Our Values

Buy Once, Buy Well

Anything worth buying should be worth caring for. That's why we look for objects that are made to last and designed to withstand changing trends.

Did you know that by some estimates, Americans buy an average of 68 new pieces of new clothing each year, and that Americans wear those clothes an average of only 7 times before discarding them? Corporations have sold us the idea that buying a lot of cheap, poorly made things that don't last is the norm. It doesn't have to be!

That's why all of the items Short Wave sells--not just clothing--are well made and designed with usability, comfort, and durability in mind. We offer goods that are worth investing in because they will outlast and outshine their cheaper counterparts.

We can’t shop our way out of the ecological and economic crises we're in, but by making more intentional choices (within our budgets, of course), we can help combat consumerism and disposable culture. We want to sell you only what you will use often and cherish for a long time.

Ethical Manufacturing

We carefully vet all of the brands we work with to ensure that they are engaged in ethical manufacturing practices that respect workers and the planet.

We primarily source our products from countries known to have high labor standards and look for Fair Trade Certified and artisan made products. We love working with individual craftspeople and small companies with many generations of manufacturing experience who are preserving traditional production methods. We believe that everyone deserves a living wage, and that if something is cheap, it’s probably because someone didn’t get paid enough to make it!

Environmental Impact

Reducing Short Wave’s environmental impact is at the forefront of all of our decisions, so we carry things made with natural materials and ingredients.

All body care items are packaged in glass, metal or paper, we do not carry products made from plastic, all clothing is made from natural fibers, and we carry many recycled, organic and low waste products. However, Short Wave is not 100% plastic free. Some of our body care items have plastic spray or pump tops, most of our socks have a small amount of synthetic fiber, and some of our food and stationery items are packaged in plastic sleeves.

All online orders are packed in reused materials and all of our tissue, tags, bags, paper tape and labels are made from recycled paper and soy based ink.

Size Inclusivity

We carry clothing in sizes XS - 5XL, with most clothes falling in the S - 2XL range. Check out the Available in 3XL or Better collection to see our current offerings above 2XL. Do you have a favorite size inclusive ethical clothing brand? Please let us know!

Giving Back

Short Wave currently contributes about 3% of profits to nonprofit organizations and mutual aid efforts each year.

Some of the groups I support are the Chinook Indian Nation, Lower Columbia Q Center, North Coast Land Conservancy, Clatsop Community Action, Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition and the National Bail Out.

Have a Question or Suggestion?

I'd love to hear from you! I really value customer feedback and I'm always happy to answer any questions about my business practices & the people I work with.

Email hello@shortwaveastoria.com with your thoughts.

Thank you for shopping small and supporting my business!

-Ari