Fashion it Forward

Everyone and their dog has heard of Toms shoes. It’s a great movement and why not? It’s perfect. We are American and in our culture we don’t give unless we get. So how do you get people to give, by letting them get what they are giving… got it? GOOD.

I was perusing facebook today and saw that an old friend from college just got a new pair of Toms glasses. Brilliant Toms is expanding!!! And it got me thinking where else can my dollar both benefit me and someone in need? Here are a few things I found.

Tom’s eyewear. In thier one for one campaign, if you buy their glasses for roughly $150, they will see to it that a child in need receives medical treatment, prescription glasses or sight saving surgery. So yeah, they are expensive but to me it’s worth it. I will be asking for some for Christmas ... Who needs Ray Bans when you can have Toms?

Bob’s shoes by Sketchers. Yes they are a deliberate knock off of Tom’s but you get the same great charity look for less price and they too donate a pair of shoes overseas. At around $42 why not be trendy, savvy and globally aware? I say go for it!

Next is a company right here in Texas… Don’t believe me just check out the shoe and you will have no doubt.

Lizzie Lou Shoes is a flip flop company in San Antonio TX. She partners with Soles4souls , and for every pair of pink bedazzled flip flops Texas women buy from her, she sends a new pair of shoes to charity. Not my style, but a giving heart comes in all styles. At $100 a pop you've got to really love the flash and bling to drop the dough.

Want to get your kiddos in on the fun at an early age? The online store Olive Juice sales trendy kids’ clothes.  (They are really cute!!!!) And a little more reasonable, at $62 you can buy this dress with a clean conscious knowing another deserving child will also given a new item of clothing.

Ok guys don’t feel left out I’ve found the most reasonable item for you. With their slogan of “U buy1, We give 1” you can’t pass up Antiveenon’s inside out army green T. At only $21 you get to look good and feel good about it.

I am sure there are plenty of other great charity brands out there but I really like the fact that these ones think globally and address the needs of people where they are. It doesn’t hurt to be fashion forward while you pay it forward.