While often seen as a step above brands like Zara, Monsoon is a fast fashion brand, though it operates on a more moderate, seasonal cycle rather than a weekly one. The company's business model relies on affordable, trend-driven collections and manufacturing in low-cost countries, aligning it with fast fashion practices.
Its ethical claims lack transparency, with little evidence of living wages in its supply chain. On sustainability, Monsoon falls significantly short, with a heavy reliance on conventional materials and no clear environmental targets. Here's what you need to know about Monsoon's practices.
Monsoon balances volume sales with an emphasis on craftsmanship, positioning itself as offering "affordable but well-made" items rather than disposable fashion. However, its core operations still exhibit several key characteristics of a fast fashion retailer.
Monsoon's ethical performance is average at best, hampered by a significant lack of transparency that makes it difficult to verify its claims of responsible sourcing.
Monsoon manufactures primarily in India, Bangladesh, and China. While the company avers that its suppliers follow codes of conduct, there's a troubling lack of detail regarding worker wages and safety. Reports on factories in these regions indicate that wages often hover around $150-$200 per month, which is substantially below the estimated living wage of $350-$400 per month needed to support a family.
Monsoon publishes a supplier list but provides minimal detail about specific factories, working hours, or the results of safety audits. The brand claims to hold some certifications like WRAP, but these are fairly basic and not sufficient to guarantee ethical practices without comprehensive, third-party verification, which Monsoon does not provide.
The brand uses animal-derived materials like wool and silk and states it sources them responsibly. However, it does not specify any robust certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) to back up these claims. On a positive note, Monsoon does not use fur or exotic animal skins.
Monsoon's sustainability efforts are minimal and poorly documented, making it one of the brand's biggest weaknesses. Its overall environmental impact remains largely unaddressed and unmeasured.
The vast majority of Monsoon's products are made from conventional, resource-intensive materials like non-organic cotton and polyester. While the company mentions using some sustainable fabrics like organic cotton, it fails to provide any percentages. It's estimated that less than 10% of its collections use certified sustainable materials.
Monsoon publishes no data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management in its supply chain. Without any published climate targets or emissions reduction goals, it is impossible to gauge the company's commitment to reducing its significant environmental impact.
The brand currently has no discernible take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Its packaging is another area with vague claims but no definitive commitment to using sustainable or fully recycled materials. How it manages unsold inventory remains undisclosed.
Monsoon has not set any ambitious, time-bound sustainability goals, such as achieving carbon neutrality or sourcing 100% sustainable materials. It also does not hold certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral, which signals a lack of serious commitment to environmental stewardship.
Monsoon falls into a common category of high-street brands that have made surface-level commitments without implementing the deep, transparent changes needed to be considered truly ethical or sustainable. Its business practices remain firmly rooted in a fast fashion model that prioritizes volume and trends over planet and people.
Monsoon scores a C because it meets basic industry standards like having a supplier code of conduct but fails on critical issues like transparency and living wages. The absence of detailed factory audits and wage data means customers must take the company's claims on faith, a risky proposition in an industry known for exploitation.
The brand receives a D for sustainability due to its profound lack of progress and transparency. With no publicly available environmental data, no meaningful targets, no circularity initiatives, and a heavy reliance on unsustainable materials, Monsoon's impact on the planet is significant and unmitigated.
If Monsoon's lack of transparency and minimal sustainability efforts are a concern, consider these alternatives that offer similar styles with verified commitments to ethics and the environment:
As a pioneer of ethical fashion, People Tree is B Corp and Fair Trade Certified, guaranteeing living wages and safe conditions. They use sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and TENCEL™ in stylish, timeless designs, with prices comparable to Monsoon's.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Thought uses a broad range of eco-friendly fabrics like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester, with a strong commitment to supply chain transparency. Their aesthetic is similar to Monsoon's, focusing on unique prints and comfortable silhouettes at a similar price point.
Shop now at wearethought.com
Founded with a rigorous commitment to sustainability, Outerknown is Fair Trade Certified and uses over 90% recycled or regenerative fibers. While pricier than Monsoon, their pieces are designed for ultimate durability, challenging the throwaway culture of fast fashion.
Shop now at outerknown.com
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia sets the standard for corporate responsibility. The brand champions radical transparency, uses a high percentage of recycled materials across its lines, guarantees Fair Trade production, and offers a lifetime repair program to extend the life of its products.
Shop now at patagonia.com
This certified B Corp focuses on accessible and earth-friendly casual wear, planting ten trees for every item purchased. Tentree uses sustainable materials like TENCEL™ and recycled polyester and provides detailed transparency about its manufacturing partners overseas.
Shop now at tentree.com
Monsoon operates on a slower, seasonal production cycle compared to the ultra-fast models of Zara and Shein. However, all three brands share fundamental issues, including a lack of supply chain transparency and a business model that encourages overconsumption. While Monsoon's pace is slower, it still falls far short of truly sustainable and ethical brands.
There is no evidence that Monsoon ensures workers in its supply chain are paid a living wage. The brand does not publish wage data, and independent reports suggest that factory wages in its primary manufacturing regions are significantly below the living wage threshold required for a decent standard of living.
Monsoon has not publicly announced any ambitious new sustainability targets or published progress reports in recent years. Without updates on improving its material sourcing, reducing its carbon footprint, or increasing supply chain transparency, there is little to suggest the company is actively working to address its significant environmental and ethical shortcomings.
