Today as I was putting together my outfit I realized that everything I was wearing was purchased either from a local thrift store, consignment shop or small business, so I decided to set my focus on that today by “shouting out” these businesses and showing others that you can dress fashionably on a budget. *(Check out and Follow them on Instagram–see links below)
Purchasing clothes from local Thrift Stores, Consignment Shops and Artisans, helps fight human trafficking because we are not purchasing the fast, cheap fashions that the victims of modern slavery are forced to produce. It also helps our communities and local people in our neighborhoods, plus it is much more affordable to us financially and saves clothing that might otherwise end up in our landfills. It’s a Win-Win situation for all!
If you do shop for new clothing you can help by purchasing only Fair Trade & Ethical Brands
and/or asking “Who made these clothes?”
Also, consider buying less by challenging yourself to repeat wearing of clothing that you creatively accessorize so that it looks different each time.
Many of us Dressember Advocates are doing that with the dresses we are wearing this month.
It’s challenging, but fun, to see how many new looks we can create from the same dress!
I have been doing that daily for 18 days this month and I am amazed at how just putting on a different jacket, scarf, leggings, hat, necklace, etc. can change the way a dress looks. Also, to keep warmer in cold weather adding a top or sweater or skirt over the dress helps make it look different plus adds warmth.
All in all, it just takes a bit more time perhaps, but if it can help set a victim of slavery free or bring justice to someone in a human trafficking situation, then it is all certainly worth it.
Financial donations in any amount also help greatly as they fund the 15 organizations Dressember supports.
Links to Donate are listed below. Thank you. Leona
My Dressember USA Fundraiser Page
https://www.dressember2019.org/fundraiser/leona-atkinson
My Dressember Facebook Fundraiser:
https://www.facebook.com/donate/535411320353431/
Local Business Instagram Shout-Out:
Family Finds Oregon-Thrift Store-McMinnville, OR. https://www.instagram.com/familyfindsoregon
New To You Consignment Shop–McMinnville, OR. https://www.instagram.com/shopnewtoyou
The World Is My Oyster Jewelry–Ricci Haworth https://www.instagram.com/the_worldismyoysterjewelry
Goodwill Thrift Store–McMinnville, OR. https://www.instagram.com/goodwillintl