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London, UK – Carhartt WIP, the fashion-forward offshoot of the venerable American workwear brand, has been assigned a "Not Good Enough" rating by ethical fashion authority Good On You, highlighting significant deficiencies in its publicly disclosed sustainability efforts across environmental, labour, and animal welfare fronts. Despite its reputation for producing durable, long-lasting garments—a foundational aspect often associated with sustainable practices—the brand is deemed to be falling short in taking comprehensive responsibility for its broader impact. This assessment, based on Carhartt WIP’s rating published in January 2026 and last updated on April 1, 2026, underscores a growing industry demand for transparency and accountability from global fashion entities.
A Legacy of Durability Meets Modern Scrutiny
The "Not Good Enough" verdict comes from Good On You, an independent organisation renowned for its meticulous ratings system that evaluates thousands of fashion brands based on hundreds of data points related to their impact on people, the planet, and animals. The rating system provides consumers with critical insights, guiding them towards more responsible purchasing decisions. For Carhartt WIP, a brand with deep historical roots, this rating presents a stark challenge to its contemporary practices.
It is crucial to differentiate Carhartt WIP (Work In Progress) from its parent company, the original Carhartt. Founded in 1889 by Hamilton Carhartt, the American workwear brand Carhartt built its legacy on robust apparel designed for strenuous labour, becoming synonymous with resilience and utility for construction workers and industrial labourers. In 1994, Carhartt WIP emerged as a European-based sister brand, reinterpreting these classic workwear staples for a global audience, particularly resonating with ’90s hip-hop and skate cultures. Recognised by its distinctive yellow ‘C’ logo, Carhartt WIP adapts and modifies core Carhartt products into ready-to-wear collections, blending utilitarian aesthetics with contemporary fashion sensibilities.
This adaptation, however, appears not to have extended sufficiently to its operational ethics. While the brand’s enduring designs and consistent quality are often praised by consumers and fashion publications like GQ for contributing to garment longevity—a key element of sustainable consumption—Good On You analysts found a troubling lack of progress in addressing its overall impact. The expectation that a family-owned, storied business producing clothes for longevity should inherently possess strong sustainable foundations has not been met by its verifiable practices.
Environmental Impact: A Veil of Non-Disclosure
Good On You’s environmental assessment of Carhartt WIP also resulted in a "Not Good Enough" rating, primarily due to a profound lack of public disclosure. While the brand acknowledges the use of some lower-impact materials, such as organic cotton, it fails to provide an aggregated breakdown of all materials utilised in its collections. This absence of comprehensive data makes it challenging for consumers and analysts alike to gauge the true environmental benefit of these efforts.
The fashion industry is a significant contributor to global environmental degradation, from vast water consumption and chemical pollution in textile production to substantial greenhouse gas emissions across complex supply chains. Brands are increasingly expected to detail their strategies for mitigating these impacts. In Carhartt WIP’s case, Good On You found no public evidence that the brand is actively working to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions throughout its supply chain. This is a critical oversight, as the carbon footprint of clothing manufacturing, transport, and retail operations contributes directly to climate change.
Furthermore, there is no public information regarding Carhartt WIP’s initiatives to minimise packaging, which plays a substantial role in plastic pollution and waste generation. Similarly, the brand offers no evidence of taking action to protect biodiversity in its supply chain, an increasingly vital concern given the impact of monoculture farming, deforestation, and chemical use on ecosystems. The cumulative effect of these non-disclosures paints a picture of a brand yet to embrace full environmental accountability, leaving consumers in the dark about its ecological footprint.
Labour Conditions: Unfinished Business for Workers
The transparency deficit extends conspicuously into Carhartt WIP’s labour practices, leading to another "Not Good Enough" rating in this crucial area. For a brand whose heritage is rooted in clothing labourers, the lack of robust worker protection and transparency is particularly ironic and concerning.
A significant gap identified by Good On You is the absence of information regarding financial security provided to its suppliers. Stable financial relationships with suppliers are fundamental to ensuring fair working conditions and living wages for garment workers. When suppliers are financially vulnerable, they are often pressured to cut costs, which can directly translate to exploitation of workers and an inability to invest in necessary improvements, such as decarbonising their energy use or upgrading safety standards.
While Carhartt WIP does maintain a Code of Conduct that incorporates the International Labour Organization (ILO) principles—a positive step outlining fundamental rights at work—and audits some parts of its supply chain, these efforts are not comprehensive enough. The brand states it audits all of the final production stage, but this leaves a vast portion of the supply chain, particularly raw material extraction and earlier manufacturing processes, unscrutinised. It is precisely in these deeper tiers of the supply chain where exploitation, including forced labour, child labour, and unsafe conditions, is most often hidden.
Moreover, despite publishing some "rather vague details" about where its clothes are made, Carhartt WIP has not provided granular information such as the names and precise locations of its suppliers. This level of supply chain mapping is now a benchmark for leading sustainable brands, enabling external scrutiny and fostering accountability. Without this transparency, it remains challenging to verify working conditions or ensure adherence to ethical standards. Good On You explicitly recommends that Carhartt WIP adopt an acceptable definition of a living wage and commit to paying it throughout its entire supply chain, a critical benchmark that goes beyond mere minimum wage compliance to ensure workers can afford a decent standard of living.
Animal Welfare: Room for Significant Improvement
Carhartt WIP’s animal welfare performance also garners a "Not Good Enough" rating. On the positive side, the brand does not use certain controversial animal-derived materials, including fur, down (conventional), angora, cashmere, shearling, or exotic animal skin or hair. This demonstrates a partial commitment to avoiding some of the most problematic animal products in the fashion industry.
However, the brand continues to utilise leather, wool, alpaca, and down (some recycled or certified alternatives). The primary concern raised by Good On You is that Carhartt WIP’s animal welfare policy is not aligned with the "Five Domains of Animal Welfare." This internationally recognised framework assesses animal welfare based on:
- Nutrition: Access to sufficient, balanced, varied, and clean food and water.
- Environment: Appropriate shelter, comfortable resting areas, and thermal comfort.
- Health: Prevention of disease, injury, and provision of veterinary treatment.
- Behaviour: Opportunity to express normal behaviour patterns.
- Mental State: Promoting positive mental states through comfort, pleasure, interest, and confidence, while minimising negative states like fear, anxiety, frustration, and pain.
Without a policy explicitly aligning with these domains, there is insufficient assurance that the animals providing materials for Carhartt WIP’s products are treated humanely throughout their lives. While the brand’s choice to use some recycled or certified alternatives to conventional wool and down is a commendable start, it is deemed insufficient to elevate its overall animal welfare standing. Comprehensive policies and verifiable practices across all animal-derived materials are essential for a robust "Good" or "Great" rating.
Implications and the Path Forward
The "Not Good Enough" rating for Carhartt WIP from Good On You carries significant implications for the brand, its consumers, and the broader fashion industry. In an era where consumers are increasingly conscious of the ethical and environmental footprint of their purchases, a low sustainability rating can erode brand loyalty and appeal, particularly among younger demographics who often prioritise purpose alongside product.
For Carhartt WIP, a brand that has successfully leveraged its authentic workwear heritage to cultivate a strong cultural identity, this rating presents a critical juncture. The "Work In Progress" moniker, originally signifying its adaptive fashion approach, now inadvertently highlights the actual work needed to improve its ethical standing. While Carhartt WIP has not issued a public statement specifically addressing this rating, the company’s general communication often emphasizes its legacy of quality and durability. However, industry experts and advocacy groups consistently call for greater corporate accountability, suggesting that silence or inaction could further damage brand perception.
The recommendations provided by Good On You offer a clear roadmap for improvement:
- Living Wage Commitment: Adopt and commit to paying a living wage across its entire supply chain.
- Emissions Transparency and Reduction: Publicly share current greenhouse gas emissions data and detail concrete actions being taken to reduce them.
- Supply Chain Transparency: Disclose precise details, including company names and locations, of all suppliers across all tiers of production.
- Holistic Animal Welfare Policy: Develop and implement an animal welfare policy aligned with the Five Domains, applicable to all animal-derived materials.
- Comprehensive Material Breakdown: Provide an aggregate breakdown of all materials used, highlighting the proportion of lower-impact alternatives.
- Packaging Minimisation: Detail efforts to reduce packaging waste and plastic use.
- Biodiversity Protection: Outline strategies to protect biodiversity within its supply chain.
By embracing these measures, Carhartt WIP could not only enhance its sustainability rating but also reinforce its brand integrity, aligning its modern identity with the ethical standards expected in the 21st-century fashion landscape. The ongoing rerating process by Good On You and other organisations ensures continuous scrutiny, providing both a challenge and an opportunity for brands to evolve towards a more responsible future.
Good Swaps: Ethical Alternatives for Conscious Consumers
For consumers seeking hardwearing clothes that embody a workwear aesthetic, skate culture vibe, or simply durable, timeless pieces with a stronger commitment to ethical production, several brands have received higher ratings from Good On You. These alternatives demonstrate a more robust approach to environmental, labour, and animal welfare practices:
ISTO.
This Portuguese brand is committed to creating seasonless staple items, prioritising quality over quantity. ISTO. uses organic materials and offers full transparency on the true cost of its garments, fostering a responsible consumption model.
- Range: XS-XL.
- See the rating. Shop ISTO..
Toad&Co
A US brand dedicated to social and environmental responsibility, Toad&Co offers men’s and women’s wear suitable for both outdoor adventures and casual settings.
- Range: XS-2XL.
- See the rating. Shop Toad&Co.
Brothers We Stand
This UK-based online store curates 100% vegan, stylish, and sustainably-made menswear. It focuses on helping consumers build a wardrobe of better, responsibly produced items.
- Range: S-XL.
- See the rating. Shop Brothers We Stand.
Patagonia
A leading name in outdoor apparel, Patagonia is celebrated for its "Good" labour practices, use of recycled polyester, and commitment to reducing energy consumption and emissions. The brand actively lives its ethos of environmental stewardship.
- Range: 2XS-3XL.
- See the rating. Shop Patagonia second-hand @ Retykle. Shop Patagonia.
Outerknown
Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown blends style and function with a strong focus on protecting natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and partners with the Fair Labour Association, demonstrating its commitment to ethical production.
- Range: XS-2XL.
- See the rating. Shop Outerknown.
Terra Thread
Terra Thread specialises in backpacks, bags, and apparel made from lower-impact materials, including GOTS and Fairtrade certified organic cotton. Its suppliers are all Fair Trade certified, ensuring ethical production practices.
- See the rating. Shop Terra Thread.
Amble Outdoors
(formerly Team Timbuktu) This Australian brand creates high-performance waterproof raincoats and sweat-wicking outdoor wear from recycled plastic bottles, promoting circularity and local manufacturing.
- Range: XS-4XL.
- See the rating. Shop Amble Outdoors.
BEDI
A Canadian brand, BEDI creates handmade bags, knits, and outerwear with a focus on circularity. It uses carefully selected lower-impact materials like upcycled airline seat leather, fish nets, vegan cactus leather, and sustainably grown cotton, adhering to a slow fashion ethos.
- Range: XS-XL.
- See the rating. Shop BEDI. Shop BEDI @ Immaculate Vegan.
Wuxly Movement
This Canadian outerwear brand combines tech-based and recycled materials for elite performance, innovating with responsible materials while ensuring all products are vegan.
- Range: 2XS-3XL.
- See the rating. Shop Wuxly Movement.
CARPASUS
A Swiss menswear brand offering fine shirts, ties, socks, and pocket squares. CARPASUS uses GOTS certified cotton, manufactures locally to minimise its carbon footprint, traces its supply chain, and ensures workers receive a living wage.
- Range: EU sizes 36-46.
- See the rating. Shop CARPASUS.
Komodo
This UK brand prioritises people and the planet with its lower-impact menswear and womenswear. Komodo uses responsible materials like GOTS-certified cotton and hemp, and ensures most suppliers pay a living wage.
- Range: UK sizes 8-16.
- See the rating. Shop Komodo. Shop Komodo @ Immaculate Vegan.
WAWWA
A UK brand committed to organic, fair trade, and vegan-friendly clothing. WAWWA uses recycled materials, lower-impact non-toxic dyes, and reuses offcuts to minimise textile waste, aiming for a positive social impact.
- Range: XS-2XL.
- See the rating. Shop WAWWA.
Colorful Standard
This Danish brand creates organic fashion essentials for men and women, focusing on timeless, long-lasting products rather than seasonal trends, thereby combating over-consumption.
- Range: XS-2XL.
- See the rating. Shop Colorful Standard.
Yes Friends
A UK-based brand making affordable, responsible clothing. Yes Friends achieves accessible pricing for its ethical garments through large-scale production and direct-to-consumer margins.
- Range: 2XS-4XL.
- See the rating. Shop Yes Friends.
ASKET
Since 2015, ASKET has been creating timeless wardrobe essentials with revolutionary sizing and fair pricing. The brand focuses on a single, permanent collection, eliminating seasonal collections and middlemen.
- Range: 2XS-2XL.
- See the rating. Shop ASKET.
Up-Fuse
A Cairo-based social enterprise, Up-Fuse promotes an eco-conscious lifestyle by transforming waste into unique products. The brand works with Syrian, Ethiopian, and Sudanese female refugees in Egypt, fostering social impact.
- See the rating. Shop Up-Fuse.
Editor’s note: Feature image via Unsplash, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.
We updated this article on 1 April 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We updated this article and sources to reflect the most recent rating review.
