The AP reports on a growing trend: American Apparel and SweatX, which specialize in T-shirts and other casual clothes, are marketing themselves as "sweatshop-free" to boost sales among young consumers. Being socially responsible isn't easy in a business like the garment trade, which has low profit margins and customers more interested in price than politics. Some industry analysts say success could lie in the right mix of style and social consciousness. At Los Angeles-based American Apparel, the average pay among the 1,700 workers on the sewing floor is about $12.50 an hour, nearly twice the state minimum of $6.75, said CEO Dov Charney. Workers also get paid vacation days and health benefits for $8 a week. SweatX was founded by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees in 2002 with $1.5 million from the Hot Fudge Social Venture Fund established by Ben & Jerry's co-founder Ben Cohen. Workers at the Los Angeles-based firm make $10.60 an hour while getting medical coverage and two weeks of paid vacation a year. More power to them.