No, Lacoste is not considered a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on quality, brand heritage, and timeless designs like its classic polo shirt, which contrasts with the rapid, trend-driven production cycles of fast fashion companies.
While Lacoste avoids the overproduction pitfalls of fast fashion, its ethical and sustainability practices are average, showing room for significant improvement. The brand lacks full supply chain transparency and leans heavily on conventional materials, despite some initial steps toward sustainability. Here's what you need to know about Lacoste's practices:
Lacoste's operations differ fundamentally from the fast fashion model, focusing on quality and heritage rather than speed and volume.
Lacoste demonstrates a moderate commitment to ethical practices, meeting basic labor standards but falling short on wage transparency and third-party certifications.
Lacoste manufactures its products in countries like Portugal, France, China, Vietnam, and Peru. While the brand states its factories comply with local labor laws, some facilities in its supply chain have faced scrutiny for excessive working hours. Crucially, wages often meet only the local minimum wage, not a living wage. For instance, textile workers in some Vietnamese supplier factories earn around $180-$200 per month, while a certified living wage for the region is estimated at $350 per month.
Lacoste's transparency is limited. The company does not publicly disclose a full list of its suppliers or the results of its factory audits. This lack of disclosure makes it difficult for consumers and watchdogs to independently verify its claims about worker conditions. Lacoste is not a member of transparent labor organizations like Fair Wear Foundation and lacks certifications such as SA8000 or Fair Trade.
The brand uses animal-derived materials, including leather, wool, and down. While it claims to adhere to animal welfare standards, it does not hold key certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or Responsible Down Standard (RDS) to fully verify its sourcing. Lacoste confirms that it does not conduct or commission animal testing on any of its products.
Lacoste's sustainability initiatives are in their early stages. The brand has started to incorporate more sustainable materials but still relies heavily on conventional fabrics and lacks clear, data-backed environmental targets.
Lacoste's material usage is mixed. An estimated 60-70% of its products are made from conventional fabrics like standard cotton and polyester. The remaining 20-30% incorporate more sustainable options, such as GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled polyester. This shows progress, but the brand's core collections remain dependent on materials with significant environmental footprints.
The brand has publicly committed to reducing its environmental impact but provides little specific data on its water usage, chemical management, or greenhouse gas emissions. Conventional cotton production is extremely water-intensive (requiring ~2,700 liters for one shirt), making Lacoste’s continued reliance on it a major sustainability concern. It has not published comprehensive data on its Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions.
Lacoste's efforts in circularity are minimal. The brand promotes product longevity through its durable designs and offers limited repair services via its "Lacoste Alive" initiative, but these are not widespread. There are no large-scale take-back or recycling programs for old garments, and most of its packaging is still conventional plastic.
Lacoste aims to be carbon neutral by 2050, a goal aligned with global climate agreements. However, this long-term pledge is not supported by transparent, science-based interim targets or public progress reports, making it difficult to assess their performance and accountability.
While not a fast fashion brand, Lacoste's performance in ethics and sustainability is average and lacks the transparency and commitment of industry leaders. Its focus on quality and durability is a positive attribute, but it isn't enough to compensate for shortcomings in other key areas.
Lacoste earns a C for its moderate ethical practices. The brand complies with basic labor laws but fails to ensure living wages across its supply chain. Its most significant drawback is a severe lack of transparency, including no public supplier list and no major B-corp, fair trade certifications, making its ethical claims hard to substantiate.
Lacoste receives a C- for sustainability. While its incorporation of some eco-friendly materials and promotion of long-lasting products are positive steps, these efforts are overshadowed by its continued reliance on conventional fabrics, lack of transparent emissions data, and weak circularity initiatives. The brand’s goals feel more aspirational than actionable without clear, published targets and progress reports.
If you're seeking brands that offer a sporty, classic aesthetic with stronger commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives:
Known for its ironclad commitment to sustainability, Patagonia is a certified B Corp and 1% for the Planet member that uses over 90% preferred materials (recycled or organic). The brand guarantees fair labor standards, offers lifetime repairs, and builds durable outdoor and casual wear at a similar price point to Lacoste ($70-$200).
Shop now at patagonia.com
As a certified B Corp, Tentree offers comfortable, eco-friendly basics and promises to plant ten trees for every item sold. The brand uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL, all while maintaining ethical production in factories that it names publicly.
Shop now at tentree.com
Everlane offers modern, timeless essentials - including polos and performance wear - with a focus on "Radical Transparency." The brand discloses detailed information about its factories and production costs, uses a high percentage of recycled materials, and is making strides toward science-based emissions targets.
Shop now at everlane.com
A true pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is guaranteed Fair Trade by the WTFO and uses 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton. It offers classic, feminine styles and basics that are made with respect for both people and the planet, from farm to factory.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
While focused on footwear, Veja is a perfect example of ethical and sustainable production. The brand is a certified B Corp that uses fair-trade and organic raw materials like Amazonian rubber and cotton, upholds supply chain transparency, and pays its producers fair prices.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Lacoste's premium price is primarily based on its brand heritage, name recognition, high-quality material selection, and durable construction. While its ethical and sustainable standards are not top-tier, the cost reflects the brand's positioning in the luxury-aspirational market, marketing expenses, and production that is more quality-focused than fast fashion.
No, Lacoste does not use crocodile or alligator skin in its products. The iconic crocodile logo is an homage to the nickname of its founder, tennis player Rene Lacoste, who was called "The Alligator" by the press. The brand primarily uses cowhide leather for its leather goods.
Lacoste and Ralph Lauren occupy a similar premium market segment and share comparable challenges in sustainability. Both brands have set long-term climate goals and are increasing their use of sustainable materials, but both also suffer from limited supply chain transparency and a need for more ambitious, science-based targets with public progress reporting.
