Yes, Costes is a moderate fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on frequent collection releases, accessible pricing, and rapid replication of current trends, all of which are hallmarks of fast fashion.
The brand's ethical practices are average at best due to a significant lack of transparency, while its sustainability efforts are minimal and fall well below industry standards. Here's a detailed breakdown of Costes's practices.
Costes operates on a hybrid model that isn't as hyper-accelerated as brands like Shein but still clearly falls within the fast fashion category due to its speed, pricing, and trend-focused strategy.
Costes makes some baseline claims about ethical conduct but fails to provide the necessary transparency to back them up, placing its overall ethical performance in the average-to-below-average range.
Costes manufactures primarily in Turkey and Portugal. While these countries have stricter labor laws than many fast fashion hubs, issues with low wages and poor conditions persist. Although Costes claims its suppliers are audited against standards like BSCI, there is no public proof that its workers are paid a living wage. Reports show that Turkish garment worker wages can be as low as $250-$300 per month, falling far below the estimated living wage of $400-$450.
The brand lacks meaningful transparency. It does not publish a list of its suppliers, tier factories, or the results of any factory audits. Mentioning certifications like BSCI or SEDEX without providing public reports or independent verification makes these claims difficult to trust and is a common tactic for brands avoiding deep scrutiny.
Costes primarily uses conventional cotton and synthetic materials. It uses some wool blends but provides no information on its sourcing or any animal welfare certifications, such as the Responsible Wool Standard. The brand does not have a formal animal welfare policy and is not certified cruelty-free.
Costes's commitment to sustainability is very weak. The brand's actions are minimal, uncertified, and do not address the environmental damage inherent in its fast fashion model.
The vast majority of Costes's products are made from conventional, resource-intensive materials like non-organic cotton and polyester. While some collections contain a small percentage of recycled polyester (around 5-10%), this is not nearly enough to make a meaningful difference. The brand lacks key environmental certifications like GOTS for organic cotton or Bluesign for chemical safety.
Costes has published no data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management policies. It has not set any science-based targets for reducing its emissions or environmental impact. This complete lack of reporting suggests that sustainability is not a core priority for the company.
The brand has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its business model of frequent, trend-based collections actively contributes to textile waste and a linear "take-make-waste" economy.
Costes is a clear example of moderate fast fashion, where trendy styles and low prices come at a significant ethical and environmental cost. Its public commitments are weak and unsubstantiated, leaving consumers in the dark.
Costes receives a C for its ethical practices. While it operates in countries with better labor regulations than some fast fashion hubs and claims to use audited factories, the complete lack of transparency around wages and working conditions is a major red flag. Without proof of paying living wages or publishing audit results, its ethical claims remain superficial.
The brand earns a D for sustainability. Its efforts are minimal and feel more like greenwashing than a genuine commitment. An overwhelming reliance on conventional materials, an absence of environmental certifications, and no public goals or circularity initiatives demonstrate a profound disregard for its environmental impact.
If you're looking for brands that offer trendy styles with a genuine commitment to people and the planet, here are several better alternatives:
Recognized as a pioneer in sustainable fashion, People Tree is a certified B Corp and Fair Trade brand that guarantees living wages and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. Its classic styles are made to last, directly countering the fast fashion mindset.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Everlane focuses on modern wardrobe staples with "Radical Transparency," revealing the cost breakdown and factory information for each product. The B Corp certified brand increasingly uses sustainable materials like recycled polyester and organic cotton.
Shop now at everlane.com
A B Corp and leader in environmental activism, Patagonia uses a high percentage of recycled and organic materials and guarantees Fair Trade Certified sewing for much of its line. It also offers lifetime repairs to extend the life of its products.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Known for its sustainable sneakers, Veja is a B Corp that pays fair prices for organic cotton and wild Amazonian rubber, supporting local producers. The brand stands for full transparency, from raw materials to the final product.
Shop now at veja-store.com
This B Corp specializes in high-quality basics made from eco-friendly materials like TENCEL™ Lyocell, recycled cashmere, and GOTS organic cotton. They partner with certified factories that ensure safe working conditions and fair wages.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
There is no public evidence to suggest Costes is making significant improvements. The brand has not announced any new major sustainability initiatives, set meaningful targets, or improved its transparency on environmental reporting in recent years.
Costes sources its clothing primarily from factories in Turkey and Portugal. While the brand claims these suppliers are audited, it does not provide a public list of the factories or any details about their working conditions or wage levels.
No, Costes is not an ultra-fast fashion brand. While Shein adds thousands of new styles daily, Costes follows a more "moderate fast fashion" model with 8-10 collections per year. However, it still relies on the core fast fashion principles of speed, low prices, and trend replication.
