Fashion Do or Don't

Before I open my big fat mouth, I must say, I did my research. It's a good thing too or I would have sounded like an even bigger idiot. That being said, here's what I was going to write about.

Someone I work with recently came up to me and said, "don't you just love this blazer I'm wearing?" It was a nice blazer so I said, "yes, where did you get it?" She then proceeded to tell me how she bought it for $10 at this place called Image for Success. For those of you who are not familiar with this local organization, it is similar to the national non-profit called Dress for Success. Dress for Success provides professional attire, a network of support, and career development tools to disenfranchised women. Image for Success is a bit different in that they only provide the clothes. Basically they provide clothes to women and men who are working towards self-reliance. I think they are both great organizations however I was a bit confused as to why this co-worker was obtaining clothes from them. She did not appear "disenfranchised". She already has a presumably well-paying job. She then told me that she likes shopping at the Image for Success store because they have really nice work clothes at inexpensive prices.

I was immediately appalled. I had nothing further to say. This woman can clearly afford to buy clothes at places other than second-hand stores. But that's not what was shocking to me. I really don't care if she shops at second-hand stores. I actually encourage it. But this store provides clothes to women who really need it for interviews, etc. And now you're taking away their good clothes because you can afford to?

This is where my research enters the picture and I have to eat my words, somewhat. I looked up the Image for Success website to find out more about their retail store. The website says that the retail store provides them "with a revenue stream directly applied to their operational overhead while making affordable, quality clothes available to their clients and the general public". OK, fine. The clothes are available to the general public and help to support the cause. Maybe I was wrong to criticize. Or was I? I'm still conflicted. I just keep picturing the young single mom who is job hunting and needs a nice blazer to wear for her upcoming interview. Maybe she will find one there or maybe she won't because all of the cheap ass but rich women have bought up all the clothes because they wouldn't be caught dead in a Good Will. Here's my final stance. If you want to support the cause, donate your $10 and leave the blazer for someone who really needs it.