Ethical Black Friday Shopping Guide
With Black Friday coming up, you may be preparing to purchase some clothes simply because of their inexpensive price point. However, here at Dressember, we urge you to shop according to your values and in tune with anti-trafficking practices during this purchasing season. Working to be a more conscious consumer by buying from sustainable and ethical brands, doing research about the brands you buy from and spending your money at shops that maintain your values surrounding the treatment of employees are all forms of anti-trafficking advocacy, as fast fashion and human trafficking are intrinsically linked.
For example, forced labor trafficking, when people are forced and threatened to perform work that others profit from, is common within the fashion industry and only serves to fuel the dangerous cycle of human trafficking. Head over to the blog to learn more about the connection between human trafficking and fashion!
This Black Friday, we have partnered with some of our favorite ethical brands (some of which are featured on the Dressember Marketplace) to help you continue your journey as a conscious consumer this holiday season while you work to combat human trafficking! Plus, to make it even easier to shop sustainably this Black Friday, we’re excited to share discount codes for each brand. They expire on 11/29 at midnight PST, so be sure to make your ethical purchases before then!
Arise Box
Arise Box is an organization that fights human trafficking by building care packages for survivors using 10% of the funds from their subscription box filled with 4-5 handpicked items that support causes you care about and fit into your everyday life! The Winter Arise Box includes tassel earrings made by survivors in the USA, a hand-painted mug designed by artisans in Morocco, and tea from AestheteTea, a woman, QBIPOC owned company. It also features nail polish (and 10% of the proceeds go towards a new safe home for kids and teens in Missouri!) and socks made from responsibly sourced natural fibers—the proceeds of which go to planting trees and donating professional clothing items to nonprofits helping women find employment.
Your Arise Box also includes a postcard designed by a survivor using art as part of their healing process for you to write a note of encouragement to a survivor! This winter, your postcard was painted by Benedicta. She was rescued from human trafficking and is now recovering in a safe home in Ghana. She is in school and has dreams of becoming a fashion designer. Use code dressemberwinter for 20% off your first subscription and help survivors recovering in safe homes!
The Mustard Seed Marketplace
The Mustard Seed Marketplace is a market for sustainable artisans around the globe! With a collection comprised of jewelry, apparel, handbags and more from over 40 artisan groups in 15+ countries, The Mustard Seed Marketplace is passionate about the fight against human trafficking, keeping families together and helping artisans around the world to thrive! Use code DRESSEMBER15 for 15% off this holiday season as you support local, sustainable artisans!
Poplinen
Poplinen is a clothing brand for women offering premium, everyday essentials in earth-friendly fabrics—made ethically in Downtown LA. Use code DRESSEMBER20 for 20% off comfortable, inclusive clothing that doesn’t compromise on style!
Onīrik
Onīrik, which means “related to dreaming”, makes articles of clothing so well-made, they’re sure to become “future heirlooms.” Most pieces are currently made in a small, family-owned and-run atelier in Bucharest, Romania by master seamstresses. Shop in alignment with your values by using code Dressember for 15% off of a brand that values strength, beauty and wildness!
LA Relaxed
LA Relaxed, as featured on the Dressember Marketplace, is a sustainable, vegan and cruelty-free clothing brand based in Los Angeles. Use code DRESSEMBER30 for 30% off sitewide (Dressember dresses and merch included) to support a small business that values the ethical treatment of employees and the minimization of waste as a part of your journey to becoming a more conscious consumer!
Wilder
Wilder is an independent and sustainable footwear brand for women. Wilder is thoughtful about their impact on the environment, using vegetable-tanned leather whenever possible and 100% recycled papers in packaging as well as producing in limited qualities. They also are committed to safe factory conditions, fair wages and humane hours for workers—some of the values we strive to shop by here at Dressember! Use code DRESSEMBER10 for an additional 10% off their site-wide sale!
UNCVRD Jewelry
UNCVRD Jewelry sells jewelry designed and handmade in Long Beach, CA and exists to empower at-risk girls in foster care and survivors of human trafficking. A portion of proceeds from every purchase is donated to organizations GEMS Uncovered and Brave Global. Head to their website and use code DRESSEMBER for free shipping!
Mikoleon
Mikoleon, as featured on the Dressember Marketplace, is an ethical clothing brand dedicated to providing jobs to artisans, promoting slow fashion and supporting small shops in Guatemala. Use code DRESSEMBER2010 for a 10% discount on all things Mikoloen, and support Dressember in turn!
Outland Denim
Outland Denim is a sustainable brand featured on the Dressember Marketplace. They have partnered with Dressember this year to donate a portion of sales from their ethical and sustainable dresses. Use this link to shop and Dressember receives 20% of all sales! Head over to support anti-trafficking efforts and a company committed to human empowerment, sustainability and human transparency for discounted dresses this holiday season! Note, the sale prices will appear once you click on your desired product.
TAMGA Designs
TAMGA Designs, as seen on the Dressember Marketplace, is a sustainable brand that works to create colorful and conscious clothing. Select styles are now up to 30% off! And, for the 2020 style challenge, TAMGA Designs has designed the TAMGA x Dressember Wrap Dress which you can now purchase for 10% off to support anti-trafficking efforts. TAMGA Designs has also initiated Forest Friendly Friday 2020, which aims to help restore our ecosystems by supporting rainforest guardians, protecting endangered species, and planting more trees with your help. Consider supporting this sustainable and ethical initiative as a gift back this holiday season!
About the Author
Layla Nath is in her sophomore year at American University where she studies political science and journalism! Due to her love of advocacy and academia, she is involved in her college community as a teaching and research assistant. Her desire to help others through writing and research, alongside her passion for sustainable fashion and social justice has led her to this team as an Editorial Intern!