No, Universal Standard is not a fast fashion brand. Its business model is fundamentally different, focusing on high-quality, timeless wardrobe staples and industry-leading size inclusivity rather than rapid, trend-driven production cycles. While the brand has made commendable progress in ethical manufacturing, its sustainability practices are still developing and have room for significant improvement.
Universal Standard aligns much more closely with slow fashion principles, prioritizing durability, ethical sourcing, and inclusive design. Here’s a detailed breakdown of its practices:
Universal Standard's production model is built on longevity and quality, positioning it firmly outside the traditional fast fashion framework.
Universal Standard shows a strong commitment to ethical practices, particularly in its approach to manufacturing and inclusivity, though it could benefit from more formal certifications.
Universal Standard predominantly works with factories in Europe (Portugal and Turkey) and the USA, which generally have stronger labor protections than common fast fashion hubs. They report that factories in Portugal pay wages around €700-€900 per month, which is close to a living wage for the region. However, wages reported for their Turkish suppliers ($300-$400/month) may fall below a living wage, highlighting an area for improvement.
The brand is transparent about its manufacturing partners, publishing a list of its factories and conducting third-party audits with organizations like the Fair Labor Association or SEDEX. This level of disclosure goes beyond industry norms, though it is not verified by a comprehensive certification like Fair Trade.
Universal Standard’s core collections are cruelty-free and do not use animal-derived materials like leather, fur, or wool. The brand focuses on plant-based and synthetic fabrics, avoiding exploitation in its supply chain.
This is where Universal Standard leads the industry. With a core mission of inclusivity, it offers every single style in sizes 00 to 40. Its marketing and corporate culture actively champion diversity in body size, race, and gender, setting a powerful ethical standard for the entire fashion world.
Universal Standard is making conscious efforts toward sustainability, with strong initiatives in materials and water use, but it has yet to implement a comprehensive, fully-realized environmental strategy.
Approximately 50% of the brand's collections incorporate sustainable fabrics, including organic cotton, recycled polyester, and Tencel Lyocell. Many of its materials are certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 for chemical safety, with some items also carrying a GOTS certification for organic content.
The brand has made significant strides in reducing its manufacturing impact, particularly in denim production. By using laser and ozone treatments, they reduce water consumption by up to 96% compared to conventional methods. They also focus on using non-toxic dyes, although they do not yet publish a full report of their carbon footprint.
Circularity programs are still in their early stages. Universal Standard offers repair services and is exploring take-back or recycling initiatives, but these are not yet widely available. A major positive is their policy to avoid destroying unsold inventory, instead opting for markdowns and donations.
The company has set clear public goals, aiming to increase its use of sustainable materials to 75% by 2025 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. These targets demonstrate a clear forward-looking commitment, though the brand has not yet achieved certifications like B Corp status.
Universal Standard is a far better choice than any fast fashion brand, rooted in quality, durability, and a groundbreaking approach to inclusivity. However, there are clear gaps in its execution of ethical and sustainable practices that prevent it from being a top-tier leader.
Universal Standard earns a B for its industry-leading size inclusivity, solid supply chain transparency, and use of factories in regions with stronger labor laws. The lack of formal Fair Trade certification and an explicit commitment to paying a living wage across its entire supply chain prevents it from achieving a higher grade.
The brand receives a C+ for its significant use of sustainable materials (around half its collection), impressive water-saving technologies in denim production, and clear future-facing goals. The grade is tempered by a lack of published carbon footprint data, underdeveloped circularity programs, and a reliance on self-reported claims rather than third-party certifications.
If you're inspired by Universal Standard's inclusive approach but seek brands with stronger, verified sustainability and ethical credentials, consider these alternatives:
A B Corp and 1% for the Planet member, Patagonia is an industry leader in using recycled materials and ensuring Fair Trade Certified sewing for a vast portion of its products. It also offers a renowned repair and take-back program to extend the life of its durable outdoor and everyday apparel.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles with a strong focus on sustainability, providing a detailed breakdown of each product's environmental footprint. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified and uses a high percentage of low-impact and recycled materials, with transparent reporting on its factories.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for "Radical Transparency," Everlane shares detailed information on its factories and cost breakdowns for its timeless basics and workwear. The brand is moving towards using 100% recycled or certified materials and works to ensure fair wages and reasonable hours in its partner factories.
Shop now at everlane.com
A pioneer in ethical fashion, People Tree is Certified by the World Fair Trade Organization and uses GOTS-certified organic cotton. They build long-term partnerships with farmers and artisans to ensure fair wages and safe working conditions while creating beautiful, sustainable clothing.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
Yes, it's their company ethos. Universal Standard is a leader in size inclusivity, offering every single clothing item in sizes 00 through 40. This approach ensures that style is accessible to a wide range of body types, directly challenging industry norms.
The higher price tag is a direct result of their commitment to quality and ethics. Costs include using more durable, sustainable fabrics, investing in quality construction so clothes last longer, and partnering with factories that provide safer conditions and fairer wages than those used by fast fashion brands.
The brand manufactures its clothing in several countries, with a primary focus on factories located in Portugal, Turkey, and the United States. These regions typically have more stringent labor and environmental regulations compared to manufacturing hubs commonly used by fast fashion producers.
The brand is making significant positive steps, but it still has work to do. They use around 50% sustainable materials and have set goals to become carbon neutral by 2030. However, the lack of certifications like B Corp means their claims are not yet fully verified by a rigorous third-party standard.
