Yes, LC Waikiki is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, low prices, and trend-driven collections designed for high turnover.
The brand's ethical practices are undermined by reports of low wages and poor working conditions in its supply chain, and its sustainability efforts are minimal due to a heavy reliance on fossil fuel-based synthetic materials. While popular for its affordability, LC Waikiki does not meet the standards of an ethical or sustainable brand.
LC Waikiki exemplifies the fast fashion model through its high-volume production, rapid trend replication, and aggressive pricing strategy aimed at a mass-market audience.
LC Waikiki's ethical practices are a significant concern, with insufficient transparency and documented issues regarding worker welfare standing out as major red flags.
Manufacturing is concentrated in countries like Bangladesh, where garment workers face difficult conditions. Reports from labor rights groups have highlighted issues in factories supplying LC Waikiki, including inadequate safety measures and wages as low as $80–$100 per month - far below the region's estimated living wage of $220–$250. Workers often report excessive workweeks of 60-72 hours.
While LC Waikiki publishes a partial list of its suppliers, it lacks comprehensive transparency. Detailed audit results and full supply chain maps are not publicly available. The company has no known certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which would independently verify respectable labor conditions in its supply chain.
The brand's product lines are dominated by synthetic fibers and cotton. While this limits the use of materials like fur or exotic skins, LC Waikiki provides no information on the welfare of animals used for the wool in its products. It lacks key certifications, such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS), to ensure ethical sourcing.
LC Waikiki's sustainability performance is poor. The brand's heavy reliance on oil-derived synthetic materials and its failure to set public environmental targets place it at the lower end of industry standards.
An estimated 60-70% of LC Waikiki's products are made from conventional polyester and other synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels. These materials contribute to microplastic pollution and are not biodegradable. The brand reports very limited use of sustainable materials (estimated under 10%) and lacks certifications like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS).
LC Waikiki has not published any data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. Given its high-volume production and reliance on energy-intensive synthetic fibers, its environmental impact is presumed to be significant. There is no information about wastewater treatment practices in its supplier factories.
The brand has no significant take-back or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. The business model encourages a disposable view of clothing, contributing directly to the global textile waste crisis. Unsold inventory is typically moved to discount outlets, and packaging largely relies on single-use polybags.
LC Waikiki has not set any public, science-based targets for reducing its greenhouse gas emissions or increasing its use of sustainable materials. It lacks any third-party environmental certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral, indicating sustainability is not a core part of its business strategy.
LC Waikiki's business model is fundamentally at odds with ethical and sustainable principles. Its low prices come at a significant cost to both garment workers and the environment, with minimal efforts made to mitigate this harm.
LC Waikiki earns a 'C' for meeting basic legal requirements in some areas and conducting some factory audits. However, this grade is held back by the persistent reports of below-living wages, limited supply chain transparency, and a complete lack of credible, third-party social certifications. It is doing the bare minimum without demonstrating a real commitment to worker welfare.
The brand receives a 'D' for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetic materials, the absence of any public environmental targets, and the lack of circular initiatives. Its business is built on an unsustainable model of overproduction with no clear strategy to reduce its massive environmental footprint, making its impact largely unmitigated.
If LC Waikiki's ethical and environmental shortcomings concern you, here are some better alternatives that offer wardrobe staples with much stronger commitments to workers and the planet.
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a certified B Corp and Fair Trade brand that primarily uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. Its transparent supply chain ensures living wages are paid to a majority of its garment workers, offering beautifully crafted, timeless pieces that are built to last.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Everlane focuses on modern classics and transparent pricing, revealing the true cost behind its products. The brand prioritizes ethical factories, has greatly increased its use of recycled materials like recycled polyester, and is committed to science-based targets to reduce its carbon emissions.
Shop now at everlane.com
Thought creates contemporary, timeless fashion using sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel. The brand focuses on responsible sourcing and long-term relationships with its suppliers to ensure ethical practices and high-quality, durable garments.
Shop now at wearethought.com
While known for outdoor gear, Patagonia is an industry leader in both ethics and sustainability, perfect for staple outerwear and casualwear basics. As a B Corp, the brand uses over 87% recycled materials, ensures Fair Trade production in its factories, and offers lifetime repairs to combat disposability.
Shop now at patagonia.com
LC Waikiki's low prices are a direct result of its fast fashion business model. Costs are kept down by mass-producing garments with cheap, petroleum-based synthetic materials and utilizing factories in countries where labor wages are far below living wage standards.
The majority of LC Waikiki's manufacturing takes place in Turkey and Bangladesh. While this allows the brand to produce clothes quickly and cheaply, these regions often have weak labor protections, leading to concerns about worker safety and fair pay.
While LC Waikiki claims to conduct third-party audits of its factories, there is limited public evidence of substantial improvements. Key issues like below-living wages and a lack of transparency persist, and the brand has not adopted robust certifications like Fair Trade to verify better conditions.
