I was browsing through my local Urban Outfitters the other day, as I do every once in a while. It's been one of my favorite stores since I was 13, so I always take the time to go in, look around, and normally leave with one or two face masks. But the last couple of times, my friends have been subject to my incessant tirade on the romanticization and socially amplified persona of feminism that has been pushed into mainstream stores, most commonly in Urban Outfitters.

If you've been in the store recently, you'll see countless shirts, mugs, and baseball caps that read "Feminist" or other slogans relating to feminism. Now, there's nothing wrong with sporting your favorite feminist t-shirt, I have a couple shirts that still remain some of my favorites to date that read catchy feminist slogans. Here's my issue: the corporate romanticization and trend-making of feminism into fashion have the ability to actually slow down progress for women, rather than helping the cause.

While there isn't one true "reward" for feminism other than equal rights on behalf of all genders, the fashion "brand" of feminism creates a trademark for privileged men and women to categorize themselves as "feminists" without taking any action other than spending $27 on a t-shirt towards Urban's profit.

By all means, if you want to rock that wardrobe, go for it! But actions certainly speak louder than words. The problem is that this romanticisation of feminism allows people to believe that buying these shirts or novelties acts as a replacement for action that actually benefits the feminist cause. When in reality, that money you spend at Urban on a feminist shirt is going right back to Urban- where they won't contribute anything to the feminist cause other than printing these "fashionable" novelties that somewhat benefit white privilege.

If throwing money at a t-shirt in a large corporation store is your best act of feminism, maybe reevaluate the company you are essentially investing in. Maybe you should step outside your bubble to see the damage a patriarchal society does to women outside your privilege.

I'm a big believer that privilege does not make you a bad person. What causes harm, though, is when you are unaware of your privilege and only perpetuate the behaviors that push an unequal society forward. "Check" your privilege-- or if anything-- do something to help others. If you have the money, time, and resources, why would you not step up? Buying a t-shirt from a site that actually benefits the feminist cause can be a good step in that direction.

Before you head on down to Urban Outfitters, check some of these sites.

For example, check out https://www.the-outrage.com/. Outrage.com not only prints adorable feminist clothing, but 100% of their profits go to organizations such as the Malala Fund and Planned Parenthood.

https://googleghost.com/collections/nasty-woman is another collection that supports Planned Parenthood, as 100% of the profits benefit the cause.

There are so much more and all you need to do is Google it. What I recommend is to find your favorite cause and from there, find sites that donate money to that cause.

The problem with today's privileged society is that we believe that if it doesn't affect us directly, then it's "not our problem". I don't have an issue if you wear feminist shirts from Urban Outfitters, but the problem starts when that's all you think you have to do. You're not helping progress, you're simply looking for a reward for false labeling yourself as someone who gives a damn about women's rights.

Some more ideas to get involved (+ you can wear your UO Feminist outfits while doing it):

1. Volunteer on your college campus' women's center.

This can help connect you to so many opportunities for you to find what means the most to you.

2. Get involved on your college campus' crisis center (most large colleges have one now).

With this, you can work to help and prevent campus rape from taking place.

3. Find your local women's shelter and gather items such as non-perishable food, gently used clothing (check your local center for specifics), tampons, pads, etc.

Ask your friends for help! And then donate these items.

4. Donate money to organizations such as Planned Parenthood, the ACLU, the National Organization for Women, Malala Fund, and much more.

(Side note, there's a gazillion causes and things you can do to be a true feminist and help push the fight for equality forward)

The bottom line is that actions speak louder than words. In today's environment, we have to keep pushing towards gender equality across the spectrum. Buying a t-shirt from a big name brand isn't just going to cut it. The action has to come with the purchase and names such as Urban Outfitters needs to recognize this. The societal romanticization of feminism only allows the misogyny in society to continue to harm women across the globe. If there is no purpose behind the words, then what is there?

Take action, it's as easy as that. Literally. Google is one click away.