October is a month of commemoration. I’ll be turning 24 (woot!) and I’ll also be using these four weeks to honor both National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Both breast cancer and domestic violence impact women in myriad ways. Every nine seconds a woman in America is assaulted or beaten, according to the Domestic Violence Statistics website. Domestic violence is also the leading cause of injury to women in the United States.
Breast cancer statistics are equally as depressing. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 200,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in the United States in 2013.
We aren’t scientists at LoveBrownSugar, but we are women that believe in using fashion to elevate important causes, like awareness of breast cancer and domestic violence. So, here are five ways to use fashion to promote causes this October.
1. Shop H&M’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer collection.
The popular retailer is partnering with the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides against Breast Cancer initiative to promote National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. For the eighth year, H&M is donating 25% of all sales to the initiative. They’ve also created a collection of adorable pink accessories, like the scarf and beanie, specifically to promote the importance of breast cancer awareness. The products won’t break the budget, since they start at $5.95, so head to a H&M store soon to chip in for an important cause.
2. Buy the Evelyn Lauder Dream Compact.
Estee Lauder is doing its part to support breast cancer research. The retailer is offering a limited edition makeup compact that features an array of purples, pinks and reds to commemorate National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It retails for $49.50, and all proceeds will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
3. Shop the NFL’s breast cancer awareness collection
Football fans unite! The National Football League has partner with the American Cancer Society to launch the “A Crucial Catch” campaign, which advocates for women to have annual breast cancer screenings. The NFL is raising funds this month by offering official merchandise, including pink polo shirts and cute gray-and-pink jerseys.
4. Purchase a tribute pin.
Simple gestures matter, and tribute pins are an elegant, classy way to remember those that have lost their lives to breast cancer and domestic violence. The Avon Foundation has a simple breast cancer awareness pin for $3 while Designs by Lucinda has a domestic violence awareness pin for $18.
5. Buy a National Domestic Violence Hotline t-shirt.
Healthy relationships require both partners to have love, dignity and respect for each other. The National Domestic Violence Hotline is reminding us of those important attributes with a t-shirt campaign. The t-shirts are simple, but pack a powerful message.
6. Paint The Town Pink
Here at LBS, we’re obviously nail-obsessed (See ‘Nails‘ for proof) so it goes without saying that pink nails are more than en vogue when they support breast cancer awareness. OPI Pink of Hearts was specifically created to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure and the nail powerhouse will be donating over $250K to the cause.
7. Brush Up
Did you know designer and mogul Sonia Kashuk was a breast cancer survivor? Well as part of her continued efforts to further the cause, she’s offering a special set of makeup brushes that retail at just $12.99 from Target. 15% of the price goes towards the Breast Cancer Research Fund.
Can’t contribute monetarily this time around?
Elizabeth Arden is also running a Pin It To Give It Campaign on Pinterest. If you re-pin one of their “Pin It To Give It” pins, one lipstick will be donated to a breast cancer patient in need of an emotional boost. No monetary contribution necessary – all it takes is a re-pin!
How will you be supporting fashion for a cause this month?