On any given day there are over 300,000 women in homeless shelters across the United States[1], many of whom have fled a domestic violence scenario (others wander off due to disability, others are addicted to a substance who either become evicted or can’t afford to live elsewhere due to their struggles, others are displaced due to disasters, and others have reasons more complicated than a survey could relate). The most basic needs of women in shelters are hygiene products and underwear—things we use daily and take for granted. In need-for- shelter situations most women do not have the time to pack up necessities and in turn are lacking vital hygiene necessities.
In August of 2019, FOX 5 aired a story where a survey conducted by an underwear brand of men and women concluded that over 45% of surveyors said they’ve worn their underwear two days in a row. Later the same year Tommy John underwear learned that about 10% of people wore the same underwear for a week! Are you cringing yet? This habit can lead to so many concerns, starting with the more serious skin
diseases/growths/acne and yeast infections (yes, remember, men can get and transmit yeast too) to the less serious but maybe more gross to some people, like, bad odors and irremovable stains (remember, pH is acidic ladies).
There is an overabundance of clothing donations and old purses—it’s easy for women to separate from outdated pants and a purse that isn’t commercial. It’s also much more socially acceptable and more widely accepted by shelters to walk in with a box of pants and purses than let’s say, your old socks and underwear. And admittedly, I hardly ever go out of my way to buy products when I’m making my donation boxes. It’s always a myriad of stuff I no longer find use for or no longer think fit my style or body. So how do women in shelters get these products?
While there are several ways, including the red cross, disaster relief, and those who run the shelters, a new way caught my eye completely by accident yesterday!
While scrolling the story feed on Instagram I went to swipe left to skip an ad and must had caught the corner and opened up a link to NKD Underwear. Normally, I would click out and just continue my scrolling session, but what sort of female doesn’t enjoy new underwear?! So I stopped to take a look and was impressed to read on the front page that for every pair purchased, a pair would be donated to a woman in need. Wow! Alright! Let me take a look!
Right now there are three different styles available online—cheeky, classic thong, and the “weekend thong” (classic’s sexier alter ego). At first I rethought the purchase… Do I really need more underwear? Can I really afford a technically unnecessary purchase? But I’d be helping others… How did buying underwear become a moral dilemma??? I went back to Instagram, but there was the ad I had attempted to swipe past—Do you want to be a brand ambassador? Well there are perks to being a brand ambassador, right? Let me reach out and see… Immediately I received a response from Nicole who informed me that NKD (pronounced naked) was started last year to create comfortable, sexy underwear, that also helps as many women in need as possible. That was what attracted me to consider a purchase in the first place!
Think back to high school ladies, when your period wasn’t on a tight schedule and would magically appear right in the middle of English class. Think about those khaki pants that stained, but how your underwear was the real victim, and needing a new pair. Think about how good it feels to change out of old sweaty clothes—including underwear (science proves even just changing your underwear daily could affect mood positively!). Think about the first thong you ever bought and how you felt sexier, even if looking back it may have been attached to a cheesy quote you regret or too risqué for a 15-16 year old. It empowered you—made you confident. The underwear we wear definitely gives off a vibe about us for the day and no undie-shaming! All undies are good undies! Which leads me back to NKD.
For every pair I bought, they would match in donation. “Take a look at our website and let me know what your favorite is!” I will admit, a bit selfishly I was hoping for a free pair or compensation if I went through with this, but here I was restudying the styles and telling Nicole what type of underwear I liked. She was so responsive! I received a discount of 40% off an order, and you could just tell she really wanted to drive her mission. Being the type of person I am, I really enjoy giving back myself and ordered three pair. She stated on her own volition she would try to expedite my order.
Now let me talk about NKD and what made them stand out to me. Not only does NKD donate a pair of underwear per purchase, each month their employees volunteer their time at local shelters. This isn't a one-time monetary donation or a box drop-off. These are women (possibly men, as well) who take that extra time out of their lives to give back, hands-on. And if that wasn’t enough to make you feel like you want to back their mission—The Future is Female! NKD also supports and partners with the Ms. Foundation: At the Ms. Foundation, we work to bring attention to the real challenges facing women, especially women of color and low-income women who are living in poverty, working paycheck to paycheck or both. We tirelessly advocate for national and statewide policy change that will address these challenges, and we support more than 100 organizations. We believe in a just and safe world where power and possibility are not limited by gender, race, class, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or age.
Now tell me, ladies, how could you not support NKD when their mission runs this deep?
If you're still not sold, let me tell you another perk to NKD. All of their underwear (even the Weekend Thong) is cotton based. This breathable material is healthier on a woman's body and doesn't trap moisture like other materials (a plus for women prone to yeast infections). But beyond that they are also more affordable than you might think. Unlike some brands that hike up their prices to be able to donate non-revenue items, NKD has one flat price for all three styles and will not break your wallet. $17.00!
While the first brand here is the cheapest, they do not regularly make donations of goods. And while the third brand does match per purchase, they are $20 more expensive than NKD.
So! Have I sold you yet?
If not, let me try one more thing...
You too can use my discount code to purchase from NKD!
1 pair= $17.00, but with the discount code it's only $10. 20 (the price of your typical coffee and pastry from Starbucks!)
2 pairs= $34.00, but with the discount code it's only $20.40
What's more important is that for every pair you purchase, NKD will donate a pair to a women's shelter. I have 230 female followers on Instagram. If every woman bought 1 pair at $10.20, 230 women would get underwear they drastically need. If every woman bought 2 pairs, 460 women would receive underwear! And if you purchased one of each style, 690 women would receive new, clean underwear!
I know this isn't something everyone is going to jump on board for. You may not need new underwear. You may not care. You may think $10.20 is still too expensive for a pair of underwear (which I can't imagine!). You may think they aren't "cute enough". You may just not purchase them out of spite because I just made you read all this (which isn't fair to NKD or the women in need). Or you may just not have the time or financial flexibility to make what I initially deemed an "unnecessary purchase" right now. But I do hope you have been inspired to consider NKD now or in the future when you decide you need new underwear.
Ultimately the goal was simply to assure NKD (a brand I already fully support for what it stands for) got some much needed recognition in it's second year of operation while I wait patiently for my package to arrive! Please use the hyperlink or click the link below to get direct access to NKD at wearnkd.com and don't forget to use the discount code woodysrightboot.
Thank you all! &thank you, Nicole! I'm looking forward to getting NKD!
♥
1- ACF.HHS.gov;National Network to End Domestic Violence. (2016). Washington DC.
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