Shit, shit, SHIT. A lovely friend has given me a beautiful gift... and it's by a company I actively boycott :(

[TheWestCoastLotus]

I posted here because it's an item of clothing.
This is a really more of a WWYD, or maybe a cry for some comforting... I am not a twat (well, mostly not)(oh crap, I really hope I'm not), and I'm not being precious, and before anyone flames me as an ungrateful cow, I gave my friend a huge hug and said thank you and was so excited about the gift... and then I saw the label :(:(:(

It's a company I simply can't support, I object to their marketing strategies and their internal policies (some acquaintances have worked there) and most of my friends know I don't buy anything from this company.
This friend doesn't, we haven't known each other very long, and I would not for the world hurt her feelings.

It's a jacket, and it's gorgeous. It's sitting on my bed, looking at me, calling to me, saying "I'm beautiful and you'll look lovely wearing me, my colour is fantastic for you, just put me on!"

Shit shit shit. If only it weren't by this company. I'd wear it in a heartbeat.

I try not to let convenience or vanity get in the way of principles, and have resolutely boycotted this company for years now.

Could I have some (kind) advice?

No, I know it's not the end of the world.

So, ok, how do I deal with it if I wear it and someone comments on my wearing that particular brand within her hearing? Any advice gratefully appreciated :)

What size is it?
If it's an 8 I have an excellent home for it

I once sent an Mnetter a Nestle product without thinking about it, and felt a right twat afterwards

The west coast,really,if you have taht many new age principles surely clothing doesn't matter that much???The important thing is friends and family.i am going to sound harsh right now but to me this sounds like bullshit.i dress my kids in Primark or H and m because I am a single mother on a low income,(not pc i know)though I do give to charity,red cross and cancer stuff.I lost my partner last year and have a disabled dd.If people are sniffy fuck em,truly,it was a gift ,you can explain that,it is just a clothing item,dont stress ! if they are that het up about clothes its a pretty sad thing imo,but thats just me!!

I was going to say don't be daft its clothes... wear it. But then I googled. I had similar issue with perfume and skin care gifts given to me by a dear friend - Amway products. Scamway I call em.

Never heard of lululemon but a friend was sucked in by the Landmark Forum. I ignored it and she's come out the other side and we are still friends.

BTW I've just taken off one of my favourite jackets which is YSL black leather trimmed with mink tails.

Question (a) Is your lululemon thing as nice as that?

and (b) does that make you feel better or worse?

Sorry.... what new age principles, Mavis?

I've just done a quick google and read up on them. Freaky fuckers. I wouldn't wear it.

It's not as nice as an YSL jacket with mink tails :o

It does look very beautiful and is very flattering to me.
I do feel a bit of a cringe when I put it on :(... however, maybe that will pass. Maybe if I just think how really nice it was of my friend to buy it, I'll be able to cringe less down the line...

Taking everyone's advice on board - thank you!

Wear it, enjoy it, thank your lucky stars for having such a lovely friend.

If we had to wear only clothing that was produced with unimpeachable credentials, only the few people who can afford French couture (made by skilled workers with pension plans etc) would wear clothes. And that's assuming we ignore the eating disorders caused by nasty little men who think women should look like 12-year-old boys.

The rest of us would be butt naked.

I've just had a skim read.

TBH I'm not that bothered. Eight-year-old Bangladeshi children can't get another job. Autonomous Western adults presumably can, if this crap bothers them.

As far as staff abuses in the fashion industry go, my view is that it would come fairly low on the list.

If you really can't wear it then be up front with your friend. Tell her how 'perfect' it is (you clearly like it, she clearly knows your taste and has chosen well), but for the fact of where it comes from. I think if they are a good friend they will understand. A long time ago I was given a watch (on a chain) it was tres horrible, but was given to me by friends. In the end I had to 'fess up because I wouldn't have worn it in a month of sundays and they kept asking where it was.
So if you are not going to wear it see if she can return it, or something.

I would wear it because I didn't buy it but not to the next four yoga weekends if I were you to avoid people commenting in case your lovely friend heard.

Come on, it's not animal testing or child abuse. I know I'm being flippant but it's a present and you didn't' pay for it.

Have just had a look at the website , can't see what's so great about the clothes tbh.
If you feel that strongly I think you should explain to your friend how you feel .

They make their staff go through the Landmark Forum?! [shudder]

A friend of a friend did that and did the real hard sell on me (I understand they're put under pressure to do so). I googled it and was shocked at what I read. Then I told my acquaintance I wouldn't do it if she paid me and explained why. Within a week, the articles were right at the back of the Google search, with loads of positive stuff coming up first

what ninedragons said

The money has already been spent, so you not wearing it won't hurt them, it'll hurt your friend who'd probably want to see you in the jacket, and hurt you because you won't get to wear a lovely jacket.

I'd cut the label out, and if anyone asks you where it's from you can say "I don't know, my friend XXX bought it for me, isn't she lovely!" so you're not advertising for them.

Can you buy her a return gift from a more ethical company to even it up a bit?

Ninedragons makes an excellent point.

My goodness....you are principled!

Maybe take the label out.

She sounds like a nice friend.

If any one comments. Quickly say. It's a present from x. Put your head in the sand and take the label out. You sound like a nice person and you strive to do the right thing - that's enough.

Fuck the casual friends - I want to see the Mugabe line - I bet it's very "Sean Paul" - absolutely dripping with bling!

I desperately want to see cod's comment on this thread.