No, Frank And Oak is not a fast fashion brand. The company operates on a slower, seasonal production cycle with a focus on creating durable, timeless pieces from sustainable materials. While it has room to grow in supply chain transparency, its business model prioritizes ethical production and environmental responsibility over the rapid, trend-driven model of fast fashion.
Frank And Oak demonstrates a genuine commitment to ethical labor practices and improving its environmental impact. Here's a detailed breakdown of its practices.
Frank And Oak's business model is fundamentally different from fast fashion giants, focusing on quality and responsibility rather than speed and volume.
Frank And Oak operates with strong ethical standards and good intentions, though it falls short on providing the full transparency of industry leaders.
The brand commits to responsible sourcing and works with factories in regions with generally high labor standards. Some of its manufacturing partners are certified by Fair Trade and WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production), ensuring protocols for fair wages, safe conditions, and reasonable hours are in place.
While Frank And Oak provides some information about its commitment to ethical production, it does not publish a full list of its suppliers or detailed factory audit results. This lack of exhaustive disclosure makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify all of its claims regarding worker conditions and wages.
Frank And Oak has a clear stance against animal cruelty, avoiding the use of fur and exotic skins. Any animal-derived materials like wool are sourced with attention to animal welfare standards. The company focuses primarily on plant-based and recycled materials.
Frank And Oak is a Certified B Corporation, demonstrating a strong, verified commitment to sustainability, though opportunities for improvement remain.
Frank And Oak excels in its use of sustainable materials. Around 75% of its collection is made with eco-friendly fabrics, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel™ Lyocell, recycled polyester sourced from post-consumer plastics, and linen. This puts it far ahead of most mainstream fashion brands.
The company has a publicly stated goal to be carbon-neutral by 2025 and actively offsets its emissions through verified projects. As a B Corp, its operations are regularly assessed to meet high standards of social and environmental performance. It also focuses on eco-friendly dyeing processes to reduce water consumption and chemical pollution.
Frank And Oak encourages circularity through its "Refashion" recycling program, which invites customers to return used garments. The brand also uses plastic-free, recycled, and biodegradable packaging for its shipments. By creating durable, timeless clothing, it fundamentally designs against the disposable nature of fast fashion.
Frank And Oak stands as a solid choice for conscious consumers looking to move away from fast fashion. It combines modern style with a credible commitment to better practices, even if it hasn't yet reached the pinnacle of sustainable leadership.
Frank And Oak earns a B+ for its strong commitment to ethical production, demonstrated by manufacturing in regions with high labor standards and holding some Fair Trade and WRAP certifications. It's a brand actively trying to do the right thing for its workers. The grade is held back from an A by a lack of complete supply chain transparency and the absence of a public, universal living wage policy.
The brand receives a B for its serious sustainability efforts, especially its impressive use of eco-friendly materials (75% of its collection) and its status as a Certified B Corporation. The goal of carbon neutrality by 2025 is ambitious and commendable. To achieve a higher grade, Frank And Oak needs to provide more granular, third-party verified data on its environmental impact and expand its circularity programs.
If you appreciate Frank And Oak's blend of modern style and conscious values, here are some other ethical and sustainable brands with similar commitments worth checking out:
Known for its minimalist aesthetic and "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares breakdowns of its costs and factories. The brand is building a robust sustainability program focused on eliminating new plastics and reducing its carbon footprint, offering a similar price point and style to Frank And Oak.
Shop now at everlane.com
Pact offers affordable, everyday basics made almost exclusively from GOTS-certified organic cotton in Fair Trade Certified factories. If you love Frank And Oak's basics but seek an even more accessible price point with top-tier certifications, Pact is an excellent choice.
Shop now at wearpact.com
This certified B Corp specializes in high-quality Egyptian cotton basics with an admirably transparent supply chain, working directly with farmers in Egypt. Kotn invests back into its farming communities by building schools and is an excellent option for timeless, ethically made wardrobe staples.
Shop now at kotn.com
Another B Corp, Tentree offers casual and earth-friendly apparel with a promise to plant 10 trees for every item purchased. The brand uses materials like recycled polyester, organic cotton, and Tencel, making it a great alternative if you value a clear, tangible environmental give-back model.
Shop now at tentree.com
Co-founded by surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown focuses on laid-back coastal style with an unwavering commitment to sustainability. Accredited by the Fair Labor Association, the brand uses innovative materials like ECONYL® regenerated nylon and guarantees its products for life, offering repairs or replacements.
Shop now at outerknown.com
While Frank And Oak is a Canadian company, not all its products are made in Canada. It prioritizes manufacturing in North America and Europe to maintain higher standards and reduce shipping emissions but also works with certified factories in other parts of the world.
B Corp Certification is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits to supply chain practices and input materials. It shows the company is legally required to consider the impact of its decisions on its workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment.
Frank And Oak is generally considered good quality. The brand intentionally designs minimalist, durable pieces using sustainable fabrics like Tencel and organic cotton, which tend to be more resilient than the cheap synthetics used by fast fashion. Its focus on timeless style over trends means the clothing is built to last beyond a single season.
