Black Friday FOMO vs. My Slow Fashion Soul: A Battle for the Ages
Overwhelmed by the chaos? Same. Here’s my wish list (that I may or may not buy in the sales!), tips for shopping smarter, and my favourite wardrobe staples on sale to help you cut through the noise
Black Friday sales are everywhere, and yet, I’m struggling. The overwhelm is real—emails pouring in, flashy ads promising everything I never knew I needed. And then there’s the inner conflict: I’ve worked hard to curate a thoughtful wardrobe, focusing on timeless pieces, secondhand treasures, and slow fashion. Diving headfirst into the frenzy feels so at odds with that.
I’ve had this Substack draft sitting unfinished for a while now, and I’ve been hesitant to hit send. Originally, I planned to share a piece about how I intended to approach Black Friday more intentionally—highlighting what I’d be looking for, offering tips to shop more mindfully, and showcasing a few of my favourite wardrobe staples that are currently on sale.
But honestly? I’ve been questioning whether I want to add to the chaos of this time of year. There’s already so much noise, so many temptations, and a pressure to “not miss out.” While I love the idea of helping others make considered choices, I don’t want to contribute to the overwhelm.
So here I am, torn between wanting to share something valuable and staying true to the slow, intentional ethos I strive to live by. Maybe that’s the real story here, but in the end, I’ve decided to share how I’ve approached Black Friday in case it resonates with someone else feeling the same push-and-pull this time of year.
So, here goes…
My Black Friday wish list.
Below is my original Black Friday wish list I put together a few weeks ago. It’s intentional, thoughtful, and largely driven by my Spring Wish List. But let’s be honest—do any of these items need to be bought on Black Friday? Not at all. We all know these sales pop up more often than a bus running five minutes late!
Sure, the hype around Black Friday is tempting, but the truth is, these discounts aren’t once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. They’ll come around again—and often without the stress and frenzy of this week.
Gold Earrings (Mejuri or similar): I’ve been wanting a pair of timeless, everyday gold earrings to elevate my outfits.
Wine-Coloured Loafers: A chic yet practical addition to my shoe collection—perfect for day-to-night dressing and an item on my Spring Wish List
Linen Mini Dress: The ultimate versatile summer piece—effortless for casual outings yet easily dressed up for special occasions. Full disclosure: I’ve already bought this one, and what’s more —it wasn’t a Black Friday purchase. Instead, I found it at a local preloved consignment store, and it’s absolutely perfect. Proof that the best finds don’t always come with a big sale tag!
Knitted Vest: Another piece from my Spring Wish List that I’m still on the hunt for. I haven’t found the one just yet, but I’m holding out for something that feels just right—classic, versatile, and worth the wait.
My tips for intentional Black Friday shopping.
Here are some of my top tips for intentional shopping this Black Friday. They’ve been my go-to strategies ever since I started being more mindful about my wardrobe. I hope you find them helpful too!
Make a List (and Stick to It!): Write down exactly what you’re looking for and resist the urge to deviate. If it’s not on your list, it’s not going in your cart.
Set a Budget: Decide on a spending limit before you start shopping. This helps you avoid overspending and keeps you focused on the essentials.
Do Your Research: Look up the brands or items you want ahead of time. Bookmark the websites, sign up for email alerts, and compare prices to ensure you’re getting the best deal.
Prioritise Quality Over Quantity: Use this opportunity to invest in well-made pieces that will last.
Don’t Be Swayed by “Too Good to Pass Up” Deals: Just because something is heavily discounted doesn’t mean it’s a good buy. Ask yourself: Do I really need this? Does it align with my style or lifestyle?
Think Ahead: Focus on pieces you’ll wear or use long-term. For me, the wine-coloured loafers will transition beautifully across seasons, and the linen mini dress will be a summer staple.
A few of my favourite brands in the Black Friday sale.
Here are a few of my favourite wardrobe pieces from brands I love that are currently on sale —just in case you’re looking to check something off your wish list. That being said, if you don’t need extra Black Friday noise, feel free to skip this part entirely!
ASSEMBLY LABEL* up to 70% off
If you've read any of my "Everything I Wore Last Week" posts on Substack, you'll know I'm a big fan of Assembly Label. Not only are they an Australian brand, but their pieces also feature in most of my outfits. I just love how they effortlessly elevate the simplest of basics!
Coralie Linen Mini Dress (50% off)
Nilsa Linen Crop Top (70% off)
Nilsa Linen Pants (30% off)
I bought my usual size in all these items
DISSH* 25% off
Dissh is another Australian brand I’m always recommending. They have so many amazing pieces, especially their fabulous linens, all at really reasonable price points.
Alessia Black Linen Vest (25% off) - I bought my usual size
MISSOMA* up to 40% off
For my 40th birthday this year, I wanted to invest in some timeless gold pieces that were of great quality, as I don't often switch up my jewellery. Missoma has been a brand I've loved for years, and they’ve go so many pieces to choose from!
Wavy Ridge Gemelli Cuff Bracelet (20% off)
Zenyu Fan Necklace (30% off)
Molten Cuff Bracelet (20% off)
MERIT BEAUTY* 20% off
Merit has only recently arrived in Australia, but I’ve been eager to try this brand for ages, so I couldn't resist the opportunity! I’ve written a Substack sharing my thoughts on the items I purchased — and without giving too much away, I absolutely loved them! Plus, with 20% off right now, it’s the perfect time to refresh your makeup bag if you're looking for an update. Here are the items I’ve bought recently:
DAUGHTERS OF INDIA* 25% off (on 29th Nov)
Daughters of India is another Australian brand I absolutely adore! Their commitment to slow fashion and the beauty of their designs make some of my favourite pieces in my closet — I always feel amazing when I wear them! Since they don’t go on sale often, this is a fantastic opportunity if you’ve had your eye on any of their pieces. I’ve included links to all the items I own...
Kyra Midi Dress (my colour has been discontinued, but they have some great colours to choose from)
How do you feel about Black Friday? Does the sheer volume of deals feel a bit overwhelming, or do you look forward to the thrill of scoring a bargain? I’d love to know your thoughts!
Just a final reminder that secondhand shopping can often be easier on your wallet than buying the same items during Black Friday sales — and it’s kinder to the planet too! Here are a few of my go-to online secondhand sites:
Consignment Stores ‘Ellies Preloved Bazzar’ is just wonderful if you are local to Melbourne!
If you found this guide helpful, feel free to share it with a friend who might also appreciate some Black Friday inspiration or need a bit of help navigating the sales.
Thanks as always for reading,
Until next time,
Julia x
Thank you for hitting publish on this! I am finding each year more and more overwhelming. I just want to hide from it all. I have used the discount on beauty sites to top up on my tried and tested faves, but clothing wise I'm staying away this year. More for overwhelm than anything else, so no judgement on others indulging. I just cannot hack all the frenzy on and offline this time of year haha.