Don’t Be Fooled by Brackish Bow Ties

Brackish, purveyor of $275 feather bow ties for men, makes a lot of grand claims about the way that it sources its feathers, but its promises—just like its products—are all just for show.

The company declares that the feathers it uses are “humanely” sourced and states, “No bird has been harmed for their feathers.” PETA has sent a letter to the company asking it to stop claiming that its materials are “humane,” as this is deceptive, unethical, and potentially fraudulent.

There’s no such thing as “humanely obtained” feathers. Even birds on “free-range” farms spend much or all of their time confined to crowded sheds, just as animals on conventional factory farms do. Investigations have repeatedly shown that horrific abuse is part of standard agricultural practice, even on so-called “humane” farms. Animals are often left exposed to extreme weather conditions, handled roughly, and forced to endure mutilations such as debeaking and detoeing. And birds from “free-range” farms may be transported hundreds of miles to the same slaughterhouses used by factory farms, where they’re hung upside down and their throats are cut—often while they’re still conscious and struggling to escape.

Brackish claims that feathers from “free-range” farms are “simply thrown away as a waste product,” but that, too, is false. Up to 15 percent of farmers’ total profits come from the sale of feathers. They aren’t simply dumped into the trash, because they’re highly profitable.

The company uses feathers from a number of species, including pheasants, partridges, turkeys, roosters, bobwhite quails, geese, peacocks, and others. And you can bet that every feather in Brackish’s bow ties came from an animal who suffered so that the brand could profit from selling high-priced neckwear.

Don’t be fooled by Brackish or any other company that swears that it robs animals of their body parts “humanely.”