DRESS UP.
DO GOOD.
Because what we wear can change the world.
Dressember is a global movement of everyday advocates using fashion as a force for freedom.
Each December, thousands of people around the world dress up in dresses, ties, power suits, or any outfit that sparks courage and conversation—to raise awareness and funds for IJM’s mission to protect people in poverty from human trafficking and violence.
Human trafficking and violence thrive in silence. But when we speak up, we help break the cycle. An estimated 50 million people worldwide are trapped in human trafficking and exploitation, including forced labor, sex trafficking, and abuse that disproportionately impacts women and children.
Whether you participate for one day or all month long, Dressember makes it easy for anyone to join the work of justice. Let your outfit be your outcry—a visible act of solidarity that fuels safety, restoration, and lasting protection.
19
COUNTRIES IMPACTED FOR GOOD
23,000+
TOTAL DRESSEMBER ADVOCATES ALL TIME
30.5M AUD
TOTAL AMOUNT RAISED ALL-TIME
Join the Movement
Advocates from all over the world pledge to dress up during December to combat human trafficking and violence.
Resources
Need help getting started?
Let your community know you're advocating with Dressember and invite them to join you! Use our Recruitment Graphics to announce your participation in the style challenge, dive into Advocate Guides to learn how to engage your community, share daily stats to raise awareness, and fundraise with ease using customizable email templates. From awareness to action, these resources equip you to advocate for freedom with clarity, courage, and impact. One outfit at a time.
Our Story
It all began with a dress.
In 2009, Blythe Hill, a college student at the time, challenged herself to wear a dress every day in December. As friends, and then friends of friends, joined in over the following years, she saw the potential for something bigger: a style challenge with the power to rally people around a cause.
By 2013, Blythe aligned Dressember with International Justice Mission (IJM) to raise awareness and funds to end human trafficking, setting a campaign goal of $25,000. The community hit it in just three days. By combining a month-long style challenge with a cause people cared about, Blythe unearthed a global movement.
Since then, more than 280,000 people have supported the campaign, raising over $20 million to support IJM and our partners’ efforts to protect vulnerable people from human trafficking and violence. What started as a small, simple act of creativity has become a powerful force for freedom.
For centuries, wearing a dress represented fragility, weakness, and a lack of power. Today, choosing to wear a dress each day reminds me of those who still don’t have that freedom of choice — and it helps me push through. Every day, it’s a reminder of the hands that have made my clothes and the dignity and respect they deserve. The fact that something from my everyday wardrobe can be used to advocate for such an important cause as fighting slavery makes this campaign both powerful and deeply personal. It’s powerful to know that something as simple as a dress can be used to stand for justice and freedom for all.
Our Partners
Faq
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dressember? ¶
Dressember is a global movement of everyday advocates using fashion to fight human trafficking and violence. Each December, thousands dress up to raise awareness and funds for IJM's mission.
Where do Dressember funds go? ¶
Funds support IJM's work to:
- Relieve victims from immediate danger
- Restore survivors through holistic aftercare
- Protect communities by strengthening justice systems
- Amplify survivor voices through advocacy and leadership
How can I particiapte in Dressember? ¶
There are three flexible ways to join:
- 31 Days of December – Dress up every day of the month to raise awareness and
funds. - Dressember For a Day (DFAD) – Join the movement for one powerful day:
December 11. - Dressember Your Way – Customize your participation with weekly outfits, a one-
week blitz, or a team challenge.
Do I have to wear a dress? ¶
Not at all. Dressember is about dressing with purpose, not a specific garment. You can wear a dress, tie, suit, or any outfit that sparks courage and conversation.
Can I participate as a team? ¶
Absolutely. Teams are a great way to build momentum, share the load, and amplify your impact. You can register a team on the campaign site and invite others to join, or you can find a pre-existing team to join.
What resources are available to help me advocate? ¶
The Advocate Toolkit includes social media graphics, stats, conversation starters, and more to help you advocate with confidence.
Is my donation tax-deductible? ¶
Yes. IJM is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the U.S., and donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by U.S. law.
I'm donating from outside the U.S. Is my donation secure and tax-deductible? ¶
Your donation is secure, but not tax-deductible outside the U.S. at this time.
How do I send a check donation? ¶
- Make payable to "International Justice Mission” or “IJM”
- Mail by December 31, 2025 to ensure 2025 tax deductibility
- Write on the memo line of the check, “Dressember, [full name or team
name]” as registered on the campaign site, or include a note specifying that
the donation is for ____________’s fundraiser. - Mail to:
International Justice Mission
PO Box 96961
Washington, DC 20090
What do I do if I receive cash donations? ¶
- Write a personal check for the total amount
- Include donor names, addresses, and the campaign page to receive credit
- Note: If you convert cash to a credit card donation yourself, we cannot issue tax receipts to the original donors.