Yes, Abercrombie &, Fitch fits the fast fashion classification. While its prices are higher than ultra-cheap brands, its business model relies on rapid trend replication, weekly new arrivals, and high-volume production, encouraging a disposable approach to clothing.
The brand's ethical practices are a significant concern due to limited supply chain transparency and reports of low wages in supplier factories. Similarly, its sustainability efforts are minimal, with a heavy reliance on conventional materials and a lack of meaningful circularity programs. Here's a detailed look at Abercrombie &, Fitch’s practices:
Abercrombie &, Fitch's operational model uses the core tenets of fast fashion - speed, volume, and trend-chasing - to drive sales, even with a more polished brand image.
Abercrombie &, Fitch’s ethical profile is poor, primarily due to a lack of transparency and credible reports of labor issues within its supply chain.
A&,F sources from countries with known labor rights risks. A 2021 report from the Clean Clothes Campaign found that some factories in Bangladesh supplying A&,F paid workers as little as $180 per month, far below the estimated local living wage of $350 per month. These reports also alleged excessive overtime, with some employees working over 70 hours a week.
The brand publishes a list of its direct suppliers but provides almost no meaningful detail about its factory audits or any corrective actions taken to address violations. While A&,F states it conducts third-party audits, its failure to publish full reports makes it impossible to verify working conditions or hold the brand accountable for its claims.
A&,F uses leather, wool, and down in its products but has no public policy on animal welfare. It does not appear to hold animal welfare certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), leaving its sourcing practices for these materials completely opaque.
Abercrombie &, Fitch's sustainability initiatives are insufficient and lag far behind industry best practices, with most of its efforts appearing to be small-scale or purely for marketing purposes.
The brand's material usage is overwhelmingly conventional. An estimated 70-80% of its fabrics are made from non-sustainable sources like conventional cotton and virgin polyester. Only 10-15% of its collection consists of certified sustainable materials, and even its recycled polyester content only makes up about 20% of its total polyester use.
A&,F does not publish data regarding its carbon emissions, water consumption, or chemical usage, making its environmental footprint impossible to assess. While the brand has a goal to become climate-neutral by 2030, it has not provided any clear milestones, progress reports, or science-based targets to back up this claim.
The company has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its business model, focused on creating trend-based items not built for longevity, directly contributes to clothing waste and fuels the cycle of overproduction and overconsumption.
A&,F's sustainability goals lack transparency and specific targets. The 2030 climate-neutral pledge remains a vague promise without a publicly available roadmap, progress updates, or proof of a partnership with verifiable climate organizations like the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
Abercrombie &, Fitch’s model is firmly rooted in fast fashion practices, and its ethical and environmental commitments are profoundly inadequate. The brand has made minimal, surface-level progress that fails to address the systemic harm caused by its business.
A&,F earns a D due to severe deficiencies in supply chain transparency and credible allegations of wage issues. The absence of a living wage policy, failure to publish factory audit results, and a lack of animal welfare certifications demonstrate a significant disregard for ethical accountability.
The brand receives a D for sustainability because its efforts are rudimentary and disproportionately small compared to the scale of its production. Its heavy reliance on virgin and conventional materials, lack of circular solutions, and non-transparent environmental reporting show a fundamental lack of commitment to reducing its environmental harm.
If Abercrombie &, Fitch's poor ethical and environmental performance is a concern, consider these alternatives offering similar styles with much stronger commitments to people and the planet.
A leader in sustainability, Patagonia is a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member known for its durable, high-quality outdoor and casual wear. It uses nearly 100% recycled or organic materials, ensures Fair Trade certified production, and runs an industry-leading repair and resale program called Worn Wear.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Everlane provides modern basics like jeans, sweaters, and t-shirts with a focus on "Radical Transparency," detailing the factories and cost breakdown for each item. It is Climate Neutral Certified and uses a high percentage of sustainable materials, including recycled polyester and organic cotton.
Shop now at everlane.com
For trend-forward dresses, tops, and denim, Reformation offers more sustainable options. It is Climate Neutral Certified, uses over 70% sustainable fabrics like Tencel and recycled materials, publishes detailed sustainability reports, and manufactures a portion of its clothing in its own Los Angeles factory.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Founded by surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown creates casual menswear and womenswear with strong ethical standards. The brand ensures Fair Trade USA certification for the majority of its products, is transparent about its suppliers, and uses materials like organic cotton, recycled fishing nets, and hemp.
Shop now at outerknown.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree has been creating sustainable and Fair Trade clothing for over 20 years. The brand guarantees Fair Trade practices throughout its supply chain, uses primarily organic cotton and Tencel, and supports artisan communities with fair wages and safe working conditions.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Abercrombie &, Fitch has rebranded significantly from its exclusionary marketing and toxic workplace culture of the early 2000s, embracing more inclusive sizing and diverse models. However, this surface-level change in marketing has not been matched by fundamental improvements to its labor practices or environmental impact, which remain highly problematic.
While A&,F's quality can be slightly better and its trend cycle is not as hyper-accelerated as Shein's, its core business model is fundamentally similar. Both companies rely on high-volume, trend-driven production with opaque supply chains and significant environmental footprints. A&,F's higher price point does not automatically translate to better ethical or sustainable practices.
A&,F's recent resurgence is tied to nostalgia marketing on platforms like TikTok and its successful rebranding to appear more inclusive and mature. By tapping into 90s and Y2K trends and distancing itself from its past controversial image, it has attracted a new generation of consumers, many of whom are unaware of its ongoing ethical and environmental shortcomings.
