Bloggers Give Back with Dress for Success

Today is an extra special day. I am excited and fortunate to be able to participate in a campaign to give back to the community and help empower women.  ShopStyle and Dress for Success have partnered with select bloggers to help raise funds for the program that helps struggling women achieve economic independence by providing a network of support, professional attire and the development tools to help them thrive in work and in life.

On December 8th and 9th, today and tomorrow, 10% of all sales from my site (not just this post, but all posts on my site on those days) will go to Dress for Success, and ShopStyle will match 100%!  (Disclaimer) You know you still have some holiday gifts to get, so since you're going to be shopping, why not help a worthy cause at the same time?

It can be really hard to be a woman in today's world. We feel like we have to do it all and be it all - and be good at it all - and there just aren't enough hours in the day. This pressure that we feel can affect our confidence, and sometimes we need a little assistance to stay positive.  There's a lot of commentary in the media lately about how too much emphasis is put on women's looks, but until society does a major overhaul, it is our reality, and there's no doubt that looking good helps you feel good.  (That's not to say all people who look good feel good, because looks are just on the outside, but it's a start.) 

I feel most confident in an outfit that is feminine and I know fits me well.  It's not about how much it costs, but how well it fits.  Something expensive can look cheap if it fits poorly, and something cheap can look expensive if it fits perfectly.  I'm 5'11", and have been tall from a young age.  I'm used to standing out in a crowd because of my height, but I was insecure about it for several years. I didn't like being taller than all the guys. I didn't feel feminine being taller than all the men around me. With the support of my parents, and the love of my husband (whom I met in high school during those tough years) I have learned to love it, and I figure if I'm going to stand out regardless what I wear, I should wear what I want, but I should wear it well.

I have been fortunate in life both in my relationships and economically (though I'd be thrilled if I won the lotto and could pay off my grad school debt).  I have a family that has always been there, I know would be there and could be there should anything change negatively in my life.  And, while I think most people feel they could always use a little extra cash flow, I have a good paying job and I am able to live comfortably without worrying about affording the basics.  But I know I'm lucky, and I don't take it for granted.  There are so many people who are struggling despite working their hardest, and they just need a little help. Dress for Success has helped over 850,000 women work towards self sufficiency, giving them that extra support they need.  Because we all need a little help sometimes. 

Below are items to help re-create the look I'm wearing in this post. Click here for other shopping ideas that will give back to Dress for Success, or browse past posts on this site. Thank you!