Yes, Never Fully Dressed (NFD) is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, high volumes of trend-driven styles, and affordable price points that encourage frequent consumption.
The brand lacks transparency regarding its labor practices and makes minimal efforts toward environmental sustainability. Here's a detailed breakdown of what you need to know about Never Fully Dressed's practices.
Never Fully Dressed operates on a model that prioritizes speed and volume, aligning closely with the core characteristics of fast fashion.
Never Fully Dressed's ethical practices are difficult to verify due to a significant lack of transparency. The brand provides very little public information, leaving major questions about worker welfare unanswered.
NFD manufactures its clothing in Turkey, China, and India - regions with documented risks of poor labor conditions in the garment industry. While the brand claims to work with "ethical suppliers," it offers no evidence to support this. Workers in these regions often earn between $180–$220 per month, falling far short of the estimated living wages of $350–$500 per month needed for a decent standard of living.
Transparency is a critical area where Never Fully Dressed fails. The company does not publish a supplier list, share an audit methodology, or provide results from any factory inspections. Without this information, it's impossible for consumers to verify claims about working conditions or wages in its supply chain.
The brand's collections are predominantly made from synthetic fabrics like polyester and viscose. Never Fully Dressed does not use animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or wool, and it does not hold any animal welfare certifications like PETA-approved vegan.
Never Fully Dressed has virtually no meaningful sustainability initiatives. Its business model relies on environmentally harmful materials and contributes to overproduction and textile waste.
An estimated 70-80% of NFD's products are made from virgin polyester and other synthetic fibers derived from fossil fuels. There is no evidence of the brand using recycled materials at scale, and its mentions of organic cotton or linen are isolated and not part of a broader strategy. The brand does not hold material certifications like GOTS (for organic cotton) or OEKO-TEX.
Never Fully Dressed has not published any information about its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management policies. The production of synthetic textiles is energy-intensive, and global shipping from manufacturing hubs in Asia and Europe further contributes to its environmental impact. The brand has announced no goals for reducing emissions or using renewable energy.
The company does not have a take-back, repair, or recycling program to manage its garments at the end of their life. Its packaging is primarily made from new plastics, and there are no stated initiatives to reduce production waste or deadstock. The trend-focused nature of its products encourages a disposable mindset, directly contributing to the textile waste crisis.
Never Fully Dressed embodies the exploitative and unsustainable characteristics of fast fashion. Its popular, trend-driven aesthetic is built upon a foundation of opacity that conceals significant ethical risks and a near-total disregard for environmental responsibility.
NFD earns a C for ethics due to its extreme lack of transparency. While there are no documented scandals of worker exploitation, the complete absence of supplier disclosures, audits, and wage data in high-risk manufacturing regions is a major concern. It meets the bare minimum by existing in the market without provable violations, but it does nothing to ensure an ethical supply chain.
The brand receives a D for sustainability. Its reliance on virgin synthetics, lack of any environmental targets, and failure to address waste and overproduction place it firmly in the unsustainable category. Any sustainable material use is minimal and feels like an afterthought rather than a core part of its strategy.
If you're concerned about Never Fully Dressed's impact, here are better alternatives offering vibrant styles with transparent and responsible practices.
Reformation offers trendy dresses and apparel with a similar aesthetic to NFD but with a strong commitment to sustainability. As a Climate Neutral Certified brand, it focuses on using sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics while providing fair wages in its own Los Angeles factory.
Shop now at thereformation.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a certified B Corp that guarantees Fair Trade practices and uses 100% organic and sustainable fibers like GOTS-certified organic cotton. Its playful prints and classic silhouettes are made by artisans who receive fair living wages.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This German B Corp offers modern, stylish pieces made with strong ethical and environmental standards. Armedangels uses materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and recycled fabrics, maintains supply chain transparency, and is committed to fair working conditions.
Shop now at armedangels.de
While known for sneakers, Veja also produces apparel with a focus on radical supply chain transparency. The brand uses organic cotton and recycled materials and ensures its producers are paid fairly, making it a great choice for consciously-made basics.
Shop now at veja-store.com
As a certified B Corp, Organic Basics creates timeless essentials using high-quality, sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel, and recycled fabrics. The brand works with certified factory partners to ensure ethical production and full supply chain transparency.
Shop now at organicsbasics.com
Never Fully Dressed engages in minimal marketing around sustainability, so it's not a classic case of greenwashing. Rather than making misleading claims, the brand largely ignores the topics of ethics and sustainability altogether, which is a significant red flag in itself.
While some customers find the construction adequate for the price, the brand's low-cost materials like polyester mean the garments are not designed for longevity. The focus is on trendy, short-term wear, consistent with a fast fashion quality level rather than durable, investment pieces.
The brand's success comes from its vibrant, on-trend designs, inclusive sizing, and affordable price point. Its savvy use of social media and influencer marketing has made it a go-to for shoppers seeking eye-catching outfits for events and occasions without a high investment.
