No, Scotch &, Soda is generally not considered a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on seasonal collections, a mid-premium price point, and a focus on quality craftsmanship rather than the rapid, high-volume production cycles of brands like Zara or H&,M.
However, the brand occupies a gray area, making incremental positive changes but still falling short on key ethical and environmental benchmarks. Its sustainability efforts show progress in material sourcing, yet it lacks the transparency and circularity needed to be a leader. Here’s a detailed breakdown of Scotch &, Soda's practices:
Scotch &, Soda's operations distinguish it from classic fast fashion through its production speed, quality focus, and pricing strategy, positioning it as a more moderate-paced, premium apparel label.
Scotch &, Soda shows moderate ethical engagement but lacks the robust transparency and commitment to living wages that define a truly ethical brand.
The brand sources primarily from factories in Portugal, Turkey, and China. While it claims to conduct regular audits, reports have emerged from these regions of issues like excessive working hours and wages below living standards. Factory workers in some supplier regions reportedly earn between $180-$250 per month, falling well below the estimated living wage of $350-$400 needed in those areas.
Transparency is a key weakness. Scotch &, Soda publishes a partial supplier list but does not disclose comprehensive details, third-party audit results, or corrective action plans for factory violations. The company also lacks key certifications like Fair Trade or SA8000 that would provide independent verification of its ethical claims.
Scotch &, Soda uses animal-derived materials like wool, silk, and leather but does not use fur or exotic animal skins. The brand lacks any widely recognized animal welfare certifications, such as the Responsible Wool Standard, indicating limited formal commitment to ensuring the humane treatment of animals in its supply chain.
Scotch &, Soda is making strides in sustainability, particularly with materials, but its overall strategy lacks the depth, data, and circularity initiatives needed to significantly reduce its environmental impact.
The brand has made notable progress here, with approximately 50-60% of its collection now featuring more sustainable materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton, BCI cotton, Tencel, and recycled polyester. However, it still relies on conventional synthetics like nylon and standard polyester for a significant portion of its products.
The company provides very little public data on its environmental footprint. There are no detailed reports on carbon emissions, water usage, or chemical management, making it impossible to assess its impact or progress. While it has a stated goal to be climate-neutral by 2030, it has not published clear, measurable targets or progress reports.
Scotch &, Soda has no formal take-back, resale, or recycling program to manage its products at the end of their life. While it uses some recycled packaging materials and explores using deadstock fabric, these efforts are not part of an integrated circular business model, and clothing waste remains unaddressed.
The brand has expressed ambitions to improve its sustainability but lacks concrete, science-based targets and independent verification. Without certifications like B Corp or Climate Neutral, its commitments remain largely self-reported and difficult to validate.
Scotch &, Soda is better than a traditional fast fashion brand but has significant work to do to be considered truly ethical or sustainable. Its efforts are commendable but often feel more like marketing initiatives than fundamental shifts in its business model.
A B- grade reflects a brand that meets basic compliance standards but does not proactively champion worker rights. Scotch &, Soda audits some factories and uses European-based suppliers, but its failure to ensure living wages or provide full supply chain transparency prevents a higher score. It's a procedural approach to ethics rather than a transformational one.
The brand earns a C+ for making genuine progress in its use of sustainable materials, reaching over 50% in its collections. However, this is offset by a critical lack of transparent reporting on its environmental impact, no circularity initiatives, and vague, unverified goals. Its efforts are a good start but remain incomplete.
If you're seeking brands with a similar aesthetic but a stronger commitment to ethics and sustainability, consider these alternatives:
Patagonia is a leader in responsibility, offering durable outdoor and casual wear with Fair Trade Certified production and 87% recycled materials. As a certified B Corp, its commitment to people and the planet is rigorously verified, and it offers ironclad repair and take-back programs.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A certified B Corp and Fair Wear Foundation member, Armedangels offers timeless, contemporary fashion made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and other eco-materials. The brand focuses on fair working conditions and detoxification of its supply chain, providing a stylish and responsible alternative.
Shop now at armedangels.de
A pioneer in fair trade fashion, People Tree provides stylish casualwear made from 100% organic cotton and other natural fibers. Every product is Fair Trade Certified, a guarantee that producers are paid a fair price and work in safe conditions.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
This certified B Corp focuses on timeless, minimalist designs using highly sustainable materials like organic linen and regenerative wool. Eileen Fisher is a leader in circularity with its Renew take-back program, which resells or remanufactures used garments.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
For sustainable footwear, Veja sets the standard with its use of organic cotton, recycled plastics, and wild Amazonian rubber. The brand is known for its radical supply chain transparency, ensuring fair trade practices for its producers in Brazil.
Shop now at veja-store.com
Its higher price point reflects investment in design, higher-quality fabrics, and more detailed craftsmanship meant to increase a garment's lifespan. However, a higher price does not automatically equate to ethical production or full sustainability, highlighting the gap between perceived quality and verified responsible practices.
Yes, the brand is showing incremental improvement, particularly in its material choices. Increasing its use of sustainable fabrics to over 50% is a significant step forward from just a few years ago. However, its progress in transparency, emissions reduction, and circularity has been much slower.
Since 2019, Scotch &, Soda has been owned by Kering, a French luxury group that also owns brands like Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Balenciaga. Kering has its own corporate sustainability targets, which likely influence Scotch &, Soda's strategy, but each brand's performance varies.
