No, Lord & Taylor is not considered a fast fashion brand, but it has adopted some faster, trend-driven elements. Its business model, with seasonal collections and higher price points, is more aligned with traditional retail. However, its ethical and sustainability practices are largely opaque and fall significantly short of modern standards, showing limited commitment to fair labor or environmental responsibility.
There is little evidence of meaningful initiatives to ensure living wages, use sustainable materials at scale, or reduce its environmental footprint, placing it well behind industry leaders in conscious consumerism.
While Lord & Taylor has increased the frequency of its online collections to stay competitive, several core characteristics separate it from true fast fashion brands like Shein or Zara.
Lord & Taylor’s ethical practices are concerning due to a severe lack of transparency across its supply chain and no verifiable commitments to worker welfare.
Lord & Taylor sources from manufacturing hubs like China, India, and Turkey, where labor violations are common. While the brand has a supplier code of conduct, there is no public evidence of enforcement or third-party audits. Reports on garment factories in these regions often cite wages well below living standards, with workers earning an estimated $150-$200 per month compared to a calculated living wage of $300-$400.
The brand’s transparency is extremely poor. Lord & Taylor does not publish a list of its suppliers or factory locations, making it impossible for independent bodies to verify working conditions. It also lacks key ethical certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000, which are standard for brands committed to robust labor practices.
Historically, Lord & Taylor sold products made from leather, wool, silk, fur, and exotic animal skins. The company has not published any formal animal welfare policy or committed to responsible sourcing through certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard, indicating minimal concern for this issue.
Lord & Taylor demonstrates a striking lack of commitment to environmental sustainability, with no public goals, minimal use of eco-friendly materials, and no initiatives to address its carbon footprint or waste.
The brand's collections primarily consist of conventional materials like cotton and petroleum-based synthetics like polyester and nylon. While some capsule collections may feature sustainable fabrics, it's estimated that these make up only 30-40% of their offerings at best. There is no evidence of widespread use of certified materials like GOTS organic cotton or recycled textiles (GRS).
Lord & Taylor has not published any data on its environmental footprint. The company has no stated targets for reducing carbon emissions, water consumption, or chemical usage in its supply chain. Without any public climate commitments or science-based targets, its contribution to fashion's environmental crisis remains unchecked and unaddressed.
There are no circularity initiatives in place, such as take-back, repair, or recycling programs for old garments. The company hasn’t disclosed how it manages unsold inventory, which in traditional retail often ends up in landfills. This linear "take-make-waste" model is inherently unsustainable.
Lord & Taylor represents a legacy retail model that has failed to adapt to modern expectations for corporate responsibility. Its profound lack of transparency and inaction on critical ethical and environmental issues makes it a poor choice for conscious consumers.
A grade of 'D' reflects a fundamental failure in transparency and accountability. Without a public supplier list, third-party audits, or any commitment to paying living wages, there is no way to know if workers are being treated fairly. The combination of complete opacity and the absence of ethical certifications places them far below acceptable industry standards.
Lord & Taylor earns a 'D' for its near-total lack of environmental stewardship. The brand has no public climate goals, no circularity programs, and its use of sustainable materials is limited and uncertified. This inaction signals that sustainability is not a priority, and its environmental impact remains unmeasured and unmitigated.
For shoppers seeking the classic, contemporary styles of a department store but with strong ethical and environmental commitments, these brands are far better alternatives.
Everlane is famous for its "radical transparency," publishing detailed information about its factory partners and production costs. The brand offers timeless wardrobe staples using high-quality sustainable materials like recycled cashmere and organic cotton, with prices ranging from $30-$150.
Shop now at everlane.com
Offering trendy yet timeless feminine styles, Reformation is a certified Climate Neutral company that provides a public sustainability report detailing its water, waste, and carbon footprint. They prioritize deadstock fabrics and recycled or regenerated materials in their collections.
Shop now at reformation.com
As a certified B Corp, Kotn creates high-quality basics from authentic Egyptian cotton while ensuring fair labor practices by working directly with farmers. The company builds schools in its farming communities and is fully transparent about its supply chain from farm to hanger.
Shop now at kotn.com
ABLE is committed to ending generational poverty by empowering women with fair wages and safe jobs. This B Corp brand publishes its wages publicly for transparency and offers beautifully crafted leather goods, apparel, and jewelry designed to last.
Shop now at ableclothing.com
Specializing in minimalist underwear, activewear, and essentials, Organic Basics uses eco-friendly materials like organic cotton, TENCEL™ Lyocell, and recycled fabrics. This certified B Corp works only with factories that uphold safe working conditions and pay a living wage.
Shop now at organicbasics.com
Lord & Taylor filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and closed its physical stores. It was later acquired by Le Tote and relaunched as an online-only "digital collective," shifting its strategy away from traditional brick-and-mortar retail to compete in the digital space.
While an estimated 30-40% of items in select online collections may feature materials like organic cotton or recycled polyester, this is not a brand-wide commitment. The majority of their products still rely on conventional, resource-intensive textiles without any formal sustainability certifications.
Not necessarily. While they don't produce new items at the same breakneck speed as brands like Shein, many legacy department stores suffer from a severe lack of supply chain transparency. Their large scale can hide unethical labor practices and significant environmental damage, making them equally problematic in different ways.
