No, FatFace is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on seasonal collections, higher-quality, durable products, and timeless designs rather than the rapid, trend-driven turnover that defines fast fashion.
While the brand avoids the fast fashion label, it has significant room for improvement in both its ethical and environmental practices. A lack of transparency around its supply chain and the absence of clear, ambitious sustainability targets hold it back from being a truly conscious choice. Here’s what you need to know about FatFace's practices:
FatFace's production model aligns more with traditional retail than with the high-speed cycle of fast fashion. Several key characteristics distinguish it from brands like Zara or H&M.
FatFace's ethical practices are better than most fast fashion brands, but it falls short due to a significant lack of transparency and third-party validation.
A significant portion of FatFace's manufacturing occurs in European countries like Portugal and Bulgaria, which are governed by stricter labor laws regarding wages, working hours, and safety. However, for its production in Asia (China, India), there is no publicly available data on worker wages or conditions, leaving a major transparency gap.
FatFace does not publish a list of its suppliers or provide detailed third-party audit reports for its factories. Without this information, it's impossible for consumers to verify the brand's claims about responsible manufacturing. The brand does not hold recognized certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000.
FatFace uses animal-derived materials like wool and leather in its products but provides no information about its animal welfare policies. The brand lacks key certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), indicating a lack of focused effort in this area.
FatFace has taken some initial steps toward sustainability, primarily through material choices, but its overall effort is undermined by a lack of concrete data, measurable climate targets, and circularity initiatives.
FatFace incorporates some sustainable materials, such as organic cotton (some of which is GOTS-certified) and recycled polyester, into its collections. However, these materials only account for an estimated 20-30% of their total fabric usage. The vast majority of its products still rely on conventional, resource-intensive materials.
The brand has not published comprehensive data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. It has not set any science-based targets for emission reductions, nor is it Carbon Neutral certified. Without this data, its commitment to reducing its environmental impact remains vague and unproven.
Unlike many leading sustainable brands, FatFace does not operate any formal take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. While its products are designed for durability - a key aspect of slow fashion - it lacks the systems to create a truly circular model.
FatFace has stated general commitments to becoming more sustainable, but these pledges are not supported by clear, time-bound, and quantitative goals. The brand is not a certified B Corp, a key indicator of verified social and environmental performance.
Although FatFace successfully avoids the wasteful fast fashion model, it lags significantly behind truly sustainable brands due to major gaps in transparency and tangible action.
FatFace scores a C for its ethical practices. While manufacturing in Europe offers some assurance of better labor standards and the brand has no major scandals, its complete lack of transparency is a serious flaw. Without a public supplier list, third-party audits, or a living wage commitment, its ethical claims remain unverified, placing it squarely in the average category.
FatFace receives a D for sustainability. The use of some organic and recycled materials is a positive step, but it's a minimal effort when viewed against the brand's overall inaction. The absence of crucial environmental data, science-based climate targets, and circularity programs demonstrates a lack of deep commitment to mitigating its environmental impact.
If you're looking for brands that offer a similar outdoor-casual aesthetic but with much stronger ethical and environmental commitments, consider these alternatives:
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an industry leader using 87% recycled materials and guaranteeing Fair Trade Certified production. Their Worn Wear program promotes repairs and circularity, embodying the buy-less-buy-better ethos.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A pioneer of ethical fashion, People Tree is Fair Trade certified and uses almost exclusively organic and natural materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton. They offer timeless wardrobe staples made with deep respect for both people and the planet.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This German B Corp brand is Fair Wear and GOTS certified, focusing on modern, timeless apparel made from materials like organic cotton and TENCEL™. It offers transparent production details and a strong commitment to fair labor practices.
Shop now at armedangels.com
Thought offers relaxed, easy-to-wear pieces using a range of sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and recycled polyester. They are committed to a transparent supply chain and creating garments designed for longevity.
Shop now at thoughtclothing.com
For casual footwear, Veja is a leader in transparency and sustainable sourcing. The brand uses ecological materials including fair-trade cotton and wild rubber from the Amazon rainforest, all produced in high-standard factories in Brazil.
Shop now at veja-store.com
FatFace is not fast fashion because its business model is based on seasonal collections, timeless designs intended for long-term wear, and a higher price point reflecting better quality. It lacks the rapid, high-volume production and trend replication that define fast fashion.
Yes, but to a limited extent. FatFace uses materials like organic cotton and recycled polyester, but these make up an estimated 20-30% of its total material use. The brand is not transparent about the fabric composition of its entire collection.
No, most FatFace products are not made in the UK. The brand manufactures its clothing primarily in European countries like Portugal and Romania, as well as some factories in Asia. Full details are not disclosed publicly.
FatFace has made public statements about its commitment to improving sustainability, particularly by using better materials. However, without transparent, science-based targets or public progress reports, it is very difficult for consumers to verify whether the brand is making meaningful progress.
