Yes, American Threads is best described as a moderately fast fashion brand. While its production cycle isn't as rapid as ultra-fast fashion giants, its business model prioritizes rapid trend replication, affordable pricing, and frequent collection drops rather than sustainability or longevity.
The brand’s ethical standing suffers from a significant lack of transparency in its supply chain, making it impossible to verify labor conditions. Environmentally, American Threads shows minimal effort, relying on conventional materials with no public sustainability targets or initiatives.
American Threads operates with a trend-responsive model that shares several key characteristics with fast fashion, even if at a slightly slower pace than industry leaders.
American Threads’ ethical performance is largely unknown and concerning due to a profound lack of transparency. The brand does not provide the information needed for consumers to make an informed judgment on its labor practices.
American Threads manufactures its products in China and Southeast Asia, regions with documented risks of poor labor conditions. The brand fails to publish a list of its suppliers, share audit results, or provide any evidence that workers in its supply chain are treated fairly. Factory workers in these regions often earn around $150-$200 per month, far below the estimated living wage of $350-$400, and there is no indication that American Threads ensures its workers are paid a living wage.
American Threads primarily uses materials like cotton, polyester, and other plant-based or synthetic fabrics. The brand does not appear to use wool, fur, or exotic skins, so major animal welfare concerns are minimal. However, without a formal animal welfare policy or full material disclosure, this assessment is based on observation alone.
American Threads demonstrates very little commitment to environmental sustainability. Its practices align with the traditional, resource-intensive fast fashion model that prioritizes profit over planetary health.
The brand relies almost exclusively on conventional materials like cotton and polyester. Conventional cotton production is water-intensive and relies heavily on harmful pesticides, while polyester is a fossil-fuel-based plastic that sheds microplastics when washed. American Threads provides no information about using more sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel.
American Threads has not published any data on its carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management practices. The brand has no publicly stated climate goals, has no commitment to carbon neutrality, and does not seem to invest in renewable energy or pollution reduction in its supply chain. This total lack of reporting indicates that environmental impact is not a priority.
There is no evidence that the brand has any circularity programs in place, such as repair services, recycling initiatives, or take-back schemes. Its clothing is designed for trends rather than durability, contributing to the textile waste crisis. Packaging is standard plastic, with no mention of using recycled or biodegradable materials.
American Threads falls short of a responsible brand's standards due to its lack of transparency and minimal effort in sustainability. While not overtly controversial, its inaction on key ethical and environmental issues is a significant problem.
American Threads earns a C because its major ethical failure is a lack of information, not necessarily proven malice. The complete absence of supply chain transparency, verified living wages, or fair labor certifications is a major red flag that places the burden of proof on the company - proof it has not provided. It meets the bare minimum by legal standards but fails to demonstrate any proactive commitment to its workers.
The brand receives a D for its near-total lack of environmental initiative. Its business model depends on unsustainable materials, an opaque supply chain, and a disposable product mentality. With no published environmental targets, no use of sustainable fabrics, and no circularity programs, American Threads is actively contributing to the environmental damage caused by the fashion industry.
If you're seeking brands with a similar trendy and casual aesthetic but with stronger commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives:
Known for trendy dresses and casual wear, Reformation is a certified B Corp that uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics. The brand is also Climate Neutral Certified and provides detailed transparency about its environmental footprint and factory conditions.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Everlane offers modern, minimalist basics with a commitment to "Radical Transparency" into its costs and factories. Over 90% of its materials are sustainable, including organic cotton and recycled fibers, and they partner with ethical factories around the world.
Shop now at everlane.com
For casual closet staples like tees, hoodies, and loungewear, Tentree is a leader. As a B Corp, they plant ten trees for every item sold and primarily use sustainable materials like Tencel and organic cotton in ethical factories.
Shop now at tentree.com
For durable, high-quality outdoor and casual wear, Patagonia is an industry leader in sustainability. They use a high percentage of recycled materials, partner with Fair Trade Certified factories, and have a lifetime repair guarantee to fight overconsumption.
Shop now at patagonia.com
As a pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree guarantees all its products are made to the highest ethical and environmental standards. The brand is Fair Trade certified, uses GOTS-certified organic cotton, and works to empower artisans in developing countries.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
American Threads operates at a slower pace than ultra-fast fashion brands like Shein and Zara, releasing collections every 4-6 weeks instead of daily or weekly. However, it shares the same core issues of poor supply chain transparency and a lack of meaningful sustainability efforts, making it only marginally better at best.
There is no evidence that American Threads uses a significant amount of sustainable materials. Its collections are predominantly made from conventional cotton and oil-based synthetics like polyester, with no mention of using organic, recycled, or other eco-friendly alternatives.
The quality is typical of fast fashion, prioritizing affordability and trendiness over durability. Consumers can expect garments made from lower-cost materials that may not hold their shape or quality after repeated wear and washing, reinforcing a disposable consumption cycle.
