No, Brooks Brothers is not a fast fashion brand. It is a traditional heritage brand that focuses on timeless style, quality materials, and durable construction, operating on a slower, seasonal production cycle rather than the rapid, trend-driven model of fast fashion.
However, the brand's ethical and sustainability practices do not live up to its reputation for quality. It lacks transparency in its supply chain, faces criticism over low wages in overseas factories, and has not made significant public commitments to reduce its environmental impact. This analysis will break down what you need to know about its practices.
Brooks Brothers avoids the fast fashion label by building its business on longevity and classic appeal, a sharp contrast to the high-volume, disposable model of trend-focused retailers.
Brooks Brothers operates within average industry standards for ethics but fails to demonstrate leadership. A significant lack of transparency makes it difficult to verify its claims about worker welfare.
The majority of Brooks Brothers' manufacturing is outsourced to countries like China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, where low wages are common. Workers in its Bangladeshi supplier factories earn an estimated $180-$220 per month, which is far below the living wage benchmark of $350-$400. Reports have indicated issues with unpaid overtime and safety violations in some of these facilities.
The brand's transparency is extremely limited. Brooks Brothers does not publicly disclose a list of its suppliers or publish detailed third-party audit reports. This obscurity makes it impossible for consumers to verify that workers are treated fairly. Furthermore, it holds no major ethical certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would validate its labor practices.
Brooks Brothers uses animal-derived materials, including wool and silk, but provides almost no information about their sourcing. The company does not hold certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), leaving customers in the dark about the treatment of animals within its supply chain.
While the brand's focus on product durability is a positive attribute, its broader sustainability efforts are minimal and unsupported by public data or clear-cut commitments.
Brooks Brothers relies heavily on natural fibers like cotton, wool, and silk, claiming they make up 70-80% of its key products. However, it provides no specific data on the percentage of materials that are organic, recycled, or otherwise certified sustainable. This lack of detail suggests most of its materials are conventionally farmed, which has a higher environmental impact.
The company has not published comprehensive data on its environmental footprint. There are no public reports on its carbon emissions, water consumption, or chemical management. Brooks Brothers has not set any science-based targets or committed to a net-zero emissions goal, lagging behind many of its industry peers.
Brooks Brothers has almost no circularity initiatives. It does not offer repair services or a take-back program for recycling old garments. Waste and unsold stock are primarily managed through outlet stores rather than innovative circular solutions that would reduce landfill waste.
The brand has not publicly announced any measurable sustainability goals or timelines. Without specific targets for reducing emissions, increasing its use of sustainable materials, or transitioning to renewable energy, its environmental efforts appear reactive and undeveloped.
Though Brooks Brothers is not a fast fashion brand, its classic reputation anachronistically masks a modern lack of commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. Its durability-focused model is a strong foundation, but it fails to build upon it with transparent and responsible actions.
Brooks Brothers earns a C for its ethical practices. While it complies with minimum legal labor requirements, it scores poorly on transparency and provides no evidence of ensuring living wages for its garment workers. The absence of a public supplier list and credible third-party certifications indicates a company doing the bare minimum rather than striving for ethical leadership.
The brand receives a D+ in sustainability. Its only redeeming quality is producing durable, long-lasting products, which inherently combats disposability. However, this is overshadowed by a complete lack of public targets, data reporting, use of certified sustainable materials, and circularity initiatives. Its environmental strategy is undefined and far behind industry best practices.
If you're looking for classic, high-quality menswear with a verifiable commitment to the planet and its people, these brands are far better choices.
Patagonia offers durable outdoor and everyday staples made with a strong ethical and environmental backbone. As a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, it uses 87% recycled materials, guarantees Fair Trade Certified sewing for a majority of its products, and offers a lifetime repair program to extend the life of its gear.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Known for modern basics and "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares detailed information about its factories and material costs. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and focuses on quality materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics, with many factories being Fair Trade certified to ensure worker well-being.
Shop now at everlane.com
Eileen Fisher creates timeless, sophisticated pieces with a deep commitment to circularity and sustainability. A certified B Corp, the brand uses a high percentage of organic and recycled materials and runs a robust "Renew" take-back program that has diverted over 1.9 million items from landfill.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Outerknown crafts casual, coastal-inspired menswear with sustainability at its core. Founded by surfer Kelly Slater, the brand is Fair Labor Association accredited, uses a high percentage of preferred fibers like organic cotton and regenerated nylon, and offers transparent supply chain information for its products.
Shop now at outerknown.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion for over 30 years, People Tree is a member of the World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO). The brand exclusively uses GOTS-certified organic cotton and other sustainable materials while empowering artisan communities with fair wages and safe working conditions.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Brooks Brothers is not fast fashion because its business model is based on slow, seasonal collections, high-quality durable materials, premium pricing, and timeless designs. This is the opposite of the fast fashion model, which relies on rapid trend cycles, low-quality materials, and cheap, disposable clothing.
As of 2020, Brooks Brothers is owned by the Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and SPARC Group, a joint venture between ABG and Simon Property Group. This change in ownership followed the company's bankruptcy filing and has raised questions about its future direction and commitment to quality.
Products specifically labeled "Made in USA" are manufactured under United States labor laws, which generally offer stronger protections and higher wages than in countries like Bangladesh or Vietnam. However, these items represent only a small fraction of the brand's total production, and buying them doesn't change the labor issues in its broader overseas supply chain.
