No, Athleta is not considered a fast fashion brand. It is a B Corp Certified performance and athleisure wear brand that operates on a slower, seasonal production cycle with a strong emphasis on durability and sustainable materials.
While Athleta demonstrates and invests in robust ethical and environmental initiatives, it still faces challenges, particularly regarding verifiable living wages in its supply chain and a continued reliance on some synthetic materials. Here's what you need to know about its practices.
Unlike true fast fashion brands, Athleta's business model is built on quality and longevity rather than rapid trend replication and high-volume turnover.
As a certified B Corp, Athleta demonstrates strong commitment to ethical practices, but there remains room for improvement, particularly regarding wages across its entire supply chain owned by parent company Gap Inc.
Gap Inc., Athleta's parent company, publishes an annual sustainability report and conducts over 2,000 yearly supplier audits through organizations like the Fair Labor Association (FLA). However, reports from groups like the Clean Clothes Campaign have highlighted ongoing issues in some supplier factories. For example, some garment workers in Bangladesh reportedly earn $180-$200 per month, which is well below the region's estimated living wage of $350 per month.
Athleta benefits from Gap Inc.'s published supplier list, a positive step toward transparency. This list discloses factory locations and partners. However, detailed factory-level data on specific wages, safety records, and audit results are not fully public, which makes independent verification challenging.
Athleta's animal welfare policy is strong. The brand primarily utilizes synthetic and plant-based fabrics. For the few animal-derived materials it uses, it adheres to strict standards, such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) and the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and explicitly bans the use of fur and exotic skins.
Athleta has a strong sustainability focus, reflected in its B Corp status and material choices, but faces the inherent challenge of producing technical apparel at scale.
Athleta excels in its use of sustainable materials, with approximately 40% of its products made from more sustainable fibers. This includes a significant portion (25-30%) of recycled polyester, GOTS-certified organic cotton, and Tencel™ branded lyocell. However, the brand still relies on new, fossil-fuel-derived synthetics for many of its high-performance items.
Parent company Gap Inc. reports annual Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions of around 8 million metric tons of CO2e. They have set a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The brand has also successfully reduced water usage in its production processes by 20% since 2018 and manages chemical use according to industry standards like OEKO-TEX.
Athleta runs a Take Back program through a partnership with ThredUP, allowing customers to return used garments for recycling or resale credit. Packaging has been improved to include biodegradable poly mailers and recycled paper tags. However, the company does not offer widespread repair services, a key component of a truly circular model.
As a B Corp, Athleta is legally required to consider its impact on all stakeholders. The brand has a stated goal to use 100% sustainable materials by 2030, a clear and ambitious target. While it posts regular progress, it is still working toward large-scale goals like becoming fully Climate Neutral.
Athleta is a leader in the mass-market athleisure space, pushing its parent company and the industry forward. However, it is not without shortcomings and has work to do to meet the standards of the most progressive sustainable brands.
Athleta earns a B for its B Corp certification, strong labor policies, and decent supply chain transparency. A grade of A is withheld due to the persistent gap between factory wages and recognized living wages, as well as the need for greater transparency around factory audit results and remediation processes.
The brand receives a B for sustainability due to its impressive use of recycled and preferred materials, clear climate goals, and B Corp accountability. It falls short of an A because of its continued reliance on virgin synthetic materials, the environmental impact of its large production scale, and its still-developing circularity programs.
If you love Athleta's commitment to creating better athletic wear and want to explore other brands with similar high standards, here are some excellent B Corps and sustainable leaders to check out:
A pioneering B Corp known for its environmental activism, Patagonia uses 87% recycled materials, offers a lifetime repair program, and donates 1% of sales to environmental causes. It offers high-performance outdoor and activewear with a higher price point but unparalleled durability.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Specializing in activewear made from recycled materials like post-consumer plastic bottles, Girlfriend Collective operates out of an SA8000 certified factory guaranteeing fair wages. They offer stylish sets and basics with a similar aesthetic and price point to Athleta.
Shop now at girlfriend.com
This certified B Corp plants ten trees for every item sold (over 100 million to date) and uses sustainable materials like Tencel, organic cotton, and recycled polyester. Its comfortable loungewear and activewear basics are both accessible and climate-conscious.
Shop now at tentree.com
Vuori focuses on creating versatile performance apparel with an emphasis on ethical manufacturing and sustainable materials. They are Climate Neutral Certified and on track to eliminate 80% of plastics from their shipping supply chain by 2022, while actively investing in renewable energy.
Shop now at vuoriclothing.com
If you're looking for affordable basics, Pact is a fantastic option that uses GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified factories. They offer comfortable loungewear, leggings, and simple active pieces designed for everyday wear.
Shop now at wearpact.com
Yes, Athleta is owned by Gap Inc., which also owns Gap, Old Navy, and Banana Republic. However, Athleta operates with a distinct mission and became a certified B Corp independently in 2018, legally requiring it to balance profit with purpose.
Yes, Athleta has been a certified B Corporation since 2018. This certification requires a rigorous assessment of a company's social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency, and it must be renewed every three years.
Athleta's claims are largely backed by concrete actions and third-party certifications like B Corp and Fair Trade. While there is room to improve, especially around fully achieving its goals, its efforts are not considered greenwashing because they are coupled with measurable targets and public reporting.
From an ethics and sustainability perspective, Athleta is generally considered to be more advanced than Lululemon. Athleta's B Corp certification provides a much higher level of vetted accountability for its social and environmental claims, whereas Lululemon still faces criticism for a lack of transparency in its supply chain and slower adoption of sustainable materials.
