The last weeks of November arrive, and the buzz around Black Friday becomes louder than ever. This annual event, which has practically turned into a holiday of its own, comes packed with deals and promotions that seem too good to pass up.
However, here at Hartwell, we believe that not everything that glitters is gold, and it’s time to take a moment to discuss the downsides of Black Friday. Everyone knows about the ads and the flood of discounts, but what’s behind it?
In this article, we’re not here to convince anyone to skip out on the hype of this day. Instead, we want to share more information so you can learn the truth behind this shiny initiative. Additionally, we’ll explain why at Hartwell Clothing, we choose not to participate, opting instead to offer discounts and promotions throughout the year.
Black Friday and The Pressure to Buy: A Modern-Day Dilemma
Today, the term “Black Friday” refers to the day after Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s a day filled with deals and discounts, particularly in electronics and clothing. However, its origins are darker and older than one might think.
Some records indicate that the term was first used in the 1960s to describe the chaos that unfolded in the streets of Philadelphia as people flocked to take advantage of the day’s deals.
This wasn’t the only time Black Friday was linked to negative connotations. In the early 2000s, as the event became a global phenomenon, tragedies and accidents often occurred as shoppers scrambled to secure the best prices.
While Black Friday now takes place mostly online, reducing the physical risks, other negative effects persist. This seemingly harmless event promotes extreme consumerism, often leading to individuals going into debt in pursuit of bargains.
The celebration of discounts also has a significant environmental impact and is closely tied to the overconsumption of fast fashion. People buy low-quality clothing at extremely cheap prices, only to discard them after minimal use, resulting in a staggering increase in pollution.
Why Fast Fashion Hurts More Than It Helps
The problem with Black Friday isn’t just the event itself, but also the entire culture surrounding it. It’s an event that promotes fast fashion, which heavily contributes to generating massive waste and pollution.
Even if people were willing to donate or repurpose their used clothing on a large scale, the low-quality fabrics and materials used in fast fashion wouldn’t allow them to last.
Fast fashion is built on a cycle of endless production and disposal, often exploiting workers and damaging the environment in the process. The rush for cheap, disposable clothing encourages us to value quantity over quality, leading to an unsustainable industry that harms both people and the planet.
Black Friday invites us to rethink our consumption habits and make a fundamental decision: do we choose to contribute to fast fashion, or do we embrace an ethical approach to how we use and purchase clothing? At Hartwell, we made our choice from the very beginning.
We believe in investing in quality over quantity, offering durable pieces designed to stand the test of time. By choosing timeless countrywear crafted with care, you not only build a wardrobe that lasts but also take a stand for sustainability, helping to reduce waste and promote ethical practices in fashion.
Black Friday Isn’t Hartwell’s Style and Here’s Why
At Hartwell, we understand how tempting it can be to see all the promotions the internet has to offer, and you might feel like you’re missing out if you don’t join in on Black Friday shopping. We don’t believe Black Friday is useless for every sector, but when it comes to the clothing and fashion industry, the damage it causes is undeniable.
We stand against the wasteful fashion culture, which is significantly amplified during this time of year, even beyond Black Friday. We recognize that this side of the industry not only contributes to severe environmental pollution, but is also often driven by unethical production practices.
Our values are rooted in offering high-quality garments at a fair price all year round. Throughout the year, you can find discounts on our website. Best of all, our clothing is made from high-quality fabrics, ensuring durability.
Our pieces are not made to be discarded after a few wears, and their fabrics won’t wear out after the first wash. We ensure the highest quality so that our garments can remain a staple in your wardrobe for a long time, ready to create the best country wear looks.
We Offer Great Deals, All Year Round
Want to get the most out of your money? The best thing you can do is invest in high-quality clothing that stays in your wardrobe for years without losing the charm it had on day one. Start with basic pieces that work for any outfit, then add statement pieces to give it your unique touch.
Remember when we mentioned our discounts available year-round? Take a look at our “Outlet” section on the website, where you’ll find over 40 pieces at unbeatable prices.
There, you’ll find clothing from last season—spring/summer, in this case. You can store these items in your wardrobe until the warm days return (they’ll stay in perfect condition). Or, layer them with jackets or leggings to wear them all year long.
With our promotions, you can get the best clothes at the best prices—without falling into consumerist trends that harm our planet.
