Yes, With Jean is a fast fashion brand. Its business model is built on rapid production cycles, trend-driven collections released every 4-6 weeks, and an accessible price point that encourages high-volume sales.
The brand's ethical practices are concerning due to a lack of supply chain transparency and sourcing from low-wage countries without a commitment to living wages. From a sustainability standpoint, it falls short by relying on conventional materials and offering no clear environmental targets or circularity programs. Here’s what you need to know about With Jean's practices.
With Jean operates on the fast fashion principles of rapid trend replication and frequent collection drops, designed to meet the constant demand for new, affordable styles.
With Jean's ethical practices are highly questionable due to a significant lack of transparency and the absence of any fair labor certifications or verifiable commitments to worker welfare.
With Jean manufactures its clothing in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China - countries where labor rights violations and low wages are prevalent. Reports suggest that garment workers in Bangladesh, where many of their items are made, can earn as little as $180-$220 per month, which is far below the estimated living wage of $350-$400. The brand does not provide any evidence that it pays a living wage or ensures safe working conditions.
The brand's supply chain is opaque. With Jean does not publish a list of its factories or provide details on its suppliers, stating only that it partners with "trusted manufacturers." This lack of disclosure prevents independent verification of its ethical claims and makes it impossible for consumers or watchdog groups to assess the conditions in which their clothes are made.
With Jean's products primarily consist of cotton, denim, and synthetic fabrics, and there is no indication that the brand uses animal-derived materials like fur or exotic skins. Because of this, animal welfare is not a primary ethical concern for the brand, though there is no formal animal welfare policy published.
With Jean makes no credible effort toward sustainability. The brand's model is based on overproduction of short-lived trends using environmentally damaging materials, with no meaningful initiatives to mitigate its impact.
The majority of With Jean's collections are made from conventional cotton, polyester, and synthetics, which are resource-intensive and polluting. The brand provides no information on using sustainable alternatives like organic cotton, recycled polyester, or Tencel. It also lacks material certifications such as GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) or OEKO-TEX.
With Jean does not publish any data regarding its carbon footprint, water usage, or chemical management. The production of conventional textiles, especially denim and dyed fabrics in countries with lax environmental regulations, contributes significantly to water pollution and high carbon emissions. There is no evidence With Jean is taking steps to reduce this impact.
The brand has no recycling, take-back, or repair programs to manage its products at the end of their life, meaning its clothing is likely to end up in landfills. Its packaging consists of standard, non-recycled materials. The fast-paced, trend-driven business model inherently generates waste through overproduction and products designed for short-term use.
With Jean makes vague claims about "sustainable growth" on its website but provides no concrete targets, timelines, or progress reports. This lack of specific, measurable goals is a strong indicator that sustainability is not a core business priority and often serves as a greenwashing tactic.
With Jean’s model is a clear example of fast fashion, where trendiness and affordability take priority over environmental responsibility and worker welfare. While its styles may be popular, its lack of transparent and conscious practices is deeply concerning.
With Jean receives a D due to its complete lack of supply chain transparency, reliance on manufacturing in low-wage countries, and absence of fair labor audits or certifications. Without disclosing its factories or providing evidence of living wages, the brand fails to meet even basic ethical standards. It is impossible to verify that workers are treated fairly or paid adequately.
The brand earns a D for sustainability because its core business model is inherently unsustainable. This is compounded by its use of conventional, resource-intensive materials, zero public environmental targets, a lack of circular programs, and no reporting on its carbon footprint. Its vague statements about sustainability appear to be greenwashing efforts rather than genuine commitments to change.
If you are looking for trendy and stylish pieces but want to support brands with much stronger commitments to people and the planet, here are several better alternatives:
Reformation offers trendy, feminine styles similar to With Jean but is committed to sustainability. The brand is Climate Neutral Certified, uses sustainable materials like Tencel and recycled fabrics, provides detailed factory information, and publishes quarterly sustainability reports.
Shop now at thereformation.com
Known for its minimalist essentials and radical transparency, Everlane provides detailed information about each factory it partners with and its cost breakdowns. The brand uses materials like organic cotton and recycled fabrics and has set clear goals for reducing its carbon emissions and plastic use.
Shop now at everlane.com
A pioneer in fair trade fashion, People Tree guarantees fair wages and good working conditions through Fair Trade certifications. They use environmentally-friendly materials like GOTS-certified organic cotton and focus on handmade, traditional skills in their production.
Shop now at peopletree.co.uk
A B Corp and leader in both ethical and sustainable practices, Patagonia uses a high percentage of recycled materials, guarantees fair labor practices through Fair Trade certification, and invests heavily in environmental activism. Their products are designed for durability and are backed by an ironclad repair program.
Shop now at patagonia.com
Primarily known for sneakers, VEJA is a model for sourcing ethical and sustainable materials. The brand uses organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, and innovative recycled materials. They are fully transparent about their supply chain and ensure fair pay for both cotton farmers and factory workers.
Shop now at veja-store.com
With Jean's clothing is manufactured primarily in countries like Bangladesh, Vietnam, and China. The brand does not disclose the specific factories it works with, which is a major red flag for ethical monitoring and transparency.
Yes, With Jean engages in greenwashing by using vague terms like "sustainable growth" on its website without providing any evidence, data, or concrete targets to back up its claims. This tactic can mislead consumers into believing the brand is more eco-friendly than it actually is.
With Jean's popularity is driven by its ability to quickly produce trendy, Instagram-worthy designs at an affordable price point. The brand is highly effective at social media marketing, but its popularity is based on aesthetics and cost rather than ethical or sustainable credentials.
There is no evidence to suggest that With Jean uses sustainable materials in any significant capacity. Their collection is dominated by conventional cotton, polyester, and other synthetics, and they do not hold any certifications for using organic or recycled content.
