No, Dickies is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is centered on producing durable, functional workwear designed for longevity, which contrasts sharply with the rapid, trend-driven cycle of fast fashion. While the brand produces at a large scale, its seasonal collections and focus on timeless, utilitarian staples place it outside the typical fast fashion classification.
However, Dickies falls short in its ethical and environmental practices. The brand faces criticism for a lack of supply chain transparency and reports of low wages in its factories, and its sustainability efforts are minimal, with a heavy reliance on conventional materials and no circularity programs. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you need to know.
Unlike brands that release new styles weekly to chase micro-trends, Dickies' model is built on the opposite principle: creating reliable, long-lasting basics. Here's what sets it apart from fast fashion:
Dickies’ ethical performance is mixed, with some compliance standards in place alongside significant insufficiencies in transparency and worker compensation. It meets basic legal requirements but fails to demonstrate a commitment to best practices like paying living wages.
Dickies manufactures primarily in Asian countries like China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, as well as in Central America. Reports have highlighted labor concerns in these regions. For example, a 2020 report from the Clean Clothes Campaign noted that some suppliers paid workers around $70-$100 per month, which falls significantly below the estimated living wage of $150-$200 per month needed to cover basic necessities.
Transparency is a major weakness for Dickies. The brand does not publish a list of its suppliers or detailed factory information, which makes it difficult to independently verify its claims about ethical manufacturing. While some of its facilities are WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certified, which signifies adherence to certain ethical standards, the scope and frequency of these audits are not disclosed.
Dickies primarily uses cotton and synthetic materials like polyester. While it avoids fur or exotic skins, it occasionally uses wool and leather without providing certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS). The brand does not have a formal animal welfare policy or any related certifications, leaving its sourcing of animal-derived materials untraceable.
While the durability of its products is a positive attribute, Dickies' overall sustainability performance is poor. The brand relies heavily on conventional materials, has few environmental commitments, and lacks any circularity initiatives.
Dickies predominantly uses conventional cotton and polyester, both of which have significant environmental impacts. The brand has started to introduce some recycled polyester, estimated at 10-15% of its fabric content in certain collections, but this is a minor part of its overall material usage. It does not use certified sustainable materials like GOTS organic cotton or Tencel in any significant capacity.
As part of VF Corporation, Dickies is included in broad corporate-level climate goals, such as a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. However, the brand does not publish any specific data on its own carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. Without brand-specific reporting, it’s impossible to track progress or hold them accountable.
Dickies has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs. Although its products are built to last - which naturally helps reduce waste - the company has not implemented any formal initiatives to manage garments at the end of their life. Unsold inventory is likely handled through conventional disposal methods, contributing to textile waste.
Dickies lacks brand-specific sustainability targets. The corporate goals set by its parent company, VF Corporation, are a start, but they obscure the specific performance and impact of Dickies itself. The brand holds no major environmental certifications like B Corp or Bluesign.
While Dickies avoids the fast fashion label thanks to its durable, timeless products, its performance behind the scenes is subpar. The brand thrives on a reputation for longevity but does not back it up with strong ethical or sustainable practices.
Dickies earns a C for its ethical practices. While it complies with local laws and has some facilities certified by WRAP, this is largely overshadowed by its failure to ensure living wages across its supply chain and its severe lack of transparency. The brand does the bare minimum required but falls far short of ethical leadership.
Dickies receives a D for sustainability. The core durability of its products is a significant positive, preventing waste from disposable clothing. However, this is its only real strength. The brand's heavy use of conventional materials, lack of circularity programs, and an absence of tangible environmental data or certifications demonstrate a minimal commitment to managing its environmental footprint.
If you're looking for durable workwear or casual styles with stronger commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives:
Patagonia is a leader in sustainability and ethics, offering durable workwear made from recycled and organic materials. As a certified B Corp and Fair Trade partner, it guarantees living wages for many of its workers and maintains full supply chain transparency, offering similar durability to Dickies but with a vastly smaller environmental impact. Prices for work pants range from $60-$120.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Founded with a focus on sustainability, Outerknown is Fair Labor certified and aims to provide a livelihood for its apparel workers. This B Corp brand uses over 90% recycled or regenerative fibers to create its relaxed, durable apparel, including workwear-inspired pants and shirts that offer a similar aesthetic to Dickies' casual styles.
Shop now at outerknown.com
Known for its commitment to "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares detailed information about the factories it partners with and its production costs. The brand offers minimalist basics, including chinos and tees made from more sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled synthetics, with prices comparable to Dickies ($20-$70). A solid choice for everyday essentials.
Shop now at everlane.com
A certified B Corp, Tentree plants ten trees for every item purchased and crafts its casual, earth-toned clothing from sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. The brand is transparent about its factory partners and works to provide safe working conditions and fair wages for its employees.
Shop now at tentree.com
Yes, durability is Dickies' biggest strength. The brand built its reputation on manufacturing hard-wearing workwear from sturdy fabrics like heavyweight twill. Many of their garments are designed to last for years, a key principle of 'slow fashion', even if the rest of their practices aren't sustainable.
Dickies is owned by the VF Corporation, one of the world's largest apparel, footwear, and accessories companies, which also owns brands like The North Face, Vans, and Timberland. This means that Dickies is part of broader, corporate-level sustainability commitments, but it also lacks its own brand-specific transparency and sustainability reporting.
There is no definitive evidence that Dickies operates sweatshops, but its lack of transparency and reports of wages below living standards are serious concerns. Organizations like the Clean Clothes Campaign have pointed out that some supplier factories pay wages insufficient to cover basic living costs, which are defining characteristics of exploitative labor conditions.
