THREADSA Lifestyle // Wanted Blog
From T-shirts that support refugees to necklaces that help protect child soldiers, here are the products we don’t mind spending extra on
We’ll admit it: shopping used to be all about us—as in, it didn’t matter where our jeans came from so long as they made us look good. But with a slew of brands rooted in activism and philanthropy emerging over the past few years, it seems almost selfish to buy our goods from anyone else. Here are the do-gooders giving consumerism a makeover:Threads for Thought
Cause: Give refugees the tools they need to rebuild their lives
“Our social mission is twofold: to create products in the most sustainable way we can and to give back,” explains Threads for Thought cofounder Eric Fleet, who, along with business partner Jonathan Weisner, created a line of T-shirts, pants, and hoodies made from materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton. They also donate 10 percent of every order over $100 to the International Rescue Committee’s (IRC) New Roots program, which gives refugees training to help them provide for their families and be self-sufficient after being uprooted by war or social unrest. As if we weren’t sold on the idea already, the brand also caters to our workout apparel addiction with sweat-wicking pieces like the super-soft brushed Half Lotus Crop.
Falling Whistles
Cause: Campaign for the well-being of child soldiers and the end of war in Congo
In 2008, the Falling Whistles team met five boys in eastern Congo who were former child soldiers being held in a military camp. One of the children explained that the youngest children, too weak to hold firearms, were sent to the frontlines of war armed with only a whistle and would be killed almost immediately. The team launched the Falling Whistles campaign to give a voice to the hundreds of people horrified by the story—wear a whistle pendant necklace to voice your protest and spread the message. So far, Falling Whistles has invested in eight Congolese visionaries trying to end the deadly war and works with 35 congressman, 16 senators, 200 retail partners, and 55,000 “whistle blowers” to support their mission.
Made Eyewear
Cause: Donate one pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair sold
After Toms shoes pioneered the one-for-one business model (one pair of shoes donated for every pair sold), a long list of companies adopted it for themselves, with eyewear companies taking the lead. So what sets Made Eyewear apart? Founder Kevin Hundert put in time working at an eyewear factory in China to learn which materials make for the highest-quality frames. A trip to MadeEywear.com lets you fully customize your glasses, from shape to color to the characters engraved on the temples (Hundert reports Twitter handles are a popular choice).
Stone + Cloth Backpacks
Cause: Provide education to underprivileged children
Clarity can strike in the most off-the-grid places. Like Mount Kilimanjaro, for example, where Benson Backpacks founder Matthew Clough was so impressed by the optimism of his porter, Benson, although he only made about $2 a day. After Benson told Clough his rate was barely enough to keep his children in school, Clough launched his line of socially responsible backpacks, which works with the Knock Foundation to supply children in Tanzania with an education. For our own scholarly pursuits, we love the Benson backpack in railroad stripe or slate blue.
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