No, Todd Snyder is not a fast fashion brand. It operates on a premium menswear model focused on quality craftsmanship, timeless American style, and seasonal collections rather than rapid, trend-driven production.
The brand shows a commitment to better ethical practices through its emphasis on domestic manufacturing, but it lacks the transparency and third-party certifications to be considered a leader. Its sustainability efforts are modest, prioritizing product longevity and some eco-conscious materials but falling short on comprehensive goals and reporting.
Todd Snyder's business model is fundamentally different from fast fashion brands. Its approach is built on creating classic, durable menswear rather than disposable, trend-cycle garments.
Todd Snyder takes some positive steps in its ethical practices, primarily through its commitment to American manufacturing, but significant gaps in transparency prevent a top rating.
The brand's use of U.S.-based factories is a major ethical positive, suggesting adherence to stricter labor laws and potentially fairer wages compared to offshore facilities. However, Todd Snyder does not publish a complete list of its suppliers or provide third-party audits for its factories (both domestic and overseas), making it difficult to verify working conditions or confirm that all workers earn a living wage.
Transparency is Todd Snyder's key weakness. While the brand promotes its "Made in the USA" items, it offers little public information about the factories in its network, especially those in Asia. Without supplier lists, audit results, or certifications like Fair Trade, consumers have to take the brand's ethical claims on faith.
Todd Snyder uses animal-derived materials like wool and leather but does not provide details on their sourcing or any animal welfare certifications, such as the Responsible Wool Standard. Its product line avoids fur or exotic animal skins, but there is considerable room for improvement in ensuring and communicating the humane treatment of animals in its supply chain.
Todd Snyder’s sustainability efforts are centered on the idea that high-quality, long-lasting products are inherently more sustainable. However, the brand has few formal environmental commitments or public-facing initiatives.
Todd Snyder uses some sustainable materials, such as organic cotton, in select pieces. However, it does not disclose the overall percentage of sustainable fibers used across its collections. There is no evidence of widely used certifications like GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX, which would verify the environmental safety of its textiles.
The company has not published data on its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management policies. It has not set any science-based targets for reducing emissions or waste, which are standard practices for brands seriously committed to sustainability. There are no initiatives for carbon-neutral shipping or reducing the environmental impact of its logistics.
Todd Snyder does not currently offer any take-back, repair, or recycling programs to manage its products at the end of their life cycle. The brand’s primary contribution to reducing waste is producing durable clothing, but it lacks the circular systems an industry leader would have in place.
There are no publicly stated, time-bound sustainability goals for the brand. Without clear commitments to increase the use of sustainable materials, reduce its carbon footprint, or improve packaging, its progress cannot be measured.
Todd Snyder is a significant step up from any fast fashion brand due to its focus on quality and domestic production. However, it lags behind leading sustainable menswear brands because of its lack of transparency and formal commitments.
Todd Snyder earns a B- for its strong commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing, which supports local economies and likely ensures better labor standards than typical offshore production. The grade is held back by a serious lack of transparency across its supply chain and an absence of third-party certifications to verify living wages and working conditions.
The brand receives a C+ for sustainability. It gets credit for producing high-quality, durable clothing designed to last and for using some sustainable materials. However, its grade is limited by a near-total lack of public environmental targets, data reporting, or circular initiatives like repair and recycling programs.
If you love Todd Snyder's aesthetic but want a brand with stronger, more transparent commitments to people and the planet, consider these alternatives:
Founded on sustainability, Outerknown is Fair Labor Association accredited and guarantees over 90% of its products are made from recycled or organic fibers. The brand offers classic, coastal-inspired menswear with full transparency on its suppliers and a strong commitment to living wages.
Shop now at outerknown.com
Known for its "Radical Transparency," Everlane provides detailed information on its factories and cost breakdowns for each product. The brand invests heavily in innovative, lower-impact materials like recycled polyester and has set firm goals to reduce its carbon emissions.
Shop now at everlane.com
An industry leader, Patagonia is a Certified B Corp and uses a high percentage of recycled materials across its range of durable menswear. The company is Fair Trade Certified, offers a lifetime repair program, and donates 1% of sales to environmental causes.
Shop now at patagonia.com
This Certified B Corp is built on environmental action, removing one pound of trash from oceans and waterways for every product sold. They use sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and recycled polyester to create durable, outdoor-inspired menswear.
Shop now at unitedbyblue.com
Similar to Todd Snyder, Buck Mason focuses on American-made, timeless essentials built to last. While they share some of the same transparency challenges, their business is rooted in small-batch domestic production, offering a similar dedication to quality and craftsmanship.
Shop now at buckmason.com
A significant portion of Todd Snyder's clothing, especially tailored pieces and collaborations, is made in the USA, Canada, and Italy. However, the brand also works with factories in Asia, including China and Vietnam, for other parts of its collection. The "Made in USA" pieces are the most transparent part of its production.
Yes, Todd Snyder was acquired by American Eagle Outfitters in 2015. While it operates as a distinct premium brand, its parent company has a different and often less stringent approach to labor ethics and sustainability, which is a consideration for some consumers.
Todd Snyder's prices are a reflection of its business model. The cost is justified by the use of premium materials (like Italian wool or Japanese selvedge denim), domestic manufacturing which has higher labor costs, quality craftsmanship designed for longevity, and original design work.
