What's stopping you from proving you can do anything in a dress?

Dressember challenges advocates to step out of their comfort zones for 31 days out of the year to make a difference in the lives of those affected by human trafficking. The commitment to wearing a dress is a small price we can pay to help those suffering around the world. With that being said, we know Dressember can be truly challenging for some, so we want to help you overcome those obstacles so that you can have a wonderful experience dressing up with us!

“But what if I don’t own any dresses?”

That’s okay! In 2017, Blythe Hill did Dressember wearing just one dress for the entire month, and I know that because I crept on her Instagram. Choosing one dress to wear is actually a great option for the challenge because you can raise a lot of awareness by wearing the same dress every day. If you’re interested in purchasing one ethically made dress to wear for the month, you can start with the Dressember Ethical Fashion Directory. If you’d prefer not to invest in a new dress, try asking a friend if you can borrow a dress or two. It’s a great way to get others involved in your challenge!

“What if I’m uncomfortable wearing dresses in public?”

For some, wearing a dress makes them feel unstoppable, but for others, it might make them feel nervous or exposed. While we want you to step out of your comfort zone with the

challenge, we also want you to feel strong and in-control. With that in mind, we actively encourage you to wear sweaters on top of your dress or leggings underneath if that helps you feel more comfortable. You can also opt to wear neckties for the month instead of dresses. Dressember is about empowering others while also empowering yourself!

“What if I’m fearful of any unwanted attention I might get from wearing dresses?”

Verbal harassment can be really scary; we get that! It’s important to remember, though, that harassment is never okay, and our clothing choices are not an excuse for someone to direct inappropriate comments at us. Changing our behaviors and wardrobe shouldn’t be the answer to this problem, especially when we’re helping a cause we love. If we come up with a way to express the frustration we have for these comments, it can turn them into something productive. For example, if a man makes an inappropriate comment to you regarding your dress, you might say, “I’m actually wearing this dress to raise awareness of human trafficking, and I don’t appreciate comments like that.” When you plan out what you might say in advance, it’s much easier to address the problem when it occurs.

“What if it’s too cold where I live to wear dresses in December?”

We would argue that cold climates have an advantage when it comes to Dressember. After all, nobody asks you why you’re wearing a dress when it’s warm outside. People are much more likely to comment on your outfit when it’s below freezing and you’re wearing a dress instead of sweatpants. Use those comments as conversation starters so that you can explain Dressember and spread awareness of human trafficking. Some days may be harder than others, so let’s revisit the sweater-over-the-dress and the leggings-underneath options. There are plenty of ways you can keep warm while wearing a dress!

“What if I’ve never raised any money with my campaign before?”

I’ll let you in on a secret: in 2018, I raised $31 through my campaign...and $20 of that came from one person. Yet, somehow, Dressember and A21 were still able to open a Freedom Center in Bulgaria the next year. One of the beautiful things about Dressember is that your

funds are combined with funds raised by advocates all over the world to create something beautiful. And even if you raise absolutely no money, that’s nothing to be upset about! You’re still helping to raise awareness of human trafficking which is invaluable.

Dressember is about stepping out of your comfort zone, but having fun while doing it. As far as challenges go, wearing dresses for 31 days is relatively easy and pleasant. We’re not asking you to swallow spoonfuls of cinnamon, eat a Tide Pod, or dump a bucket of ice water on yourself. Dressember is a simple challenge that you can use as an opportunity to change lives. When you find ways to overcome the obstacles preventing you from participating in Dressember, you’re helping to raise awareness of an issue that affects over 40 million people around the world while also proving that you can do anything in a dress.