November 26, 2013
5 Ways to Become a Socially Conscious Fashion Connoisseur
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Ready to drop some cash for holiday gifts? If you're like most people, you've also got your eye out for gifts that give back. According to adage.com, more than 83 percent of Americans wish brands would support charitable causes.
From comfortable scrubs that make perfect pajamas to shoes and glasses, companies of all sizes are stepping up to help those in need, proving that philanthropy is the new trend.
Here are five charitable partnerships where your purchases can help pay it forward with fashion:
1. Millions of people around the world can't afford or access clean scrubs, resulting in the astronomical rise in disease and infection. FIGS' "Threads for Threads" business model donates a set of scrubs to a healthcare provider in need for every pair of scrubs it sells. Since last year, FIGS has donated more than 5,000 sets of scrubs in 10 different countries.
2. Salute The Brave supports U.S. Armed Forces. The company's "Be a Hero, For a Hero" business model is pretty trendy: For every hat Salute The Brave sells, a hat is donated overseas in a care package to a United States serviceman or woman.
3. For all you mommy/mommy and daddy/daddy couples, Baby Teresa's "Buy Once, Give Twice" campaign is simple: For each baby outfit sold, Baby Teresa also donates to another child in need.
4. Seeing is believing. And in the case of Warby Parker, double vision is a good thing. For every pair of eyeglasses sold, the company donates a pair. To date that number exceeds 500,000 pairs of glasses.
5. Sometimes change comes one step at a time. Thanks to TOMS Shoes, children and teens in more than 60 countries are benefitting from this basic necessity.
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.