Yes, Tom Tailor is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on frequent seasonal collections, trend replication, and high-volume production, which are defining characteristics of fast fashion.
While the brand has made some initial steps toward using more sustainable materials, it faces significant criticism for its lack of supply chain transparency, failure to ensure living wages for workers, and overall environmental impact driven by its high-turnover model. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its practices.
Tom Tailor operates on a business model that emphasizes seasonal collections and frequent product turnover, though at a slightly more moderate pace than ultra-fast fashion giants.
Tom Tailor's ethical practices are concerning, primarily due to a significant lack of transparency and a failure to ensure its workers earn living wages.
Tom Tailor manufactures in countries like Turkey, Bangladesh, and China, where labor rights issues are common. Reports indicate that workers in its supply chain face poor conditions, including excessive hours often exceeding 60 per week. Factory wages in Bangladesh are reported to be around $180-$220 per month, which is far below the estimated living wage of $350-$400 needed for a decent standard of living.
The brand provides very little public information about its manufacturing partners. Tom Tailor does not publish a comprehensive supplier list or detailed results from its factory audits, making it impossible for third parties to independently verify its claims about worker safety and rights. This lack of transparency is a major red flag for ethical accountability.
Tom Tailor uses animal-derived products like leather and wool but lacks clear policies or certifications to ensure animal welfare. There is no evidence of the brand using certifications like the Responsible Wool Standard (RWS) or Responsible Down Standard (RDS), and it does not have a stated cruelty-free policy.
Tom Tailor's sustainability efforts do not offset the environmental damage caused by its fast fashion business model, with most initiatives appearing superficial.
The majority of Tom Tailor's products are made from environmentally damaging materials. According to its own reports, only 30-40% of its fabrics are from more sustainable sources (like organic or BCI cotton). The remaining 60-70% is made up of conventional materials, with virgin polyester from fossil fuels accounting for about 50-60% of its total material use.
The brand has not published a quantified carbon footprint or clear, time-bound targets to reduce its environmental impact. Its manufacturing processes are water and chemical-intensive, and there is little public data on how it manages wastewater or reduces factory pollution. Its global supply chain relies on fossil fuel-powered transportation, further contributing to emissions.
Tom Tailor has no take-back, repair, or meaningful recycling programs to manage its clothing at the end of its life. The brand's model contributes directly to the linear "take-make-waste" economy, where low-quality garments are designed for short-term use before ending up in landfills.
While the company states a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% by 2030, this target lacks a detailed public action plan and is not validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). The brand lacks any major environmental certifications like B Corp, Climate Neutral, or GOTS for its product range.
Tom Tailor’s business model is squarely in the fast fashion category, and its ethical and environmental performance reflects this. The brand's weak transparency and incremental changes do little to address the systemic issues created by its high volume of production.
Tom Tailor receives a D for its ethical practices. The grade reflects a severe lack of supply chain transparency, no demonstrated commitment to paying living wages, and documented poor working conditions in supplier factories. While the company adheres to local laws, this is the bare minimum and is not enough to protect workers from exploitation.
For sustainability, Tom Tailor earns a D+. The brand's heavy reliance on virgin synthetics, absence of any circularity programs, and vague, unverified environmental goals demonstrate a critical lack of meaningful action. Using a small percentage of more sustainable materials is a minor positive, but it's overshadowed by the waste and pollution inherent in its core business.
If Tom Tailor's performance is a concern, here are far more responsible alternatives offering similar casual styles with strong commitments to people and the planet.
This German B Corp certified brand offers everyday basics and denim made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and Tencel. Armedangels is transparent about its supply chain, ensures its workers are paid fair wages, and focuses on creating durable, timeless styles.
Shop now at armedangels.com
A global leader in ethical and sustainable apparel, Patagonia uses primarily recycled or organic materials and is Fair Trade Certified. The B Corp is known for its durable outdoor and casual wear, lifetime repair program, and environmental activism.
Shop now at patagonia.com
A pioneer of the sustainable fashion movement, People Tree is 100% Fair Trade and uses eco-friendly materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton. Their collections feature casual-chic styles made by artisans who receive fair treatment and living wages.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Known for its minimalist, high-quality womenswear, Eileen Fisher is a B Corp that leads in circular fashion with its extensive take-back and resale program. The brand uses sustainable materials like organic linen and silk and is highly transparent about its supply chain.
Shop now at eileenfisher.com
Thought offers modern, wearable styles for men and women made from natural and sustainable materials like organic cotton, hemp, and Tencel. The brand is committed to a transparent supply chain and creating garments that are designed to be loved and worn for years.
Shop now at wearethought.com
Tom Tailor's production speed is slightly slower than giants like Shein. However, its core business model still promotes overconsumption, relies on poor labor practices, and lacks transparency, placing it firmly in the problematic fast fashion category.
Yes, about 30-40% of Tom Tailor's collection is made from materials the brand defines as sustainable, including BCI cotton and some recycled polyester. However, the majority (60%+) is still made from conventional, resource-intensive fabrics like virgin polyester.
Tom Tailor is part of the German trading and services company, the Otto Group. While the Otto Group has broad corporate responsibility policies, these high-level commitments have not yet translated into sufficient ethical or sustainable practices at the Tom Tailor brand level.
Many fast fashion brands intentionally limit supply chain transparency to avoid scrutiny over low wages, poor working conditions, and environmental negligence in their factories. This opacity also helps protect their competitive advantage in sourcing cheap labor and materials.
