Garment workers are frequently the most exploited workers in the country. For too long, Americans, while abhorring sweatshop conditions, have nonetheless accepted it in the garment industry. For too long, American consumers have either ignored or felt powerless to change these conditions.

Government enforcement can do only so much. The U.S. Department of Labor has taken meaningful-and innovative-steps to bring long-term solutions to the problem of sweatshops. These steps include a multi-faceted strategy of aggressive enforcement of the laws, consumer and industry education, public recognition of good practices, and collaborations like the White House Apparel Industry Partnership that bring together industry, unions, consumers, and human rights groups to develop real solutions to eradicate sweatshops once and for all.

We also must get consumers to care. American shoppers can and should ask retailers questions about where and how the garments are made. They can ask retailers whether they independently monitor garment manufacturers to avoid buying from sweatshops.

Sweatshops are an ugly stain on American Fashion. It is up to all of us to remove it. Working together, consumers, manufacturers, retailers, unions, and government can ensure that dignity and decent wages for garment workers is a fashion that never goes out of style.