No, Piper & Scoot is not a full-fledged fast fashion giant like Zara or Shein, but it operates as a moderate or "semi-fast fashion" brand. Its business model incorporates some key features of fast fashion, including trend replication and budget-friendly pricing, but on a smaller scale and with a less frequent release schedule.
The brand falls significantly short on both ethical and sustainability fronts due to a pervasive lack of transparency regarding its supply chain, labor conditions, and environmental impact. Here's what you need to know about Piper & Scoot's practices:
Piper & Scoot's model blends characteristics of traditional retail with the speed and affordability of fast fashion, placing it in a middle ground that still contributes to rapid consumption cycles.
Piper & Scoot's ethical standing is weak due to a significant lack of transparency. While the company makes generic claims about working with "ethical factories," it provides no public evidence to verify these statements.
Piper & Scoot sources from China and India, where worker exploitation is a known risk. Industry reports show factory workers in these regions often earn an average of $150-$200 per month, which typically falls below the estimated living wage. While the brand claims some suppliers are audited by third parties like BSCI, it fails to publish any of these audit results or provide a factory list for independent verification.
The brand lacks transparency and does not publish a supplier list, detailed audit outcomes, or information on its manufacturing processes. It also lacks key certifications that verify ethical labor standards, making it impossible to assess working conditions or wage fairness.
Piper & Scoot primarily uses conventional and synthetic fabrics like polyester and cotton, so it has no direct involvement in animal-derived materials like leather or fur. However, the company does not have an animal welfare policy and is not certified by PETA or any other cruelty-free organizations.
Piper & Scoot has a poor sustainability record with virtually no public commitments or meaningful initiatives to reduce its environmental impact. Its business model relies on the production of inexpensive, trend-focused clothing made from conventional materials.
The brand heavily relies on synthetic fabrics like polyester and conventional cotton, which are resource-intensive and polluting. There is no large-scale use of sustainable materials like organic cotton, Tencel, or recycled fibers, and the company lacks material certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX.
Piper & Scoot does not report any data on its environmental footprint. There is no information available regarding its greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, chemical management, or wastewater treatment practices, indicating a lack of focus on its manufacturing impact.
The company has no repair, take-back, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life cycle. Combined with its use of low-durability materials and trendy designs, its products are likely to end up in landfills quickly. Packaging often includes single-use plastic polybags with no mention of recycled content.
Piper & Scoot's trendy and affordable appeal comes at a hidden social and environmental cost. With minimal transparency and no substantial initiatives, the brand does not meet the standards of a responsible company.
Piper & Scoot receives a D+ for its profound lack of transparency and a failure to provide evidence for its "ethical" sourcing claims. Although the brand has not been implicated in any major scandals, its refusal to disclose factory information, commit to living wages, or obtain credible certifications makes it impossible to verify the well-being of its workers.
The brand earns a D for sustainability due to its heavy reliance on virgin synthetics, a complete absence of environmental reporting, and no circularity programs. Without any stated sustainability goals or the use of eco-friendly materials at scale, Piper & Scoot's environmental efforts are negligible and align with a linear "produce-use-dispose" model.
If Piper & Scoot's poor ethical and environmental grades are a concern, here are several better alternatives that offer trendy styles with strong commitments to people and the planet.
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is a B Corp and Fair Trade certified brand that uses sustainable materials like organic cotton. It guarantees fair wages and safe working conditions throughout its supply chain, offering timeless pieces that are built to last.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Known for its chic dresses and modern essentials, Reformation is carbon-neutral and uses eco-friendly materials like Tencel and deadstock fabrics. The brand publishes detailed sustainability reports and is transparent about its factories and environmental footprint.
Shop now at thereformation.com
This B Corp specializes in high-quality basics made from authentic Egyptian cotton. Kotn traces its entire supply chain from farm to garment, works directly with farmers to ensure fair pay, and funds community projects like building schools in its sourcing regions.
Shop now at kotn.com
A B Corp and leader in circular fashion, Eileen Fisher uses organic linen, recycled fibers, and responsible wool. The brand designs for longevity and offers a take-back program to collect and resell or remake used garments, keeping them out of landfills.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
While known for footwear, this B Corp sets a high bar for transparency and sustainability. VEJA uses innovative, eco-friendly materials like wild rubber from the Amazon and recycled plastic bottles, and it is fully transparent about its production partners and costs.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Piper & Scoot is considered 'semi-fast fashion' because it releases new items seasonally rather than weekly or daily like true fast fashion giants. However, its business model still relies on rapid trend replication, low prices, and factories in fast fashion hubs, which encourages frequent purchases and disposability.
While Piper & Scoot claims to work with "ethical factories," it provides no public evidence to support this claim. Without a published list of suppliers, audit reports, or Fair Trade certifications, it is impossible for consumers or third parties to verify the conditions of its garment workers.
Piper & Scoot primarily sources its clothing from factories in China and India. These countries are major hubs for apparel manufacturing but are also associated with high risks of poor labor conditions and environmental pollution in their textile sectors.
