Do Good While Looking Good

It’s the internal conflict that haunts us socially conscious shopaholics — whether to spend our hard-earned money on those designer jeans we want so badly or to donate it to deserving charities on a mission to change the world. Let’s face it, it’s easy to feel ridiculous walking down the street carrying a purse that costs more than some people’s cars. Finally, there is a solution that will please both your closet and your conscience.

There are more companies than ever who are dedicated to giving back to the community by donating a portion of their proceeds to charity. Lush Cosmetics, known for its fresh, handmade cosmetics, offers a line of "less packaging" products as well as a truly indulgent hand and body lotion appropriately named Charity Pot. A fat 100 percent of the proceeds from every lotion sold go directly to worthy charities around the globe.

And in the world of fashion celebrities seem to make the rules. Now it’s easier than ever to copy their styles by bidding on actual garments they have worn. Clothes Off Our Back Foundation hosts charity auctions in which celebrities donate their personal items to be auctioned and all the proceeds are donated to children’s charities. Finally a reason to splurge on that designer handbag!

There are thousands more companies out there that sacrifice cash in their pockets for a better world for us all to live in. It’s worth doing a few minutes of research before the next time we swipe those credit cards. Together, we can make a bigger statement with our fashion, we can change the world.