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Not Sorry Goods featured in the Detroit Metro Times

Not Sorry Goods was recently featured on The Detroit Metro Times! Here's a snippet of the article:

 

Ferndale’s Not Sorry Goods, an eco-conscious, queer-friendly fashion shop, rescues the old

By 

In the heart of Ferndale lies the woman-, Black-, and Latinx-owned Not Sorry Goods, a stylish, safe haven for the unapologetic. Underneath a rainbow-tinged neon “OPEN” sign, a bold message against intolerance is etched on a glass pane near the door: “NO PLACE FOR Homophobia, Transphobia, Violence, Racism, Sexism, Hate.” Inside, a shock of pristine, stark white walls help frame eye-popping garments appealing to both masculine and feminine styles and silhouettes, neatly curated as if one was stepping into an art gallery. The embroidery machine stands in clear view, so patrons can see the process of reinvigorating looks firsthand. A wall of fake, forest-green vines serves as the backdrop behind a cash register surrounded by tidily displayed stickers, earrings, patches, and other accessories. In the back of the store, a vintage tangerine sofa is situated near the dressing area. Full-length mirrors abound for model posing and selfie-takers. The bold ‘fits, harking back to ’90s and Y2K style eras, feel like political acts of resistance as much as wearable art which seduces the imagination. Your dollars may not be safe for long.

READ the rest of the article HERE

 

Secure the Bag Sale Returns Saturday, April 1

Secure the Bag Sale Returns Saturday, April 1

After a two-year hiatus, the iconic Secure the Bag Sale returns on Saturday, April 1, 2023 from 12-7pm and will take place at our flagship store, 22963 Woodward Ave Ferndale MI 48220. 

This Fill-A-Bag sale features racks of deeply discounted vintage & upcycled clothing from the past year. You can RSVP for this event here.

See FAQ & Details Below:

Date & Time: April 1 from 12-7PM

Location: 22963 Woodward Ave. 

Pricing:

- $30 Fill-A-Bag (BYO Tote Bag) - preferred tote dimensions: 15" x16"

- $45 Fill-A-Bag (We Provide the Tote)

*NO IKEA bags, duffel bags or oversized totes ALLOWED*

*NO RETURNS*

1 - How does this sale work?

Step by step:

  1. $30 Fill-A-Bag (BYO Totebag  standard size - 15" x16"); Cost is $45 if you need to buy a tote

  2. Upon payment, you will be allowed to enter the “shop”

  3. Fill the tote with as much clothes as it can fit. All items must fit in your bag. No stacking allowed.

  4. Go home a happy shopper 😎

 

2 - Am I paying additional for the clothes that fit in my bag?

NO you pay once and everything that fits in your tote is yours. No additional payment.

3 - What if all my clothes don’t fit in one bag?

You must purchase another tote to fill it with the clothes that don’t fit. All items must fit securely in your bag. No stacking allowed.

4 - Can I shop before I buy a tote?

No you will not be allowed to enter the “shop” until a tote is purchased.

5 - Can I split a bag with a friend?

No everyone needs their own bag in order to shop.

6 - Is there parking?

Yes, there is a metered parking lot available behind our building.

7 - If I don’t RSVP can I still attend?

Absolutely! RSVP is not required to attend. 

8 - Can I return or exchange an item?

NO all items are FINAL SALE.

9 - Is there a preferred method of payment?

We accept credit cards and cash. Please try and come with exact change to help us out.

10 - Will items be organized by size/ season/ article type?

Everything is mostly organized by style. You will still have to sift through for your size. We will not be organizing racks throughout the day so they may not be sorted by style when you arrive.

11 - Will basics and crewnecks from the Not Sorry website be on the racks?

Some oopsie garments that have a small defects will be available on the racks.

12 - Where can I purchase basics or crewnecks?

You can shop online or in store at the Flagship.

13 - Will any of the apparel be Detroit Not Sorry items or have anything Detroit on them? I’m confused what upcycled means.

Yes! All the sale items are second hand…some of it is straight up vintage and some of it has been upcycled meaning we added our designs to them, like our Detroit Not Sorry print.

14 - Will there be a public restroom available?

No Public Restrooms are available, but Treat Dreams next door has restrooms

15 - Will there be fitting rooms?

Yes, there will be a couple of fitting rooms available.

 

 

5 Ways We Reuse + Upcycled Fabric Scraps

5 Ways We Reuse + Upcycled Fabric Scraps

1 - Handbags 

We love making accessories out of fabric scraps! Above is a photo of a small handbag made by our intern Lakiya! This handbag was made from several different scraps of denim jeans. Each one is completely unique and original! 

2- Patches

Patches are such a fun and easy way to re-use scraps, especially small scraps that can't be used for a pattern! These smiley face patches are a great example of how we use small denim strips to create textured patches. 

3 - Pockets 

 

Pockets are always an interesting way to jazz up a basic top. We love using our t-shirt scraps to make pockets! Check out the video of the upcycled pockets we made for India Solomon's latest drop. The pockets feature her artwork turned into embroidery for a thoughtful detail added to the garments. We love using the tee scraps because they're already finished on a cover stitch, so they make any upcycled pocket look instantly polished! 


4 -Trendy Tops

 

 

This pattern was made from one of our old tank tops we traced and graded! What's great about the panels is that you can mix and match different scraps to create a completely one-of-a-kind garment. We will be making these paneled tops all summer long! 


5 - Scrunchies

One of our absolute favorite ways to upcycled scraps is to turn them into scrunchies! It's a great way to salvage the last bits of scrap!

This week we're celebrating Earth Week by giving out FREE upcycled scrunchie with any in-store purchase over $25! 

How do you reuse and upcycle in your life? 

15 Tips on How to Shop Sustainably for Your Clothes

15 Tips on How to Shop Sustainably for Your Clothes

How we shop and care for our clothing are easy ways to reduce our carbon footprint and protect our planet’s soil, fresh waters, and oceans. 

Here are some simple tips to fill an environmentally-friendly closet with a wardrobe that looks great and lasts a long time:

Shop secondhand first. Buy pre-owned clothing from thrift shops, consignment shops, vintage sources, and online resale shops. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll be reducing impacts on the environment and waste from the overproduction of new merchandise.

Buy fewer clothes. Value what you buy.  Buy clothes you know you will wear many times because they look good and fit well.  With carefully chosen clothes, you can mix and match items to create many different looks. Fewer, better-made clothes with the right accessories can give you a more sophisticated and stylish look than volumes of cheaper clothing. 

Bonus: You’ll look better and find creativity in styling on your own.

Invest only in clothes you really like and need. Consider not what is being pushed at you by fashion designers but instead look at your own style and what you want to communicate.  Before you buy a new piece of clothing, consider if you have a similar piece in your wardrobe already.

Shop locally. Buy from local shops for clothes, buy from local craftspeople to accessorize your outfits and use your neighborhood tailor for adjustments. 

Earth-friendly benefit: Buying clothes locally reduces carbon emissions from shipping while supporting your local economy.

Swap with friends and neighborsHost a clothing swap with friends. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll divert waste from landfills while having fun adding pieces to your wardrobe!

Donate, don’t throw out. One person’s trash is another’s treasure. Donate  unwanted clothing to thrift stores or local shelters instead of throwing them out.

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll divert waste from landfills while supporting your local community.

Upcycle clothing. You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment. 

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll divert waste from landfills and save money! When you repair your clothes, you make each piece unique and special!

Sell unwanted clothing. Sell your clothing on online or brick and mortar resale shops. There are so many websites and apps which allow you to buy and sell used clothing. Here is a short list of sites you can use to simplify your closet.

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll divert waste from landfills while earning money!

Upcycle clothing. You can work wonders with a pair of scissors and a needle and thread and give new life to an old garment. 

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll divert waste from landfills and save money! When you repair your clothes, you make each piece unique and special!

Other Tips:

Go natural. Buy clothing made with natural fabric fibers instead of synthetic fabrics. Natural alternatives to synthetic fabrics include cotton, linen, bamboo, flax, jute, silk, wool, and alpaca. Also look into low impact materials such as Modal and Lyocell.  Avoid polyester, nylon, spandex and acrylic. These materials are made from petroleum, a high-emission fossil fuel

Earth-friendly benefit:  You’ll reduce the amount of microplastics in rivers and oceans that come from synthetic fibers that shed during washing.


Buy organic. Buy clothing made with organic fabrics when you can.

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll play a part in reducing the use of pesticides and herbicides as well as keeping the Earth’s water sources clean.


Shop sustainable brands. Choose ethical brands that care about the environment, pay their workers fairly, and are transparent across their entire supply chain – not just one part.  Many companies promote certain clothing lines as having been made with renewable materials, but still use unethical labor practices to make the clothing. Make sure to do your research on a brand before you buy from them. 

Earth-friendly benefit: You’ll be taking business away from companies that pollute our planet in favor of ones that care about people and the Earth.


Shop for quality over quantity. Higher quality pieces often last longer. Check the workmanship of your clothing. Check seams and zippers. Shop with durability in mind even if it is somewhat more costly. Investing in well-made clothes will save you money in the long run by not having to keep replacing items. 

Bonus: With many more wears, your investment will pay off over time.


Buy from designers who will repair their garments for free or for a small fee. High-quality items usually have lifetime guarantees or are made to be repairable. On the other hand, trendy, low-quality items are sometimes made to last one season and be thrown away. 


Buy from designers or organizations that are willing to take back their used garments and recycle them or find responsible organizations that will recycle. They may even give credit or cash back for your used clothes.


Look for certifications. It is important to keep an eye out for certifications which prove that clothes are made sustainably and ethically. Here is a detailed list of certifications to look for when purchasing from a company.