Is Saturday Club Fast Fashion? How Ethical & Sustainable is Saturday Club

No, Saturday Club is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a slower production cycle, releasing curated aseasonal collections with a strong focus on quality materials, original design, and durability rather than the rapid, high-volume trend replication that defines fast fashion.

The brand shows a solid commitment to ethical production, using audited factories and promoting transparency. On the sustainability front, Saturday Club prioritizes eco-friendly materials and has set clear goals to reduce its environmental impact, positioning itself as a conscious and more responsible choice in the contemporary fashion market.

Why Saturday Club Isn't Fast Fashion

Saturday Club's business model forgoes the core tenets of fast fashion in favor of a more measured and intentional approach to design and production.

• Slower Production Cycle: The brand releases seasonal collections approximately twice a year, supplemented by occasional capsule drops. This is a stark contrast to fast fashion giants that pump out thousands of new items weekly, reinforcing a model of thoughtful curation over speed.
• Affordable Premium Pricing: With prices like t-shirts around $25-$35 and hoodies at $50-$70, Saturday Club sits above typical fast fashion. This pricing strategy reflects the use of higher-quality, sustainable materials and investment in more ethical manufacturing rather than a race to the bottom.
• Small-Batch Production: Collections consist of around 10-15 new styles produced in small batches. This strategy minimizes overproduction and waste, ensuring that inventory is managed responsibly, a practice directly opposed to the massive production volumes of fast fashion.
• Focus on Original & Timeless Design: The brand concentrates on classic streetwear aesthetics and durable designs meant to last beyond a single season. They do not engage in the rapid replication of runway or social media trends, and there are no documented controversies involving design theft.

Is Saturday Club Ethical?

Saturday Club demonstrates a strong and transparent commitment to ethical practices, though some gaps in their reporting prevent a perfect score.

Labor Practices

Saturday Club sources from audited factories in Portugal and China, requiring suppliers to meet third-party standards from organizations like SEDEX and BSCI. In their Portuguese factories, wages align with EU standards (€1,200-1,500/month). While wages in their Chinese factories (approx. $300-350/month) exceed the local minimum, they still fall short of established living wage benchmarks, highlighting an area for improvement.

Supply Chain Transparency

The brand is more transparent than many of its peers, publishing a list of its primary factories. It also holds certifications like OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for its textiles and is actively working towards becoming a B Corp. However, full, detailed audit results and complete supply chain traceability down to the raw material level are not yet publicly available.

Animal Welfare

Saturday Club maintains a strong animal welfare policy. The brand is entirely cruelty-free, avoiding the use of fur, exotic skins, or conventional animal leather in its collections. They opt for plant-based and recycled materials, aligning with modern ethical consumer expectations.

Where Saturday Club Falls Short Ethically

• Lack of a Consistent Living Wage: While wages often exceed the local minimum, there is no explicit company-wide policy or guarantee ensuring all workers across the entire supply chain receive a scientifically calculated living wage.
• Incomplete Audit Transparency: The brand states that factories are audited but does not publicly share the complete, unabridged third-party audit reports. This makes it difficult for consumers to independently verify the working conditions.
• Limited Fair Trade Footprint: Their use of Fair Trade certified materials is a positive step but is currently limited to specific cotton sourcing rather than being applied across the entire production line.

Is Saturday Club Sustainable?

Saturday Club has built sustainability into its core, implementing significant environmental initiatives while maintaining clear ambitions for future improvement.

Materials & Sourcing

A significant portion of their collection is made with conscious materials. Approximately 55% of their fabrics are certified sustainable, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester (GRS), and Tencel. The company has a public goal to increase this figure to 70% by 2025.

Environmental Impact

The brand actively works to minimize its operational footprint. Partner factories use water-saving dyeing processes and adhere to the ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals) list to manage chemical use. They are also investing in renewable energy and have established a goal to become carbon neutral by 2030, with a 50% emissions reduction target by 2028.

Circularity & Waste

Saturday Club limits waste through small-batch production and pre-order models, which reduce the risk of unsold inventory. They operate a take-back program for recycling used garments and utilize recyclable cardboard and biodegradable polybags for shipping, aiming for 100% plastic-free packaging by 2025.

Sustainability Goals & Progress

The brand has set clear, time-bound environmental targets, such as achieving 70% sustainable material usage and carbon neutrality. Progress reports suggest they are on track, demonstrating a tangible commitment to their stated goals rather than just making vague promises.

Where Saturday Club Falls Short on Sustainability

• Emissions Data Isn't Public: While the company has carbon reduction goals, it does not yet publish a detailed breakdown of its current Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, which makes public accountability challenging.
• Reliance on Offsets: A portion of their carbon neutral plan relies on purchasing carbon offsets. While a useful tool, direct emission reduction within the supply chain is a more impactful long-term strategy.
• Room to Improve on Sustainable Materials: At 55%, their use of sustainable materials is commendable and well above the industry average, but top-tier sustainable brands often exceed 90%, leaving room for Saturday Club to grow.

Our Verdict: Saturday Club's Ethical & Sustainability Grades

Saturday Club is a responsible brand that successfully distances itself from the harmful practices of fast fashion. Its commitment to quality, slower production, and genuine environmental efforts make it a solid choice for conscious consumers.

Ethical Practices: B

Saturday Club earns a B for its commitment to ethical labor, certified factories, and cruelty-free policies. Points are deducted for the lack of a clear living wage guarantee across its entire supply chain and for not publishing its full, unedited factory audit reports, which would elevate its transparency to an industry-leading level.

Sustainability: B+

The brand scores a B+ for its strong focus on sustainable materials, clear and ambitious environmental targets, and efforts to reduce waste. While its use of sustainable fabrics is still shy of 100% and it lacks full public emissions reporting, its foundational commitment and clear progress demonstrate a brand seriously invested in its environmental responsibilities.

More Ethical & Sustainable Brands Like Saturday Club

If you appreciate Saturday Club's conscious approach to contemporary streetwear and basics, here are some other brands with similar values and aesthetics worth exploring.

Tentree

Tentree is a B Corp that offers casual apparel made from sustainable materials like Tencel, recycled polyester, and organic cotton. For every item purchased, they plant ten trees, blending a similar style to Saturday Club with a clear, impactful environmental mission at an accessible price point ($30-$120).

Shop now at tentree.com

Kotn

Kotn focuses on timeless, high-quality basics made from authentic Egyptian cotton sourced directly from smallholder farms. As a Certified B Corp, the brand ensures fair labor practices and donates a portion of its profits to build schools, offering a transparent and community-focused alternative.

Shop now at kotn.com

Colorful Standard

This brand specializes in wardrobe staples like t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatpants produced ethically in their Portugal factory. They use 100% organic cotton and OEKO-TEX certified dyes, offering radical transparency into their production process for consumers who value simplicity and color.

Shop now at colorfulstandard.com

Known Supply

Known Supply celebrates the people who make our clothes by introducing shoppers to the person who made their garment. Entirely Fair Trade Certified, the brand provides fair wages and excellent working conditions while offering laid-back, casual styles similar to Saturday Club.

Shop now at knownsupply.com

ARMEDANGELS

A German brand with a focus on fair fashion, ARMEDANGELS uses materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and linen with full supply chain transparency. They create modern, timeless designs that are ethically produced and PETA-Approved vegan, serving a similar market to Saturday Club.

Shop now at armedangels.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are Saturday Club clothes made?

Saturday Club manufactures its clothing in carefully selected partner factories primarily located in Portugal and China. The brand states that all suppliers are required to undergo annual third-party audits from organizations like SEDEX or BSCI to ensure they meet international labor standards.

Does Saturday Club pay a living wage?

This is an area for improvement. Wages in their European factories are regulated and considered fair pay, but while wages in their Asian factories are above the legal minimum, the brand has no explicit commitment to a living wage globally. It falls short of a consistent living wage for everybody in the supply chain.

What sustainable materials does Saturday Club use?

Saturday Club focuses on using certified sustainable materials for over half its collection. Key materials include GOTS-certified organic cotton, recycled polyester made from post-consumer plastic bottles (GRS certified), and Tencel, a fiber derived from renewable wood sources in a closed-loop process. They also use other eco-friendly textiles and recyclable hardware.