Get a Little, Give A lot

With spring in full swing and summer right around the corner (here in Pittsburgh you know 'tis the season when everyone starts complaining how hot it is!) you're probably starting to think of revamping your wardrobe after all that spring cleaning. Well, when you're out shopping looking for those styles that make you heart pitter-patter -- you know that fabulous dress, cozy v-neck tee, all those nice shiny statement piece jewelry items -- just ponder on this for a minute: what if those awesome clothes and accessories you're buying  could do some good for someone else too? 

Well that's the idea behind this entry. The following 22 designers are literally the coolest because they give back to the less privileged when you purchase their duds! Wanna see what rad stuff they have in store for you? Check it out in the slide show below (and for all the deets on the designer, the item, and the website, just hover your cursor, or finger if on mobile, over the image): 

Market Colors

Market Colors' mission is called a "Handmade Impact"—the idea that collaborating with craftsmen in Ethiopia, Kenya and Malawi on 100% handmade items, can make a difference.

Polished Medallion Clutch in Tribal,  $36.00

Market Colors

Headbands of Hope

For every headband purchased, $1 is donated to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a non-profit to fund child cancer research, and one is given to a child with cancer. Awesome right?

Anna Banana Headband, $14.85

Headbands of Hope

Elegantees

Elegantees is a clothing company that employs women rescued from sex trafficking in Nepal and the US.

Stacy Skirt In Grape, $38.00

Elegantees

4Love Clothing

 4Love's maxi dresses are manufactured in the USA and then exported to the Republic of Panama, where the women of 4Love add their signature, one-of-a-kind, handmade embellishments to each dress. When you purchase from 4Love, you are providing stable employment to the indigenous women that 4Love employs with fair trade wages, and ultimately empowering them.

Neon Lights Mini Nagua, $75.00

4Love Clothing

Sevenly

Each week, Sevenly launches a new cause campaign and $7 from every item purchased that week goes to the weekly charity. Sevenly has successfully unlocked not only a way to crowd fund for causes, but to drive massive social awareness as well. They sell fun and cool clothing and accessories for men, women, and children.  (And their tees are super adorable!)

Winners Never Quit V-neck, $26.00

Sevenly 

TOMS

When you buy a pair of TOMS Shoes, you are also helping improve the health, education, and well-being of a child. Available in hundreds of styles, TOMS Shoes for women, men, and children are not only a fashion statement but a charitable one at that!

White Satin Embroidery Women's Classic, $69.00

TOMS

Noonday Collection

This jewelry and accessories brand features fair trade items from around the world, with proceeds supporting more than 1,000 artisans worldwide. (And the styling of their catalog images are extremely inspiring for those of us who do fashion shoots of our own.)

Kantha Fold Over Bag, $78.00

Noonday Collection

Vaalbara Designs

Portions from the proceeds of your purchase are donated to the Surfrider Foundation, an organization working to protect the world's oceans, waves and beaches. Fun fact: all the items are handmade in Venice, California.

Ponderosa Clutch, $132.00

Vaalbara Designs

Light Gives Heat

Starting back in 2007, Light Gives Heat has partnered with local artisans in developing countries to create consistent incomes where there once were none. Through their brands SUUBI and EPOH, in-country staff has created long-term partnerships with artisans to create beautiful handmade products to grace the shoulders, necks, and wrists of fashion conscious consumers in America and beyond. Check out their website for great necklaces, and apparel for men, women, and children!

Slim, $2.50

Light Gives Heat

NightLight International

NightLight is an international organization committed to addressing the complex issues of commercial sexual exploitation. Their local offices build relationships with victims of commercial sexual exploitation and those who are at-risk to provide hope, intervention, rescue, and assistance by offering alternative vocational opportunities, life-skills training, and physical and emotional support. Their online store is full of cute, affordable jewelry for women and men.

Pearl and Shell Earrings, $12.00

NightLight International

Five Pound Apparel

No matter what you buy from Five Pound Apparel, your purchase is guaranteed to benefit someone, somewhere. Every brand they carry has a charitable cause - from FEED accessories and tote bags to TOMS Shoes, and a plethora of Missouri-themed gift items, after all that is where they are based.

Orwell Tee, No price listed because it is unfortunately out of print [sigh.]

Five Pound Apparel

Alex and Ani

The Rhode Island-based charm bracelet retailer is already well-known for its personalized charms perfect for any occasion. But founder Carolyn Rafaelian takes in one step further withCharity by Design, a project where Rafaelian designs an exclusive, symbolic charm for non-profit organizations with the goal to raise funds and awareness. The brand already has charms for over 30 non-profit organizations, from the National Autism Association to Toys for Tots.

Star of Venus bracelet, $28.00

Alex and Ani

Project Hazina

Every time you make a purchase from Project Hazina, you provide an orphan with a pillow and blanket. Project Hazina currently employs six local artisans in the USA and is currently working on establishing relationships with artisans in Kenya and Uganda. 

Unity Necklace, $40.00

Project Hazina

Nordstrom TMRW TGTHR

Nordstrom's Pop-In program, a series of themed pop-up shops that transition every four to five weeks, has been highly successful, featuring exclusive merchandise and a new shopping experience. The department store's current pop-up, TMRW TGTHR, highlights artisanal, upcycled or eco-friendly goods with the goal to give back to the community.

Raw Edge cotton sweatshirt, Loomstate, $155.00 

Nordstrom TMRW TGTHR

Bracha

Each piece of jewelry is handmade in Texas and the brand partnered with A21 Campaign, a non-profit with the goal to end human trafficking.

ream Collection White Turquoise Bangle, $63.00

Bracha  

Westward Leaning

All Westward Leaning sunglasses feature an accent material on the frame's arms, each to celebrate a human achievement, with proceeds benefitting a mutlitude of charities. From the turquoise pairs benefitting education opportunities for Native American students, to accents of redwood to support Teach for America Bay Area, the brand likely gives back to a charity close to your heart.

Vangaurd Sunglasses, $225.00

Westward Leaning

Luna Noir

No More is an organization seeking to end domestic violence and sexual assault. 25 percent of the proceeds from Luna Noir go to benefit this all-important cause.

Moonstone Silver Ring, $37.50

Luna Noir

Lemlem

Liya Kebede launched Lemlem, a clothing line, in 2008. Lemlem, which means "to bloom" in Amharic, features hand-spun, woven and embroidered women and children’s clothing.Kebede founded the line to help preserve the art of traditional weaving in Ethiopia and to offer work opportunities to local artisans. Lemlem is sold at Barney’s, J.Crew, Net-a-Porter.com and numerous boutique shops.  Kebede says she hopes this will be part a sea of change for her home country. 

Kedam Shorts, $165.00

Lemlem

Warby Parker

If you buy a pair of glasses they give a monthly donation to their nonprofit partners, which covers the cost of sourcing a pair of glasses in countries in need. (For those of you follow me on social media, you probably recognize these from my instagram! Yup, these are the glasses that are in my nightstand drawer.)

Downing Glasses, Starting at $95.00

Warby Parker

Angela & Roi

At Angela & Roi, your handbag color of choice not only depicts your personal style, it also has a charitable effect. Each color handbag donates $5 to a cause—from red to support HIV/AIDS fighters to green for those suffering from depression. And with 11 colors to choose from, there's plenty of ways and causes to support!

Sunday Tote in beige, $150.00

Angela & Roi

The Givve Collection

The Givve Collection is a site that exclusively features products with a charity tie. Over 150 charities are being supported through 500+ products, with causes varying from protecting the environment to cystic fibrosis.

Rayne Gunmetal Necklace in Black, $80.00

The Givve Collection

Olive + Piper

This company is awesome not only because of it's affordable but beautiful jewelry, but also because 15 percent of proceeds goes to Habitat For Humanity.

Triangle Ring, $24.00

Olive + Piper