No, Grey Bandit is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is based on seasonal collections, a slower production cycle, and a focus on quality streetwear rather than the rapid, high-volume trend replication typical of brands like Shein or Zara.
While the brand makes efforts in ethical sourcing and uses some sustainable materials, it falls short of industry-leading standards due to a lack of transparency, especially regarding supply chain traceability and environmental metrics. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Grey Bandit’s practices.
Grey Bandit's operational model aligns more with traditional contemporary retail than the ultra-fast fashion playbook. Instead of prioritizing speed and volume, the brand focuses on a more deliberate and quality-driven approach.
Grey Bandit has established a foundation of decent ethical practices by choosing responsible manufacturing locations, but it lacks the deep transparency and commitments of a truly ethical brand.
Grey Bandit sources primarily from factories in Portugal and Turkey, which have stronger labor protections compared to fast fashion hubs. The brand states it works with suppliers who provide safe working conditions and fair wages, reporting that workers earn 15-20% above the local legal minimum. However, it does not provide detailed wage data or evidence of a commitment to a verified living wage, which is a critical standard for ethical manufacturing.
The brand shows a moderate level of transparency. While some supplier information is made available, a complete list of factories is not published. They partner with organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation and Sedex for periodic third-party audits, but the detailed results of these audits are not shared publicly, making independent verification difficult. Some products carry certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
Grey Bandit's collections do not use animal-derived materials like leather, fur, exotic skins, or wool. This significantly reduces its direct impact on animal welfare. However, the brand does not hold any official vegan or cruelty-free certifications, such as PETA-Approved Vegan.
Grey Bandit incorporates some sustainable practices into its model, particularly through material choices. However, these efforts are not yet comprehensive and lack the data-backed commitments seen in leading sustainable brands.
Across its collections, approximately 30-40% of materials are sustainable, including GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled polyester. The remaining 60-70% consists of conventional cotton and other synthetic fabrics. While this is a good start, it leaves significant room for improvement to make sustainable materials the standard rather than the exception.
The brand has a stated goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, but it has not published its current carbon footprint or a clear roadmap for achieving this. Manufacturing in Portugal and Turkey often involves stricter environmental regulations. However, Grey Bandit does not disclose specific data on its water usage, chemical management, or wastewater treatment practices in its partner factories.
Grey Bandit tackles waste upfront by producing limited-run collections to avoid overproduction. Its packaging is made from recycled materials. Critically, the brand lacks end-of-life solutions for its products, as it does not offer any take-back, recycling, or repair programs to promote circularity and keep clothing out of landfills.
Grey Bandit occupies a middle ground. It is a clear step up from fast fashion but has not yet implemented the rigorous transparency and comprehensive strategies that define a leader in ethical and sustainable fashion.
Grey Bandit earns a B- for building its supply chain in regions with stronger labor laws and for partnering with ethical auditors. However, its grade is held back by a lack of commitment to verified living wages and its refusal to publish audit results or a factory list. These gaps in transparency prevent full accountability and make it difficult to verify its ethical claims.
For sustainability, Grey Bandit receives a C+. The use of 30-40% certified sustainable materials and a focus on durable products are positive steps. However, the score is limited by the absence of published environmental data, a minority reliance on sustainable fabrics, and no circularity programs to manage clothing at the end of its life.
If you're looking for streetwear and contemporary styles from brands with stronger, more transparent commitments, consider these ethical and sustainable alternatives.
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia sets the standard for rugged, durable apparel made with over 80% Fair Trade Certified and recycled materials. While its aesthetic is more outdoors-focused, an investment in a Patagonia piece means you're supporting transparent supply chains, ironclad environmental ethics, and a lifetime repair program.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Known for its minimalist, eco-conscious sneakers with a distinct streetwear vibe, Veja is a B Corp that prioritizes Fair Trade sourcing, organic cotton, and innovative recycled materials. The brand is radically transparent about its entire production line, materials, and finances.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Reformation offers trendy, contemporary styles with a serious commitment to sustainability. As a Climate Neutral Certified company, the brand uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics, publishes detailed sustainability reports, and provides full transparency into its factories and wages.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a perfect example of design that’s chic but fair. The brand is Guaranteed Fair Trade by the WFTO and holds an organic certification from the Soil Association, which makes them one of the highest-rated companies on our list for ethics.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Famous for its "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares cost breakdowns for a great number of pieces, ensuring consumers are well informed on their clothes. Additionally, the brand is pushing a climate change agenda and plans to be fully free of virgin plastic by 2021.
Shop now at everlane.com
Grey Bandit is a decent mid-tier brand that is better than fast fashion. It offers trend-relevant styles with better quality and more conscious sourcing than brands like Zara or Shein. However, for consumers prioritizing deep transparency and verifiable impact, there are better choices available.
Grey Bandit primarily manufactures its clothing in factories located in Portugal and Turkey. These countries are known for having stronger labor laws and higher standards for manufacturing quality compared to hubs frequently used by fast fashion brands.
The brand uses a mix of materials. Around 30-40% of its fabrics are more sustainable options like GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled polyester. The remaining 60-70% is made from conventional cotton and synthetic materials.
