Socially minded shopping

HoMie stocks big-name street and functional wear. For every item you buy, an item becomes available for a person experiencing homelessness (HoMie’s VIP customers). HoMie provides workshops and ancillary services to its VIPs including free haircuts from Nasir Sobhani (AKA the Streets' Barber). Its latest initiative is HoMie for Her, which provides clothing on dedicated VIP for Her days to women who have been victims of domestic violence or who have experienced homelessness.

Obsessed with homewares? Use your passion to help others by visiting Green Collective – a not-for-profit organisation that recycles office items that have outlived their use and turns them into sellable, loveable and usable creations. Profits are pumped back into the community – Green Collective employs and trains people who have barriers to ongoing employment, including people experiencing homelessness, at risk youth and refugees.

Good Cycles is a bike store with onsite and mobile bike servicing facilities. It employs and trains folk who may struggle obtaining employment otherwise, including people experiencing homelessness or who suffer or have suffered from domestic violence, mental illness or substance abuse. 

Dear Gladys stocks vintage clothing in mint nick as well as new stock. If you're feeling thrifty, you can purchase your kit online and collect it at the Queen Victoria Women's Centre in the CBD. Otherwise, keep an eye out for them at pop-ups and markets around town. The organisation also has a permanent stall at the Vintage Garage on Smith Street, Collingwood. Proceeds go to Fitted for Work, a not-for-profit organisation that helps women experiencing disadvantage to find employment by providing skills workshops, outfitting services, help with job interview preparation and transitioning-to-work programs.