Female Empowerment: How to Empower Women in Fashion
Growing up, a strong female role model wasn’t something I lacked. I come from a family where female empowerment was (and still is) constantly talked about at the supper table. Even at a young age, my parents made it known that women can do it all with willpower and the help of others. Out of all the advice my parents have given me over the years, the best advice they have given me is to work hard and help others along the way.
I’m a solid believer in my shirt: Women Will Save the World. 80% of garment workers are women which means that if we provide garment works with fair wages, better work environments, and opportunities we can change the global economic structure. Sustainable fashion and starts with empowering garment workers and make sure they have the opportunities to better their lives. So how do we empower women through fashion? Here are four ways you can help empower women in fashion.
Lou & Grey Top (Sold out but similar) | Dress (Thrifted) | Shoes | Bag
Invest in small businesses.
When you buy from the little guy, you’re helping others make a better opportunity for themselves. This shirt is made by the Style Club Babes by the founder Hilary Novelle. Hilary Novelle was an opener for major artists on a concert tour. She made all her costumes before she went on stage and because of this, she scored a free denim sponsorship. She ended up designing a new pair of jeans every day by ripping, shredding, bedazzling, embroidering, and sticking patches over everything. Her styles gained momentum and that is exactly when The Style Club was born. You can shop her collection at Lou & Grey and shop at your local stores to help them thrive.
Spread the good word.
When you find a company that empowers women and pays them fairly, you need to shout it from the treetops. Post on social media, tell your friends, tell your coworkers, let everyone and their mother know about it. Most sustainable fashion brands fail within the first two years so they need every ounce of publicity they can get. Help them out by spreading the good word.
Do your research.
Sites like Good on You, podcasts like Conscious Chatter, and blogs like Conscious Style provide valuable information on whether a not a store is sustainable. They also provide the best avenue to finding more ethical companies that you’ll love. Before you buy something at Marshalls, check your app and look up the labor policies for that company. If it’s too hard to find, chances are the company is hiding something.
Stop buying from companies that exploit women and don’t pair them fairly.
It’s so weird seeing shirts that promote feminism and Hilary Clinton from fast fashion companies. Stores like Forever 21, Zara, and H&M all produced shirts that said “I’m with her” and “Feminism is the new Black.” Although great slogans, very hypnotical in the sense that feminism is making sure that women are provided with opportunities to prosper and these stores are doing the opposite for garment workers. When you find out a company is not treating their workers right, try your hardest to stop shopping from them. Everyone makes mistakes and might slip up buying from a fast fashion store, but don’t make it a reoccurring thing.
What are your favorite stores that ethically produce clothes? How do you empower women? Let me know in the comments down below.
As always,
17 Comments
Meg @ Closet Fashionista
That skirt is super fun and I love the message of your tee!
I’ve featured a few companies in the past where women have created brands that empower women by teaching them a trade and then paying them to help them afford college or schooling later on
http://www.closet-fashionista.com/
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much! I love companies that do that! Able is a great company that makes adorable products while teaching women a trade. I would love to check out those posts! What are the links?
Anna
Female empowerment is so important! We need to stick together and push each other forwards and up. Love your message 😘
PeculiarPorter
I couldn’t agree more, Anna! Thank you for stopping by girly.
Marissa
Yes! I’m all about female empowerment and to do it with fashion is such a win win. Love this!!
PeculiarPorter
Yessss! Thank you so much, Marissa!
shannon
I absolutely love this!
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much, Shannon!
Marah
Great tip to support small businesses! I always try my best to when I can. 🙂
PeculiarPorter
Thank you! Small businesses usually have the best stuff too!
Tomato Chambray
THIS! This post is so informative, thank you!
Caitlin Houston
This post is fabulous – I love anything and everything about female empowerment and supporting one another!
Kelsey Barlow
I love women supporting women! Especially in small businesses-sometimes it is easier to support big businesses but at the end of the day feels so much better and it goes so much further to support small and local!
myquarterlifesurprise
Such an insightful post! I definitely resonate your thoughts, especially about the high street brands jumping to hijack whatever cause is trending (feminism at the time of Hilary’s presidential nomination) to fill their pockets. My favorite ethical brand has to be Vanilia here in the Netherlands. 🙂
PeculiarPorter
Thank you so much! I’ve never heard of Vanilia! I’m definitely going to have to check them out. 💕
loveyourdamnself1st
I started a women’s empowerment group called Women At A Stand that focuses on empowering and uplifting women that are survivors and/or victims of domestic and/or sexual abuse. My brand/ Love Your Damn Self First will have women making themselves a priority first and foremost.
Pingback: