Labor Day weekend used to mean back to school shopping. Now it means beer and BBQs and maybe, if we can stand it, back to Fashion Week shopping.

But if you’re still looking for a valid excuse to spend money in the next few days, how about for charity?

Each October, Glamour asks six designers to participate in their Fashion Gives Back project. This year, they’re recruited Jason Wu, Alejandro Ingelmo, jewelry designer Pamela Love, Brian Reyes, Bensoni, and Lorick, (Abigail, of Gossip Girl fame) to design a series of limited edition totes. They range from sketchy black lines from Wu to a dreamcatcher heart from Love and are exclusively available at Bloomingdales.

At $35, they’re not only affordable, but adorable. And the best part is one hundred percent of the proceeds go to Dress for Success.

Unless of course you are still in school, in which case these are way cooler than the last book bag we carried.

As if you needed another reason to shop the cute items at fredflare.com, for today only Fred Flare is donating 5% of all sales to help send adorable Chris Hues designed hearts to kids all over the world.

Chris started out sending the hearts to kids suffering from cancer and now his hearts are distributed by the Heart to Heart International organization to children on every continent.

And as wrapped up in the tizzy of Fashion Week preparations as we already are, it’s always good to step back and think about the bigger picture, right? Consider it a good deed for the day.

So head over to fredflare.com and start shopping! (We’d recommend this “i heart you” dress to start)

Sometimes I really wish I was a Hamptons girl. Not for the scene, or especially the concept of having to dress up to pick up some groceries at Citarella. But for the occasional event that I wish I was attending on some summer weekend, like this one.

I’m occasionally found in Montauk (which I so don’t consider the Hamptons despite this summer’s attempts to make it seem otherwise) and if I was on Saturday I would so be making the drive to East to meet one Christy Turlington, who I professed my undying love for just the other day.

The thing is…you can live the dream for me, as I maneuver the weekend crowds in Park Slope. The supermodel is co-hosting an event with Temperley London called Shop for CARE on Saturday, to help equip women around the world with the tools they need to get above the poverty line.

There will be a silent auction of one-of-a-kind and vintage Temperley gowns and proceeds from the week’s sales at the store will also go to the cause.

All the details after the jump!

After you have given away few pairs of shoes away, you may want to check out this footwear-charity collaboration.

While Abby is considering forgoing her Havaianas to save her feet, some big names in fashion have created their own versions of the summertime staple.

The sandals are to be auctioned off to benefit charity CLIC Sargent, a charity giving money to young people who have cancer, and their families.

Naomi Campbell, Manolo Blahnik, Matthew Williamson, and Lulu Guinnness (pictured) are just a few of the people adding their special touches (or in Naomi’s case, heels) to these flip flops.

Havaianas is no stranger to a collaboration. In 2004 the company partnered with H.Stern to create a diamond encrusted pair. And while we love diamonds, we love Issa’s polka-dotted pair more!

The shoes are hitting Selfridges window displays on June 15, and will be available for auction on June 26, but for now you can check them out online.

Is it sad that we are checking the cost of flights to London right now so we can check them out in person?

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

Before you balk at giving up your shoes, think of that hot pink pair of heels in the back of your closet that you wore to one party and haven’t touched since. Then, consider a good cause.

PUMA’s partnering with charity Soles4Souls, a charity that donates shoes to 125 countries in need, from June 15 to July 20. They’re asking shoppers to donate any lightly worn shoes at PUMA locations and receive 30% off for new PUMA kicks.

They’re even setting up two massive 10-foot tall donation boxes for people to donate their shoes and snag a pair of Soles4Souls flip-flops with their discount - one in Union Square on June 15 and the other on the Santa Monica Pier on June 23.

We’ve been having trouble closing our closet anyway, so needless to say, we’re in.

—MELISSA ELLIOTT

Pronto and Ideeli, two separate shopping sites, have joined forces to bring you that Alexander Wang bag.

It’s the black Donna hobo that every single model carried this fashion week. It retails for $795 but you can register to win it here for free.

If you need a pair of jeans to go with that bag, everything at Deisel is 30% off starting tomorrow, Friday April 17, through the weekend. You can print the coupons out here or just get them in store.

And lastly, you can win a $1000 shopping spree to Saks Fifth Avenue if you refer a few of your friends to CharityHapenings.org, a website that bills itself as the philanthropic hub of New York City where socials get their invitations to charity events and the chance to contribute to the philanthropies of their choice.

And let’s face, $1000 will buy you quite a bit at Saks come spring sales.

What’s the best way to raise money for charity?

Celebrities are a good start, pretty clothes don’t hurt and when you throw the two together, well it’s pretty much a given that interest will be piqued.

La Perla’s had quite the red carpet turn this year. Molly Sims rocked a ruffled mini, Gabrielle Union wore a flowing turquoise gown to a film festival, Rachel McAdams somehow made a white bustier work and Kristen Stewart wore an asymmetrical black dress to Twilight’s London premiere.

And they’re auctioning all of it off via Clothes Off Our Back. Money raised will be distributed to various charities including Feeding America and Hope North.

Also up for grabs, the corset Britney wore when Karl presented her with her very own Bambi award. Not sure who’s into owning Britney’s lingerie, but hey, it’s for a great cause.

—CARSON GRIFFITH

We’re always a fan of doing good while shopping - a trend that peaks during the holidays and then goes into hiding the rest of the year.

So we were thrilled to see these signs in the Belle by Sigerson Morrison windows on our street.

They’re holding a spring canned food drive and giving you major shoe discounts.

You bring in ten cans, you get 10% off, fifteen cans for 15% off, twenty cans for 20%off - it stops there. You can’t bring in one hundred cans for 100% off but it’s still about the easiest way to catch a break on these perfect sandals while doing a very good deed.

Well, at least the New York Public Library thinks you are.

Starting on the 1st of January, there’ll be an online auction (through the 31st) to benefit the 87 branches of the NYPL and their teen programs. And what will everyone bid on? Tiaras designed by the likes of Vera Wang, Tommy Hilfiger, Nicole Miller, Bobbi Brown, Lauren Conrad, and Austin Scarlett from Project Runway (among others), in honor of the Princess Diaries.

If you believe none of this, please visit the official site.

LC’s, which we knew we had to pull from the gallery for you, is at left.

Happy clicking.

The good people at Earnest Sewn know that times are tough. Their solution? Sell cheaper stuff and throw a few parties, of course!

On December 2nd, the Earnest Sewn store on Washington launches “Recession Proof,” a back-room installation filled with goods all for less than $50, including candles from Malin & Goetz, Dents gloves, Earnest Sewn scarves, Case & Sons knives, Moleskin notebooks, Barbour hats, 80%20 shoes, Shades of Griege shirts, Digby & Iona jewelry, Billy Kirk accessories, and pieces from the Quail.

Plus? They’re holding three shopping events (details after the jump) during which you can get 40% off Earnest Sewn goods (and 20% off everything else) while you enjoy the free refreshments being served. And (if you can believe there’s more), they’re holding a canned food drive in conjunction with the Food Bank for New York City and New York City Cares, so you get an extra 1% off third-party merchandise for every can you bring in (up to 20% off).

Now if only they could lower the regular price of their jeans, they could really pack the store, and not just for the free drinks and cute candles.

We’ve been meaning to go through our closet lately, since every drawer seems to have a six-inch high padding of “maybe I’ll wear it” clothes that never sees the outside world. So good thing Banana Republic’s giving us a reason to get going.

Who: Banana Republic and Goodwill

What: Their second annual sweater and coat drive - Bring your gently worn sweaters and coats to any Banana Republic store (US and Canada only), from October 16th to October 26th, and get a 30% discount at the store in exchange.

Why: Because not only could you use a cute sweater dress on sale, but all donated goods will end up at Goodwill locations around the country, and the revenue from your old stuff will fund job training and employment programs for people who could really use it.

Last year’s drive generated almost a half-million dollars - and wouldn’t it be so easy to talk your boyfriend out of ugly sweater choices with facts like that?

Ever dreamed of the day when buying one of your favorite designers’ bags actually helped to make the world a better place?

Well, thanks to Glamour, this day has come. The magazine, through their Fashion Gives Back program, has asked Doo.Ri, Loeffler Randall, Subversive, Band of Outsiders, Chris Benz, and 3.1 Phillip Lim to each design a unique tote bag made of 100% organic cotton, and of course the best part is, 75% of all profits will go to Global Green USA.

We can’t imagine a better way to give to charity than by treating ourselves to a new book bag. And can you think of a cuter way to pick out your lettuce than with Phillip Lim’s kissy face? And I believe Band of Outsiders’ design is actually based on the inside of my purse, hair clips and all.

If this sounds like the cutest route to philanthropy, head to Henri Bendel some time tomorrow or this week - we have a feeling these will sell out quick!

—HAYLEY PHELAN

Topshop’s torn a sheet from Margherita and Lauren Bush’s playbook with their latest design effort -

A collaboration with Humankind and AfriKids to produce a six-piece line to benefit communities in northern Ghana.

Each summer piece is inspired by West African design, handcrafted according to Fairtrade, and the money itself will go towards setting up an eco-lodge to boost the local economy.

From the looks of the dress at left, this collection should be cute and simple, perfect for summer, and the perfect excuse to get those last bits of hot-weather shopping in before the guilt of saving for a Fall coat weighs you down.

Can you believe we’re already thinking about that?

If you’re looking for a good excuse to buy your millionth t-shirt, here’s one:

The newest batch of Kate Moss’ High Summer collection for Topshop will include a shirt that benefits the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation, a charity that benefits seriously ill children.

Kate’s modeling her design at left, which we hope you like. She’s trying to raise £75,000, which will give Starlight the needed funds to grant an additional wish for a terminally ill kid every week for the coming year.

The top launches Friday!

I’ve been trying to avoid the OAK store for a week now. It’s been hard, real hard.

But that hasn’t stopped me from clicking through the pages of new things they’re stocking online. Among my favorites are the new styles of Rubber Duck espadrilles.

Reasons why I think everyone should have at least one pair:

1. They’re a cute alternative to boat shoes, but just as comfortable.

2. They come in seven black and white patterns from stripes to psychedelic checks.

3. OAK stocks men’s and women’s styles and sizes, so you can buy a pair for a boyfriend, girlfriend or any friend, really.

4. Ten percent of the sales go back to the workers in Bangladesh and China as bonuses for making the shoes, and other portions of the proceeds go to global charities

6. Because you can never have enough pairs of flats.

—KYLE HAYES

Back when I was a beauty intern, I noticed something curious: the number one gifts to send to beauty editors are always the same - Picnic baskets, fluffy robes and flip-flops.

So we knew it was only a matter of time before somebody came up with this newest designer (makeup, that is) collaboration.

Trish McEvoy, Bobbi Brown and Laura Mercier have all just designed their own pair of limited-edition Havaianas. They’ll be available at Saks the entire month of June, and all proceeds from each sale benefit charity: water.

The one at top is Laura Mercier’s design - click through to check out Bobbi Brown’s and and Trish McEvoy’s.

(We kind of wish these were coming with neon nail polish, but whatever.)

We totally support Louis Vuitton in its quest to stop all fake-making “inspired” by their designs, but their most recent lawsuit is a little hard to swallow -

LV has sued a student artist, Nadia Plesner, over her “Simple Living” campaign, a fundraiser that benefits the Divest for Darfur organization.

Plesner drew an image of a Darfur victim holding a teacup style dog and toting an LV-inspired bag, to prove that a Paris Hilton-centric image would get more media attention than real-life Darfur victims. She was right, and has been raising money for the cause by putting her drawing on t-shirts and posters.

Except LV isn’t exactly happy about it - even though 100% of Plesner’s profits have been going straight to Darfur victims, Louis Vuitton is suing her for around $22,000 per day that she continues her campaign - apparently they think the design, though it doesn’t include an exact copy of the Murakami pattern, infringes on their intellectual property rights.

We understand why Louis Vuitton might not want what is clearly meant to represent their most recognized accessory hanging off the arm of an emaciated child victim, but, really? Suing a charity?

Rebecca from Stylehive just clued us into the best collaboration we’ve heard of since Proenza for Target -

Margherita Missoni and Damon Dash are working together to create a new line of sneakers for ProKeds to benefit Orphanaid Africa.

The line will consist of six pairs of sneaks covered in collages of Africa-inspired prints (we’d kill for shoes with a tiger on them), and will be sold at Barneys and Colette.

No word yet on a launch-date, but we’re willing to bet the event will merit an in-store visit from Damon himself - but will Margherita fly back from her new home in Paris for an appearance on Fifth?

If you were planning on using some old t-shirts as rags or just bottom-of-the-dresser-drawer fluff, you might want to hang on a couple more weeks.

Starting April 13, all Barneys stores will accept all those “vintage” tees from Urban you bought when you first started school, and hand them over to Loomstate so Rogan Gregory can turn them all into a way cooler limited-edition t-shirt collection to be sold exclusively at Barneys for the holidays. Proceeds will benefit 1% for the Planet, and the whole thing is sponsored by the Sundance Channel.

If it strikes you as a rip-off to return to Barneys after eight months and buy back your own old stuff (mixed with a bunch of other people’s old stuff), take comfort in that you’ll receive a 20% discount on the line (and on other Loomstate) for exactly fifteen days in April.

And if the whole thing strikes you as a little too cool for green, you could at least show up to the kick off event at Barneys on the 22nd to be DJ’ed by, of course, Paul Sevigny.

We think we just hit (in Faran’s words), reality TV meta overload -

We just got a glimpse of Christian Siriano’s first dress post Project Runway win.

And where did it appear? On television, of course!

American Idol contestant Kimberley Locke wore it during her performance last night.

We’re guessing this is just like a beginner’s Sudoku for Christian, who’s supposed to be designing for Posh, and who recently shouted dreams of making MK’s Met Ball gown.

So far the look is getting pretty mixed reviews online (everywhere from “fierce” to “hot tranny mess”), but if you’re interested and have $1,000 or so to spare, you can bid for it on Clothes Off Our Back.

If you really do love it, you’ve got about two weeks to come up with the cash. But it would be like a reality TV perfect trifecta if a winner from Amazing Race or Survivor was the one to actually win the bid.