No, Anthropologie is not considered a typical fast fashion brand. Its business model is based on slower, seasonal collections and a boutique-style curation rather than the rapid, high-volume production seen in fast fashion. While the brand demonstrates a moderate commitment to sourcing some sustainable materials, it falls short on transparency across its supply chain and lacks a strong commitment to paying artisans and factory workers a living wage.
Although it is a clear step up from brands like Shein or Zara, its environmental and ethical efforts are still developing, with significant room for improvement, particularly regarding public disclosure and accountability.
Anthropologie's business practices align more closely with traditional boutique and lifestyle retail than the rapid-turnover model of fast fashion. Several key characteristics distinguish it from the ultra-fast players in the industry.
While Anthropologie and its parent company, URBN, have policies in place, the brand's ethical commitments are undermined by a lack of transparency and inconsistent enforcement.
URBN states that its suppliers must comply with local labor laws and that it conducts factory audits. However, the results of these audits are not made public. Reports from groups like the Clean Clothes Campaign have highlighted instances of wage theft and unsafe conditions in factories that supply major retailers, including brands associated with URBN, suggesting that enforcement of its code of conduct may be inconsistent.
The company does not publish a list of its suppliers or factory locations, making it difficult for third-party watchdogs and consumers to verify its claims about ethical production conditions. While URBN mentions using audits from programs like the Fair Factories Clearinghouse, its overall opacity limits genuine accountability. Greater transparency is a critical area for improvement.
Anthropologie uses animal-derived materials such as leather, wool, silk, and down. The brand claims some materials are responsibly sourced - for example, citing the Responsible Wool Standard - but it does not provide consistent, product-level certifications. Without comprehensive verification, its commitment to animal welfare remains unclear.
Anthropologie is making some progress on sustainability, but its efforts are fragmented and lack the detailed reporting needed for true accountability. Its parent company's broader commitments have yet to translate into industry-leading practices for the brand.
Anthropologie incorporates some sustainable materials like organic cotton, BCI cotton, and recycled polyester into its collections, accounting for an estimated 20-30% of its products. However, the majority of its items are still made from conventional materials. Product-level information on material certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX is inconsistent.
Specific data on the brand's water usage, chemical management, or overall carbon footprint is not publicly available. Although parent company URBN has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, its failure to disclose detailed Scope 3 emissions (which include the supply chain) makes it difficult to assess the true scale of its environmental impact.
The brand currently has no widespread recycling, repair, or take-back programs to manage clothing at the end of its life. Like most traditional retailers, its model is linear - focused on selling new products. Information about how it handles deadstock fabrics or unsold inventory is not disclosed, raising concerns about potential waste.
URBN aims to use 50% sustainable materials by 2025 and has achieved B Corporation certification, which legally requires it to consider the impact of its decisions on workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. While B Corp status is a positive step, concrete progress toward its goals lacks third-party verification, leaving it open to claims of greenwashing.
Anthropologie occupies a middle ground - it operates more responsibly than traditional fast fashion but lags far behind true leaders in ethical and sustainable practices. The company's primary weaknesses are a significant lack of transparency and follow-through on many of its stated goals.
Anthropologie earns a B- because it has a supplier code of conduct and some social standards in place, which is better than having none at all. However, this grade is held back by the brand's profound lack of transparency, failure to ensure living wages, and reports of inconsistent oversight. Until it publicly discloses its supplier list and detailed audit findings, its ethical claims remain difficult to trust.
The brand receives a C+ for sustainability. Points are awarded for URBN becoming a B Corp, setting public goals, and using some eco-friendly materials (20-30%). However, the lack of transparency around its environmental impact, poor circularity initiatives, and absence of hard data on emissions and water use prevent a higher score. They are making surface-level efforts but haven't tackled the systemic issues of a large-scale retail operation.
If Anthropologie's aesthetic appeals to you but its transparency and commitment gaps are a concern, consider these alternatives that prioritize people and the planet:
Christy Dawn offers whimsical, vintage-inspired dresses and apparel ($150-$400) made from deadstock fabrics and regenerative cotton. The brand's Farm-to-Closet initiative supports local farmers and pays its dressmakers fair, living wages in its Los Angeles factory.
Shop now at christydawn.com
This Parisian-inspired B Corp brand offers chic and stylish apparel ($100-$300) with a similar romantic feel. Over 75% of materials used are eco-friendly (organic cotton, recycled materials), and the brand maintains transparent production and multiple certifications like GOTS and FSC.
Shop now at sezane.com
Based in Los Angeles, this brand creates feminine blouses, dresses, and trousers ($100-$250) in small batches from deadstock and certified eco-friendly textiles. They prioritize fair labor in their local partner factories and use plastic-free packaging.
Shop now at whimsyandrow.com
Specializing in vintage-inspired and nature-themed accessories and apparel ($50-$200), Fable England is a certified B Corp using vegan leather and recycled materials. The brand is known for whimsical printed scarves, handbags, and jewelry with an ethical focus.
Shop now at fableengland.com
A certified B Corp from the UK, Boden creates colorful and timeless clothing ($80-$250) with a strong commitment to ethical production. They map and monitor their supply chain, pay fair wages, and use sustainable materials like Fairtrade & GOTS certified organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
Shop now at bodenusa.com
Yes, Anthropologie is owned by URBN Inc., which is the parent company of Urban Outfitters, Free People, FP Movement, BHLDN, and Terrain. While they operate as distinct brands, they share a corporate structure and are subject to the same overarching ethical and sustainability policies.
The brand's pricing reflects costs beyond just raw materials, including design, marketing, retail space rental, and higher quality finishes compared to fast fashion. However, this does not automatically mean the extra cost is being invested in living wages or the most sustainably made materials - instead, it supports brand image and profit margins.
Yes, there have been improvements in recent years, notably URBN's achieving B Corp certification in 2020. This is a positive step in the right direction that demands a legal commitment to balancing profit with purpose. However, critical areas such as supplier chain transparency and wages remain significant rooms for improvement.
While the certification applies to the parent company as a whole, it sets higher standards for social and environmental accountability that Anthropologie, as a subsidiary, must contribute to. However, it doesn't automatically guarantee that every product or action within the brand is fully ethical or sustainable - it frames a framework for progress rather than certification.
