AD How to Shop Smarter This Black Friday for Activewear You’ll Actually Wear
Black Friday has definitely changed over the years. What used to feel like one frantic day of trying to grab a bargain has turned into weeks of offers, emails and very convincing reasons to buy things you didn’t know you needed.
I’m definitely not against treating myself, especially when something I already wanted suddenly comes down in price, but I’ve become much more selective about how I shop the sales. For me, the best Black Friday purchases aren’t necessarily the ones with the biggest percentage knocked off. They’re the things that I’ll genuinely use long after the sales have finished.
Activewear, trainers and comfortable everyday clothing are particularly good examples. They’re practical, easy to wear and, when you choose well, can become some of the hardest-working pieces in your wardrobe.
Make a list before the sales begin
This sounds incredibly sensible of me, considering I am usually very easily influenced by a good deal, but having even a vague shopping list helps enormously.
Before browsing the Black Friday deals, I like to think about what is actually missing from my wardrobe.
Do I need another pair of trainers? Are my favourite leggings starting to look a little too loved? Am I going away somewhere and need comfortable clothes for travelling? Is there something I’ve nearly bought several times already?
These are the things worth looking for first.
It doesn’t mean you can’t spot something unexpected and decide you love it, but starting with things you already need makes it much easier to separate a genuinely good deal from something you’re only considering because it has a sale sticker attached to it.
Prioritise comfort over trends
The older I get, the less patience I have for uncomfortable clothing.
As a Disabled woman, comfort is particularly important to me because what I’m wearing can genuinely affect how manageable a day feels. If I’m travelling, working, out for the day or dealing with pain and fatigue, I don’t want to spend energy constantly adjusting something that digs in, rubs or simply doesn’t feel right.
That’s why activewear ends up being part of my everyday wardrobe rather than something reserved exclusively for exercise.
When browsing gym clothing, I’d look beyond how something is styled on the website and think about how it would fit into your actual life.
Could you wear the leggings for travelling? Would the sweatshirt work with jeans? Could a comfortable T-shirt become one of those pieces you automatically reach for when you’re having a busy day?
The more ways you can wear something, the better value it becomes.
A good pair of trainers is rarely wasted
Trainers are another category I think makes a lot of sense during Black Friday.
I practically live in comfortable shoes, particularly when we’re travelling or I know I’ll be out for a full day. Even when I’m using my wheelchair, I still want something supportive and comfortable because I’m an ambulatory wheelchair user and will often be getting up, transferring or walking shorter distances throughout the day.
That means I’m much more interested in how footwear actually feels than simply buying whatever style happens to be trending.
If you’re looking at gym trainers, consider what you’ll realistically use them for. You might want a dedicated pair for training, but you might also be looking for something comfortable enough for walking, travelling or everyday wear.
Think about the shoes you already own too. If you constantly wear one particular style while five other pairs sit untouched, that tells you quite a lot about what you should actually be spending your money on.
Don’t automatically buy the cheapest option
One of the biggest Black Friday traps is convincing yourself that something is a bargain simply because it’s cheap.
A £30 item that you never wear is still £30 wasted.
I’d much rather spend a little more on something I’ve wanted for months and know I’ll use regularly than fill my basket with several things just because they’ve been heavily reduced.
It can help to think in terms of cost per wear. Trainers worn several times a week, a jacket you take on every trip or leggings that become part of your everyday wardrobe can quickly justify their price.
This is also why Black Friday can be useful for replacing favourites. If you already know that a certain type of item works brilliantly for you, the sales can be a good opportunity to buy another while prices are lower.
Think about the months ahead
I also try not to shop purely for November.
Christmas, winter walks, weekends away and the slightly depressing attempt to get back into some sort of routine in January are all just around the corner.
Buying clothes you can layer, comfortable trainers and versatile activewear means your Black Friday shopping can carry you right through winter rather than feeling like a collection of impulse purchases you’ve forgotten about by Christmas.
It’s also worth thinking further ahead if you have holidays or trips booked. I seem to spend half my life packing a suitcase, so comfortable travel clothes will never go unused in this house.
A bargain is only a bargain if you wanted it
That’s probably the rule I try hardest to remember.
Black Friday can be brilliant for getting something you genuinely need or finally buying something that has been sitting on your wish list. But you don’t have to buy something simply because a brand tells you it’s a fantastic deal.
Decide what you’re looking for, set yourself a realistic budget and concentrate on pieces that work with the wardrobe and lifestyle you already have.
And if something you’ve been eyeing up for months happens to appear in the sale?
Well, that’s exactly the sort of Black Friday maths I can support.
