Ladies, I need all of you to get really excited, because we’re going to update your wardrobe in a way that you won’t even have to feel guilty about! How can you feel that bad about your new digs when you know that you’re helping clothe children in Africa or raise awareness about breast cancer? It’s something that even your hubby can’t fault you for when he sees the credit card statement, right?
I’m not saying that there aren’t less self indulgent ways to give back, but selling clothing to support a social cause is a creative way that social enterprises are using in lieu of donations that have been declining in the past few years. It seems that people are more willing to give money if they get something in return – fancy that! And in turn, these organizations are selling some pretty nice clothes and doing some really amazing things with the proceeds.
TOMS Shoes – I’m starting here because it’s a fashion statement that everyone seems to be familiar with these days. It hardly seems mentioning, but for anyone that doesn’t know, I feel like I need to tell you. When you buy a pair of TOMS adorable canvas shoes (now in different styles such as flats, sneakers, wedges, etc. as well), the organization gives a pair of shoes to a child in need. Shoes, their website tells us, are a prerequisite to attend school in many countries, and help to not only educate but instill confidence in children. They also now sell sunglasses that help individuals get the eye care that they need.
Common Threadz – When you buy an item from the Common Threadz store, they either donate a school uniform to an orphan in Africa or give them meals for a month. The fact that someone can eat for a month off of the cost of a t-shirt is really staggering to me, which is why I think everyone should know about this organization! They even have a line of clothes that are designed by some of the orphans your purchases are going to help benefit, and they’re really great! Head on over and get yourself some cute new shirts (they have the designs on dresses, too!).
No One Without – Every purchase made of their well-made, fashionable clothing items allows an individual access to clean water for 25 years. This is another mission that really rattles me, because we are going to buy clothes anyway, so why shouldn’t that purchase of a $50 sweatshirt benefit someone else’s life? It’s so simple, and yet means so much.
FashionABLE – These scarves are truly something else! Not only are they gorgeous, but they help create sustainable businesses in Africa. Your purchase of a scarf will help a woman be employed who might not be by other means, and might turn to something as dire as prostitution without a steady job. FashionABLE gives those women the dignity of having a job, and also uses manufacturers that employ for fair wages and work conditions. It’s an everybody wins situation, and when you research it further, it’s truly an incredible business model. Ladies, do yourselves a favor and check out these gorgeous scarves, and empower some women around the world while you’re at it!
Goodwill – I love thrift shopping! There’s something about being in a big store of cheap stuff that I have always taken well to. I might be the only one, but it took me a while until I realized what Goodwill’s mission actually is. The empower people through job training programs and give people a chance for employment that they might not have had in their socioeconomic class, or in the life situation that they’re in. They firmly believe that everyone is employable and it’s their mission to build people. Think about that next time you’re in one of their stores, and I guarantee you’ll appreciate it a whole lot more!
There you go, ladies! Time to get to shopping! What’s your favorite clothing based cause that gives back?
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