This month, profits from select Ralph Lauren products will aid in the fight against breast cancer.
In October, wardrobe colors often mimic nature and the month’s festivities: The leaves’ radiant shades of raw umber and deep burgundy and orange and black Halloween decorations usually match the latest sweaters and pants. But an additional color is becoming just as common for October fashions: pink, which represents Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
I am a shameless fan of both pink and good causes. So if you’re anything like me, you’ll be happy to hear there are lots of opportunities to do some affordable shopping while also helping to save second base.
Among my favorite items is the $5 Passionately Pink for the Cure T-shirts (yes, only $5!) by Hanes, which pledged to donate $250,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to promoting breast cancer research.
One shirt from the line, designed by actress Sarah Chalke (Scrubs), is light pink and tastefully decorated with hearts, courageous phrases and the signature ribbon. I’ve actually noticed more women on the campus wearing Hanes cotton V-neck T-shirts. So why not do a double duty by treating yourself to some new cute T-shirts while supporting a worthy cause?
For those of you who can handle pink and preppy, check out Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony line featuring the original rider flushed out in rosy pink. Ten percent of the profits from the clothes will go toward the Pink Pony Fund for Cancer Care and Prevention.
Ralph Lauren has even expanded the line to include men’s clothing and some accessories that are definitely worth checking out.
And who knew fashionable, pink products could extend themselves into the home department? Cuisinart’s candy-pink kitchen appliances — some of which include a blender and a soft ice cream maker — benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, for those chic chefs out there looking to make a fashion statement in their kitchens while also showing their support.
If you’re a true shopaholic, you may appreciate that Bank of America and Bloomingdale’s, among other major credit card companies and retailers, are offering special credit cards and gift cards, which are pink of course.
Bank of America is guaranteeing a minimum $1.95 million to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This is based on how many people sign up for the cards, so if you’re trying to gain some credit, hit up Bank of America and then hit the mall.
I also stumbled upon some really cute athletic gear at the Susan G. Komen shopping website, so don’t count out the direct sites as hot spots for helping out the cause while adding some brightness to your wardrobe.
As you can see, there are so many ways the big companies are lending a hand to fight this disease, but as a consumer — even as a poor college student — you can also help. After all, we are supposed to wear clothing, right?
Just this past weekend, I braced the cold rain at 4:15 a.m. to run the Race for the Cure 5K in Hunt Valley, Md. To be completely honest, I was dreading it for obvious reasons. But I figured if more than two million women in the United States have beaten breast cancer, I could brace the cold for one morning of my life.
You don’t always have to donate hundreds or spend hours campaigning for awareness to make a difference. Just keep on collecting your Yoplait lids, do a little strategic shopping like I did, and remember to feel your boobies.
susanl@umd.edu
