No, Coder is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on slower, seasonal releases and timeless design rather than the rapid, trend-driven turnover that defines companies like Zara and Shein.
While Coder has made moderate progress with sustainability, particularly in materials sourcing, its ethical practices are average due to its failure to pay a living wage across its supply chain. Here's a detailed breakdown of Coder's practices.
Coder's operations stand in contrast to the core characteristics of fast fashion. Instead of high-volume, rapid trend churn, its model emphasizes quality and a more deliberate production schedule.
Coder demonstrates a moderate commitment to ethics, with some positive policies in place but significant shortcomings in worker compensation and full supply chain accountability.
Coder manufactures in Turkey, Portugal, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, where worker pay remains a key concern. While supplier factories meet local labor laws, workers in Bangladesh and Vietnam earn approximately $180–$220 per month - well below the estimated living wage of $250–$350 required for a decent standard of living. There are also reports of factory overtime reaching up to 60 hours per week.
The brand shows some transparency by publishing an annual report with a list of key factory partners. However, it does not provide a comprehensive, third-party verified map of its entire supply chain. It holds certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for its products but lacks brand-wide accreditation from organizations like Fair Trade, leaving gaps in accountability.
Coder has a solid animal welfare policy. It does not use fur, angora, or exotic animal skins. Its leather is sourced from tanneries certified by the Leather Working Group (LWG), and its wool is certified by the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), ensuring attention to animal welfare and sustainable framing practices.
Coder's sustainability efforts are commendable but still developing. While it has established clear goals and incorporated better materials, its high reliance on conventional textiles and lack of a circular model limit its positive impact.
Approximately 35-40% of Coder's material mix includes more sustainable options like GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel Lyocell, and GRS-certified recycled polyester. However, the majority of its collection (60-65%) is still made from conventional materials, including standard polyester, nylon, and non-organic cotton, which have a significant environmental footprint.
The brand has goals to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 and has invested in wastewater treatment systems in some of its European factories. However, it does not publish a full environmental report card, including quantified data on its overall carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical discharge, making its true impact difficult to assess.
Coder's approach to circularity is very limited. It has a small-scale take-back program and recycles some of its deadstock fabric into accessories, but it does not offer repair services or design its products for easy disassembly and recycling. The focus remains on a linear take-make-waste model.
Coder has set ambitious goals, including using 50% sustainable materials by 2025 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. The brand's participation in the Fashion Pact signals a commitment to action, though progress on these targets has been incremental.
Coder is a better choice than traditional fast fashion, but it is not a leader in ethical or sustainable performance. While its intentions appear positive, major improvements are needed to align its practices with its responsible branding.
Coder receives a C+ for its satisfactory efforts in animal welfare and partial supply chain transparency. These positives are significantly undermined by its failure to ensure living wages for its garment workers, a fundamental component of ethical fashion. Without addressing worker compensation head-on, it cannot achieve a higher grade.
The brand earns a B- for its legitimate progress in integrating sustainable materials and setting clear reduction targets. Its use of certified fabrics and commitment to industry pacts are strong steps. However, its high dependency on conventional materials and underdeveloped circularity programs demonstrate that its sustainability journey is still in its early stages.
If Coder’s ethical and environmental shortcomings concern you, here are some alternatives that offer similar styles with stronger commitments to workers and the planet:
Everlane offers modern, timeless staples with a similar price point ($30-$150) and a focus on "Radical Transparency," publishing detailed information about its factory partners and production costs. The brand is building a more sustainable supply chain using materials like certified organic cotton and recycled fabrics.
Shop now at everlane.com
For more casual basics, Pact is a highly ethical choice offering clothing made with GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified factories. Its commitment guarantees workers are paid fair wages and operate in safe conditions, with prices generally lower than Coder's ($25-$80).
Shop now at wearpact.com
A certified B Corp, Kotn produces high-quality, minimalist wardrobe essentials from authentic Egyptian cotton with full supply chain transparency. The brand ensures fair labor practices by working directly with farmers and subsidizing local schools in its farming communities.
Shop now at kotn.com
ASKET operates on an "anti-season" model, offering a permanent collection of essentials designed to last a lifetime. The brand provides a transparency receipt for every garment - tracing its cost, origin, and environmental impact - a level of detail Coder is missing.
Shop now at asket.com
Known for its casual, coastal aesthetic, Outerknown is Fair Labor Association accredited and uses over 90% preferred (organic, recycled, or regenerated) fibers in its collection. The brand is deeply committed to both environmental sustainability and fair pay for workers across its supply chain.
Shop now at outerknown.com
No. Based on available data, workers in Coder's factories in regions like Bangladesh and Vietnam are paid wages that comply with local minimums but fall significantly below independently calculated living wages required for a decent quality of life.
Coder is better than typical fast fashion because of its slower production cycle, moderate volume, and higher-quality materials designed for longevity. This model helps reduce the cycle of overproduction and overconsumption inherent to fast fashion brands.
While Coder is not purely greenwashing, there is a gap between its marketing and its actual impact. The promotion of its sustainable collections can overshadow the fact that over 60% of its materials are still conventional, and it lacks comprehensive environmental impact data to back up all its claims.
Coder uses materials certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Global Recycled Standard (GRS), Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), and Leather Working Group (LWG). Many of its products are also certified to the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for chemical safety.
