4 Ways You Can Shop for Social Impact and Change Lives of Women

If you are having a bad day, stressed out, or otherwise overwhelmed, someone might suggest you engage in a little bit of retail therapy. Why? Because buying pretty things makes us feel good. It deflects us from our hour of anxiety. It gives us a package to look forward to opening. The whole process, from thought to receipt, is exhilarating.

But what if you could kick that dopamine rush up a notch by adding a social impact aspect to your shopping?

If you knew that what you were buying was doing good in the world, your “feel good” hormones would increase even more. And who doesn’t want a natural boost of serotonin? Just imagine feeling connected to the hands that made the blanket you wrap yourself in at night while settling down with that book. Yes, you would feel good about that.

This new age of conscious consumerism is changing the way people shop. Maybe you are one of these people? If so, good for you!

There is a shift happening from mindless shoppers blindly hitting the “Buy Now” button to retail consumers with social responsibility at heart. People are caring more about the hands that made the product. And there is a demand to know if products were made in a fair trade, ethical, and sustainable fashion. Are you one of these social impact shoppers? If so, here are some ways you can boost your social impact when it comes to shopping.

Research your products before buying them.

You have a right to know how your products are made. This information should include where the company is located, where they manufacture, and other regulations about their product. This information should be readily available on a company’s website. If it is not, feel free to ask. If they don’t tell you, consider shopping elsewhere.

Shop from stores that support causes you care about.

We all have causes that are near and dear to our hearts. Perhaps supporting women-owned businesses is calling to you. Or maybe human rights is your driving factor in companies you wish to do business with. Whatever speaks to your heart, you can find a way to support them through your shopping experience.

Look for companies making a significant impact for women with their profits.

Traditionally, you would see a large corporation donating a small percentage of their profits to a charity they support. While this is applauded and necessary, some businesses are taking these leaps and bounds beyond the corporate good.

At WomenServe, we use 100% of our shop’s profits to continue our work in water security in Rajasthan. We are also training women with sewing and business skills so she can create artisan products to be sold in our store. When you support the shop, you become the link between a life of poverty and a life of financial freedom for previously oppressed women.

Yes, you can buy a luxurious cashmere scarf that will bring you joy for years to come. Knowing that item gave a girl an opportunity to go to school or helped a woman attain financial freedom is priceless. This is the kind of shopping that you can feel good about.

Learn the lingo of sustainable social impact shopping.

When you are researching businesses to support, you may be overwhelmed by some of the lingo. We are highlighting a few of the key terms below. There is a comprehensive guide regarding sustainable fashion here to help you dive a bit deeper.

Fair Trade

Fair trade describes a brand or an individual product that has been certified by an independent organization. The brand meets certain standards, such as supporting producers and protecting workers’ rights and the environment.

Slow Fashion

Slow fashion is a movement and approach to fashion that considers the processes and resources required to make clothing, mainly focusing on sustainability. Practices such as buying second-hand, small batch production, and supporting local artisan-made products are examples of slow fashion.

Fast Fashion

Fast fashion is exactly what it sounds like. Mass-produced, factory-made, let’s get it out quickly and as cheaply as possible so people can buy more. This concept pertains to how we treat our fashion as well. Suppose you are buying new clothes with every changing season and never wearing them again. In that case, you are participating in the fast fashion culture. There IS another way.