How do I Avoid the Black Friday Hype?
On Friday 29 November, the world will once again fall under the Black Friday spell!
This originally American phenomenon has spread exponentially throughout the world in recent years.
We argue for a more ethical approach to your shopping behavior. Allow yourself a moment to transform from unconscious to conscious consumer.
Before you reach for your wallet, Ask yourself these 4 questions!
Black Friday is praised as the largest shopping event of the year. For 100 million Americans, the day after Thanksgiving is a desperate hunt for “bargains.” Although Thanksgiving and Black Friday are still the busiest shopping days for stores, foot traffic has declined in recent years. Last year it fell by no less than 9% compared to 2017, but online sales increased by 18%! shoppers are simply going digital!
The name Black Friday carries many negative connotations. Imagine a crowd of crazy shoppers pushing and pulling each other to grab more stuff they actually don’t need.
It highlights the dark side of fast fashion.
It’s especially disheartening when you consider that much of the new clothing that is purchased around the world on Black Friday is finding its way to landfills very quickly. Worldwide, 80% of the purchased textile is already discarded after an average of 7 wears.
It is so easy and so human to give in when you are surrounded by messages claiming that you need to take advantage of these amazing deals on items that will make your life better.
Allow yourself to take a moment to shift from unconscious to conscious consumer.
Before you reach for your wallet, Ask yourself these 4 questions!
- Do I really need this?
- How often will I wear it?
- How many similar items do I already own?
- How long will it stay? (look at both fashion and quality)
After careful consideration it may be that you really do not need new things. If you still want to buy something new, challenge yourself to make more ethical or conscious choices.
You could try to resist the impulse to buy a lot of cheap items. Invest in high quality items instead. You will enjoy more high quality pieces and love them more. Quality you can see! High quality items make your look stronger. And better yet, it also reduces the total amount that you use and spend.
Make a conscious choice for a brand that has a positive impact on the planet and its inhabitants.
Let us work together to gradually reduce the impact of the fashion industry by entering the (end-of-year) shopping season this year with a conscience or, even better, avoiding it! 😉
Written by Apr. Sofie Dierckx