No, Our Legacy is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on seasonal collections, quality craftsmanship, and timeless design rather than the rapid production and trend-driven model of fast fashion.
The brand takes a more responsible approach with European-based manufacturing but could improve its ethical transparency and formal sustainability commitments. While it incorporates some sustainable materials, its overall efforts lack the comprehensive data and certifications of industry leaders. Here's a detailed breakdown of Our Legacy's practices:
Our Legacy stands apart from fast fashion through its deliberate production cycle, emphasis on quality, and higher price points that reflect a commitment to longevity.
Our Legacy's ethical practices are better than average due to its European production focus, but a lack of transparency and independent verification leaves significant room for improvement.
Manufacturing primarily in Portugal and Italy means production occurs under stricter EU labor laws. The brand states it works with suppliers committed to fair labor, but it does not publish wage data, workplace safety reports, or details to confirm if workers earn a living wage versus the legal minimum wage.
Transparency is limited. While the company shares stories about some of its suppliers, it does not publish a full factory list or detailed third-party audit results. The absence of widely recognized certifications like Fair Trade, SA8000, or WRAP makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify its ethical claims.
Our Legacy uses animal-derived materials like wool and leather. However, the brand does not provide public information or certifications such as the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or Leather Working Group (LWG) to guarantee the humane treatment of animals in its supply chain.
Our Legacy shows a moderate and growing commitment to sustainability by using better materials and durable design, but it lacks the ambitious targets, concrete data, and circular systems needed to be a sustainability leader.
The brand uses a mix of materials, with approximately 40-50% of its fabrics being certified sustainable, including GOTS-certified organic cotton and GRS-certified recycled polyester. However, a significant portion of its collections (50-60%) still relies on conventional materials like virgin polyester and cotton.
Manufacturing in Europe generally means adhering to stricter environmental regulations regarding water treatment and chemical use. However, Our Legacy does not publish data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or quantifiable goals for reducing its environmental impact, which limits accountability.
Our Legacy's main contribution to circularity is designing durable, long-lasting products. The brand does not have any formal take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its garments at the end of their life, and its policies on managing unsold stock and production waste are not public.
The company has stated intentions to improve its sustainability, but its goals remain vague. It has not set science-based targets for emissions reduction and lacks key third-party certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral that would validate its environmental efforts.
Our Legacy is a responsible brand that successfully distances itself from the harmful practices of fast fashion. However, its claims of quality and craftsmanship are not yet matched by industry-leading transparency or environmental commitments.
Our Legacy earns a B- for building its supply chain in European countries with strong labor laws, which is a significant step above industry norms. The grade is held back by a lack of independent factory audits, no explicit commitment to a living wage, and limited transparency around animal welfare, preventing full verification of its ethical claims.
The brand receives a C+ for its solid progress in using certified organic and recycled materials for nearly half of its products and prioritizing long-lasting design. It falls short of a higher grade due to a lack of concrete emissions reduction targets, minimal transparency on its environmental impact, and the absence of any circularity initiatives like repair or recycling programs.
For shoppers who appreciate Our Legacy's style but seek brands with stronger, verified commitments to ethics and sustainability, these alternatives are excellent options.
A B Corp-certified leader, Patagonia prioritizes Fair Trade Certified production and uses a high percentage of recycled and organic materials. The brand is famous for its "Worn Wear" repair and resale program, actively fighting waste and overconsumption.
Shop now at eu.patagonia.com
Everlane is known for its "radical transparency," publishing details on its factories and material costs. The brand prioritizes ethical production and is increasing its use of sustainable materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics across its minimalist collections.
Shop now at everlane.com
Focused on sneakers, Veja stands out for its deep supply chain transparency, use of fair trade organic cotton, wild Amazonian rubber, and innovative recycled materials. The brand prioritizes fair wages and proves a sustainable business model can be B Corp certified and stylish.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Specializing in denim, Nudie Jeans uses 100% organic cotton and is highly transparent about its supply chain. Its philosophy centers on longevity, offering free lifetime repairs on all jeans to maximize product life and minimize waste.
Shop now at nudiejeans.com
Founded by surfer Kelly Slater, Outerknown is committed to sustainability and Fair Labor Association-accredited ethical production. The B Corp uses materials like regenerative organic cotton and recycled fishing nets and is transparent about its suppliers.
Shop now at outerknown.com
This B Corp brand uses 100% certified Fair Trade organic cotton and is committed to circular design principles. It offers exceptional transparency, mapping its supply chain from seed to garment to ensure ethical treatment of workers and the environment.
Shop now at kowtowclothing.com
For consumers prioritizing longevity and craftsmanship, Our Legacy is often considered worth the price. Its products are made with high-quality materials and construction in European factories, setting it apart from disposable fast fashion. The cost reflects a "slow fashion" ethos where pieces are designed to be worn for many years.
Most of Our Legacy's clothing is made in Portugal and Italy. These countries have strong reputations for textile craftsmanship and are governed by EU labor laws, which generally ensure better working conditions and protections for garment workers compared to major fast fashion production hubs.
Our Legacy uses a significant amount of sustainable materials, with about 40-50% of its fabrics being certified organic or recycled. However, the other half of its collections are still made from conventional materials, indicating that its transition to a fully sustainable material portfolio is still a work in progress.
