can talk about them: contentqueenzine.comFind them on IG: @contentqueenzineJOIN AMANDA FOR THE CLOTHESHORSE BIRTHDAY CRAFTERNOON ON JULY 20!Additional reading:"It’s so boring’: Gen Z parents don’t like reading to their kids - and educators are worried," Alaina Demopoulos, The Guardian."The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books," Rose Horowitch, The Atlantic.Banned and Challenged Books dashboard, American Library Association.Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Slow Fashion Academy is a size-incl

What happened to Jo-Ann (the massive fabric/craft store chain)?  In many places, it was the only game in town.  It had a captive audience.  And sewing and mending are on the rise.   So Amanda set out to find out who killed Jo-Ann.  It’s a lot more complicated than you think! In this episode we take a journey full of twists and turns:Was it just private equity? And WTF is private equity anyway?What do Jo-Ann and Red Lobster have in common? Unfortunately it's not Cheddar Bay Biscuits.How has society's relationship with sewing changed over the last 80 years?Who is Faith Popcorn and why is Amanda obsessed with her?Where are the mechanized hugging booths?Does anyone remember Cargo Express?Where did Jo-Ann's leadership go wrong?How would Amanda "save" Jo-Ann?What is the future of fabric stores? And how are we all a part of it?So many sources and so many links for this episode.First: some suggested fabric stores from Amanda:Firecracker FabricsL'Etoffe FabricsNacho Ann's FabricsMake & MendCheck out Oddly Specific with Meredith Lynch Sources and additional reading:"How private equity rolled Red Lobster," Gretchen Morgenson, NBC News."How trend forecasting keeps the biggest brands on top," Peter Firth, City AM."Faith Popcorn’s predictions five years later," Patrick Kevin Day, Los Angeles Times."The Essence of Cocooning," Beth Ann Krier, Los Angeles Times."Cloth World stores sold to chain," Alan Goldstein, Tampa Bay Times."Fabri-Centers Agrees to Pay $3 Million to Settle Charges," Leslie Eaton, The New York Times."Staff Said The Free Mask Kits At Jo-Ann Fabrics Are Just Scraps From The Clearance Bin," Amber Jamieson, Buzzfeed."Did private equity kill Joann fabrics?" Sam B

A better future for our planet means most people buying secondhand clothing most of the time. Right now we live in a “golden era” of shopping secondhand…if you’re the customer! But the infrastructure as it exists right now for the people doing the work of finding, repairing, cleaning, and selling secondhand clothing needs a lot of improvement.  This week, Amanda is joined by Valeria Brenner of Thryft Ship to dissect how and why the current state of secondhand resale isn’t equitable for the people doing the work:We will break down the reality of the fees that these platforms are charging (and how it makes running a financially sustainable business nearly impossible for secondhand resellers),We will talk about how the socially ingrained expectation of free shipping makes that even more difficult, And we will discuss how this system could be better! Maybe it will get some of you thinking about new tools and systems for the secondhand economy!Also, Valeria will explain why the secondhand reseller community is so amazing.Find Thryft Ship:IG: @thryftshipWebsite: thryftship.comRead Alex's Substack (1-800-Vintage) about why she no longer calls herself a resellerGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.comSt. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop that is dedicated to bringing you those special pieces you’ll reach for a

Understanding what your personal style and wearing what you want to wear? AMAZING! Not only does it feel great to love your clothes, it's also an essential part of a more sustainable way of life.  In this week's episode, Amanda is joined by Marlee of Style Me Slowly to talk about how to find "closet contentment."Why “flattering” is kind of a myth (and puts the focus on the wrong person’s happiness)The challenges of breaking up with the “rules” we have been taught about what we can and cannot wearWhy understanding what you really want to wear is a very important part of the slow fashion way of life.Marlee’s recommended process for understanding your personal styleAnd so much more!Find Marlee:IG--@stylemeslowlyMarlee's style coaching servicesStyle Me Slowly podcastAmanda's letter to you:IGSubstackTumblrGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at thepewterthimble.comSt. Evens is an NYC-based vintage shop

Amanda is currently googling "fast home remedies for nonstop cough" with a tissue jammed in her nose, so please enjoy part four of this series from The Department about the history of secondhand shopping.  This episode was originally released in April 2023.From the original episode description:Amanda + Kim end their journey through the history of secondhand shopping as a social, retail, and style trend in a decade so close, yet so far away: the 2010s.Get all the details at thedepartment.world.

Amanda's still coughing and feeling pitiful, so here's part three in a series about the history of secondhand shopping from The Department.This episode was released in April 2023.From the original episode description:Secondhand shopping is having a major moment right now and it isn't without controversy. Amanda + Kim take a deep dive into the trend cycle of secondhand clothing, because it turns out secondhand fashion isn't a first time fashion trend. This episode (part three) focuses on the 2000s.Get all the details at thedepartment.world.

Amanda is out with the most disgusting cold this week, so here's part two of The Department's series about secondhand shopping!This episode was originally released in April 2023.From the original episode description:Secondhand shopping is having a major moment right now and it isn't without controversy. Amanda + Kim take a deep dive into the trend cycle of secondhand clothing, because it turns out secondhand fashion isn't a first time fashion trend. This episode (part two) focuses on the 80s and 90s.Get all the details at thedepartment.world.

Hi everyone! Dustin brought one souvenir back from his recent tour with his band American Motors: a really gross cold, which I now have the pleasure of experiencing right now.  I'm in the constant coughing/lost my voice stage of it this week, so there is no new episode of Clotheshorse.Instead, I thought I would share a few of my favorite episodes of my kinda RIP/kinda on-hiatus podcast, The Department, in which Kim and I talked about the history of secondhand shopping. I am going to share all of them on the Clotheshorse feed this week, so check it out!These episodes were recorded 2023, while I lived in Austin and Kim lived in LA.Thanks for listening, and hopefully I'll be be back next week with a new episode of Clotheshorse!AmandaFrom the original episode description:Secondhand shopping is having a major moment right now and it isn't without controversy. Amanda + Kim take a deep dive into the trend cycle of secondhand clothing, because it turns out secondhand fashion isn't a first time fashion trend. This episode (part one) focuses on the 1920s through the 1970s.Get all the details at thedepartment.world.

Last month, Forever 21 filed for bankruptcy for the second time. It is planning to close all of its stores in the coming months as it winds down its operations. This is not a eulogy for Forever 21, but it is a deep dive into how one retailer change changed our habits, along with the entire business of making and selling clothing.We’ll be talking about the following topics:The history of Forever 21: where it started, how it grew, and where it went wrong,The many ways that Forever 21 changed our relationship with clothing, including how much we were willing to pay and how long we expected a garment to last,How cultural and social trends of the 00s (including "high/low style") helped Forever 21 grow,The ways in which Forever 21 paved the way for ultra fast fashion brands like SHEIN...only to fall behind in the end.And so much more! We'll also feel a little bit (just a tiny bit) nostalgic for Sparks (the caffeinated malt liquor) and summer nights spent biking around Portland, OR.  Additional reading:"One Family Built Forever 21, and Fueled Its Collapse," Sapna Maheshwari, The New York Times."Faster Fashion, Cheaper Chic," Ruth La Ferla, The New York Times."Forever 21 Bankruptcy Unmasks Major Debt Load, Positions Suppliers for ‘Instability’," Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal."Shein and Forever 21 Team Up in Fast-Fashion Deal," Jordyn Holman, The New York Times."Forever 21’s Linda Chang: Overexpansion brought company to bankruptcy," Madeline Speed, Vogue Business."Bankrupt and loving it: Welcome to the lucrative world of undead brands," Alina Selyukh, NPR."Boycott Forever 21," Liz Black, Huff Post.Urban CounterfeitersGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-

How can we do good things in difficult times? The seemingly small things we do as individuals are actually really radical, impactful, and important. And if we do these good things with members of our community, they become even more powerful. This week, Christa of Material Union joins us to share how her community fridge has changed her life!  We will be covering the following topics:How to get a fridge started in your community. We’re going to cover all of the nuts and bolts: electric bills, permits,the best kind of fridge to use, how it all works.The best things to stock in a community fridge (and what to skip)The impact–both personal and community-wide–of resources like thisAnd what Christa has learned along the way about humans, community, and the importance of compassion and care.Also: Amanda talks about "main character syndrome" and how it connects to fast fashion and kinda...everything right now? And why court cases are a source of optimism right now.Find Christa's free fridge on InstagramATX Free FridgeSUPPORT OUR FRIEND AND COMMUNITY MEMBER SELINA SANDERS!!!Buy a patternSupport her SubstackDonate directly via VenmoGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustra

How can we do good things in difficult times? The seemingly small things we do as individuals are actually really radical, impactful, and important. And if we do these good things with members of our community, they become even more powerful.  In this week's episode, Scout of Radical Sewing Club shows us how mending and sewing are radical political acts.  They will will share how we can start our own mending club in our own community! We will be talking about important things like venue, cost, materials, and even how a typical Radical Sewing Club evening plays out.Along the way we are going to talk about lots of other important things, including the following questions:Has capitalism taken away sources of joy for us (only to try to replace it all with shopping)? How do we get those back?Why is the lack of third spaces an issue that impacts people of all ages?Why is building community sometimes as simple as knowing your neighbors? And how has capitalism made that more difficult?Why is it actually super radical to repair fast fashion?And how many people do we really need to push back and make serious change in this world?We’ll also touch on the cows that are Amanda's neighbors and why we have jeans trauma thanks to the 00s.Also: Amanda shares how protests are making her feel optimistic. Hang out with Scout in Pomona, CA on the Radical Sewing Club World Tour! Get tickets here.Read about Scout and Radical Sewing Club in the LA Times: "For $5, Radical Sewing Club teaches you to mend clothes like an anticapitalist," by Lina AbascalMany more links:Worldwide Mending Clubs List by Danielle of Front Porch Threads"The '3.5% rule': How a small minority can change the world," David Robson, BBC.50501 MovementIndivisibleSUPPORT OUR FRIEND AND COMMUNITY MEMBER SELINA SANDERS!!!Buy a patternSupport her SubstackDonate directly via Venm

Over the past few years, we have explored many different facets of the secondhand economy: resellers and the ethics of reselling secondhand items, the various secondhand platforms, the fine art of thrifting, and even where all of the unsold stuff from thrift stores ends up! In this episode we'll learn what it's like to run an independent thrift store, with Sara and Shan of Bargain Thrift Center, a thrift store in the Germantown neighborhood of Philadelphia, PA.  We will discussHow the unrealistically low prices of ultra fast fashion impact the prices most people are willing to pay for secondhand itemsOpportunities that the secondhand supply chain has to reach more people and match them with the product they are seekingWhat happens to the collectibles and tchotchkes that are flooding thrift stores right now (I call it the “collection industrial complex”)And Sara and Shan’s vision for the future of secondhand/thriftingAlong the way, we’ll talk an awful lot about Precious Moments and we’ll wonder where all of the Ed Hardy stuff ended up at the end of the 00s.Also: Amanda shares why she is feeling optimistic right now.Follow Bargain Thrift Center on Instagram: @bargainthriftcenterGet your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at

One of the challenges facing all of concerned citizens is where and how to find accurate and reliable news.  This week Amanda is joined by Elizabeth Segran, Senior Staff Writer at Fast Company Magazine. They tackle some very important questions about news, media, and how we can determine what is fact, fiction, or something in-between:How can we tell the difference between editorial/opinion pieces and news reporting?Is it dangerous for people to get their “news” solely from social media?Is there a “Hippocratic oath” for journalists?What are the processes journalists and news organizations follow for verifying that information is factual?How have budget cuts (and a shift in the entire media industry in the digital era) impacted how fast news is reported? Has it changed what it is covered?How can we fact check the things we see online?Also, Amanda introduces REDUCE, REFUSE, RESIST, an economic protest (and new way of life) for all of us that begins in March."Inside the State Department’s Weapons Pipeline to Israel," Brett Murphy, ProPublica.Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more at <a href="http://thepewterthimbl

2025 is a lot. Things are kinda overwhelming right now: there’s a lot of news to digest and it's coming fast, it’s hard to suss out reality from fiction, and we don’t know what we can do to help. And so…it’s hard to be okay right now.  But it sure is easy to be overwhelmed. Frightened. Angry. Trapped in a sense of powerlessness. Find this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comThis week we are going to talk about how to be okay, whether you’re facing fascism, climate change, plastic pollution, the fast fashion crisis, or all of these at once.Why we doomscroll, how it's impacting our brains, and what we can do to stop it,How to manage the flow of accurate information into our lives,How to talk to people online,How to take care of ourselves,And things we can actually do to help out locally and globally.Along the way, we'll talk about why waiting for collapse isn't helping anyone and why you should never forget the mouse in your pocket.Things mentioned in this episode:Don't Believe Him | The Ezra Klein ShowOr read the transcript here.5 Best Apps to Limit Social Media TimeThe BrickInput/Output (Caitlin Kunkel Substack)Good Climate News (Alaina Wood Substack)Robert Reich SubstackLetters From An American (Heather Cox Richardson Substack)Indivisible.orgJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support fro

This is part four in a continuing series about slow fashion and inclusivity. Amanda is joined by some rad people doing great work making slow fashion more inclusive:Itohan Asemota is the founder of HNI Collective, a Philadelphia-based fashion service agency with a focus on size inclusivity and sustainability. Find Itohan on Instagram: @itsitohanheyMarlee Rosen is a slow fashion personal style coach and the host of Style Me Slowly Podcast, where she features size inclusive, slow fashion brands and designers. Find Marlee on Instagram: @stylemeslowlyNico Herzetty is the founder and CEO of Phoria, " a platform to help people find what fits their bodies, their style, and their priorities—and how we can support each other in that journey." Find Phoria on Instagram: @phoriafitsDonnelle Jageman is the founder of The Plus Swap and a cofounder of Philly FatCon.  Find Philly FatCon on Instagram:  @phillyfatconMaggie Greene (aka the Halloween Queen) is the Chief Everything Officer of Self Magnitude, an ethical microbusiness on a mission to transform how you see yourself by putting the personal in brand and style. Maggie helps leaders, entrepreneurs, and individual contributors of all gender expressions show up as their radically authentic selves, at work and in life, with confidence and without compromising their core values and ethics. In this episode we will discuss the following:Why so many new fast fashion brands have adopted the SHEIN model specifically to target plus size American women…and why that’s not a good thing...Why a lot of slow fashion marketing can feel a lot like regular old fast fashion marketingWhat we can learn from big brands that have totally blown their foray into extended sizingHow understanding our own personal style can help us slow down our shoppingAnd of course, how we can support slow fashion brands that are truly trying to be as inclusive as possible.Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you w

This is part three in a continuing series about slow fashion and inclusivity. In this episode you'll meet two people working to get more people into slow fashion and highlight size inclusive ethical brands:Itohan Asemota is the founder of HNI Collective, a Philadelphia-based fashion service agency with a focus on size inclusivity and sustainability. Find Itohan on Instagram: @itsitohanheyMarlee Rosen is a slow fashion personal style coach and the host of Style Me Slowly Podcast, where she features size inclusive, slow fashion brands and designers. Find Marlee on Instagram: @stylemeslowlyIn these two one-on-one conversations with Amanda, we will explore the following subjects:What challenges do small slow fashion brands face as they add more sizes?What advice does Itohan have for slow fashion brands who want to be more size inclusive?How do people who are new to slow fashion get started?How can we support the size inclusive slow fashion brands that are out there?Are pomegranates the sexiest fruit?Also, Amanda talks about "shock and awe" and how we can stay strong and energized. We'll dip our toe into the Target DEI situation and how it is a good reminder that the future is ethical small business.Join us for the fundraiser virtual workshop benefitting LA fire survivors!!!The topic is "How to talk to others about slow fashion."  February 5 at 7pm eastern♥ Tickets cost $10. In addition to access to the virtual workshop, you also get a discount code for 50% off the Clotheshorse merch shop (iron on transfers + stickers).♥ All ticket sales will be donated to GoFundMe’s for LA fire survivors.♥ Workshop will be conducted via Zoom.♥ Buy your tickets via Venmo or Paypal: Venmo: @crystal_visions PAYPAL: @AmandaLeeMcCarty♥ Send money as “friends and family” so we don’t lose a portion to fees.♥ INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS (so you can receive the calendar invite and other info)Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi:<a href="https

Despair. Apathy. Not believing that things can change and be better. Just fully discounting any possibility of progress.  Have you struggled with these feelings? It's called doomerism and you're not wrong for feeling that way.  In this week's episode, Amanda talks all about doomerism (and how to fight it off):Amanda shares what she learned on her desert road trip in search of optimism, with stops at National Parks and more than one geodesic domes.She will share her advice (gained through experience and lots of reading about this topic) for saving yourself from doomerism, while also building up your strength and energy to keep fighting the good fight.And she'll talk about why she is staying on social media.LINKS LINKS LINKSMontezuma Castle National MonumentArcosantiBiosphere 2Photos from Amanda's visit to Biosphere 2Spaceship Earth (documentary about Biosphere 2)Hotel McCoySaguaro National ParkAd Fontes Media Bias ChartJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Spokes & Stitches is a size-inclusive patternmaking and sewing studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patternmaker Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of designing and making their own clothes!  Ruby also provides professional services such as pattern digitization, size charts, patternmaking, and grading services for indie slow fashion brands that want to prioritize inclusive sizing. You c

In the final episode of 2024, Amanda is inspired by a conversation with her friend Janelle to explore board games that teach children (and adults) the “winner takes all” aspect of late stage capitalism and/or reinforce the message that success=stuff.We’ll take a journey through the history of board games, with a deep dive into the Game of Life.We’ll check out the shopping focused games of the 1980s and 90s, including Mall Madness.We will touch on some other games that just seem agonizing for adults to play, like Payday (too real).And we’ll explore the origin story of Monopoly, along with all of the other games that (accidentally or otherwise) seem to reinforce dumb ideas like the bootstrap myth.Amanda also talks about what a "no buy year" means to her (and somehow ties into board games, because why not).This episode also includes an audio essay from Eleisha of SHIFT, a refillery in Narberth, PA. Find SHIFT on Instagram: @mainlineshiftLearn more about board games:"Why the game of Life used to have poverty, suicide, and ruin," Phil Edwards, Vox.Ruthless: Monopoly's Secret History, American Experience (PBS)"5 Wild Facts About Mall Madness," Jake Rossen, Mental Floss.Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:Spokes & Stitches is a size-inclusive patternmaking and sewing studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Patternmaker Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring desig

This is part two in a continuing series about slow fashion and inclusivity. In this episode you'll meet two people working to make slow fashion more accessible for more people:Nico Herzetty is the founder and CEO of Phoria, " a platform to help people find what fits their bodies, their style, and their priorities—and how we can support each other in that journey." Find Phoria on Instagram: @phoriafitsDonnelle Jageman is the founder of The Plus Swap and a cofounder of Philly FatCon.  Find Philly FatCon on Instagram:  @phillyfatconIn these two one-on-one conversations with Amanda, we will explore the following subjects:What does "size inclusive" mean when we are talking about brands?What is the positive social impact of normalizing body diversity in fashion and media?Are there really ethically made clothes in larger sizes somewhere out there in the world?How can we build a more inclusive, stronger community via events?What does a more sustainable, inclusive fashion industry look like?And are deer really just forest ponies?Also, Amanda talks about the fashion industry's approach to just about everything (including inclusivity) feels so tired and antiquated. And why she is optimistic about the future of slow fashion in 2025.This episode gets started with an audio essay from Sarah of Summa Salts. She will explain how her business is focused on making access to good food easier for more people. Find Summa Salts on Instagram: @summasaltsRead this: "The Vogue Business Spring/Summer 2025 size inclusivity report," Lucy Maguire and Maliha ShoaibCheck this out: selltradeplusJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episo

Amanda is joined by Sushmita, the person behind Ethical Fat Fashion, the "coolest fat positive fashion newsletter amplifying ethical size diverse brands.”   In this episode--recorded in a karaoke room in Tokyo--Amanda and Sushmita discuss the following:“Sustainable fashion” has an inclusivity problem. Meaning: it still focuses on thin, white, young, wealthier cis-gendered women. Why is that still the case, years into the sustainability movement in fashion?How can we change that? I always feel like I am part of a growing diverse community of primarily working class people, yet I still see many brands and organizations continuing to focus on the same thin/white/young/rich people. Why is it important for slow fashion to be a movement/community for everyone?Conversations about cost are particularly difficult because we know that the prices of ultra fast fashion are only possible because the clothes are low quality and someone suffered to make them.  Fast fashion has warped our sense of value and how much clothing should cost. How do we untangle that? And how is skipping fast fashion an issue of class solidarity?The societal expectation around how much clothing we should have has changed drastically over the years, especially during the fast fashion era. And so we think we need a lot of clothes that are inexpensive, rather than a lot less clothing at a higher price. Sushimita will share her thoughts on that and how we change our perception of value and the quantity of clothing we own.Also: Why we should shop from small brands, debunking the myth that there are no sustainable brands that make larger sizes, and so much more!This episode gets started with a small business audio episode from Lisa of Top Stitch Mending. And Amanda wraps up the episode discussing how the recent election here in the United States has her thinking about the power of community and communication.Give everyone a follow:Sushmita: @ethicalfatfashion on every platformEthical Fat Fashion on Substack@topstitchmendingJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy t

Amanda has a cold, so this week's episode is the return of a 2022 classic, Part 1 of the 12 Days of Slow Gifting with Maggie Greene!Gifting is an easy place for us to begin to educate others about the impact of overconsumption, while creating new traditions and changing societal behaviors!  Maggie Greene (The Halloween Queen) joins Amanda to introduce The 12 Days of Slow Gifting. This is part 1 of 2.  We’ll be explaining what slow gifting is, how to have difficult conversations about gift boundaries (like “no gifts”) with the people in your life, the importance of shopping small and we will have a ton of secondhand gift ideas for the people in your life!  Also in this episode: audio essays from Bea of Heke Design, Ruby of Spokes & Stitches, and Kait of Mystical Glow Candle Company.Find everyone on IG:Maggie: @greenstylemagsHeke design: @heke.designRuby: @spokesandstitchesKait: @mysticalglowcandlecoFollow along with The 12 Days of Slow Gifting here.Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artists and artisans, with something for every budget. Discover more a

Clotheshorse (aka Amanda) was in Japan!And in this week's episode--the last in the Japan series--Amanda breaks down why everything is so cute in Japan.We'll talk about the following:Why are the fruit bus stops of Konagai a lesson in Instagram versus reality (but also so cool and special)?What is Don Quijote and why is the song a real earworm?What are eki-melo (駅メロ)  and why are they an important tool?Why are signs and public information so cute in Japan?What is the history of kawaii culture and aesthetic?And why does Amanda believe that pink and cuteness are radical things in 2024?Parfaiteria BelHotel Graphy NezuT's Tan TanTraveler's CompanyDon Quijote Theme SongGaijinPot Tokyo Train Tunes playlistExample of construction barriers in JapanJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Taro

Clotheshorse (aka Amanda) is in Japan!And in this week's episode, recorded in Nagasaki, Amanda shares the story of fake food (Shokuhin Sampuru, 食品サンプル) in Japan.We'll talk about the following:The history of food replicas in Japan (and why showing the actual food available in a restaurant was necessary for a long time),How department stores in Japan compare to department stores in the US,Why Takizo Iwasaki is considered the "Father of Japanese Fake Food,"How fake food is made,Amanda and Christine's trip to Sample Village Iwasaki in Gujo Hachiman, where they tried their hand at making fake food,And more highlights from Amanda's journey through Japan!Sample Village IwasakiSteamed pudding in BeppuWhere Amanda stayed in Beppu with the amazing breakfastGujo HachimanWhat Amanda is reading right now: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee.Join the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingl

Clotheshorse (aka Amanda) is in Japan!And in this week's episode, recorded in Kyoto, Amanda shares the history of Japanese convenience stores and why they are loved by tourists and the Japanese alike.  We'll talk about the following:The impact of convenience stores on low income people in the United States (and the reality of living in a food desert),The history of the convenience stores  (konbini) in Japan,Why Amanda loves Denny's in Japan,Amanda's thoughts on the best items at each chain.And of course, so much more!Read Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata.Get your onigiri at Asahi Imports in Austin.This book contains Amanda's favorite potato salad recipe.Hotel Graphy Nezu: where Amanda always stays in TokyoJoin the conversation on the Clotheshorse Slack! Sign up here!Get your Clotheshorse merch here: https://clotheshorsepodcast.com/shop/If you want to share your opinion/additional thoughts on the subjects we cover in each episode, feel free to email, whether it’s a typed out message or an audio recording:  [email protected] you enjoy this episode? Consider "buying me a coffee" via Ko-fi: ko-fi.com/clotheshorseFind this episode's transcript (and so much more) at clotheshorsepodcast.comClotheshorse is brought to you with support from the following sustainable small businesses:The Pewter Thimble Is there a little bit of Italy in your soul? Are you an enthusiast of pre-loved decor and accessories? Bring vintage Italian style — and history — into your space with The Pewter Thimble (@thepewterthimble). We source useful and beautiful things, and mend them where needed. We also find gorgeous illustrations, and make them print-worthy. Tarot cards, tea towels and handpicked treasures, available to you from the comfort of your own home. Responsibly sourced from across Rome, lovingly renewed by fairly paid artis