Square T-Shirts from SANS
by Kara DiCamillo, Newport, Rhode Island on 06.21.07
“Hip to be square” is the tagline that these four-sided, “on the verge of fashion stardom” tees are now known for. At first, we were curious how these fascinating pieces would fit but then decided that they were definitely wearable because of their uniqueness. Designed by SANS, an award-winning young label from New York, it seems all of their clothes are made in an environmentally conscientious manner. What we like is that all of their designs are very basic, yet have a different concept to them as well. These square tees are unisex and limited editions, made especially for Hint Fashion Magazine. They are made from a cotton-soy blend, have a slight stretch, come in three colors and feature little pop-up corners at the shoulders. Looks like we found our perfect tee to throw on for a bike ride or wear to the office on a hot summer day. Via ::Hint Fashion Magazine ::SANS
They're neat, but they're not tee shirts, they're tank tops.
I have to say these are cute, but $87 is quite steep for a T-shirt. I want to think about the environment, but I also have to think that $87 can also buy 87 tacos.
With $200 hemp jeans or the $27 Soy socks that SANS sells, overpriced environmental fashion just isn't cutting it.
Nice!
> $87 is quite steep for a T-shirt.
Actually these are only $69 on www.HintMag.com.
Have you checked prices for designer t-shirts lately? Most are just the standard 50 year old design with some advertising for the brand on it and they cost much more.
These are unique designs made in the US and from organic/eco fabrics. Made is US (nyc no less) is not as cheap as Bangladesh (a la H&M).
Only $69... That is still a lot. Who cares if it's designer.
OK so I just graduated FIT (fashion design) and maybe I can explain to the guy who likes tacos and other bargain hunters who may be confused.
Real Cost of NY Made T-Shirt
Skilled sewer in New York City $20-25/hr
Time to make shirt in a small run = prob 30-45 minutes each
Specialty fabric (like soy/organic cotton) - ~$8-12/yd ($3-4/shirt)
Dyeing in small batch with low-impact reactive dye $8-10/shirt
Markup expected by designer stores = 2.5 x wholesale
Real Cost of H&M
Sewer in Bangladesh $20/month
Time to make shirt in a large run = 3 minutes
Cheap polluting cotton fabric $1/yd (.33/shirt)
Dyeing with cheap polluting dyes $0.20/shirt
Markup for stores is much more but times a small amount so you don't notice. They more than make up for it because they sell millions of these.
That is why a limited edition, unique design will cost more. They are not making millions of them overseas and so it costs more to make them. They are choosing sustainable fabrics and making it in New York City (think about how much you pay for a starbucks coffee here).
If you are not looking for that uniqueness then you are not the customer. You probably would choose the $5 H&M tee and are not really all that concerned about the social and environmental impact.
Why not really get your money's worth and buy an XXXL H&M Tee? You would still have enough money to buy those 80+ tacos to fill it out.
disclaimer: I'm estimating here from based on what taught in school and some best guesses so may be slightly off. Cited google'd sources below. Cost of Tacos based on earlier comment
Google Sources:
Bangladesh : http://www.newint.org/features/2006/04/01/consumer/
Sweatshop : http://www.answers.com/topic/sweatshop
OK so I just finished my last year at FIT (fashion institute) and maybe I can explain to the guy who likes tacos and other bargain hunters who may be confused.
Real Cost of NY Made T-Shirt
Skilled sewer in New York City $20-25/hr
Time to make shirt in a small run = prob 30-45 minutes each
Specialty fabric (like soy/organic cotton) - ~$8-12/yd ($3-4/shirt)
Dyeing in small batch with low-impact reactive dye $8-10/shirt
Markup expected by designer stores = 2.5 x wholesale
Real Cost of H&M
Sewer in Bangladesh $20/month
Time to make shirt in a large run = 3 minutes
Cheap polluting cotton fabric $1/yd (.33/shirt)
Dyeing with cheap polluting dyes $0.20/shirt
Markup for stores is much more but times a small amount so you don't notice. They more than make up for it because they sell millions of these.
That is why a limited edition, unique design will cost more. They are not making millions of them overseas and so it costs more to make them. They are choosing sustainable fabrics and making it in New York City (think about how much you pay for a starbucks coffee here).
If you are not looking for that uniqueness then you are not the customer. You probably would choose the $5 H&M tee and are not really all that concerned about the social and environmental impact.
Why not really get your money's worth and buy an XXXL H&M Tee? You would still have enough money to buy those 80+ tacos to fill it out.
Google Sources:
Bangladesh : http://www.newint.org/features/2006/04/01/consumer/
Sweatshop : http://www.answers.com/topic/sweatshop
Their models look like they just got out of Dachau.