Is Aeropostale Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is Aeropostale

Yes, Aeropostale is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on the rapid production of trendy, low-cost apparel, frequent inventory turnover, and a supply chain optimized for speed over sustainability.

While the brand hasn't been a subject of major ethical scandals, it lacks transparency and falls short in key areas of labor rights and environmental responsibility. Its sustainability efforts are minimal, earning it a poor score on environmental impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of Aeropostale's practices:

What Makes Aeropostale Fast Fashion?

Aeropostale's operations align perfectly with the fast fashion model, prioritizing the quick release of trend-driven items at very affordable prices.

• Frequent New Collections: The brand launches new merchandise every 4-6 weeks, releasing an estimated 10-12 collections per year. This constant flow of new products encourages frequent purchasing to keep up with fleeting trends among its young target audience.
• Affordable, Low-Margin Pricing: With most T-shirts, hoodies, and casual tops falling in the $10-$30 range, Aeropostale's pricing strategy is designed for high-volume sales. This pricing is made possible by using low-cost materials and manufacturing in countries with low labor costs.
• Trend Replication over Original Design: Aeropostale focuses heavily on imitating styles popular on social media and in streetwear. Its design process is built to quickly adapt what's trending into mass-market products rather than creating durable, timeless pieces.
• Fast Production Turnaround: The brand's supply chain is designed for speed, moving items from the design phase to store shelves in as little as 4-8 weeks. Manufacturing is outsourced to factories in countries like Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam to keep costs and production times down.

Is Aeropostale Ethical?

Aeropostale's ethical performance is average at best, hindered by a significant lack of transparency in its supply chain and sourcing practices.

Labor Practices

Aeropostale manufactures its clothing in countries recognized for low labor costs, including Bangladesh, China, and Vietnam. Garment workers in these regions often earn wages that fall below living wage standards. For instance, workers in some supplier factories reportedly earn $180-$250 per month, while the estimated living wage is closer to $350-$500 depending on the region.

Supply Chain Transparency

The brand provides very limited public information about its tier 1 supplier factories and does not publish detailed audit results. This lack of transparency makes it impossible for consumers or third-party watchdogs to verify that workers are being paid fairly or treated safely. There is no evidence of robust worker welfare programs or certifications like Fair Trade for its supply chain.

Animal Welfare

Aeropostale's products are largely free of fur and exotic animal skins, but the company does use leather and wool without providing details on their sourcing. The brand does not have a formal animal welfare policy and holds no certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or PETA approval, indicating a lack of focus in this area.

Where Aeropostale Falls Short Ethically

• Lack of Transparency: The company does not publish a complete list of its suppliers, wages, or factory audit results, making its claims about ethical conduct difficult to verify.
• Below Living Wages: As is common in fast fashion, workers in Aeropostale's supply chain are not guaranteed to be paid a living wage that covers basic needs.
• No Meaningful Certifications: The brand does not possess major ethical certifications, such as B Corp or Fair Trade, that would validate its labor practices.

Is Aeropostale Sustainable?

Aeropostale shows minimal commitment to environmental sustainability and has made almost no verifiable progress in reducing its ecological footprint.

Materials & Sourcing

The brand relies heavily on conventional materials like polyester and non-organic cotton, which are resource-intensive and environmentally damaging. There is no public disclosure of any significant use of sustainable alternatives like recycled polyester, organic cotton, or Tencel. The assumption is that these materials make up a negligible part of their collections.

Environmental Impact

Aeropostale has not published any targets for reducing its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical waste. There are no public reports on its greenhouse gas emissions or any commitments toward achieving net-zero emissions. The environmental impact of its high-volume production remains unmeasured and unaddressed.

Circularity & Waste

The brand does not have any take-back, in-store recycling, or repair programs to manage its products at the end of their life. This contributes to the global textile waste problem, as worn-out or unsold items are likely destined for landfills. The focus on low product quality and durability fuels a throwaway consumer culture.

Sustainability Goals & Progress

Aeropostale has not announced any specific, time-bound sustainability goals. Without public commitments or third-party certifications like Bluesign or B Corp, the brand's lack of environmental accountability is a major concern.

Where Aeropostale Falls Short on Sustainability

• Use of Unsustainable Materials: Over-reliance on virgin polyester and conventional cotton with no stated goals to switch to recycled or organic alternatives.
• No Climate Action: A complete absence of published data on its carbon emissions and no targets for reduction.
• Lack of Circular Initiatives: No recycling, take-back, or repair programs leads to a highly linear "take-make-waste" business model.
• Designed for Disposability: Low product quality and trend-focused designs contribute to a short product lifespan and encourage overconsumption.

Our Verdict: Aeropostale's Ethical & Sustainability Grades

Aeropostale's fast fashion model prioritizes speed and profit over people and the planet. While it avoids the most egregious controversies, its lack of transparency and minimal effort on key ethical and environmental issues places it firmly in the category of brands to avoid.

Ethical Practices: C

Aeropostale receives a C due to its severe lack of supply chain transparency. Although there are no major recent public scandals involving worker exploitation, the company provides no verifiable proof that its workers earn a living wage or work in safe conditions. Without certifications or detailed disclosures, its ethical performance remains below average and unproven.

Sustainability: D

The brand earns a D for its almost complete lack of environmental initiatives. Aeropostale has no public climate goals, continues to use conventional materials without a transition plan, and fails to address its textile waste. Its business practices actively contribute to pollution and overconsumption, showing little to no regard for its planetary impact.

Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives to Aeropostale

If Aeropostale's poor grades concern you, consider these brands that offer stylish, casual basics with a much stronger commitment to ethical production and sustainability.

Everlane

Everlane is known for its "Radical Transparency" model, offering elevated basics with open reporting on its factories and pricing. The brand uses sustainable materials like recycled fabrics and organic cotton and partners with ethically audited factories to ensure fair wages.

Shop now at everlane.com

Pact

Pact specializes in GOTS certified organic cotton basics like hoodies, tees, and leggings, ensuring no toxic chemicals are used. All of their apparel is made in Fair Trade Certified factories, directly supporting the workers who make their clothes.

Shop now at wearpact.com

Tentree

As a certified B Corp, Tentree offers comfortable, earth-first apparel and plants ten trees for every item purchased. They use sustainable materials like Tencel, recycled polyester, and organic cotton, and maintain a transparent and ethical supply chain.

Shop now at tentree.com

Kotn

Kotn focuses on creating timeless staples from high-quality Egyptian cotton that are made to last. As a B Corp, Kotn works directly with family-run farms in Egypt, ensuring fair labor practices and investing in local community development.

Shop now at wearekotn.com

People Tree

A true pioneer of ethical fashion, People Tree is guaranteed Fair Trade throughout its entire supply chain. They use organic cotton and sustainable materials to create classic, well-made pieces that are both kind to workers and the environment.

Shop now at peopletree.co.uk

Patagonia

Though known for outdoor gear, Patagonia's casual wear like fleece jackets, t-shirts, and pants are great alternatives. A leading B Corp, Patagonia uses a high percentage of recycled materials, guarantees Fair Trade Certified sewing, and offers lifetime repairs to combat throwaway culture.

Shop now at patagonia.com