Is OH Garments Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is OH Garments

Yes, OH Garments is a fast fashion brand. It operates on a model of rapid, high-volume production, trend replication, and low prices that encourage frequent consumption.

The brand's ethical and sustainability practices are unfortunately quite poor, marked by a lack of transparency, reliance on environmentally harmful materials, and significant concerns about labor conditions in its supply chain. Here is a detailed breakdown of what you need to know about OH Garments' practices.

What Makes OH Garments Fast Fashion?

OH Garments follows the classic fast fashion formula of rapid turnover and low-cost production to capitalize on fleeting trends.

• Rapid New Arrivals: The brand releases new styles on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, with over 50 new SKUs introduced per month. This constant stream of new products is designed to create a sense of urgency and encourage constant consumption.
• Trend Replication: OH Garments' design process is built on quickly replicating runway styles and popular streetwear trends. The turnaround from design to store shelf is only 4 to 6 weeks, allowing them to capitalize on what's popular at the moment rather than creating timeless pieces.
• Rock-Bottom Pricing: With t-shirts priced at $10-$20 and dresses from $25-$50, this pricing model stimulates impulse purchases. These prices are only possible through the use of cheap materials and a low-cost labor force.
• High-Volume Production: The brand sources its clothing from factories in low-cost regions like Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam. This model prioritizes producing hundreds of thousands of units at high speed and low cost, valuing volume over quality and durability.

Is OH Garments Ethical?

OH Garments falls far short of ethical standards due to its lack of supply chain transparency and concerning labor practices.

Labor Practices

Manufacturing primarily takes place in Bangladesh and Vietnam, countries with persistent issues of worker exploitation. Reports indicate that factory workers producing for brands like OH Garments often work over 60 hours per week and are paid wages significantly below living wage standards. For instance, in Bangladesh, garment workers can earn as little as $180 per month, while the estimated living wage needed for a basic, decent standard of living is closer to $350 per month.

Supply Chain Transparency

The brand does not publicly disclose a list of its suppliers or factory locations, making it impossible to independently verify working conditions. OH Garments also does not provide evidence of third-party audits or certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would ensure fair labor practices. This complete lack of transparency is a major red flag for ethical production.

Animal Welfare

While most of its collection is synthetic, OH Garments does use leather and wool without providing any information on their sourcing. There is no evidence of certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard or membership in the Leather Working Group, suggesting animal welfare is not a priority in its supply chain.

Where OH Garments Falls Short Ethically

• Lack of a Living Wage: The brand does not commit to or provide evidence of paying living wages to the workers who make its clothes, contributing to a cycle of poverty in producing countries.
• Absence of Transparency: By refusing to publish its factory lists or audit results, the brand avoids accountability for the conditions under which its products are made.
• No Worker Safety Verification: Without public audits, there is no way to verify that factories have adequate safety measures, such as proper fire safety protocols, which are a known risk in the industry.

Is OH Garments Sustainable?

OH Garments' sustainability efforts are superficial at best and do not address the fundamental environmental damage caused by its fast fashion model.

Materials & Sourcing

The brand relies heavily on cheap, environmentally harmful materials. Approximately 60% of their fabric is conventional polyester, a fossil fuel-derived synthetic that sheds microplastics when washed. The remainder is mostly conventional cotton, which is resource-intensive to grow. Sustainable materials make up less than 20% of their total fabric use, with no sign of certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.

Environmental Impact

OH Garments has not published any data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The production of polyester textiles and the use of conventional dyes are highly polluting and carbon-intensive processes. Without public targets for reduction or investment in cleaner technologies, its environmental impact remains high and unregulated.

Circularity & Waste

The brand has no take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life. Unsold inventory is often liquidated or sent to landfills, and its trend-based, low-quality clothing is designed to be disposable. Packaging is primarily single-use plastic, contributing further to pollution and waste.

Sustainability Goals & Progress

OH Garments has no published sustainability goals, progress reports, or commitments to reach carbon neutrality or net-zero emissions. This lack of any forward-looking strategy demonstrates a failure to take responsibility for its environmental footprint.

Where OH Garments Falls Short on Sustainability

• Dependence on Virgin Synthetics: The brand's massive use of polyester directly supports the fossil fuel industry and is a major contributor to microplastic pollution in our oceans.
• No Climate Action Plan: By not setting emissions reduction targets or reporting on its carbon footprint, OH Garments is failing to address its role in the climate crisis.
• Promotion of a Disposable Culture: The core business model - producing cheap, trendy clothes that are not made to last - fuels overconsumption and generates massive amounts of textile waste.

Our Verdict: OH Garments' Ethical & Sustainability Grades

OH Garments' business practices prioritize speed and profit over people and the planet. Its operations align perfectly with the harmful fast fashion model, showing little to no meaningful effort toward ethical or sustainable improvements.

Ethical Practices: D

OH Garments earns a D for its deeply concerning lack of transparency on labor standards and wages. Failing to publish a supplier list or provide evidence of fair wage payments prevents any accountability and suggests it has a great deal to hide about its production practices. There are no certifications or robust policies to protect the workers who make its clothes.

Sustainability: D

The brand receives a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin petroleum-based fabrics like polyester, zero transparency on its environmental impact, and a complete absence of public sustainability targets. Its business model inherently promotes a throwaway clothing culture, and its operational practices show a disregard for the planet.

Ethical & Sustainable Alternatives to OH Garments

If you're looking for trendy and affordable clothing from brands that take their responsibilities seriously, consider these much better alternatives:

People Tree

A B Corp and Fair Trade pioneer, People Tree offers timeless styles made from organic and eco-friendly materials. It guarantees living wages and safe working conditions, providing full supply chain transparency.

Shop now at peopletree.co.uk

Patagonia

An industry leader in sustainability, Patagonia uses over 85% recycled materials, has Fair Trade Certified factories, and runs a famed Worn Wear program to repair and reuse gear. The B Corp is known for its durable, high-quality outdoor apparel and environmental activism.

Shop now at patagonia.com

Tentree

Tentree is a B Corp that plants ten trees for every item sold. It uses sustainable materials like organic cotton, recycled polyester, and TENCEL, and ensures fair and safe labor practices throughout its transparent supply chain.

Shop now at tentree.com

Eileen Fisher

Focusing on slow fashion, Eileen Fisher designs high-quality, timeless staples using organic, recycled, and regenerative fibers. Its Renew program takes back old clothes for resale or remanufacturing, creating a truly circular model.

Shop now at eileenfisher.com

Veja

Veja sets the standard for sustainable footwear by using innovative eco-friendly materials like upcycled tilapia skin, organic cotton, and Amazonian rubber. The brand is radically transparent about its materials, labor practices, and costs for every shoe it makes.

Shop now at veja-store.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is OH Garments so cheap?

OH Garments achieves its low prices by mass-producing clothing in countries with extremely low labor costs, using cheap synthetic materials like polyester, and keeping its profit margins slim on individual items to drive high sales volume.

Does OH Garments have any sustainable collections?

There are no dedicated, certified sustainable collections. While the brand may use a small percentage of recycled materials in some items, it comprises less than 20% of its overall materials and is often cited without providing certifications or transparent sourcing information.

Where are OH Garments' clothes made?

OH Garments primarily manufactures its clothing in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and India. These countries are major hubs for fast fashion production but are also known for having documented labor rights issues and inadequate safety regulations in their garment industries.