Dressember Myths Debunked
Okay, so you want to join the fight against human trafficking. Maybe you’re thinking about advocating with Dressember and have heard about our style challenge, but you don’t really know what that entails. Look no further! Here are some common misconceptions (and facts!) about advocating with Dressember:
Myth #1: You have to own a lot of dresses or ties to participate.
False! You do NOT need to own a lot of dresses or ties. At a minimum, you need to own JUST ONE dress or tie. You can get creative and restyle it with different cardigans, leggings and shoes to recreate different outfit looks. If you have more dresses or ties, you can mix it up by choosing to wear a different one every week. Simplifying your options can make it easier to focus on the purpose of Dressember advocacy versus focusing too much on the dresses or ties.
Myth #2: You have to spend hundreds of dollars to be an ethical consumer.
False! It is a misconception to think you need to save a lot of money on ethical brands. Instead, you can shop ethically by visiting local thrift stores or secondhand shops. Make sure to be intentional about what you purchase, how long you will use it for and how it will be disposed of after you are done with it. Being thoughtful about your purchases will save you both money and time. Remember that the most responsible way to consume goods is by using what you already own. If you do need to need to buy a dress, consider using Dressember’s Ethical Fashion Directory to explore ethically made items.
Myth #3: You can only advocate during December.
False! You can support Dressember and advocate all year-round. Follow Dressember on social media to stay informed about human trafficking on a daily basis. You can also decide to wear a dress or tie throughout the whole year to spark conversations around human trafficking. All the while, you can support Dressember by purchasing merch, which helps raise funds for an issue that occurs beyond December. Also, don’t forget you can be a conscious consumer throughout the whole year!
Myth #4: You need to be a human trafficking expert to advocate.
False! You do not need to be an expert to join Dressember to advocate against human trafficking. It is true, however, that understanding the nuances of trafficking better will benefit your advocacy. Change can happen when individuals come together with a willingness to learn and act. Consider taking the time to research and read our blog to learn more about human trafficking.
Myth #5: You can’t participate because it’s cold where you live during December
False! Even if it is cold during December, you can still participate. You can get around this by wearing pants or leggings under the dress and layering up. If you’re determined to make it work, it will! Remember that you could make a bigger impact in colder areas because the dress will draw more attention. This can help spark a conversation and create more awareness around human trafficking. All things considered, wearing a dress or tie is a minor discomfort compared to what the people you are advocating for suffer on a daily basis.
Myth #6: You have to wear a dress to be a Dressember advocate
False! You do not necessarily need to wear a dress to be an advocate. You can decide to wear a tie instead. All the while, you can decide to be an advocate by talking to your community about human trafficking, helping raise funds for Dressember and joining the Dressember Collective. If you do not enjoy wearing dresses, consider making it this year’s challenge. You can turn something you don’t enjoy into a tool to bring greater awareness to an issue. Read why Dressember chose a dress as a means for change if you are still not convinced.
About the Author
Elle Magaña Mireles is a Latinx sustainable fashion advocate based in Chicago, IL. She believes clothing can be a gateway to creating a more just and humane world by bringing about global, positive change. In her free time, she writes for her sustainable fashion blog called Just Irenic, spends quality time in nature, and takes courses on social justice.