Samantha Costanzo

So you’re out searching the mall for some fresh back-to-school looks, when all of the sudden you see the coolest jacket on display in a store’s window. Everything about it is perfect: it’s versatile enough to wear with most of your outfits; it’ll keep you warm when September gets chilly, and it’s even got a cute fur trimmed collar. But when you check the price tag, something else catches your eye—another little tag that says something along the lines of “genuine rabbit fur.”

There’s no way you can buy that thing now (at least, I couldn’t. It would be like putting Bambi’s cute little friend Thumper around my neck!), but that means you’re still down an outfit for the first week of school.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (better known as PETA) has the solution with their first-ever Cruelty-Free Makeover Contest! Their teen division, peta2, is on the hunt for one guy and one girl in desperate need of a makeover. If you’re between 13 and 21 years old and fit that description, then dress yourself up in your tackiest, scariest, I-would-never-go-out-in-public-like-this outfit and upload your picture to peta2.org for your chance to win three outfits from the fur-free Forever 21 and either makeup or a fragrance and shampoo from The Body Shop, which never tests its products on animals.

You’ve got until August 16th at noon (EST) to submit a photo of your fashion emergency. Voting for the worst outfit starts on August 17th, and by September 13th the top twelve finalists will battle for your votes. Who says one of those finalists can’t be you? Don’t be afraid to break out that sweater Grandma bought you for Christmas last year and pair it with those adorable clogs your mom insisted she buy for you. Those former faux-pas might not seem so embarrassing when they land you some hot (and animal friendly!) styles and skincare.

PETA is an internationally recognized animal rights organization that educates people of all ages about the animal rights violations that happen every day. Choosing to shop only at stores that promote these rights is an easy way for you to support them too! Director Dan Shannon has a point when he says: “When you choose cruelty-free clothes, you wear your warm heart on your sleeve.”

And when you’re all done and need to revive some of your glam, check out these cruelty-free clothing and makeup stores for the latest styles:

dELia’s http://store.delias.com/frontpage.do

Old Navy http://oldnavy.gap.com/

Forever 21 http://www.forever21.com/Default.asp

Urban Decay (also at some Sephora stores) http://www.urbandecay.com/vegan.cfm

The Body Shop http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/

Anise Nailpolish http://www.anisecosmetics.com/index.html