We're all going to look back on Black Friday 2019 as a pivotal moment in shopping history. This is the first year that major retailers, like eco-friendly French clothing company Faguo, are actually encouraging shoppers to opt out of one the most profitable, and wasteful, holidays in history. Instead of bombarding Oxford Street this Friday, 29 Nov, we'll be spending our Ps on some great deals that will keep our conscience clear and slow down our consumption.
Every purchase we make, especially when it comes to clothing and tech, comes at an even bigger cost to the environment. That's why brands, editors, and influencers have been encouraging each other to buy less between Black Friday and the New Year. Brands like Faguo are central to the fashion industry's sustainability campaign "Make Friday Green Again," while eco-beauty brands like BYBI Beauty have been pushing for a "Green Friday." In addition to the fashion and beauty industries making a concerted effort to reduce waste this season, consumer group Which? released a recent report which states that only one in 20 Black Friday deals are actually cheaper [1].
Grace Beverley, founder of sustainable clothing brand TALA [2], shared with POPSUGAR that her "biggest advice this Black Friday is to just think: write a list, plan your consumption, so you don't go overboard and make a point of supporting mindful brands and small businesses doing their best for their workers and the environment. Your money has an impact, it is a vote you are placing — are you voting for unethical manufacturing practices and devastating pollution or for research into sustainable technology and paying workers fairly? You don't have to stop shopping entirely and place a ban on Christmas presents, but the opportunities of where you put your money are endless, and there are some choices that are far better than others."
Ahead, we've got four great ways to find Black Friday deals while minimising our impact on the planet, from the best finds at local thrift shops to the cool designers that are having secret archival sales throughout the city.
Engage in Circularity and Resell Your Wardrobe
Instead of spending your hard earned Ps, you could turn a profit with your wardrobe on Depop [4], or discover pre-owned luxury goodies on Vestiaire Collective — resale and circularity is the future of fashion consumption.
Instead of partaking in Black Friday, Depop [5] is hosting a "Giving Tuesday", where the resale site will be donating all of their fees to the non-profit organisation, One Tree Planted. The event takes place on Tuesday, December 3rd, and for every dollar donated, One Tree Planted will plant one tree.
What's even better is that some of Depop's top sellers and influencers will also be donating part or the entire proceeds of their sales to one of these great causes: the JED foundation, Shelter, MIND, or Breast Cancer Care.
@noahcyrus will give 100% proceeds to the JED Foundation.
@yellabambi is donating 50% of proceeds to Shelter.
@sophieroseseddon pledges 10% of proceeds to Mind.
@InTheFrow sends 20% of proceeds to Breast Cancer Care.
To celebrate this major shift in how we source our goods and buy online, Vestiaire Collective [6] has proposed a circularity challenge this Black Friday weekend. Between Friday, 29 Nov, and Sunday, 1 Dec, all customers who deposit items to sell on site will be rewarded a €20 voucher to buy pre-owned pieces on Vestiaire Collective before 31 Dec. Vestiaire will also be offering free shipping on Cyber Monday.
Trawl Through Designer Archive Sales
Remember last Summer when it became public knowledge that some heritage brands burn their unsold merchandise to protect the "value" of their products? Madness. Instead of feeding into the machine with the very tempting option of buying discounted designer merch, we'll be sussing out the hidden archive sales throughout the city.
Supercool womenswear brand A.W.A.K.E. Mode is hosting an archive sale of up to 70 percent off Spring/Summer 2014 to Resort 2019 goodies. On Thursday, 5 Dec (11am-8pm); Friday, 6 Dec (11am-7pm); and Saturday, 7 Dec (11am-6pm), A.W.A.K.E will be selling ready-to-wear, shoes, and accessories at The Box, 9 Mercer Street, London, WC2H 9QJ.
Thrift For Unique Upcycled Pieces
If you're looking for a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas jumper, or anything else really, then thrift stores are your best bet.
Beyond Retro is hosting an online-only "Green Friday" sale. On offer are some of your favourite brands, like Adidas, Ralph Lauren, and Tommy Hilfiger, plus tons of unique pieces sourced from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. "Whether you're looking for some 90s sportswear, 60s true vintage or the perfect winter coat you'll find it all right here," Beyond Retro shared on their main site. "Every piece has been hand-picked by our experts and is a one-off so get it before it goes!"
Shop the Sustainable Sections of Your Favourite Brands
From ASOS's new "responsible" edit to stores like Reformation, People Tree, and Gap that carry sustainable pieces — if you can't resist the advantage of Black Friday deals, then why not be more mindful of your purchases?
Before you click "add to bag" or fill your shopping basket to the brim, one of the easiest ways to engage in slow fashion consumption is by checking the label on your garment: where is the garment made? And what is it made of?
Some countries are more transparent about the working conditions within their factories than others, while synthetic fibres are one of the main culprits of microplastic pollution. The most common synthetic fabrics are polyester, nylon, rayon, fleece, microfleece, acrylic, acetate, viscose, and elastane (also known as Lycra or Spandex). Instead, buy clothing that is made from natural fibres like cotton, silk, linen, wool, hemp, flax, and jute.
