Human trafficking is a serious problem. It's been estimated that 27 million people exist in some form of slavery today, and with perpetrators of trafficking raking in over $32 billion a year and going largely unpunished, it's hard to see a solution soon.

Dressed to Give readers know I love highlighting businesses that are giving back in style.

Several of my coworkers and I are going barefoot today, and the reason we're shedding our shoes has nothing to do with the gorgeous spring weather.

It's mid-February and I always get excited around this time of the year. While some look forward to Valentine's Day, it's NY Fashion Week that gets me giddy. I eagerly anticipate next season's trends, and while they change from year to year, there's one thing that always remains in style: the color red! As the symbolic color of American Heart Month, red will once again be in fashion in order to raise awareness about heart disease.

The holiday season is here. I know this because I'm already double-booked for holiday parties beginning with Thanksgiving gatherings tonight and throughout the long weekend, and I've been pulling every sparkly, shiny, sequin-y thing out of my closet to ensure I'm attired appropriately and festively. This year, as I began to plan out my calendar and to-do list (and my outfits) for the holidays, I wanted to make sure that while I was going to parties and giving presents, I was also giving back. To my delight, doing good while celebrating the holidays is easier than ever, as there can be a "good" component integrated into all your activities throughout the season.

Summer's double whammy of heat and humidity can make even the most elaborately dressed fashionistas yearn for something simple, cool, and comfortable. I've found myself incorporating more t-shirts into my sartorial selections these days, which got me wondering: with the almost limitless variety of tees out there (plain, graphic, sequined, DIY), which t-shirts allow their wearers to look good while doing good?

"The only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize." This quote from Olympia Dukakis' character in the movie Steel Magnolias motivates me every time I try to assemble the same old clothes into a fresh look. But, what if you turn accesorizing into something more than just keeping your closet au courant, such as improving educational opportunities for children in India? That would really bring new meaning to this quote.

For me, the ne plus ultra of shopping euphoria is not simply finding fabulous attire, but by purchasing said items I can contribute to the greater good. Happily, this is a more frequent occurrence than one might think. Every week, I come across several opportunities to shop at a store, buy a particular item or attend an event where a portion of the proceeds from my purchases will benefit a good cause. Although these shopping for good efforts are numerous and certainly admirable, they're piecemeal and I often wonder how much of an impact they make. Is there a way to shop for good where the "good" is more than an afterthought?

Between moving into a new apartment and doing my usual spring cleaning, I now have several large bags of clothes and shoes to donate. Instead of just tossing them into the nearest collection bin of one of the many nonprofits accepting clothing, I wanted to do some research to find out how these organizations were doing good by using my clothes.

Fashionistas know that even the most fabulous rings or sandals won't make up for badly manicured nails. Which is why when I was in Los Angeles last week, I was eager to schedule a mani/pedi at ROB/B Salon, the first OPI concept salon. I've long been a fan of OPI's nail lacquers for their superior quality and fabulous colors (not to mention the fun names)! But as I walked through the doors of the salon, I realized I didn't know much about OPI as a company. Well, I was about to learn my favorite brand of nail polish was a powerhouse of corporate social responsibility (CSR), with a strong commitment to the environment and giving back to the local community and the world at large!

Every fashionista has an accessory weakness, whether it be bags, jewelry, scarves or hats. Well, mine is, without a doubt, SHOES! If you find yourself constantly structuring your outfits around your footwear, then you definitely belong in the same category. For all my fellow shoe addicts, this post highlights some fun ways to give back or minimize your carbon footprint (pun intended), all while getting your shoe "fix"! Enjoy!

What could possibly be better than an event with over 20 DC area boutiques selling their wares at up to 90% off, might you ask? A shopping extravaganza that benefits charity, of course!

Valentine's Day inevitably leads to thoughts of the heart. Candy hearts, heart balloons, stuffed bears holding hearts, "hearting" someone.

But how often do you think of your heart--the one beating in your chest? Heart disease is the #1 killer in the U.S. and to raise awareness, February has been designated as American Heart Month. For fashionistas who want to take action on this issue in style, here are some ways you can get involved:

I love fashion.  And I also love philanthropy.  For a long time, I thought looking good and doing good were two separate interests, but through my work at the Case Foundation, I've discovered thousands of opportunities to do both at the same time.  For all the other big-hearted fashionistas out there, I'd like to share some of my favorite ways to be stylish and socially-conscious. 

For the inaugural post of my Dressed to Give series, I'm highlighting Kenneth Cole and his AWEARNESS initiative.  Anyone who's opened a fashion magazine in the past year at least knows Kenneth Cole for his socially-conscious ads, if not for his designs.  More well-versed fashionistas know that he has consistently been at the forefront of merging social change and fashion.