A company with two local boutiques is learning that fashion for a cause is a good fit for its customers. Cristi Hargroves, owner of Apricot Lane Boutiques, said she likes searching for benevolent brands for two reasons: her sales staff loves to share the stories behind the products, and customers say they feel better about philanthropic purchases.

“As trends come and go, the one thing that always stays in style is doing good for others and giving back,” said Hargroves, whose Zona Rosa and Overland Park stores sell products such as Toms shoes, an international brand that is known for its one-for-one charitable giving to children in need of footwear.

Many of the accessories at Apricot Lane Boutiques are also affiliated with charities. Some of the boutiques’ most popular baubles are colorfully beaded Nepal Mission bracelets by FairTrade Fashion Designs that are handcrafted by Christian women in Nepal.

Other accessories with charitable ties include jewelry from 3Strands, an organization that donates 50 percent of profits to help victims of human trafficking; hair ties and headbands from Emi-Jay, a company that donates profits to help girls attend college; and bracelets by Good Work(s), a corporation that donates 25 percent of its net profit to provide school supplies to underprivileged students.