I don’t buy clothes.

No, really. I generally don’t.

I know it’s a typical trait of a woman to have the shopaholic gene; To completely lose her shit and squeal at the sight of a sale. But I’ve never had that urge inside me to buy clothes I don’t necessarily need.

I’ve been known to wear clothes that are so worn, people at the Big Issue are pitying me. Once, my shoes literally fell apart off my feet because I’d let them be for so long.

My point?

I like to make the most out the clothes I have. I’ve also never found myself in a financial situation where I can go out and splurge if I wanted to.

With my upcoming travels getting closer and closer, I’m on a tight budget. I also know that I need clothes for a warmer climate (you know, because every country is warmer than the UK and my wardrobe consists of scarves, long sleeves and tights) and they need to be handy enough to fold up and stuff into my backpack.

In order to stick to my budget, I’d planned to haul ass to the local shops when summer ended, picking up what others didn’t want in the clearance sales.

Did I also mention that I was really picky about my clothes too?

Not in the sense of ‘Oh my God! It has to be designer, designer, designer!’ But in the sense of, ‘It has to actually cover my body rather than scream to the world that my breasts sag, I have stretch marks but no children, and my muffin top > yours.

I’m not asking for a niqāb here – I’m just a big believer in ‘What’s left to the imagination can be sexier.’

When I do buy clothes, 9 times out of 10 I’ll order from vintage online shops. These aren’t cheap but at least you know those clothes aren’t exploiting children for 2 pennies a day like certain chains. (*ahem* Primark)

And it was actually while reading Roxanne‘s blog at Stories of Conflict and Love that I came across my new favourite online shop, One Mango Tree.

One Mango Tree came about in 2006 after Halle Butvin, a native from the US, visited Uganda as part of a group working to help the local youth and community with conflict resolution. After witnessing women sewing and tailoring to produce apparel, Halle came up with the idea of training these women to enhance these skills, generate income for themselves, and change their lives and circumstances for the better. One Mango Tree was born.

For every item that you buy from One Mango Tree, the lives of women from impoverished and post-conflict zones are improved. One Mango Tree provides security and lifelong skills for them and Halle has created a way to take them out of vulnerable and poverty-stricken positions.

Not only that, but take a look at their selection. Their dresses are gorgeous. Their skirts are. The bags. The shoes. The accessories. How can you not love what you see? And you’ll also know exactly where this product was made and the fact that your money’s gone towards helping to improve somebody’s life.

What Halle’s done is inspiring. And the least we can do is help her with her dream, buy some beautiful clothes, and spread the word.